NEWS: House Dems Comment on NCLB Waiver

House Democratic Legislators comment on Alaska’s waiver from No Child Left Behind

Today, five Democratic legislators from the Alaska House of Representatives released the following comments on Alaska receiving a waiver from the federal No Child Left Behind Act. In 2012, nine House Democratic legislators sponsored a resolution (HJR39) calling on the Parnell administration to apply for these waivers to the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 and to develop a comprehensive plan to ensure student success and school accountability.

ADVISORY: 1pm Mon- Democratic Legislators Press Availability

JUNEAU – Today, Senate Democratic Leader Johnny Ellis (D-Anchorage) and House Democratic Leader Beth Kerttula announced their caucuses are hosting a press availability on Monday, April 15, 2013 to discuss the 2013 legislative session.

WHAT: House and Senate Democratic Legislators press availability
WHEN: April 15, 2013, 1:00 p.m.
WHERE: State Capitol, Butrovich Room 203
TELECONFERENCE: From Juneau: 463-5009 – Outside Juneau: 855-463-5009

NEWS: Dems Stand Against Historic Giveaway of Alaska’s Oil

Massive giveaway with no commitments is based on trust, not facts

JUNEAU – Last night, House Democratic legislators stood up against the governor’s massive giveaway of Alaska’s oil wealth during a debate on the House Floor that lasted well past midnight.

NEWS: Giveaway changes: More Money, More Power to Oil Companies

Late Night meeting increased size of giveaway, repeats past mistakes

JUNEAU – Just after 2:00 a.m. this morning, the House Resources Committee voted to give away more of Alaska’s oil wealth with no guarantee of new production and to make the state rely on oil company statements instead of actual receipts when auditing deductions for tax breaks. The committee also tried to undo hard-won provisions that allow the oil companies that own the Trans Alaska Pipeline (TAPS) to charge the state and other companies for all of their expenses, not just the “reasonable” expenses allowed under current law.

NEWS: Democrats Offer Improvements to Small Gasline Legislation

Amendments would ensure low-cost gas, add accountability, provide maximum benefit to Alaskans

JUNEAU – Tonight, in an effort to add much needed accountability and assurances Alaskans will get low-cost gas and the maximum benefit from a small diameter gasline, Democratic legislators in the Alaska House of Representatives offered a series of amendments to the gasline’s enabling legislation.

NEWS: Democrats Introduce School Funding Measure

Alaska’s Schools Need a Lasting Commitment to Build on Successes

JUNEAU – Today, House Democrats introduced legislation to make a lasting commitment to Alaska’s schools by guaranteeing inflation will not lead to more school staff cuts. Nine members of the House Democratic Caucus signed on to the legislation.

PRESS RELEASE: Democrats Push Same Day Voter Registration: Want More People Voting, Not Fewer

(JUNEAU) – Today a group of Democrats announced they are filing a bill to increase the number of Alaskans who vote. Their bill will allow Alaskans to register the same day they vote. The bill contrasts with efforts we saw leading up to the 2012 election. That effort was pushed by the corporate-funded GOP leaning group American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and others to lower voter turnout by requiring additional forms of identification not currently required in Alaska. ALEC is funded by companies like the foreign drug-maker Bayer, drug-maker Abbott Labs, and over a hundred large corporations.

House Bill 17 Sponsor Statement “Reducing the Principal of Postsecondary Education Loans for Alaska Students Who Remain in or Return to Alaska”

Link to the sponsor statement PDF from the office of Rep. Les Gara

NEWS: House Democrats Announce New Committee Assignments

JUNEAU – Today, House Democratic leadership announced updated committee assignments for the upcoming legislative session. The seats on the Finance and Resources Committees are tentative until a final decision is made once the entire caucus can meet in person. Currently, one member is out of town due to a family medical situation.

NEWS: House Democrats Announce Leadership for 28th Alaska Legislature

Leadership team brings experience, new energy

ANCHORAGE – Today, Alaska’s House Democratic Caucus announced its leadership for the 28th Alaska Legislature and its commitment to continue to work toward oil taxes that earn a fair return for Alaskans, lowering energy costs across the state, and ensuring Alaskans have access to top-quality education.