JUNEAU – Today, the House Judiciary Committee passed out House Bill 27 sponsored by Representative Les Gara (D-Anchorage). The bill makes significant reforms to the foster youth system in Alaska and includes provisions intended to increase the number of available foster parents.
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Since I asked for this job, I can’t say, at the weirdest Juneau moments, “Help! Get me out of here!” I actually love representing you in Juneau. Things are a bit frantic at work. But I want you to know what’s happening. You are heartily invited to write letters to the editor to get the public activated, if you feel that’s appropriate.
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JUNEAU—Today, Representatives Les Gara (D-Anchorage) and Dan Ortiz (I-Ketchikan) called on the State to prevent the destruction of wild salmon spawning and rearing waters on the prized Chuitna River near Tyonek. The Canadian company PacRim Coal proposes to dredge and dewater an 11 mile stretch of the Middle Fork of the Chuitna River. PacRim Coal plans to sell the coal from the Chuitna River streambed to China.
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Juneau – Today, the Alaska House of Representatives unanimously passed House Bill 61 to honor those veterans who have demonstrated valor in combat while in the line of duty. Current law leaves out license plate designations for most of the important “valor in combat” medals.
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Last week the Senate passed additional major cuts to public school teachers, job counselors and education staff. Last year I and others tried to amend a three-year “education” plan that required educator cuts in many districts, and that was made worse last month when the Republican-led House Majority passed a budget deleting $32 million in promised education funds. Things got worse Friday when the Republican-led Senate hit schools with yet an additional $47 million in cuts. I believe in smart budget cuts, but not cuts with a bludgeon, or cuts that harm educational opportunity for the next generation.
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JUNEAU— Thursday, the House Health and Social Services Committee passed House Bill 27 sponsored by Representative Les Gara (D-Anchorage). The bill seeks to improve the lives of foster youth in Alaska by getting them into permanent loving homes, so they don’t keep suffering damage and neglect caused by bouncing between multiple temporary foster homes and schools. Rep. Gara thanks the members of the Health and Social Services Committee for their work on the bill.
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