Note from Rep. Gara: Taking Your Marbles & Going Home? Tsk Tsk. The Budget & Higher Ed Scholarship Debate
This week we are debating the operating budget. It’s roughly 4% higher than last year, and while I work in a GOP-controlled House, I also believe in trying to find common ground when I can. I don’t believe in the worst we see from Washington, D.C., where many members reflexively oppose measures sponsored by members of the opposite party.
If you want knee jerk politics, there are plenty of people nationally you can idolize. Those people – whether on the state level, or in Congress where folks constantly filibuster to prevent votes and debate, and the ability for compromise, get nothing done. And they harm the constituents they take an oath to represent.
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Rep. Les Gara: Governor’s Education Proposal Really $10 million Over Last Year, Not $30 million
Today, Representative Les Gara (D-Anchorage) released the following statement on the governor’s proposal to give additional one-time funding to Alaska’s schools.
“The governor shouldn’t suggest a $10 million increase over last year is a $30 million increase. It’s less than 1 percent more than last year’s school funding and is roughly one quarter of what schools need just to keep up with inflation. The governor gave all his other departments inflation adjustments for salary and fuel increases, just not for Alaskans’ educational opportunity.”
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Democrats to Gov: Stop Touting Existing Oil Industry Commitments as New
Official reports show I-Pad, other promised investment already underway under ACES
JUNEAU - Today Representative Scott Kawasaki (D-Fairbanks) and Representative Les Gara (D-Anchorage) called on the governor to stop touting existing oil industry commitments as new when he pitches his multi-billion dollar oil tax giveaway.
“For the last four to five years, the oil industry has reported to the state that these projects are already in their plans, so how can the governor keep repeating that they are new commitments?” asked Rep. Kawasaki, a member of the House Resources Committee.
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Alaskans Call for End to Unlimited Corporate and Union Election Spending: Petition Gets 1,000th Signer in First Week
In just one week, over 1,000 Alaskans have signed a public petition supporting Rep. Gara’s legislation calling for an end to unlimited corporate campaign spending. Such quick action by a frustrated public shows the public significantly supports a ban on unlimited elections spending by corporations, made legal by the Citizens United Supreme Court case.
“The public is fed up with letting corporations, unions and others buy elections, and drown out the voices of voters who aren’t billionaires,” said Rep. Les Gara (D-Anc.), the lead Prime Sponsor of a resolution calling for a constitutional amendment to reverse the Citizens United decision. A Homer Tribune Article published yesterday fairly summarizes the legislative debate on this issue.
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ACTION ALERT: Public Testimony On Oil Tax Bill In Senate Tonight/Wednesday (and our Fishing Stream Access Bill Passed Yesterday!)
The Bi-Partisan Senate Majority has written an alternative tax bill to the Governor’s proposal, and is taking public testimony tonight and Wednesday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. To testify, you have to go to your local Legislative Information Office (716 W 4th Ave in Anchorage).
My Concerns; Senate Solutions: I have written extensively about my concerns on the Governor’s bill, which allows companies to reduce the share they pay Alaskans in oil taxes by $1.8 billion/yr. That bill specifically allows them to take that money to spend outside Alaska. A newsletter and PowerPoint I presented on these issues are linked here if you’d like more information.
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Note from Rep. Gara: Home Energy Upgrade $; Controversial Bills; Corporate Election $pending News & Um, HELP!!!
I just wanted to give you a quick update on some of the things we are working on in Juneau. And for those of you who missed last week’s constituent meeting held by our and Senator Ellis’ office – but have questions or concerns – please let us know. I’ll give the hard questions to Johnny. Kidding Johnny. Just kidding.
There are two controversial bills that I want to share some information on. First, on HJR 16 the House Finance Committee will take public testimony on a proposed constitutional amendment to use state money to pay for private schools.
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