Note from Rep. Gara: Double Standard? Guv Freezes School Funding, but Grants Inflation Increases to Every Other State Agency
While I look for common ground with our Governor - like our efforts to keep pushing to find ways to build a natural gas pipeline (we agree a large diameter line that exports gas, produces low-cost gas, and brings in revenue is smarter than a small in-state line that brings us very high cost natural gas and no revenue) - I do disagree with him on educational policy.
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Rep. Gara: Parnell Pumps Money Into All Agencies - Except Education
Proposed budget flat funds education, covers inflation increases for all other agencies
This year Governor Sean Parnell proposes to fund K-12 students at the same level as they were funded two years ago, yet his budget includes increases for every other state agency other than education.
“Freezing school funding to 2010 levels, without recognizing costs have gone up with inflation, translates into a major education cut. The proof’s in the pudding. It is causing schools across the state to plan for layoffs and the end of courses and summer school. The bottom line is that the Governor has granted state employees and bureaucrats inflation increases – just not kids,” said Rep. Les Gara.
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Democrats Push for Hearing on Oil Tax Credit Accountability
“Alaskans need to know what we got for our four billion dollar North Slope investment”
JUNEAU – Today, House Democratic Whip Berta Gardner (D-Anchorage) called for a hearing on two bills designed to provide Alaskans more information on the State’s North Slope investments. The bills will help Alaskans know if our massive investments are meeting our twin goals of more oil in the pipeline and more jobs for Alaskans. Recent testimony puts the state’s investment at over $4 billion over the last five years.
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Rep. Gara to State: Permit Cannot Ignore Destruction of Salmon Stream
Gara calls on state to scrap flawed ruling that salmon and trout stream can be “rebuilt”
Today, Representative Les Gara called on the Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to reverse its ruling that concluded the proposed Chuitna coal project is consistent with the state’s “Unsuitable Lands” law.
“Their proposal states they will completely remove at least 11 miles of wild salmon spawning and rearing habitat for a period of 25 years; digging down at least 300 feet below the streambed, thereby destroying not only the streambed but also the underlying functions that support a salmon stream and permanently impacting the water quality for all downstream reaches of the Chuitna,” said Rep. Gara, an avid fisherman and fishing writer.
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House Bill 272 “Student Loan Interest Reductions”
Currently Alaskans pay interest rates of roughly 7% and 8% for outstanding and new student loans. In contrast, used car loans are currently being issued by some lenders at 3% and less. Many Alaskans are struggling and Alaska has a history of losing those who obtain higher education degrees and job training to jobs outside of Alaska…
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House Bill 244 “Corporations Not ‘Persons’ in Elections”
“An Act providing that for-profit corporations and limited liability companies organized in this state are not persons for purposes of influencing the outcomes of public office elections, initiatives, referendums, or recalls.”
House Bill 244 will prohibit corporations from contributing to elections. This bill will amend state law that allows corporations to be recognized as persons and therefore contribute to campaigns with unlimited financial contributions…
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