Op-Ed from Rep. Les Gara: Let’s debate oil tax without making up facts

When debating proposals that could cost Alaskans billions of dollars, it’s important to have your facts straight. Recently a lobbying group took liberties with the facts to sway you into giving away Alaska’s fair return on the oil we own. People are entitled to their opinions. But they are not entitled to make up their own facts.

[ADN Compass] Let’s pitch in to help Alaska’s foster youths

You can make a child’s life better. Easily. With little work. Or with harder work — whatever suits your fancy. I’ll use May’s Foster Care Awareness Month as my excuse to mention four great volunteer opportunities, three for individuals and one for businesses.

Over the years I’ve worked with others to improve Alaska’s foster care system — one that has historically seen 40 percent of our youths end up homeless at some point after leaving foster care; and less than 10 percent make it through college. Criminal and other unhealthy statistics are as alarming. The Legislature has done a good job of looking at fixable problems, though lots more needs to be done.