Democrats Prioritize Education, Promote Solutions; FOCUS: parent involvement, commitment to districts, lowering cost of college and job training

JUNEAU – The state of Alaska needs to make education more of a priority, House Democrats told reporters at a press conference in the capitol today. House Minority Leader Beth Kerttula (Juneau), Representative Chris Tuck (Anchorage), Representative Pete Petersen (Anchorage) and Representative Les Gara (Anchorage) outlined their proposals to increase parent involvement in early education, to make sure school districts have the resources they need, and to make college and job training more affordable for Alaskans.

Berta’s Briefings from Rep. Gardner: This Year’s Legislative Priorities

As the 2012 Legislature begins to unfold, I wanted to give you a sense of my goals for this session. All of these ideas have evolved from important conversations with you, my constituents, as well as from community council discussions and what I have learned in legislative committees.

Here is some key legislation I am supporting or sponsoring…

Berta’s Briefings from Rep. Gardner: Stay In Touch and Involved with the Legislature

There are many ways to follow the proceedings of the Legislature. They include:
1. The website, where you can research and track bills: http://w3.legis.state.ak.us
2. Gavel to Gavel, where you can watch the Legislature online: http://gavelalaska.org/ or…

House Democratic Caucus Announces Social Media Pages

Today, the House Democratic Caucus announced its presence on three major social media websites, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. The caucus will post timely news, legislative updates, and other points of interest throughout the legislative session and the rest of the year.

Please find us on the following pages:

Facebook: facebook.com/AKdemocrats
Twitter: @AKHouseDems
YouTube: youtube.com/user/AKHousedemocrats

All content is public and available to use for any non-campaign related purpose.

Democrats: Today’s Resources Build Tomorrow’s Opportunity; Democratic Response to the State of the State shows vision for Alaska

JUNEAU – In her response to the governor’s state of the state speech tonight, House Democratic Leader Beth Kerttula (Juneau) told Alaskans that Alaska must use today’s resources to build tomorrow’s future.

“You’ve elected us to lead, and it’s our job to lead in a way that honors Alaska’s courageous spirit by using today’s resources to build tomorrow’s opportunities,” said Rep. Kerttula.

Democrats Introduce Accountability Measures for Oil Tax Credits

JUNEAU – Today, House Democratic Whip Berta Gardner (D-Anchorage) introduced two pre-filed bills designed to provide Alaskans more information on the State’s North Slope investments. The bills will help Alaskans know if our massive investment is meeting our twin goals of more oil in the pipeline and more jobs for Alaskans.

From Rep. Berta Gardner: Alaska Students Can Lift Your Heart

When the legislature is in Juneau, each Floor session is opened with a prayer. The person offering the prayer, whether one of our own members or an invited guest, customarily opens with words something like this: “With the deepest respect for the beliefs of all who are present here, I offer this prayer.”

Democrats Encouraged by Strong Interest in Alaska Oil Lease Sales; Robust bidding shows Alaska has much to offer new oil and gas producers

Today, House Minority Whip Berta Gardner (D-Anchorage), Representative Chis Tuck (D-Anchorage), and Representative Scott Kawasaki (D-Fairbanks) released the following statements after the state’s successful oil and gas lease sale this morning brought great interest from new and independent oil producers.

“The success of these sales is another positive sign that Alaska’s doing a lot right when it comes to developing our tremendous oil and gas resources,” said Rep. Gardner. “These new leases, new access to the west, and the record level of exploration expected on the Slope this season will go a long way toward generating jobs for Alaskans and oil for the pipeline.”

Democrats Welcome Agreement on New NPR-A Oil Development – Agreement between federal agencies and ConocoPhillips means more exploration, jobs

Representative Berta Gardner • Representative Bob Miller • Representative Les Gara • Representative Pete Petersen

Today, Alaska House Democrats welcomed news that federal agencies have reached an agreement in principle with ConocoPhillips that could allow the company to go forward with its plans for a major new development in the National Petroleum Reserve – Alaska (NPR-A). ConocoPhillips first applied for its permit to expand the Alpine field into the NPR-A over a year ago.

Berta’s Briefings from Rep. Gardner: Good News for Expanded North Slope Oil Development

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

The new agreement between ConocoPhillips and the federal government will encourage new North Slope development and the sharing of facilities. This will eventually put more oil in the Pipeline.

I just wanted to let you know about an important new development that should help promote new oil production on the North Slope. 

          Two federal resource agencies, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), just reached an agreement in principle with ConocoPhillips regarding the company’s proposed Alpine Satellite Development Plan (CD-5) in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A).