Democrats Call on Governor to Make Stronger Commitment to Education

Keeping up with inflation allows schools to focus on where to improve, not where to cut

JUNEAU – Today, House Democrats called on the governor to join them in an effort to prevent Alaska’s school districts from having to make more cuts in the classroom due to inflation. The legislators sent a letter to the governor earlier today requesting that he be open to meeting school district needs by increasing the per-student allocation enough to cover the costs of inflation.

Democrats’ Bill to Extend Voting by Mail Passes Committee

Bill would make it easier for seniors, rural Alaskans and people with disabilities to vote

JUNEAU – Representative Max Gruenberg’s bill to make voting by mail easier passed the House State Affairs Committee today. The bill would allow all Alaskans the same right as military and overseas voters whose applications to vote by mail remain effective for two general elections (up to four years).

“Participating in our democracy is a right of citizenship,” said Rep. Gruenberg (D-Anchorage), “and it should not be made difficult or inconvenient. Reducing the paperwork to vote by mail makes it easier for Alaskans to vote, especially those who have a hard time getting to their polling place.”

Committee to Hear Democrats’ Bill to Create Non-partisan Primary Election

Bill would give Alaskans freedom to vote for any candidate, regardless of political party

JUNEAU – Today, the House State Affairs Committee is scheduled to hear Democratic legislation (HB 77) to establish a non-partisan primary in Alaska so Alaskans can have the freedom to vote for whomever they want in each election, regardless of their, or the candidate’s, party affiliation. Representative Max Gruenberg (D-Anchorage), Representative Sharon Cissna (D-Anchorage) and Representative Scott Kawasaki (D-Fairbanks) sponsored the legislation, and Representative Pete Petersen (D-Anchorage) is a co-sponsor.

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.

[Gruenberg] Legislature Honors Program for Helping Former Prisoners Rebuild Their Lives

Today, Representative Max Gruenberg (D-Anchorage) will present a legislative citation to Chanlyut and its participants and graduates for their work providing drug addicts and former prison inmates with the skills and self-discipline to rebuild their lives.

“I am proud to recognize the good work Chanlyut is doing for people in Mountain View and Anchorage working to start a new and better chapter in their lives,” said Rep. Gruenberg.

Ground Broken for New Northeast Anchorage Fire Station

Legislative funding leads to new station, increased safety for Northeast neighborhoods

Today, the Northeast Anchorage legislative delegation attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Fire Station #6 in East Anchorage. This project is funded by a $6 million legislative grant secured last year by Sen. Bill Wielechowski and Reps. Max Gruenberg and Pete Petersen. Fire Station #6 is one of Anchorage’s oldest and busiest fire stations, and replacing the outdated building has long been a top priority for the Northeast Anchorage area.

Alaska House Approves Free Death Certificates for Families of Deceased Veterans

JUNEAU – Today the Alaska House of Representatives passed legislation to allow families of deceased veterans to receive up to four official death certificates from the state for free. Currently, death certificates cost $25 each.

“These veterans served our country,” said Rep. Max Gruenberg (D-Anchorage), sponsor of the legislation. “We share their families’ grief. Removing the charge for death certificates will make it easier for family members to get benefits, like social security, veterans’ death benefits, and life insurance death benefits to which they are entitled on behalf of the deceased veteran. It’s the least we can do.”

Legislature Requests TSA Hearings in Alaska

Air travel, airport procedures of upmost importance to Alaskans

JUNEAU – Today, fifty-nine of sixty members of the Alaska Legislature sent a letter to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs requesting hearings be held in Alaska on the often invasive procedures used by the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA).

“Alaskans depend on air travel more than most other Americans,” said Rep. Max Gruenberg (D-Anchorage) who drafted the letter and gathered signatures from his colleagues in the State House. “The committee needs to hear from Alaskans about our unique concerns.”

Alaska House Gives University Regents Process to Remove Members for Cause

Bill protects Board of Regents from adverse actions of individual members

JUNEAU – Today the Alaska House of Representatives passed legislation creating a process for the University of Alaska Board of Regents to remove a regent for cause. The bill is a carefully crafted response to the unfortunate situation in 2007 where a regent refused to step down while being prosecuted for fraud.

Alaska Democrats Push Federal Bureaucrats to Allow NPR-A Oil Development

JUNEAU – Today, fourteen Democratic members of the Alaska Legislature called on the Obama Administration to resolve permit issues that are delaying ConocoPhillips’ efforts to develop a new oil field in the National Petroleum Reserve – Alaska (NPR-A). Last year, the Army Corps of Engineers rejected Conoco’s permit application to build a bridge across the Coleville River that the company needs to access the new field just west of its Alpine oil field, the third largest in Alaska.