NEWS: House Dems Comment on NCLB Waiver

House Democratic Legislators comment on Alaska’s waiver from No Child Left Behind

Today, five Democratic legislators from the Alaska House of Representatives released the following comments on Alaska receiving a waiver from the federal No Child Left Behind Act. In 2012, nine House Democratic legislators sponsored a resolution (HJR39) calling on the Parnell administration to apply for these waivers to the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 and to develop a comprehensive plan to ensure student success and school accountability.

ADVISORY: 1pm Mon- Democratic Legislators Press Availability

JUNEAU – Today, Senate Democratic Leader Johnny Ellis (D-Anchorage) and House Democratic Leader Beth Kerttula announced their caucuses are hosting a press availability on Monday, April 15, 2013 to discuss the 2013 legislative session.

WHAT: House and Senate Democratic Legislators press availability
WHEN: April 15, 2013, 1:00 p.m.
WHERE: State Capitol, Butrovich Room 203
TELECONFERENCE: From Juneau: 463-5009 – Outside Juneau: 855-463-5009

NEWS: Dems Stand Against Historic Giveaway of Alaska’s Oil

Massive giveaway with no commitments is based on trust, not facts

JUNEAU – Last night, House Democratic legislators stood up against the governor’s massive giveaway of Alaska’s oil wealth during a debate on the House Floor that lasted well past midnight.

NEWS: Giveaway changes: More Money, More Power to Oil Companies

Late Night meeting increased size of giveaway, repeats past mistakes

JUNEAU – Just after 2:00 a.m. this morning, the House Resources Committee voted to give away more of Alaska’s oil wealth with no guarantee of new production and to make the state rely on oil company statements instead of actual receipts when auditing deductions for tax breaks. The committee also tried to undo hard-won provisions that allow the oil companies that own the Trans Alaska Pipeline (TAPS) to charge the state and other companies for all of their expenses, not just the “reasonable” expenses allowed under current law.

NEWS: Democrats Push Permanent Fund Dividend Protection In Light Of Oil Giveaway

JUNEAU – Today eight Democratic legislators filed legislation to protect the Permanent Fund Dividend by placing the current dividend formula in the Alaska Constitution. With GOP leaders pushing an oil giveaway that is likely to cost Alaskans upwards of $1 billion or more a year, future legislators are likely to start cutting the Dividend to fund state revenue. To protect against attempts to spend the Dividend in tight economic times, former Governor Jay Hammond proposed an initiative in 2002 that would have enshrined the Dividend in the Constitution, but Lt. Governor Loren Leman rejected it as not able to be done by initiative.

NEWS: Democrats Offer Improvements to Small Gasline Legislation

Amendments would ensure low-cost gas, add accountability, provide maximum benefit to Alaskans

JUNEAU – Tonight, in an effort to add much needed accountability and assurances Alaskans will get low-cost gas and the maximum benefit from a small diameter gasline, Democratic legislators in the Alaska House of Representatives offered a series of amendments to the gasline’s enabling legislation.

House Bill 17 Sponsor Statement “Reducing the Principal of Postsecondary Education Loans for Alaska Students Who Remain in or Return to Alaska”

Link to the sponsor statement PDF from the office of Rep. Les Gara

NEWS: House Democrats Announce New Committee Assignments

JUNEAU – Today, House Democratic leadership announced updated committee assignments for the upcoming legislative session. The seats on the Finance and Resources Committees are tentative until a final decision is made once the entire caucus can meet in person. Currently, one member is out of town due to a family medical situation.

NEWS: House Democrats Announce Leadership for 28th Alaska Legislature

Leadership team brings experience, new energy

ANCHORAGE – Today, Alaska’s House Democratic Caucus announced its leadership for the 28th Alaska Legislature and its commitment to continue to work toward oil taxes that earn a fair return for Alaskans, lowering energy costs across the state, and ensuring Alaskans have access to top-quality education.

Democrats on Education Proposal: Fair Compromise, Schools Still Deserve Better

Lots of good for schools, but not enough to prevent cuts this year or in the future

JUNEAU – Today, House Democrats claimed a partial victory in the debate over school funding as the House passed a bill that provides far more resources to Alaska’s schools than what the governor proposed. The governor flat funded education and later proposed what was effectively a $10 million one-time increase, far short of keeping up with inflation.