Rep. Guttenberg’s Legislative Report: Save Our Schools, Senate Operating Budget Public Testimony Tomorrow and Saturday

I want to take this opportunity to tell you about upcoming opportunities to affect the budget and policy moving through the Legislature.

S.O.S- Save Our Schools

This legislative session has seen numerous education policy bills that would significantly change our public education system. Couple this with a lack of basic funding and we are in danger of doing significant harm to our families, students, teachers and staff.

NEWS: Democratic Amendments: Invest in Education Now, Proven Payoff Later

Even with amendments, total budget would still be less than governor’s

JUNEAU – Today on the floor of the Alaska House of Representatives, Democratic legislators offered a series of amendments to the state operating budget to save Alaska money by investing wisely in its human resources today. If each amendment passed, the total budget would still be smaller than that proposed by the governor.

Rep. David Guttenberg’s Legislative Report: Budget, Olnes and Goldstream Lights

Thank you to everyone who testified on the FY 13 Operating budget. The FY13 Operating Budget passed the House last night. Now it will be transferred to the Senate, where the Senate Finance Committee will make their own additions and deletions.

I am sorry to say that the Republican Majority in House Finance has dissolved ANGDA in the operating budget via an amendment.

Rep. Guttenberg’s Legislative Report: Public Testimony, Operating Budget

We are half way through the 2012 Legislative Session. What happens in the next 45 days is crucial to many Alaskans. In the Interior, we need energy relief, jobs and education funding. I will continue to work on issues important to the Interior.

Public Testimony: Operating Budget

The House Finance Committee will take public testimony this week on the FY13 Operating Budget. The operating budget contains funds for the cost of state government, the University, and programs across Alaska.

Rep. Guttenberg’s Legislative Report: Session Ends with Never-Exercised Constitutional Provision

Sunday night around 10:40pm the Legislature was adjourned by Governor Parnell. This constitutional provision has never been exercised before. The Alaska State Constitution states:

Article 2 Section 10- Adjournment.
“Neither house may adjourn or recess for longer than three days unless the other concurs. If the two houses cannot agree on the time of adjournment and either house certifies the disagreement to the governor, he may adjourn the legislature.”

Rep. Guttenberg’s Legislative Report: Operating Budget Passes the House; Earthquake Planning;

This week I wanted to send out a quick update on the Operating Budget that passed the House this week. The Operating Budget will now be passed to the Senate for their amendments.

In reaction to the devastating events in Japan we are all sending our thoughts and wishes to those across the ocean. Please check out the section on what do to in an earthquake.

Rep. Guttenberg’s Legislative Report: Operating Budget Update and Process; Stampede Recreation Area Legislation; UA Boosters Meeting;

How about those Nanooks! The UAF Nanook Hockey Team brought home the 2011 Governor’s Cup. Congratulations! Here in Juneau the House Finance Committee has kept me busy with the Operating Budget and other legislation.

Rep. Guttenberg’s Legislative Report: Meeting Feedback; Operating Budget; Oil Taxes; School Gardens;

I hear it has been nothing but snow, snow and more snow back home! Students from around the state were here this week to advocate for the University system. I was proud of the students from UAF who I visited with, they were knowledgeable and professional. Go Nanooks!