Representative LINDSEY HOLMES

House Passes Rep. Holmes Bill to Help Alaska Enforce Consumer Protections

admin — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 21:01:46 +0000

REPRESENTATIVE LINDSEY HOLMES
(907) 465-4919
www.replindseyholmes.com
rep.lindsey.holmes@legis.state.ak.us
CONTACT: James Waldo Legislative Aide

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 17, 2012

House Passes Rep. Holmes Bill to Help Alaska Enforce Consumer Protections

“Our State should not have its hands tied waiting for federal enforcement to protect our citizens”

This morning, the Alaska State House passed HB 274, a bill by Rep. Lindsey Holmes that will bolster the state’s ability to stand up for the rights of Alaskan consumers.

Currently, a loophole in state law prevents the state from enforcing Alaska’s Consumer Protection laws in cases where federal and state responsibility overlap. Rep. Holmes’ bill would allow the state to enforce its consumer protection laws when there is shared jurisdiction with the federal government.

“Our state has great laws on the books to stand up for Alaskan consumers,” said Holmes, “But we need to make sure there aren’t any inadvertent loopholes that would keep those laws from protecting our citizens.”

The state’s Consumer Protection Act has an exemption that says it does not apply to “conduct prohibited by other state or federal law.” Although some federal law automatically preempts state law, there are many areas where federal and state enforcement overlap. In these cases, the exemption could prevent the state from pursuing claims against corporations engaged in illegal business practices.

“Our State should not have its hands tied waiting for federal enforcement to protect our citizens,” Holmes said, “Passing HB 274 shows that we are going to stand up for Alaskans and protect their rights.”

HB 274 moves on to the state Senate. Rep. Kurt Olson (R-Soldotna) has co-prime sponsored the measure with Rep. Holmes.

###

Rep. Lindsey Holmes Newsletter: Protecting Alaskan Consumers

admin — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 14:38:56 +0000

This morning, the Alaska State House passed my House Bill 274 which will bolster the state’s ability to stand up for the rights of Alaskan consumers. According to a recent decision by a federal judge, a provision in Alaska law could prevent the state from enforcing Alaska’s Consumer Protection laws in cases where federal and state enforcement responsibilities overlap. This could block the state from pursuing claims against corporations engaged in illegal business practices.

Democrats Call on Governor to Make Stronger Commitment to Education

admin — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 22:49:45 +0000

ALASKA HOUSE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS
(907) 465-3842 Room 404
WWW.AKDEMOCRATS.ORG
CONTACT: Mark Gnadt (907) 465-3842

February 13, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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.

“The governor’s support could make the difference in giving local districts the resources they need to prevent more cuts in the classroom,” said Rep. Pete Petersen (D-Anchorage), the prime sponsor of legislation to ensure the per-student allocation keeps up with inflation. “It’s the state’s duty to make sure schools get those resources, and it’s important for our future that we honor that obligation to our students this year and every year.”

The Alaska Constitution requires the state to “establish and maintain” the state’s public schools, and court rulings have interpreted that to mean the state is obligated to provide adequate resources to school districts.

“Alaska’s educators need to know they have a commitment from the state so they can focus on where to improve, not where to cut,” the representatives say in the letter.

Alaska House Democrats are working to garner support in the House for increasing the per-student funding amount enough to cover the costs of inflation. There was no increase to the per-student allocation last year, and the governor has proposed to flat-fund it again this year. The Alaska Senate passed legislation to increase the per-student allocation incrementally over the next three years.

“The Senate bill is a good start,” said House Minority Leader Beth Kerttula (D-Juneau), “and if we’re going to expect our schools to improve and to perform to the standards they need to, we should do even better and at least keep up with inflation.”

Read the letter: http://akdemocrats.org/docs/021312_letter_to_gov.pdf

###

Rep. Holmes Newsletter: Fairness for Local Property Tax Payers; Internship Opportunity!

admin — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:10:06 +0000

You have probably heard about the recent controversy surrounding property tax exemptions for teachers and employees of religious organizations. Representative Berta Gardner and I feel this situation is unfair to other taxpayers, and have introduced House Bill 305, the Property Tax Fairness Act, to fix it. In 2006, the Legislature significantly broadened the definition of religious property by including exemptions for the residence of “an educator in a private religious or parochial school.” This legislation also expanded the definition of “minister” and broadened the ordination standard for ministers. It also made these tax exemptions mandatory for all Alaska municipalities.

Newsletter from Rep. Holmes: And The Award Goes To… Alaska’s Economy!

admin — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:39:37 +0000

I returned to Anchorage this past weekend, and boy was it cold! But not as cold as it was in Barrow, the site of the recent Alaskan-filmed movie, Big Miracle – the movie we used to know as Everybody Loves Whales. I was excited to attend the Anchorage premiere of the movie while I was home. Almost every scene featured a local landmark or an Alaskan friend who had been cast in the film. When the credits rolled, the audience erupted in cheers, and we all stayed glued to our seats watching the impressive number of Alaskans and Alaska businesses that took part in the movie. I’m proud of our people and our state, and I’m thrilled that worldwide audiences will get the chance to see both in this film.

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

admin — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 21:48:44 +0000

ALASKA HOUSE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS
(907) 465-3842 Room 404
WWW.AKDEMOCRATS.ORG
CONTACT: Mark Gnadt (907) 465-3842

January 27, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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.

“We’re the wealthiest state in the nation, and it is unacceptable for the governor to put education at number six on his list of priorities,” said Rep. Kerttula. “We are a great state, but we will not have a great future unless we educate our children.”

Rep. Tuck’s “Parents as Teachers” legislation (HB 49) would expand voluntary training for parents on how to effectively engage in their children’s education before kindergarten. Currently military bases in Alaska operate the program under the name “Homes for Heroes.” Children who receive this or other early learning pre-kindergarten opportunities are shown to do better in school and in the job market later in life.

“We can all agree that education starts in the home,” said Rep. Chris Tuck. “[My Parents as Teachers bill] is designed to get parents involved early in their child’s education. And studies have shown that once parents get involved at the pre-K level, parents stay continually involved throughout their child’s educational career.”

Today, Rep. Petersen introduced an updated version of his legislation to ensure that schools don’t have to continue to absorb the costs of inflation by making cuts that affect the classroom. The bill would increase the state’s per-student commitment to districts by exactly the cost of inflation from one year to the next for three years beginning this year. To keep up with inflation from last year, this year’s per-student increase would be $187.52. The bill (HB 143) also requires that the Department of Education and Early Development determine the actual rate of school cost increases for a current year and present suggested funding adjustments based on those numbers for each subsequent year.

“In the governor’s state of the state last week, he had several priorities, but education wasn’t toward the top, and when you look at his budget, it gives every agency enough to cover the costs of inflation except school children,” said Rep. Petersen. “Our young people need to be a top priority.”

Rep. Gara described how his legislation (HB 272) to make college and vocational education more affordable for Alaskans by reducing student loan rates for Alaskans who put their education and job training to work in Alaska. The bill would give a three percent interest rate reduction on Alaska student loans to students who work in Alaska.

“Money should never be an obstacle to success. It should never be an obstacle to jobs, and it should never be an obstacle to college,” said Rep. Gara. “If you want to bring your jobs skills back, which we need for our economy, we will help you and we will reduce your [Alaska student] loan rate.”

###

Newsletter from Rep. Holmes: Protecting Consumers, Reversing the Brain Drain and Growing Our Economy

admin — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:50:34 +0000

The Legislature is up and running and I wanted to take this opportunity to fill you in on some of the legislation I’m pursuing this session. One important role I take very seriously is my responsibility to help protect consumers. My House Bill 274 would close a loophole in the state’s consumer protection laws. My bill would allow the state to go after abusive companies who are not being pursued by the federal government.

House Democratic Caucus Announces Social Media Pages

admin — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 00:31:57 +0000

House Democratic Caucus
PRESS RELEASE • January 20, 2012
http://www.akdemocrats.org • Phone: 465-3842 • Fax: 465-4748
Contact: Mark Gnadt, Press Secretary • mark.gnadt@legis.state.ak.us
Rep. Beth Kerttula, Minority Leader • Rep. Berta Gardner, Minority Whip

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

admin — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 06:09:44 +0000

House Democratic Caucus
PRESS RELEASE • January 18, 2012
Contact: Mark Gnadt, Press Secretary • mark.gnadt@legis.state.ak.us
http://www.akdemocrats.org • Phone: 465-3842 • Fax: 465-4748
Rep. Beth Kerttula, Minority Leader • Rep. Berta Gardner, Minority Whip

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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.

The speech outlined three keys to ensuring a bright future for Alaska: creating jobs, ensuring Alaskans have access to quality education, and getting Alaska a fair return for its resources.

“Getting the resources out of the ground is only half of what it means to be a resource state,” said Rep. Kerttula. “The opportunities we create from our resources are what define our success.”

Rep. Kerttula drew a contrast between the Democrats’ vision for improving education in Alaska and the governor’s mention of it in his speech.

“The governor put education sixth on his list,” said Rep. Kerttula. “We hold it much higher.”

To reinforce the Democratic caucus’ vision, Rep. Kerttula highlighted specific legislation her caucus has offered on the topics of education, jobs and ensuring Alaskans know what they are buying with the billions of dollars the state is already investing on oil and gas development through tax credits.

“Alaskans are the biggest single investor on the North Slope,” said Rep. Kerttula. “We should know what we’re buying for the billions of dollars we’re already investing.”

Rep. Kerttula also emphasized the need to save, and said that putting surplus revenue into the Permanent Fund is the best way to turn oil, a non-renewable resource, into a renewable resource for Alaska.

The text of her speech is available below.

###

Rep. Kerttula, State of the State response 1-18-2012

Good evening. Thank you for tuning in tonight. I’m Beth Kerttula, and I am proud to be the House Democratic Leader. I have the honor to present our view of the state of the state and our shared future.

I had the good fortune to be raised here in Alaska. My grandfather first came here almost 100 years ago &, much like the fuel ship last week, was trapped by the ice in Nome. The winter he spent there was made shorter by the strong, resourceful people he met – whose families remain friends of mine to this very day. I thought of my grandfather as I watched the Russian tanker slowly make its way up the coast to deliver desperately needed fuel to our ice blocked northern port.

Alaskans still have the same courageous spirit—we don’t just live through hardship, we conquer it, like those in Nome, Cordova or Valdez are doing this very evening.

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.

Tonight, I want to talk about three things: JOBS, EDUCATION, and GETTING OUR FAIR SHARE for our resources.

Let’s talk about JOBS:

Despite the national economy, Alaska is doing pretty well.

There are more oil and gas jobs in Alaska today than since TAPS was completed.

We’re experiencing a North Slope and Cook Inlet exploration boom.

New areas are opening up for resource development.

Getting a fair return on these resources has made us the wealthiest state in the nation, but getting the resources out of the ground is only half of what is means to be a resource state.

The opportunities we create from our resources are what will define our success.

To turn today’s resources into tomorrow’s jobs, we must:

Save money.

We have proposals to put billions of our surplus into the Permanent Fund and out of the reach of those who might rush to spend it.

Invest wisely in 21st century energy and infrastructure.

That includes broadband internet and renewable energy.

Now is the time to move Alaska forward.

The best way to open doors for Alaskans and to assure them good jobs is through quality education and job training.

Education and job training are the keys to opportunity, and I’m excited about the innovative ways our caucus is helping Alaskans from their preschool years until they join the workforce.

Rep. Tuck has legislation to help parents get involved in their children’s education early on so their children can get ahead and stay ahead when they get to school.

Rep. Petersen has legislation to ensure our school-age children don’t bear the burden of inflation with cuts in the classroom.

And a number of us, led by Rep. Les Gara, sponsored a bill to lower the cost of college and job training for Alaskans who put their new skills to work in Alaska.

There’s no better investment than investing in Alaskans. And there’s no better time to do it than now.

The key to making all this happen is getting our fair share of our resource wealth.

Almost every Alaskan has either family or close friends Outside. We hear every day about the recession the Lower 48 is in. If we want to join the rest of the country in this terrible recession, accepting less than our fair share of the returns from our resources is the way to do it.

We’ve all heard the debate over the governor’s proposal to give away billions of dollars in Alaska’s oil wealth.

Outside interests have a long history of trying to exploit Alaska’s resources, whether it is fur, fish, copper or oil.

Our state was founded to make sure Alaskans could stand up to these Outside interests and get our fair share of the wealth Outsiders were taking from our state.

It is this courage and leadership to stand up for Alaska that built our state.

As the current oil tax debate continues, Democrats will continue to stand up against any attempt to give away our resources.

Alaska is already investing hundreds of millions of dollars in the oil industry each year in oil tax credits—over 3 billion dollars in the last four years.

Through these credits, Alaskans are the biggest single investor on the North Slope, and we need to be able to see what a company has done to earn its credits.

It’s amazing we haven’t done this already, but Representative Gardner has introduced legislation to allow Alaskans to see three things:

descriptions of what a company is doing to earn its oil tax credits,
how many jobs it’s creating, and
how many of those jobs are going to Alaskans.

We should know what we’re buying for the billions of dollars we’re already investing.

We live in a great state, with many opportunities to secure an even brighter future. I am looking forward to a successful legislative session. My caucus and I stand ready to work with Alaskans across the aisle and across the state to

create good jobs,
a strong education system, and
a healthy economy for ALL Alaskans.

Thank you for listening tonight. I welcome your comments, your thoughts, and your hopes for us all.

Good night.

Newsletter from Rep. Holmes: We’re Back in Session!

admin — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 01:19:02 +0000

The Alaska Legislature reconvened in Juneau today for the second half of the 27th Legislature. We look forward to a productive session. I am lucky to have both James R. Waldo and Mike Coumbe returning to my office this year. We will be here for the next 90 days, and look forward to hearing your thoughts on the issues facing the state.