Rep. Kerttula’s Juneau Newsletter: Top 6: Oil Tax Change is Bad for Alaska – Plus: District Capital Budget Projects

The House of Representatives gaveled out of the first session of the 28th Alaska State Legislature at 11:35 p.m. on April 14, 2013.Overall, it was a disappointing session for Alaska, with the elimination of cruise ship waste standards, passage of a massive giveaway of Alaskans’ oil wealth, and no commitment to education. Click here to read an article from KFSK in Petersburg on my take on the session.

I’m also including a list of some of District 32′s capital budget items in this newsletter. In anticipation of large budget deficits due to the oil tax giveaway, the Legislature returned to the more modest capital budgets of years past.

Thank you for reading my newsletter. I enjoy hearing from you, so please stop by the office, call, write or email me.

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

House Joint Resolution 17 Sponsor Statement: Permanent Fund Dividend

Link to the House Joint Resolution 17 sponsor statement from the office of Representative Les Gara.

House Bill 201 Sponsor Statement: Application of Pesticides and Broadcast Chemicals

Link to the HB201 sponsor statement from the office of Representative Les Gara

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.

Rep. Kerttula’s Juneau Newsletter: Working to End Discrimination, Plus: While You Were Sleeping… Oil Taxes Advance

While the end of the 90-day session is in 10 days, I am not sure we will adjourn on time (or we may be back for a special session).

A bright point of my week was learning that my anti-discrimination bill will get a hearing in House State Affairs on Tuesday morning. Read below for more information about the bill and the hearing.

It was terrific to see the huge turnout at Stop the Giveaway rallies against the oil tax bill across the state. I was disappointed that I couldn’t attend the rally in Juneau, but I was on the House Floor defending teachers against a bill that unfairly alters tenure.

Thank you for reading my newsletter. I enjoy hearing from you, so please stop by the office, call, write or email me.

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.

Rep. Kerttula’s Juneau Newsletter: Women’s History Month

Celebrating Women and Looking Toward the Future

This year we have more women in the Alaska State Legislature than ever before! I appreciate the efforts of all the women who came before me who made that possible. This newsletter is in honor of Women’s History Month, March 2013.

Thank you for reading my newsletter. I enjoy hearing from you, so please stop by the office, call, write or email me.