Rep. Kito’s Newsletter: 28th Legislative Session Ends
We have finally finished work in the 28th legislative session after ninety–five days. Our work continued beyond the statutory 90-day limit imposed by the voters in the 2006 election. I am grateful for all of the communication and support I have received from District 32 during my short time in this position. In addition to the Operating and Capital budgets we passed this year, there were several pieces of important legislation that were considered, passed, or left on the table.
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NEWS: The ‘Education Session’ that Wasn’t
JUNEAU – Today, on the ninety-fifth and final day of the 28th Alaska Legislature, House Democratic Leader Chris Tuck released the following statement on behalf of the House Democratic Caucus.
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NEWS: Legislature Creates Dr. Walter Soboleff Day
Today, the Alaska state Senate voted unanimously to set aside November 14 of each year to honor the life and work of Dr. Walter A Soboleff, a revered Tlingit elder who passed away in 2011 at the age of 102. Late last month, the Alaska state House passed the measure which now goes to the governor for his signature.
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Rep. Sam Kito III’s Newsletter: Less Than Ten Days to Go
The pace here in the Legislature has picked up considerably with only a little over a week to go. With the passage of the operating budget from both houses, and establishment of the operating budget Conference Committee, we are now under the 24 hour rule which means committees can schedule bill hearings with 24 hour notice. We have also started having floor sessions into the evening, working our way through bills and resolutions. Some major pieces of the “end game” are in play including the capital budget, the education bill and the natural gas pipleline bill. There is still some question about whether we will be able to complete our work before the statutory session deadline of April 20th.
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Rep. Sam Kito’s Newsletter: Bills on the Move
This week, the education debate has heated up with House Finance releasing a Committee Substitute and considering amendments to the omnibus Education bill (HB 278). The bill that finally came out of the committee included some troubling changes from the Education Committee version. I am especially concerned about the changes to the Teachers Retirement System (TRS), which could cause the insolvency or exhaustion of the trust fund in ten years. This would result in a pay-as-you-go plan that would make active teachers pay for retired teachers and significantly increase the required contribution by active teachers.
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