Rep. Kito’s Newsletter: School is Back in Session

Rep. Sam Kito's newsletter

Fall is in the air, and school has started for students in northern Southeast Alaska. A very big welcome to the teachers, staff, students, and families that have transitioned back to school! While summer has passed, it is exciting to think about students and teachers getting to know their new classes and gearing up for the year ahead. It is time to enjoy those early morning swim practices, after school activities, and evenings of homework. With school in full swing again, please be aware of changes on the roads: watch for school buses, keep an eye out for speed limits in school zones, buckle up, and put away your cell phones.

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NEWS: Surrogates for Big Oil Grade on a Curve to the Detriment of the Alaska People

Alaska Business Report Card Biased Towards Continued Oil Industry Giveaways FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 1, 2016 Anchorage – Today, a group of organizations that support continued giveaways to the oil and gas industry in Alaska released grades for the members of the Alaska Legislature. Republican-led Majority lawmakers who support policies to continue unsustainable oil industry …

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Rep. Kito’s Newsletter: End of 5th special session

Rep. Sam Kito's newsletter

On Wednesday, the House sent a letter to the Senate inviting them to join us in a joint session on Friday to review the Governor’s budget vetoes – Friday being the last day for the Legislature to vote to override any of the Governor’s decisions. The Senate declined the invitation, effectively allowing the vetoes to stand. On Friday, after a week of few public meetings or hearings, the House adjourned, sine die, thus ending the 5th special session.

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Rep. Kito’s Newsletter: Update on Governor’s vetoes & 5th special session

Rep. Sam Kito's newsletter

We all know Alaska is in a bind. Oil prices are currently stabilized, but at a relatively low level, which means that our state income from oil is now in the neighborhood of $705 million unrestricted general funds (UGF). Add in $500 million from non-petroleum revenue and we have about $1.2 billion UGF. While that sounds like a lot of money, we are looking at a General Fund budget of around $4.5 billion. This means that we have a hole of more than a $3 billion in our state budget.

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