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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FollowRep. 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.
Read More →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.
Read More →Rep. Sam Kito’s Newsletter: The Inaugural Issue
Welcome to my newsletter! Having started to serve you a few short weeks ago, I am happy to reach out and provide an update on the legislative session for District 32. If you know of anyone else that may be interested in receiving newsletters and other communications from my office, please forward this email. If you no longer wish to receive newsletters or communications, please click on “unsubscribe” in the banner below.
Read More →NEWS: Alaska House Votes to Create Dr. Walter Soboleff Day
Day honors Tlingit Elder, Minister, storyteller, scholar, businessman. Today, the Alaska state House of Representatives 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.
Read More →NEWS: Democrats Move Pro-Job, Public Education and Cost-Saving Budget Amendments
JUNEAU – Today, Alaska House Democratic legislators offered a series of amendments to the state operating budget to improve public education, promote workforce development, and trim wasteful spending.
Read More →NEWS: Report: Governor’s Education Proposal Continues Teacher Cuts
JUNEAU – Today, Representative Les Gara (D-Anchorage) released a report showing that, in order to avoid cutting educators a fourth year in a row, Alaska’s six largest school districts need an increase of roughly four times more per-pupil funding next year than the Governor has proposed.
Read More →NEWS: House Democratic Legislators Welcome New Representative Sam Kito III
JUNEAU – Today, House Democratic legislators gathered around Sam Kito III to announce his confirmation as the new representative for House District 32. The caucus met Monday night along with democratic members of the House Majority to unanimously confirm Kito.
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