The House Independent Democratic Coalition and the Senate Democrats are holding public hearings across Alaska in response to the disappointing lack of progress and opportunity for public involvement in the special session. The public hearings will focus on listening to the Alaska public on the special session issues of the state budget, Medicaid expansion, and Erin’s Law.
Read More →JUNEAU – The House Democratic Independent Coalition and the Senate Democrats will be holding a press availability at 1pm, TODAY, at the Anchorage LIO to discuss the disappointing lack of progress in the special session and to announce a plan of action for public hearings.
Read More →
Juneau legislators announced the capital city has space set aside for use as legislative chambers and committee rooms throughout the special session. As work begins on the seismic upgrades to the Capitol itself, the city has space dedicated for chambers and committee rooms for the legislature through at least the end of May.
Read More →Dear Neighbors,
Just a quick update this afternoon. The House Finance committee is meeting in Anchorage to discuss the budget. Here’s the schedule
Read More →JUNEAU – Today, the Majority organizations in the House and Senate voted to give themselves a vacation by passing House Concurrent Resolution 101. It allows both bodies to recess until May 12. HCR 101 was passed along caucus lines. All thirteen members of the Alaska Independent Democratic Coalition and the five members of the Alaska Senate Democrats opposed the resolution.
Read More →JUNEAU – The Alaska Independent Democratic Coalition concurs with Governor Bill Walker in his call for lawmakers to continue working towards a fully funded budget before taking a break from the special session in Juneau. On Monday, without support from the 13 members of the Coalition, the House and Senate Majorities approved a FY 2016 budget that includes a five percent cut to public education and spending over $3 billion more than available revenue. This flawed budget could result in the elimination of vital state services as soon as August.
Read More →Yesterday, the Legislature adjourned, which should have been cause for relief (or celebration), but wasn’t. Here’s why: the Legislature passed a budget that is not fully funded – which means the state would run out of money before the next session. Despite days of negotiating, we were unable to reach an agreement on a budget that works for all Alaskans. As a result, Governor Walker called us back into a special session, starting today, Tuesday, April 28 at 10 am.
Read More →JUNEAU – Today, the Alaska Legislature passed the most irresponsible budget in the history of Alaska. The FY 2016 budget results in major public education cuts, eliminates nearly all early learning opportunities, jeopardizes the future of a natural gas pipeline, and makes it more difficult for thousands of Alaskans to get affordable healthcare.
Read More →JUNEAU – The members of the Alaska Independent Democratic Coalition congratulate Coalition Leader Representative Chris Tuck (D-Anchorage) and talk radio host Bernadette Wilson on the birth of their daughter. Penelope Grace Tuck was born at 7:10 am Sunday morning, April 19.
Read More →
Dear Neighbors,
Given the increased activity in the home stretch of the session, I’ll be posting more frequent editions of Southeast Spotlight. Please also check out my Facebook and Twitter pages for daily updates and postings.
Read More →
Follow