Rep. Kreiss-Tomkins’ Newsletter: Post Mortem
The 2015 Alaska Legislature made history in the wrong way. 144 long and dramatic legislative days to pass a fully funded budget? Ugh.
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FollowRep. Kreiss-Tomkins’ Newsletter: Ugh
On behalf of the legislative branch of government in Alaska, I am SO sorry.
I’ve heard some grizzled Alaska political observers lament they haven’t seen it so bad since 1981. I’ve heard some say it’s never been this bad, ever.
Read More →NEWS: Democrats Call For Return to Work
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 →NEWS: House Passes Legislation to Reduce the Number of Reports Printed by Government Agencies
JUNEAU—Today, the House of Representatives passed House Bill 68: Paper Reduction Act. The bill enjoys bipartisan sponsorship and builds on previous efforts to reduce the estimated $585,000 a year the state spends on designing, printing, and publishing agency reports.
Read More →NEWS: Legislation Introduced to Allow Schools, Hospitals, and Senior Centers in Alaska to Serve Donated Fish and Game
JUNEAU-Today, eight legislators in the Alaska House of Representatives introduced HB 179 to allow Alaskans to donate sport- and subsistence-harvested fish and game to nonprofit meal programs, such as those in schools or senior centers. The bill allows schools and senior centers (and other nonprofit meal programs) to serve the fish and game – such as moose, caribou, venison, and salmon – in their meal programs to elders, school children, and other Alaskans. The sponsors believe that schools and senior centers should be legally allowed to have the option of serving Alaskans caribou instead of corn dogs.
Read More →NEWS: The Alaska Independent Democratic Coalition Supports Governor Bill Walkers Medicaid Expansion Legislation
Juneau – The 13 members of the Alaska Independent Democratic Coalition support the Medicaid expansion legislation unveiled Tuesday by Governor Bill Walker.
Read More →NEWS: The Alaska Independent Democratic Coalition Unites in Opposition to Operating Budget that Harms Kids, Seniors and the Neediest of Alaskans
Juneau – The Alaska House of Representatives passed the Fiscal Year 2016 Budget Thursday night without the support of the Alaska Independent Democratic Coalition. All 13 members voted no because the budget harms seniors and children while protecting corporate interests and unaffordable projects. The Republican budget includes the total elimination of pre-k programs and a significant $32 million cut in funding for K-12 public education. Overall, the budget deficit still remains $3.5 billion. The Alaska Independent Democratic Coalition proposed millions of dollars in spending cuts while supporting efforts to protect education, seniors and kids.
Read More →Rep. Kreiss-Tomkins’ Newsletter: Fish + Triathalons + We Screwed Up
And we’re back! My staff has to savagely beat me with a wet noodle to properly motivate me to peck out these newsletters. We sure have something to write about this time: fish! Alaska’s favorite political bloodsport. (We’ll get back to regularly scheduled legislative programming soon.)
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