NEWS: House Dems Comment on NCLB Waiver

House Democratic Legislators comment on Alaska’s waiver from No Child Left Behind

Today, five Democratic legislators from the Alaska House of Representatives released the following comments on Alaska receiving a waiver from the federal No Child Left Behind Act. In 2012, nine House Democratic legislators sponsored a resolution (HJR39) calling on the Parnell administration to apply for these waivers to the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 and to develop a comprehensive plan to ensure student success and school accountability.

Rep. Tuck’s Community Connection: Historic Gamble to Give Away Alaska’s Oil Wealth

Dear Neighbors,

In a clear betrayal of public trust, last Saturday shortly after 2 a.m., a majority of members in the Alaska House of Representatives made the disastrous decision to give away a massive share of Alaska’s oil wealth to the most powerful and profitable corporations in the world—with no promise or guarantee of increased production or more oil in the pipeline.

ADVISORY: 1pm Mon- Democratic Legislators Press Availability

JUNEAU – Today, Senate Democratic Leader Johnny Ellis (D-Anchorage) and House Democratic Leader Beth Kerttula announced their caucuses are hosting a press availability on Monday, April 15, 2013 to discuss the 2013 legislative session.

WHAT: House and Senate Democratic Legislators press availability
WHEN: April 15, 2013, 1:00 p.m.
WHERE: State Capitol, Butrovich Room 203
TELECONFERENCE: From Juneau: 463-5009 – Outside Juneau: 855-463-5009

House Joint Resolution 17 Sponsor Statement: Permanent Fund Dividend

Link to the House Joint Resolution 17 sponsor statement from the office of Representative Les Gara.

NEWS: Dems Stand Against Historic Giveaway of Alaska’s Oil

Massive giveaway with no commitments is based on trust, not facts

JUNEAU – Last night, House Democratic legislators stood up against the governor’s massive giveaway of Alaska’s oil wealth during a debate on the House Floor that lasted well past midnight.

Rep. Tuck’s Community Connection: The Real Story – North Slope Jobs and Investment are Rising Under ACES

The Legislature continues to rush forward with the governor’s massive and ill-conceived giveaway of Alaska’s oil wealth at a frantic pace, hoping to get the bill passed before the 90 day session concludes on April 14. As I have stated before, this bill will give billions of dollars from the state treasury to the wealthiest and most profitable corporations in the world – with no promise or guarantee of increased production or investment in Alaska.

Rep. Tuck’s Community Connection: Record Industry Profits, Strong State Savings – Tomorrow is the Time to Speak Out

Dear Neighbors,

This is the first in a series of newsletters about Senate Bill 21, the major re-write of Alaska’s oil tax system that is being hurried through the legislature in the last days of session. As it stands now, the proposal is a massive and ill-conceived giveaway of Alaska’s oil wealth with no clear connection to increasing oil production.

Rep. Tuck’s Community Connection: You Deserve the Truth!

Dear Neighbors,

In the middle of the night, shortly after 2 am in the morning yesterday, the House Resources Committee prematurely rushed out a bill intended to give away a massive share of Alaska’s wealth to the oil industry.

NEWS: Giveaway changes: More Money, More Power to Oil Companies

Late Night meeting increased size of giveaway, repeats past mistakes

JUNEAU – Just after 2:00 a.m. this morning, the House Resources Committee voted to give away more of Alaska’s oil wealth with no guarantee of new production and to make the state rely on oil company statements instead of actual receipts when auditing deductions for tax breaks. The committee also tried to undo hard-won provisions that allow the oil companies that own the Trans Alaska Pipeline (TAPS) to charge the state and other companies for all of their expenses, not just the “reasonable” expenses allowed under current law.

NEWS: Democrats Push Permanent Fund Dividend Protection In Light Of Oil Giveaway

JUNEAU – Today eight Democratic legislators filed legislation to protect the Permanent Fund Dividend by placing the current dividend formula in the Alaska Constitution. With GOP leaders pushing an oil giveaway that is likely to cost Alaskans upwards of $1 billion or more a year, future legislators are likely to start cutting the Dividend to fund state revenue. To protect against attempts to spend the Dividend in tight economic times, former Governor Jay Hammond proposed an initiative in 2002 that would have enshrined the Dividend in the Constitution, but Lt. Governor Loren Leman rejected it as not able to be done by initiative.