FEBRUARY 27, 2015  

Update on Anchorage Caucus, Legalized Marijuana, and Gas Line Projects

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

A quick reminder for the Anchorage Caucus this weekend from 1:00-4:00 pm at the Assembly Chambers at Loussac Library.  With massive budget cuts this year and the Republicans blocking Medicaid expansion we really need to hear from the public about priorities. 

Also, please mark your calendar for our mid-session Constituent Meeting coming up Saturday, March 7th from 1:00 – 3:00 pm at the Mountain View Boys and Girls Club.  We’ll have drinks and snacks!  This constituent event is a great chance to touch base with Senator Ellis and myself to ask questions, share important issues, etc.  We’d love to see you there!

LEGALIZED MARIJUANA

This week marked the official legalization of marijuana in Alaska.  There have been a lot of questions about what this means so I’ll share some of the great information put forth by Governor Walker in his press release about marijuana in Alaska.  Click here to read the press release.

The tinikling dance is one of the most popular traditional Philippine dances at the Filipino Community, Inc. Legislative Reception and swearing in of new officers.

What comes next?

Marijuana is legal now, but there is more work to be done.  The devil is in the details here, and the state still needs to work out issues relating to taxation, commercial sales, and labeling/regulating edible marijuana products.  Here’s a breakdown of the bills circulating around the capitol regarding legalized marijuana in Alaska.  I’d love to hear from you if you have concerns about these bills. 

Senate Bill 62 and Senate Bill 30 deal with the de-criminalization, marijuana business licensing and taxation of marijuana sales, child-proofing edible marijuana products, and accurately labeling the potency of edibles.

Senate Bill 60 and House Bill 123 will establish a marijuana control board.

House Bill 59 deals with marijuana concentrates.

House Bill 75 deals with municipal regulation of marijuana, and the establishment of advisory boards.

GAS LINE UPDATE AND BOARD APPOINTMENTS

Representative Tarr with the wonderful folks of the Key Campaign, in town to advocate for essential services for Alaskans with disabilities.

Governor Bill Walker recently appointed three new members to the Alaska Gas Line Development Corporation’s Board of Directors. Governor Walker also detailed his plans to upsize and increase the volume of the Alaska Stand Alone Pipeline (ASAP), as well as continue development of the Alaska Liquefied Natural Gas (AK LNG) project.

Governor Walker wrote in his recently published editorial:  “What it comes down to is this: We will work with the producers to continue to develop the AK LNG project. With ASAP, we will work with gas buyers to secure the opportunities the market offers. Whichever project is first to produce a solid plan, and conditions acceptable to the state, will get the state’s full support. Or, perhaps the two projects could be combined at some point…”

Representative Tarr with University of Alaska Student Leaders, in town this week for their statewide coalition meetings and to advocate for support of the University of Alaska.

Rick Halford of Dillingham, Joe Paskvan of Fairbanks and Hugh Short of Anchorage will join AGDC’s governing body, which oversees efforts to develop liquefied natural gas in Alaska.

“I am pleased to welcome these three talented Alaskans to our team,” said Governor Walker. “Bringing our natural gas to Alaskans and the world market is one of my top priorities as Governor. I am confident that with these additional members, the AGDC Board is on track to make that happen.”

For the full text of Governor Walker’s press release regarding the Board Appointments and gas line projects, follow this link: Governor Walker Press Release.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Anchorage Caucus

The Anchorage Caucus is scheduled for this Saturday, February 28th from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Loussac Library Assembly Chambers, 3600 Denali Street. This is an opportunity to make your case to Anchorage’s legislative delegation. I hope to see you there.

Constituent Meeting

Mark your calendars!  Please join us at the Mt. View Boys and Girls Club for our annual mid-session constituent event.  We will be serving coffee and donuts, so please join us to share your ideas, concerns, and priorities for our neighborhood.  Please come join us on Saturday, March 7 from 1-3pm at the Mt. View Boys and Girls Club (located at 315 Price Street).

Sincerely,

Representative Geran Tarr