JULY 11, 2014
NEWS: House Democrats Oppose Increased LIO Expenditure
Furniture Budget Raised 500% Despite Democrats’ Objection
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 10th, 2014
House Democratic Leader Representative Chris Tuck (D-Anchorage) today reiterated his caucus’s position regarding yesterday’s Legislative Council vote to authorize increased spending on the Anchorage Legislative Information Office (LIO).
“There’s no need to spend a half-million dollars on furniture, especially in these tight fiscal times,” Tuck said. “We support a functional LIO to serve the public, but now is not the time to quintuple the furniture budget.” …
READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE here. My colleagues and I find ourselves disappointed by the Republican Majority vote to increase spending to $500,000. We need to have functional offices for ourselves and our staff so we can serve our constituents, but I personally think that we have good options already. There is no need, in these tight fiscal times, to spend such an excessive amount of public funds on prettier chairs.
Welcome to the Neighborhood!
On Wednesday, Mountain View officially welcomed its newest resident – the nationally recognized Bass Pro Shop! Some of you may have seen my Facebook sneak peek pictures from earlier this week, when I toured the facility with General Manager Pat Nolde. The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony started off an “Evening for Conservation,” where for every $1 spent, 50 cents would be donated to: Outdoor Heritage Foundation of Alaska, Wood Bison Restoration Project, Conservation Fund’s Alaskan Salmon Habitat Initiative, and Alaska Fish & Wildlife Fund’s Cook Inlet Initiative. Right: Rep. Tarr with Bass Pro Owner Johnny Morris. Johnny founded the first Bass Pro in Missouri in 1971, and the Anchorage Store is his 69th! |
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Left: Grand Opening attendees check out the Bass Pro 12,000 gallon indoor freshwater aquarium, featuring some of Alaska’s native fish, including our salmon species and even a Dolly Varden trout! Thousands of Alaskans showed up to the event for shopping and to get autographs. The evening featured some fun special guests, like Captain Sig Hansen, from Deadliest Catch, Rod Perry, founding musher of the first Iditarod and writer/director of the movie “Sourdough,” and Kendall Bautista, Miss Alaska USA 2014. Bass Pro stores are described as "destination" stores and nationally over a million people visit their stores each year. I am very happy that we have a new business that will bring people to shop in Mountain View’s Glenn Square. I also learned that nearly 30 of their 200 hires are from the Mountain View area! |
Taking the Initiative to learn about Ballot Initiatives
Alaska Common Ground is sponsoring a series of forums on the August referendum on oil taxes and the three initiatives appearing on the November ballot. This will be an opportunity for voters to hear experts on both sides of the issues discuss the pros and cons of each measure.
These forums will be held at the Wilda Marston Theatre in the Loussac Library, Wednesday evenings from 7 to 9 pm, starting July 23rd. They are free and open to the public.
July 23rd |
Oil Tax Referendum |
July 30th |
Minimum Wage Initiative |
August 6th |
Marijuana Legalization Initiative |
August 13th |
Bristol Bay Forever Initiative |
AYEA Teen Opportunity
Alaska Youth for Environmental Action is looking for passionate, energetic rural and urban teens to join our youth-led campaign to fight climate change!
The Youth Organizer Summit will bring 15 Youth Organizers together Friday - Monday, September 19-22 in Sutton to learn more about climate change, develop the campaign plan, and build skills to effectively take action throughout the school year.
How to Apply:
Step 1) Read the Youth Organizer responsibilities and benefits
Step 2) Apply to be a Youth Organizer
Step 3) Forward this information to everyone you know who would be a great youth organizer or who might know other great youth organizers
Deadline to apply is July 15 - Don't wait, apply today!
Adults - Nominate an awesome teen you know! Send a short email to megan@akcenter.org outlining your recommendation and then support the teen in getting their application in by July 15.
Sincerely,
Representative Geran Tarr
| MY OFFICE
SESSION INTERIM Rep.Geran.Tarr@akleg.gov Samantha Weinstein - Chief of Staff Michael Love - Legislative Intern |
MY DISTRICT
Write a Letter to the Editor submit your 175 word letter to the Anchorage Daily News via e-mail letter@adn.com, or fax them to 258-2157, attn: letters to the editor. CONTACT THE GOVERNOR 550 West 7th Avenue, Suite 1700 STATE of ALASKA |
D.C. DELEGATION
Senator Mark Begich Senator Lisa Murkowski Congressman Don Young |