Anchorage – Earlier today, a Superior Court judge issued a ruling allowing the “Stand for Salmon” ballot measure to move forward through the initiative process. The ruling requires the Alaska Lieutenant Governor to certify the initiative and allows proponents to begin collecting signatures. The purpose of the proposed ballot measure is to update state statutes to protect Alaska’s vital and nearly pristine salmon habitat.
ANCHORAGE – Sen. Cathy Giessel (R-Anchorage), chair of the Senate Resources Committee, and Rep. Geran Tarr (D-Anchorage), co-chair of the House Resources Committee, this week noticed a joint committee hearing to update the public on the status of the Alaska LNG Project.
Juneau – The Juneau delegation in the Alaska House and Senate will hold a town hall on Wednesday to discuss legislative issues, including the ongoing fiscal crisis and efforts to reform Alaska’s criminal justice statutes. The public meeting will include Senator Dennis Egan (D-Juneau), Representative Sam Kito III (D-Juneau), and Representative Justin Parish (D-Juneau).
Fairbanks – The Speaker of the Alaska House of Representatives will join Rep. Adam Wool (D-Fairbanks) for a legislative townhall in Fairbanks on Sunday, October 8th. The townhall will also include Majority Whip Rep. Louise Stutes (R-Kodiak) and House Resources Committee Co-Chair Rep. Andy Josephson (D-Anchorage).
Many Alaskans have railed recently against rising crime and the 2016 criminal justice reform bill, SB91. I, too, am very concerned about the increase in crime—especially the violent variety, but also property violations—and I’ll be voting in this month’s special session to do something about it.
We’ve been talking about neighborhood crime and how to address the crime. I think by now many have heard about Senate Bill 54, a measure that has passed the Senate and now awaits action in the House, which will make some changes to Senate Bill 91, including allowing judges to use jail time in sentencing for first time C-felonies, changes in misdemeanor penalties, and violations of conditions of release. This bill addresses sentencing for both first time and repeat
Crime has become a critical issue here in Anchorage. With three children, I too am concerned about the rise in crime in our great city. Over the past several weeks I have been meeting with public safety leaders including...
Join me for a town hall meeting with visiting guests: Speaker of the House Bryce Edgmon (Dillingham); Majority Whip Rep. Louise Stutes (Kodiak); House Resources Committee Co-Chair Rep. Andy Josephson (Anchorage); and Office of Management and Budget Director Pat Pitney.