Alaska House Majority Coalition

On Monday, the Alaska House of Representatives formally approved a negotiated deal between Governor Dunleavy and the Alaska Legislature that will free the hands of law enforcement to make Alaska a safer place to live and do business. This is an important step in our ongoing criminal justice reform efforts.

Last week, we adjourned our regular session and the Governor immediately called the Legislature into a special session to focus on: crime reform legislation, education funding, and the operating and capital budgets. Below is a quick update on each of these items.

I strongly oppose recently introduced legislation to criminalize women's reproductive health care. It is repugnant to suggest that women's basic reproductive health care should be criminalized. Several of my neighbors have already asked me whether this bill will pass and my answer is never, as long as reasonable people continue to constitute the House Majority.

Wednesday was the constitutional limit to a regular legislative session, the Legislature adjourned, and a special session in Juneau was called. In the days ahead, we will finalize the operating and capital budgets, vote on crime legislation, and address the permanent fund dividend. The work on each of these issues was nearly complete by the 121st day, but another inning is needed to cross the finish line and do it thoughtfully and thoroughly. The issues are simply too important to rush.