I’m pleased to announce that this morning, House Bill 43 – or the “Right to Try”- became law in Alaska. It was an honor to sponsor this important legislation, see it through the process, and sit with Governor Walker as he signed it into law.
Read More →Attention neighbors! In case you haven’t already heard, a request to rezone the lot at the corner of Arlene and Dimond (across from Skinny Raven) will soon be heard by the Planning & Zoning Commission. The request is to rezone the 6.2 acre lot from a “mixed residential” to a “residential mixed-use” district, allowing compact condos/apartments to be built on top of stores and offices (and at higher density).
Read More →Anchorage – Today, 21 members of the Alaska State Legislature sent a letter to President Donald Trump thanking him for responding to the wishes of the American people by pledging to end the practice of separating children from families that illegally cross the southern border of the United States. The President has confirmed that he will use his executive order authority to stop the practice, which his administration implemented earlier this year. The lead author of the letter is long-time State Representative David Guttenberg (D-Fairbanks) who notes that the policy was an inappropriate and ineffective use of government resources and taxpayer dollars.
Read More →Wednesday, May 30th), stop by the Jewel Lake Kaladi Brothers for a quick update on what happened this session and to ask any questions you may have. Look forward to catching up with you over a cup of coffee (on me, of course)! As always, feel free to just come by and say hello as well.
Read More →Juneau – After a flurry of legislative action, the Alaska House of Representatives joined the Alaska Senate in adjourning the Second Session of the 30th Alaska Legislature sine die early Sunday morning. Members of the Alaska House Majority Coalition reflected on the legislative achievements of the session.
Read More →Juneau – The members of the Alaska House Majority Coalition will hold a press availability tonight to answer questions from reporters covering the 30th Alaska State Legislature. The press availability will be held 15 minutes after the Alaska House of Representatives adjourns the Second Session of the 30th Alaska State Legislature sine die.
Read More →Juneau – A compromise budget agreement between the Alaska House of Representatives and the Alaska State Senate was reached today, resulting in the passage of the fiscal year 2019 operating budget for the State of Alaska. Today’s budget deal prevents any disruption in essential public services as the State of Alaska enters the busy summer tourism and fishing seasons. House Bill 286 features total General Fund spending of $6.27 billion. The budget includes Alaska House Majority Coalition priorities such as $942 million to inflation-proof the value of the $65 billion Alaska Permanent Fund, $1.02 billion to pay for $1,600 Permanent Fund Dividends for each eligible Alaskan, a $10 million investment in the University of Alaska above the Governor’s proposal, and multiple measures to improve public safety and law enforcement in Alaska.
Read More →JUNEAU – On Friday, in a massive step for legislative ethics reform, the Alaska Legislature passed legislation focused on strengthening conflict of interest standards, per diem limits, and other good governance improvements.
Read More →So, what’s the update from Juneau? While today marks Day 109 of the legislative session, and despite my hope we would have finished by now, I very much believe the House and Senate are close to adjournment. Both chambers have passed versions of the operating budget, the capital budget is progressing, and a bill funding the education portion of the budget ( HB287 ) was signed into law yesterday .
Read More →Juneau – Today, the Alaska House of Representatives passed legislation proposed by Governor Bill Walker to issue bond debt to pay off the more than $800 million balance the state owes for oil and gas tax credits. House Bill 331 would discount the tax credit payments to more than cover the additional cost to the state of interest on the bond debt, which the state will then pay down over the next decade. In this manner, companies owed credits receive cash they can reinvest in additional development today while keeping the measure revenue neutral or revenue positive for the State of Alaska.
Read More →Juneau – Today, the Alaska Legislature unanimously passed legislation to increase patient rights in Alaska. House Bill 43, also known as the “Right to Try” bill, was sponsored by Representative Jason Grenn (I-Anchorage). It allows terminally ill patients who have exhausted all FDA-approved treatment options and do not qualify for clinical trials to gain faster access to safe but experimental drugs in an effort to save or extend their own lives.
Read More →Day 90 of the legislative session came and went this past Sunday. And while I wish I was reporting to you that the Legislature had adjourned, I’m truly optimistic the session will be wrapping up soon.
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