Juneau – Today, the Alaska House of Representatives passed legislation making time-sensitive appropriations to cover unanticipated expenses. House Bill 321, the “fast track” supplemental appropriations bill, totals $110.2 million, of which $92.0 million is from unrestricted general funds (UGF).
Juneau – The Alaska House Majority Coalition will hold a press availability Tuesday morning at 9:00 a.m. to answer questions from reporters covering the 30th Alaska State Legislature. Participants will include House Majority Leader Rep. Chris Tuck (D-Anchorage), House Finance Committee Co-Chair Rep. Paul Seaton (R-Homer), House Resources Committee Co-Chair Rep. Andy Josephson (D-Anchorage), and House State Affairs Committee Chair Rep. Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins (D-Sitka).
Juneau – Today, the Alaska House of Representatives unanimously passed legislation to allow Alaska’s historic roadhouses to operate as they have for decades. House Bill 301, sponsored by Rep. Adam Wool (D-Fairbanks), grandfather’s in over a hundred hospitality businesses and allows them to continue operating with a tourism beverage dispensary license.
The House Finance Committee will be taking public testimony today and tomorrow on HJR 23, a proposal to place the Permanent Fund Dividend into the Constitution. Public testimony will begin soon after the committee meeting starts today and will continue this evening and tomorrow afternoon.
TODAY: Public Testimony to Protect the PFD. Rep. Kawasaki and Rep. Wool at Constituent meeting earlier this month
Tonight, the House Finance Committee will hear public testimony on House Joint Resolution 23, which is a constitutional amendment resolution that would be sent to voters on the November ballot. The resolution would ensure that Permanent Fund Dividends are in fact permanent and protect against the Senate plan to eliminate PFDs. Continued cutting of future PFDs is considered to be the most regressive tax against all Alaskans, no matter disability, age or income
Greetings from Juneau on this 56th day of the session, and Happy (early) St. Patrick’s Day this weekend! House Finance began work on the 96 operating budget amendments offered by committee members for round two of our amendment process. We are about three-quarters of the way through and plan to finish up this week. More information under the Budget section on the amendments that have passed so far.
You may have heard I was taken to the hospital Thursday. I stayed overnight for monitoring and the following day I was released after all tests were good. I attended a meeting this morning and I will be back in the legislature tomorrow. Thank you to everyone for their thoughts and wishes.
Tomorrow, the House Finance Committee will be taking public testimony on a proposal to place the Permanent Fund Dividend into the Constitution. The committee meeting starts at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, March 12, and public testimony will be taken following an explanation of the resolution. Depending on the amount of testimony, it may be continued in the evening and the following day.
