ANCHORAGE – The Alaska Independent Democratic Coalition compromise with the Majority leadership in the House and Senate today enabled the Alaska Legislature to pass an operating budget for Fiscal Year 2016 that prevents a government shutdown at the end of the month.
Category: Rep. Matt Claman
Rep. Claman’s Newsletter: Budget Negotiations Continue
Budget negotiations continue to dominate the discussion as the Legislature works through its second Special Session of the year. Last Friday, the House Independent-Democratic Coalition and the House Republican Majority reached a compromise that passed the House by a 38-2 vote. Over the weekend, however, the Senate failed to agree with the House bipartisan budget, forcing further negotiations.
NEWS: GOP Ignoring Oil Tax Credit Spending Cap
ANCHORAGE – Today, the Alaska Independent Democratic Coalition released a memo from the Alaska Department of Revenue showing the Republican-proposed budget spends $600 million more on oil tax credits than provided for under Alaska’s statutory cap on credit payments.
NEWS: Alaska Independent Democratic Coalition Ready to Work to Solve Budget Impasse
ANCHORAGE – Today, Governor Walker announced his intention to veto the portions of House Bill 72 that deal with fiscal year 2016. This is due to the fact that the House and Senate Majorities passed a largely unfunded budget, which could result in a shutdown of state government beginning in July.
NEWS: Democrats Call For Return to Work
JUNEAU – The House Democratic Independent Coalition and the Senate Democrats will be holding a press availability at 1pm, TODAY, at the Anchorage LIO to discuss the disappointing lack of progress in the special session and to announce a plan of action for public hearings.
Rep. Claman’s Newsletter: Vote Today and Ice Cream Tomorrow
Today is the Anchorage Mayoral Run-off Election. Your vote is your voice as an American citizen and an Alaskan. It is your opportunity to be heard, to hold elected officials accountable, and to have a say in important issues that affect your community.
Rep. Claman’s Newsletter: Legislative Updates and Constituent Meeting in the Park
Last Thursday, I voted to keep the Legislature working so we could pass a fully funded budget, provide access to affordable healthcare to all Alaskans through Medicaid expansion, and meet our constitutional duty to adequately fund public education. Instead, the House and Senate Majorities passed resolutions by straight party line votes that allow the Legislature to take a recess until May 12th. Senate and House Finance Committees will continue to meet, but the Legislature will not convene a floor session until May 12th.
NEWS: The Alaska Independent Democratic Coalition Pledges Continued Work and Negotiations in Juneau for Fully Funded Budget
JUNEAU – The Alaska Independent Democratic Coalition concurs with Governor Bill Walker in his call for lawmakers to continue working towards a fully funded budget before taking a break from the special session in Juneau. On Monday, without support from the 13 members of the Coalition, the House and Senate Majorities approved a FY 2016 budget that includes a five percent cut to public education and spending over $3 billion more than available revenue. This flawed budget could result in the elimination of vital state services as soon as August.