In my May 28th newsletter, I stated that $100 million in CARES Act funds would be available for fisheries relief. This was the upper limit the RPL could allow the state to receive in Federal funds, however the state only received $50 million to distribute.
Category: Rep. Dan Ortiz
End of AK Legislative Session
I hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day! Although the holiday weekend may have looked a bit different this year, what we are celebrating – the lives of those who died while serving in the United States Armed Services – has stayed the same.
Can’t Wait to Hear from You Tomorrow!
Don’t forget: tomorrow morning I will be on Facebook Live at 10am, and I am hoping to hear from you! Feel free to send me questions ahead of time at Rep.Dan.Ortiz@AKLeg.gov or comment online during the live session.
Join Me (Virtually) This Saturday!
I am hosting a virtual coffee hour this weekend! Join me on Facebook Live at 10am on Saturday the 25th. I’ll take questions during the conversation, but I’d also appreciate getting questions beforehand. Feel free to send me questions at Rep.Dan.Ortiz@AKLeg.gov.
The Legislature Passed A Budget
This weekend, the Legislature passed a budget. Because of Covid-19 concerns and safety, we knew we had to act quickly.
The budget is relatively flat funded from last year. We continued to make some cuts, but we also fought to protect vital services, such as education and our ferries. Below is a breakdown of some of the biggest results of the budget:
COVID-19 Update
Last week, Alaska had its first case of the Coronavirus: a cargo pilot traveling through Anchorage. With the amount of travel that Alaskans have done over the last month, it is likely that there are more untested and unverified cases already here.
The House Passes a Budget in Record Time!
Earlier this week, the Alaska House of Representative passed the operating budget. It took the House 43 days of session to pass the budget, which is the fastest we have passed one since 1993. I am proud with how quickly, efficiently, and cooperatively we worked to get it done.
Lawmakers demand urgent action to restore the Alaska Marine Highway System
Coastal Alaska communities face an ongoing crisis that is the result of most state ferries being pulled from operation due to a host of systemic problems. Thousands of people are currently cut off from the outside world, unable to access healthcare, food and essential supplies, and the state’s economy.