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.
Category: Rep. Dan Ortiz
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.
We Need to Hear from YOU
Each session, the Legislature’s biggest responsibility is to pass a budget for the State of Alaska. The House Budget Subcommittees – which examine the details of each department budget – have finished their budget recommendations. I serve as Chair of three budget subcommittees, and we submitted the following budget actions to the House Finance Committee for further review.
Bill that helps small businesses catering to international tourists passes Legislature
JUNEAU – A proposal that will help the bottom line of Alaska small businesses that cater to international tourists cleared its final legislative hurdle on Monday.
Governor’s Supplemental Budget is Released
Last week, the Governor published his fiscal year 2020 Supplemental Budget. The $262.5 million dollar supplemental budget primarily addresses gaps in funding, such as this year’s costly wildfire season and Medicaid expenses that surpassed the administration’s FY2020 expectations. Below is a breakdown of increments requested by the Governor:
Ready, Set, Session!
The Alaska State Legislature is gavelling into session today at 1:00pm. As session gets underway, the best way to keep up-to-date is through www.akleg.gov. From there, you can watch committee meetings, track bills, and check the legislative schedule. You can watch Floor Sessions on Gavel Alaska. And of course, I will be sending out email newsletters every few weeks with updates.
Legislature Passes Budgets that Restore Vital Funding
Yesterday, the Legislature passed our Special Session budget bills, SB 2002 and HB 2001. These ’round two’ budgets include funding for programs and items that the Governor vetoed earlier this summer. Below is an overview of these budgets.