ob isn’t rocket science. And passing an education bill – the stated reason for the extended session – isn’t rocket science either. There is little reason this work could not have been done by Sunday, the official end of the 90-day session. Yet GOP leaders said they needed extra time, at a cost to you of about $30,000 a day.Â
JUNEAU – Today, Democratic legislators decried the newly released education bill for not preventing more teacher cuts, sending public money to private schools, and shifting the funding responsibility from the state to local taxpayers.
What Kind of Grade Does This Legislature Earn on the Education Session? I remember my Lathrop High AP Composition teacher, Ms. Craig, handing out a book report at the beginning of the semester with a definite due date. Unlike most of my eager straight-A, college-focused colleagues, I procrastinated.
JUNEAU – Today, on day 93 of a voter-mandated 90 day legislative session, House and Senate Democratic leaders Representative Chris Tuck and Senator Hollis French called on other legislative leaders to fund public schools and end this legislative session.
House Bill 215, by Rep. Tarr, supports Alaskans’ right to know what’s in their food by requiring labeling on products consisting of or made with genetically modified ingredients. 76% of corn crops and 93% of soybean crops grown in the U.S. have been genetically modified. These crops are main ingredients in the vast majority of processed food products distributed in the United States. As individuals, everyone should have the right to choose whether or not they consume these products. However, in order to make such a decision, they must have the information necessary to make the choice. Labeling ensures that Alaskans maintain the right to know what is in their food.
Today Representative Les Gara said the solution to helping Alaska’s students is to re-prioritize spending away from last-minute oil refinery bailouts and controversial megaprojects and put it into education.
JUNEAU – Tonight, after another day of gridlock on education funding, Democratic legislative leaders Senator Hollis French and Representative Chris Tuck offered a simple solution: Increase per-student funding in the base student allocation $400 next year and $125 the following two years, then end the legislative session.
The pace here in the Legislature has picked up considerably with only a little over a week to go. With the passage of the operating budget from both houses, and establishment of the operating budget Conference Committee, we are now under the 24 hour rule which means committees can schedule bill hearings with 24 hour notice. We have also started having floor sessions into the evening, working our way through bills and resolutions. Some major pieces of the “end game” are in play including the capital budget, the education bill and the natural gas pipleline bill. There is still some question about whether we will be able to complete our work before the statutory session deadline of April 20th.
