Please join myself and Commissioner of Revenue Randy Hoffbeck for a town hall meeting discussing taxes, Alaska’s Fiscal Plan, and more. There will be opportunity for questions and answers. Help spread the word!
Here we are! Easter Day is the last day of the regular session and legislators are preparing for the 30-day extension under the State Constitution. As I’ve said all session, I respect the will of the voters when they passed the initiative in 2006 to establish a 90-day legislative session. Given the time and the reluctance of the Senate to work on a full deficit reduction plan, it looks like we will get what the Senate wanted from the beginning – Overtime in Juneau!
This newsletter serves as a snapshot of this week’s important votes. Since the beginning of session, many of you have told me and other legislators to “Do something!” Throughout this session we have been constantly working on Alaska’s complex budget. This week, we did something. We passed out three key bills in our balanced fiscal plan:
Wednesday, HJR 14 FCC: Increase Rural Health Care Budget was passed out of the House on a vote of 33-6. I proudly voted in favor of HJR 14 because it shows how insufficient broadband continues to hurt Alaskans. Broadband and health care are issues I’m very passionate about.
Day 80 of 90 – As the voter-approved legislative session winds down to its final days, “must-pass” legislation such as the budget and deficit reduction plans are still being vetted.
Juneau – On Saturday, April 1st, Rep. Scott Kawasaki (D-Fairbanks) will be in Fairbanks to host a final town hall meeting with neighbors. The event will be held in the Fairbanks North Star Borough Building Assembly Chambers from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Lunch will be provided.
I apologize for the short notice. There were issues with the mailing server that have now been resolved. This week the House Finance Committee will be hearing public testimony on: HB 115: Income Tax, Permanent Fund Dividend Credit, Permanent Fund Income
PUBLIC TESTIMONY TOMORROW This Saturday, March 25, 2017, beginning at 10am, the House Finance Committee will hear public testimony on: HB 111: Oil and Gas Tax Credits
