Anchorage – Representative Gabrielle LeDoux (R-Anchorage) issued the following statement in response to a press release from Rep. Tammie Wilson calling for her resignation and objecting to sexual harassment training for all lawmakers and staff. Rep. LeDoux has mandated the training to ensure a safe and respectful workplace in the Alaska Legislature.
Anchorage – Earlier today, District 40 State Representative Dean Westlake (D-Kiana) submitted his resignation. This comes in the wake of multiple reports of sexual harassment by Rep. Westlake against current and former legislative staffers.
SB54 is an important piece of legislation that will revise some sections of SB91–criminal justice reform. However, I voted against an amendment to SB 54 that would result in a nearly full repeal of SB91 because there are many critically important parts of that legislation that are designed to prevent people from becoming repeat offenders.
Juneau – Tonight, to avoid a government shutdown at the beginning of the month, the Alaska House of Representatives passed a combined Capital and Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2018. The House budgets reverse the Senate’s $69 million cut to K-12 education and most of the cut to the University of Alaska. Additionally, the Capital Budget restored the full amount of expected Permanent Fund Dividends, which will be paid in the fall to eligible Alaskans.
Juneau – Speaker of the Alaska House of Representatives, Rep. Bryce Edgmon (D-Dillingham), today released the following statement regarding the ongoing special legislative session and approaching deadline to avoid a government shutdown.
Juneau – Today, the Alaska House of Representatives passed comprehensive legislation sponsored by Representative Les Gara (D-Anchorage) to improve Alaska’s foster care system. House Bill 151 establishes new training and workload standards for case workers in the Office of Children’s Services. Lower caseload levels are widely recognized to lead to better outcomes for children and families. HB 151 has broad support from children’s advocacy groups and adopts national best practice standards.
Juneau – Today, the Alaska House of Representatives formally censured Representative David Eastman (R-Wasilla) for offensive, insulting, and unsubstantiated statements that undermine the dignity of the House. The motion to censure Rep. Eastman was made by Rep. Ivy Spohnholz (D-Anchorage).
I regret to announce that the M/V Tustumena, which was originally scheduled to be out of the Vigor Shipyard in Ketchikan and back into service on May 27th, has had its return to service delayed until July 18th. The delay is due to the discovery and necessary repair of additional extensive steel wastage in the engine room.
