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!
Tag: meetings
Speaker Edgmon’s April 14th Newsletter: Need for Fair and Comprehensive Fiscal Plan Will Push Legislature Beyond 90 Days
As you can imagine, late-session events in Juneau are in full swing, and I’m afraid this week’s newsletter has to be brief. As I noted last week, the magnitude of the work we still need to accomplish this year will keep the Legislature in Juneau beyond the statutory 90-day limit that falls this Sunday. What we hope to achieve this session will create a major turning point in our young state’s history and, hopefully, put us on an upward trajectory for decades to come.
Rep. Parish’s Mar. 17th Newsletter: I appreciate your involvement greatly
Hello friends and neighbors in Juneau and across Alaska! I want to start off by thanking everyone who came to my constituent meeting last Sunday. We had a productive discussion, and I got to hear from some truly passionate and caring people. I appreciate your involvement greatly. This is what true democracy looks like – you have helped me represent you.
Rep. Tarr’s Newsletter: 8 Budget Meetings, 1 Budget Survey, and Working Towards a Fiscal Plan
I just want to take a moment to review where we’ve been and where we are now regarding the budget and a fiscal plan. The conversation about the budget and how to get our fiscal house in order is not new. I held my first community meeting in the Fall of 2015 because I knew then we needed to take action. I was pleased with the large crowd in attendance because that told me you all cared and knew we had to take action too. We had Bob Loeffler of ISER bring the Budget Balancing Game and we spent time trying to figure out how to balance the budget ourselves. Options ranged from just using the Permanent Fund to statewide taxes like sales and income taxes or more cuts. The game demonstrated the challenge of finding the right solution.
Rep. Josephson’s Newsletter: Fall Update – Announcements and Hearings Report
As this fast-paced summer transitions into autumn, I wanted to keep you updated on some recent events and highlight a few important happenings this past summer.
Rep. Kawasaki’s Newsletter: Time to get back to work – Alaskans Deserve Better
While the republican leadership of the Alaska Legislature voted for a 13-day recess in the middle of session, the House Independent Democratic Coalition rejected the thought of a vacation. Like my colleagues, I continue to believe that no one deserves a break until we finish our job in Juneau. Passing a balanced budget with smart cuts, education funding to our schoolchildren and Medicaid reform and expansion to consider is still on the table. Without delay, we should continue to listen to the public, then make the tough decisions!
NEWS: May 14th Meeting to Focus on the Budget, Education Funding, Employee Contracts, and Medicaid Expansion
FAIRBANKS – Representative David Guttenberg (D- Fairbanks) would like to invite friends and neighbors to a constituent meeting to discuss the budget process, education funding, employee contracts, Medicaid Expansion and any other questions or concerns members of District 4 may have.
Rep. Kawasaki’s Newsletter: Busy Weekend in Fairbanks
I will be in town this weekend and will host a public a public forum on Saturday to give Fairbanksans an update on the progress of the 29th Alaska Legislature. The forum will be held at the Raven Landing Center 1222 Cowles Street from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. I look forward to reconnecting with Fairbanks and spending my birthday weekend at home.