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Rep. Gatto

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Rep. Miller’s District 7 Update: Special Session Edition

April 20, 2012

Hello from Juneau! Yes, after a long 90-day session, we’re still here to finish some outstanding issues. One of those has already been completed-the Legislature yesterday passed a bill that strengthens laws against sexual trafficking. Still on the docket are bills regarding an in-state gasline and oil taxes.

House Bill 9 is a bill that would provide more powers to the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation (AGDC) to build an in-state gasline. While I fully support the concept of the bill-to get a gasline constructed-I have deep concerns about the lack of transparency and oversight AGDC would gain from it. I, along with several of my colleagues, attempted to amend the bill to provide for more Legislative oversight before it passed the House several weeks ago.

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News from Rep. Pete Petersen: Session Adjourns with Successes

April 16, 2012

Legislature Adjourns; Glenn/ Muldoon Interchange Repair Approved; Autism and Parents as Teachers Bills Pass

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

The legislative session adjourned minutes ago, and the word around the Capitol is that the governor has called a special session starting on Wednesday. Unfortunately it looks like I will not be coming home as soon as I’d like, but I will stay until the job is done. This last week has been very busy, but also productive. Today the Legislature passed two important bills which I have been working on for the last three years, and also voted to start the process to rebuild the Muldoon/ Glenn Highway interchange.

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Rep. Kerttula’s Juneau Newsletter: We’re Almost There

April 13, 2012

On Tuesday, Representative Carl Gatto of Palmer passed away following a long and brave battle with cancer. On Wednesday, we held a small ceremony on the House Floor, singing Amazing Grace and placing thirty-nine roses on the desk he leaves vacant.

The Legislature must still continue the people’s work. And we have a lot of work left to do before the end of regular session on Sunday night (we’re not sure whether there will be a special session or not). In this newsletter, I’ll talk about the issues that are still on the table for the end of session. I’ll also spotlight a great bill to provide insurance coverage for Autism spectrum disorders.

Thank you for reading my newsletter. I appreciate hearing from you, so please stop by the office, call, write or email.

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Rep. Doogan in Juneau: SPECIAL FAREWELL TO A DEAR FRIEND EDITION

April 13, 2012

Carl Gatto, 1937-2012

In a building full of people known for their superhuman capacities for hot air and occasional hyperventilation, it’s rare that something happens with the power to suck the air out of the building. The passing of a very good friend, Rep. Carl Gatto from Palmer, has done just that.

Carl’s death hit the Legislature very hard this week, and I know it took a heavy toll on me. Carl came to the House of Representatives in 2003, and I joined a few years later. I liked him from the start. There are a lot of reasons for that.

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Rep. Tuck’s Community Connection: Protecting Our Oil and Gas Future and Goodbye to a Great Alaskan

April 11, 2012

There are only four days left in the final session of the 24th Alaska legislature and there has been talk of an extended or special session to deal with unfinished business. Numerous bills are now in danger of failing due to lack of movement during the regular session. However, if we do go into extended or special session the main focus is sure to be primarily on oil taxes.

To make sure you have the facts about the oil tax issue, I have dedicated my recent newsletter to compiling the best information available.

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Note from Rep. Gara: Mourning the Loss of a Great Legislator: Rep. Carl Gatto

April 11, 2012

Yesterday Alaska lost a great legislator, and a great family man. He was a friend of mine and of many. Carl Gatto, a fiercely independent Palmer Republican, fought prostate cancer for roughly a decade, and, though spry and active until very recently, passed away after bravely battling a month of rapidly declining health.

Carl and I had a running joke. We were both born in New York, and in our first year as legislators, voters, administrators who sent us our hiring packets, and many others got us mixed up. For a year I got blamed for his votes and he got blamed for mine – which we kidded about. I claimed the confusion got him votes because people thought he was me; he claimed it got me votes because it was obvious people thought I was him. He was probably right.

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NEWS: House Democrats Mourn the Loss of Representative Carl Gatto

April 11, 2012

JUNEAU – Today, House Democratic Leader Beth Kerttula released the following statement on behalf of the House Democratic Caucus in response to the passing of Representative Carl Gatto:

“We are truly saddened by the loss of Representative Carl Gatto. Carl’s friendship went beyond politics. He was an intelligent man who loved doing the people’s work in the Legislature. He never let passions over an issue interfere with his genuine respect for and kindness to his colleagues, constituents and anyone he came in contact with. We will miss his smile, kindness and humor, and our thoughts and prayers are with Cathy, his family and all who are mourning his loss today.”

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Contact Info:
Graham Judson Press Secretary
(907) 465-5284
120 4th St, Juneau, AK 99801
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