60th day of session
—
Tomorrow
The legislature is nearing their last month of the first
ever 90 day session. Last weekend they took a break for
some lawmakers to attend Energy Council in Washington D.C.
and others to attend constituent events back in their home
districts. They have been busy over the last few days
addressing the Capital Budget in Senate Finance and the
supplemental budget on the floor of the House.
The legislature seems to be on course to
finish budget items in time for an adjournment on April
13th. There is more communication between the legislature
and the Governor on the budget issues (as you may have seen
on the evening news) and the sentiment appears to be one of
at least listening to all sides. Stay Tuned.
SB 72—Revenue Sharing:
Yesterday, SB 72 passed the House on a vote of 34-0. The
bill calls for an initial cash infusion of $180 million to
allow $60 million per year in revenue sharing to Alaskan
communities. This plan will allow local governments to
share in some of the oil wealth the state coffers are
enjoying as the price of oil cruises past $100 per barrel.
Meanwhile, school districts and all Alaskan
families are dealing with the astounding costs of energy and
just about everything else caused by the outlay to pay for
heat, electricity and gasoline. Thank goodness summer is on
the way!
SB 125—PERS/TRS Cost
Share:
This bill has made
it through two conference committees and now sits on the
desk of the Senate Secretary. This legislation will
probably move in concert with the supplemental and/or
capital budgets. This legislation would provide a blended
cost share rate for employers of 12.56% in TRS and 22% in
PERS.
This legislation
is seen as a must have piece before adjournment is possible.
SB 256—Supplemental
budget:
This legislation
originally submitted by Governor palin as a $250 million
proposal has grown to 4.3 Billion Dollars. A
large chunk of the money $3.6 billion is to be put into
savings accounts. $300 million into weatherization of
homes, and tens of millions into vetoed capital projects.
Stay tuned for further developments.
If you know anyone who wishes to
receive the LCS/Legislative
Update, please send us an e-mail with their home e-mail address if
possible, and we’ll add them to the growing list of K-12
education advocates.
