Never.

Dear Neighbor,

I strongly oppose recently introduced legislation to criminalize women's reproductive health care. It is repugnant to suggest that women's basic reproductive health care should be criminalized. Several of my neighbors have already asked me whether this bill will pass and my answer is never, as long as reasonable people continue to constitute the House Majority.

Hundreds of Alaskans, including Vic Fischer protested this legislation over the weekend.

Alaska's Constitution protects the freedom and privacy of all Alaskans, not just men. At a time in history when a totalitarian agenda threatens longstanding civil rights at the federal level, it is even more important that we continue to protect individual rights in state law.

Comprehensive Crime Bill:

Today, the House passed a comprehensive crime bill that cracks down on vehicle thieves, drug dealers, and sex predators while maintaining key programs such as pre-trial. The bill is a result of the work of House and Senate members appointed to a conference committee to resolve differences between the two body's versions of HB 49. The bill includes HB 118, a bill I introduced to strengthen re-entry programs in our state to reduce recidivism using language developed with help from the Department of Corrections, re-entry coalitions, and other stakeholders. I voted yes on this compromise.

Pioneer Homes:

Do you want to weigh in on the Administration's massive Pioneer Home rate increases? The Department of Health and Social Services is hosting public hearings at every Pioneer Home in Alaska on Tuesday, May 28 from 1pm to 4pm. The Department is accepting written testimony through June 28. You can mail your comments to the Department of Health & Social Services, Division of Alaska Pioneer Homes, RE- Regulation Change, at P.O. Box 110690, Juneau, AK 99811. You can also call 907-465-4108 with comments, or email alaskapioneerhomes@alaska.gov. Learn more here , and please consider attending! Representative Laddie Shaw and I already wrote urging the Administration not to raise rates above those contained in HB 96.

Medicaid Block Grant

Recently, a number of my colleagues and I co-wrote to Commissioner Crum to express our concern about the large, rushed contract that appears to be designed to justify eliminating Medicaid health insurance from tens if not hundreds of thousands of Alaskans. You can read the letter here .

End of Session:

As the Legislative Session comes to an end in the next few days, I will do my best to keep all of you updated on the happenings in the capitol. Don't forget to like my Facebook page and to follow me on Twitter and Instagram for regular updates.

I hope to see you around the neighborhood soon,

Zack

Around the Office

On Friday, I was able to attend the Ice Cream Social at the Pioneer Home in Anchorage. I enjoy taking every opportunity I get to sit down with constituents and I look forward to HB 96, my Pioneer Home bill that prevents drastic rate increases, passing the Senate next session.

As we enter special session, I've been thinking about how great it is to have a wonderful House of Representatives. Sometimes we agree and sometimes we disagree, but at the end of the day we are among friends.