KEEPING IN TOUCH
Phone:
(907) 269-0234
Toll-Free:
(866) 465-3892
Address:
State Capitol, Room 418, Juneau, AK 99801
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Budget Update - What's the Status?
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So, what's the update from Juneau? While today marks Day 109 of the legislative session, and despite my hope we would have finished by now, I very much believe the House and Senate are close to adjournment. Both chambers have passed versions of the operating budget, the capital budget is progressing, and a bill funding the education portion of the budget (
HB287
) was
signed into law yesterday
.
As happens every year, the House and Senate versions of the budget have differences and are now in what's known as “conference committee.” This is a process by which three members representing each body negotiate the differences and work towards an agreement. Also under discussion are issues such as education funding (whether the slight increase in the BSA should be long-term or one-time only),
SB26
- a bill creating a structured draw from the Earnings Reserve Account of the Permanent Fund to pay for government services, and a rewrite of Title IV, Alaska's alcohol laws (
SB76
).
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'Right to Try' Passes the Legislature
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I'm proud to announce that last week, after a vote of 20-0 in the Senate, the Alaska Legislature unanimously passed my bill to increase patient rights here in Alaska.
House Bill 43
, also known as the “Right to Try” bill allows terminally ill patients who have exhausted all FDA-approved treatment options and do not qualify for clinical trials to gain faster access to safe but experimental drugs in an effort to save or extend their own lives.
Over one million Americans die from a terminal illness every year. Many spend years searching for a potential cure or struggling in vain to get accepted into a clinical trial. In fact, of those patients who apply for clinical trials fewer than three percent are accepted. For the other 97 percent, new treatments seem out of reach.
When battling a terminal illness, time is your enemy. I’m thankful for the full support of the House and Senate in passing this bill to cut government red tape and give Alaskan patients, families, and doctors the ability to explore every possible chance of survival.
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Getting Oil Tax Credits Off the Books
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Yesterday, I was proud to carry legislation on the House floor that I believe is a huge part of fixing our current and future economy.
House Bill 331
(Oil Tax Credit Bond) cleared a huge legislative hurdle by passing the House, thanks to bipartisan support. It is now moving onto the Senate for consideration.
Currently, Alaska owes over $800 million to small, independent oil & gas companies in the form of tax credits. Credits have long been an important tool in Alaska’s tax policy, but with the downturn in oil prices, this system became unsustainable. That's why, last year, we as a Legislature voted to end the cashable oil and gas tax credits program. Yet despite the fact that the program has ended, the State still faces a backlog of unpaid credits that need to be addressed.
So, why should we care? Of the 37 independent companies holding credit certificates, several are close to bankruptcy. Lending has stopped, projects are stalled, and as we all know, many Alaskans working in the industry have lost their jobs. And as these projects languish, so does future production and future revenue to the State of Alaska.
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At a time of fiscal challenge, in a State that largely depends on oil revenue, now is the time for innovative solutions to stimulate our economy. Getting these tax credits off our books on a shorter timeline will free up frozen credit markets, allow new development to continue, and provide certainty in a time when our economy needs it most.
HB 331
accomplishes this, all at no additional cost to the state (this bill is cost-neutral). I am proud to be a part of this effort, and thank the Governor and his administration for developing a responsible, win-win plan forward for Alaska.
For more information on HB331 or questions about the bill, don't hesitate to reach out to me directly at (907) 269-0234 or
Rep.Jason.Grenn@akleg.gov
.
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Tastee Freez Celebrates 60 Years!
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Our very own Jewel Lake Tastee Freez is celebrating 60 years! Join Rich Owens and the neighborhood in coming out for their anniversary event this Saturday from 11am - 4pm (welcome comments start at 11:30am).
Bringing us back to 1958, small cones will be just 15 cents each! Other fun will include face painting, door prize drawings, games, an ice cream eating contest, a magician, and other family-friendly activities.
Growing up in the neighborhood, Tastee Freez has always been an important gathering place for community. It was the place we went after every game, and where I take my kids for a treat to this day. Great to see the tradition of bringing people together continues!
For more information, check out the flyer below or visit the
Facebook event
for updates!
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City-Wide Clean Up & Free Dump Day
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Haven't had a chance to participate in this week's City-Wide Cleanup? There's still time!
This year marks the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce's 50th anniversary of bringing volunteers together to keep Anchorage a beautiful place to live. Join fellow community members in taking pride and ownership of our streets, and let's clean up our district!
The official Cleanup week ends tomorrow, Saturday, May 5th. Click
HERE
to learn where to pick up bags, where to drop them off, and more!
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Bonus reminder!
In addition to being able to drop off official orange Cleanup bags at the dump for free, tomorrow (Saturday, May 5th) is also a free dump day! Check out the flyer below for more info!
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I always have time for my neighbors. If you have questions, concerns, or ideas, please give me a call at (907) 269-0234, send me an email at
Rep.Jason.Grenn@akleg.gov
, message me on
Facebook
, or contact me on
Twitter
.
May the 4th be with you!
Warmly,
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Representative Jason Grenn
House District 22
Sand Lake, Jewel Lake, West Dimond & Kincaid
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Let's Keep in Touch!
(907) 269-0234
Rep.Jason.Grenn@akleg.gov
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Office of Representative Jason Grenn
State Capitol, Room 418
Juneau, AK 99801
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