Legislative Wrap-Up

The second year of Alaska's 26th Legislative Session ended last week. It was a good session in some respects such as education forward funding and money allocated for schools in high need for replacement. We continue to be frustrated at the ability of one legislator, the chair of any given committee, to prevent a bill from moving. There have been two such "roadblocks" in the last session. Representative Kurt Olson, chair of House Labor and Commerce, refused to allow HB 30 out of his committee. Senator Bert Stedman, Co-chair of Senate Finance, refused to allow SB 23 out of his committee. This lack of action is unacceptable and we will redouble our efforts in the coming year to move forward in our quest to return all public employees to a reliable defined benefit retirement.