Effort to Make Property Tax Exemptions Bill More Inclusive
Last minute effort to protect LGBT couples in property tax exemption.
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Step By Step: An Anti-Discrimination Bill Hearing and a Major League At Bat.
A historically unimportant baseball game in 2005 highlights an important new bill in Juneau.
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2013 Municipal Election Results are (mostly) in.
The bulk of the 2013 Anchorage Municipal election results are in.
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Senator Coghill’s Substitute for Nullification: Rebuking Presumptive Federal Laws with Style.
A second, and very different, bill rejecting the prospect of future federal restrictions on firearms has emerged in the state legislature.
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Approval Voting: Electoral Reform That Makes Sense
It has been said that democracy is the worst form of government, except all others that have been tried. The essential component for democracy is voting. A better way of voting would lead to better democracy. That’s the motivation behind Approval voting.
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HB69: A National Disgrace
The most controversial bill in recent Alaska history – and beyond – might be this session’s House Bill 69, sponsored by Speaker Chenault. This legislation was advertised as a declaration of state sovereignty as it related to owning firearms in Alaska. But that was more of a side note to the actual threat the language of the bill presents, and which the Alaska State House endorsed.
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Quality of Life: Why the Alaska Republican Party Has Me Cringing Again This Year
Believing in ideals and sticking with a political party through rough patches can be difficult. As a gay man and as a republican, Chris Bailey has some thoughts and concerns about the 2013 Alaska Republican Party that he would like to share with you.
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The Alaska House Majority Should Back Up Apology with Action
Last week, the Alaska House Majority laughed at the prospect of recognizing same-sex civil-unions, despite a poll finding that 67% of their constituents support the idea. This week they apologized. But apologies are easy. The Caucus needs to do more.
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House Majority Fields Question about Same Sex Partnerships [VIDEO]
At a Friday House Majority Press Availability, the Republican dominated chamber rolled out their “Guiding Principles” – a list of criteria that would serve as a moral compass as they craft, debate, and pass legislation for the benefit of all Alaskans. Very quickly, offensively, and then awkwardly, the discussion of LGBT rights stumbled in and out of view as the caucus responded to a question by Mark Miller of the Juneau Empire.
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Let the Voters Decide… Sometimes
Governor Parnell and Speaker Chenault justify abandoning talks of a coastal zone management program because they believe the voters have decided on that issue. But they’re more than willing to upend another decision by voters regarding cruise ship discharge in Alaska’s pristine waters. Lawmakers shouldn’t get to pick and choose which democratic results to recognize.
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