2012-05-16: Rep. Steve Thompson

Communities and businesses stand to benefit from federal tax credit programs and bolster their military business thanks to a bill signed into law by the governor today. House Bill 316, sponsored by Rep. Steve Thompson allows the state to create "Military Facility Zones" to enhance a base's ability to fulfill its mission. The Zones would be areas around a community with ...  Read More »

2012-05-14: House Finance Committee

Alaska House Finance Committee Co-chairs Bill Thomas and Bill Stoltze today commented on the governor's upcoming budget year vetoes. The governor vetoed $66.6 million from the Fiscal Year 2013 statewide operations and capital investment budgets, which total $12.1 billion. The largest operating item vetoed was $50 million for the Judicial Retirement System account. The amount ...  Read More »

2012-05-11: House Majority Press

Shelley Hughes was sworn in as the representative for House District 13 today during a ceremony at the Palmer State Office Building. Hughes, surrounded by family, friends, community members, and fellow representatives, was sworn-in by House Speaker Mike Chenault. Hughes was appointed by Governor Sean Parnell and confirmed by Alaska House republicans last week to serve the remainder ...  Read More »

2012-05-10: House Majority Press

House Speaker Mike Chenault announced today that House District 13 appointee Shelley Hughes has been confirmed by Alaska House republicans and will be sworn in Friday, May 11 at the Palmer State Office Building. The Swearing-In Ceremony will take place at 12:15 p.m. in the Large Conference Room. Fellow House Majority members and the Valley Delegation has been invited to attend. ...  Read More »

2012-05-04: House Majority Press

A memorial service for late-Representative Carl Gatto has been announced, according to staff of his House District 13 office. The Celebration of Life will take place Saturday, May 19 at 11:00 a.m. at the Lazy Mountain Bible Church in Palmer. Gatto, who served Palmer in the Alaska House for ten years, died April 10 from complications related to cancer. More details about ...  Read More »

2012-05-04: Rep. Reggie Joule

Representative Reggie Joule thanked Governor Sean Parnell for signing his House Bill 258 into law today. "I am thankful that the governor realized the importance of this bill to communities in Northwest Alaska and signed the bill early so we can begin construction this summer," Joule, D-Kotzebue, said. "I would like to thank my staff and all of the people who worked ...  Read More »

2012-05-02: House Majority Press

House Finance Committee Co-chair Bill Thomas thanked Governor Sean Parnell for signing a pair of bills he sponsored last session into law recently. The governor signed House Bill 246 into law yesterday and HB 250 into law today. "It's gratifying that the governor took swift action to sign these bills into law," Thomas, R-Haines, said. "My staff and I worked hard on ...  Read More »

2012-04-30: House Majority Press

The Alaska State House adjourned the third special session of the 27th Alaska Legislature Sine Die late this afternoon. House Majority Caucus supporters of legislation empowering the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation (AGDC) to advance an in-state natural gas pipeline to Fairbanks and Southcentral were disappointed to leave Juneau without Senate support of the bill. "It ...  Read More »

2012-04-26: House Majority Press

Following the Alaska Senate's abrupt adjournment this afternoon from the special session called by Governor Sean Parnell, House Speaker Mike Chenault said tonight that he has called a House Majority caucus for Friday morning to consider members' positions on the next move for the House. Although the Senate chose to adjourn without addressing the business on the special session ...  Read More »

2012-04-26: House Majority Press

The sponsors of House Bill 9, Speaker Mike Chenault and Rep. Mike Hawker, expressed dismay at the Alaska Senate's refusal to leave Juneau without credibly addressing the bill, which Governor Sean Parnell agreed is critical to pass during the special session. The legislation would have allowed major progress, including a binding open season in 2013, on an in-state gas pipeline ...  Read More »