Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #AKleg
Most recents (24)
Good morning, #akleg. The House Education Committee is about to take up a new version of HB 105, the bill that has been colloquially known as the governor's "bathroom bill" for public schools: akleg.gov/basis/get_docu…
The new version strips out references to bathrooms by biological gender and requires school districts to open single-person bathrooms. It preserves the requirement that parents opt into (rather than out of) sex-ed classes. It exempts sexual abuse education from that requirement.
A bit of confusion in committee after McKay called for an end to debate and to vote on advancing the bill. The committee erroneously said McKay's move passed and they voted to advance the bill. They're now backtracking. #akleg
The @NYTimes is at it again, purposefully canceling the voices of the Alaska Native people in their latest biased reporting on the Willow Project. Shameful.
nytimes.com/2023/03/10/cli…
nytimes.com/2023/03/10/cli…
As I neither conceal nor apologize for, my approach to politics is to make so much noise that the people making decisions can’t ignore it. I propose that we do exactly this next Sunday at UAA, at the legislative town hall.
(2/11)
(2/11)
This is just what Save Anchorage used to do, and their tactics were effective if their cause questionable: Show up in numbers and dominate the conversation.
(3/11)
(3/11)
If you are disgusted by @davideastmanjr , here’s a short thread about what you can do about it, but the bottom line is to call Rep. Sarah Vance’s office
(907)465-2689
and demand that she remove this man from the Judiciary committee. #akleg #davideastman
(1/10)
(907)465-2689
and demand that she remove this man from the Judiciary committee. #akleg #davideastman
(1/10)
While it’s understandable to be enraged and horrified by Eastman, to some extent it’s a waste of energy. He is who his. Nothing that I know of will change his behavior. Instead, direct that energy towards those who enable him.
(2/10)
(2/10)
That covers lots of people in both parties, but right now it’s Rep. Sarah Vance.
Because nobody wants to work with him, Eastman is not in a caucus and it’s actually procedurally incorrect for him to be on a committee. So why is he on the Judiciary Committee?…
(3/10)
Because nobody wants to work with him, Eastman is not in a caucus and it’s actually procedurally incorrect for him to be on a committee. So why is he on the Judiciary Committee?…
(3/10)
Alright! The final day of the trial in the lawsuit seeking to disqualify Rep. David Eastman for his membership in the Oath Keepers is underway.
After a week of testimony, which included OK founder Stewart Rhodes and Trump attorney John Eastman, we have closing arguments.
#akleg
After a week of testimony, which included OK founder Stewart Rhodes and Trump attorney John Eastman, we have closing arguments.
#akleg
Watch along here: stream.akcourts.gov
Here's the thread from yesterday, where we heard the cross examination of Rhodes and the... interesting legal thinking of John Eastman that everything is pretty much fine and protected.
What should be the final full day of the trial against Rep. David Eastman is getting underway now.
Today, we expect to hear more from Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes, Trump lawyer John Eastman and Rep. David Eastman.
Closing arguments expected Wednesday.
#akleg
Today, we expect to hear more from Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes, Trump lawyer John Eastman and Rep. David Eastman.
Closing arguments expected Wednesday.
#akleg
Here's a blog post that pulls together most of the good stuff from the newsletters and the basics of the case: midnightsunak.com/2022/12/20/the…
Here's the latest newsletter I wrote about it, which covered through Monday morning: akmemo.substack.com/p/the-complica…
Here's the latest newsletter I wrote about it, which covered through Monday morning: akmemo.substack.com/p/the-complica…
And we're off with the usual audio glitches.
For some reason folks on the stream can ONLY hear Stewart Rhodes. The courtroom's audio isn't coming through.
Rhodes asks Miller how the weather is up here.
Miller can't hear him.
For some reason folks on the stream can ONLY hear Stewart Rhodes. The courtroom's audio isn't coming through.
Rhodes asks Miller how the weather is up here.
Miller can't hear him.
It's Monday, y'all! That means we're back for the 5th full day of the Rep. Eastman trial where plaintiffs hope to disqualify the Wasilla Republican from holding office because he's a member of the Oath Keepers.
O.K. founder Stewart Rhodes MAY testify today.
#akleg #akelect
O.K. founder Stewart Rhodes MAY testify today.
#akleg #akelect
Finishing my summary of where we are so far, but we're getting underway with the testimony of Patrick Martin.
Martin was the recipient of a forwarded Oath Keeper email from Rep. Eastman. They went together to D.C. on Jan. 6 (and got slurpees the day before).
Martin was the recipient of a forwarded Oath Keeper email from Rep. Eastman. They went together to D.C. on Jan. 6 (and got slurpees the day before).
Why did you go?
Because David is my friend.
Because David is my friend.
The second full day of the Eastman trial is now underway. Here's my write-up of the first day: akmemo.substack.com/p/if-it-quacks…
#akelect #akleg
#akelect #akleg
You can watch the stream here: stream.akcourts.gov
Judge McKenna started off with an ask for more briefings on whether the framers of the Alaska Constitution wanted mere membership of a group to be disqualifying or did they need to have a more active role in it. Also, what happens when a group is doing several things.
Oral arguments in the lawsuit challenging whether far-right Wasilla Rep. Eastman—a lifetime member of the Oath Keepers who just won his re-election—to serve in the #akleg under the AK Constitution's disloyalty clause will get underway soon.
I'll be livetweeting here.
I'll be livetweeting here.
Still on stand by, but the link to watch it will be here: stream.akcourts.gov
Alright, we are underway.
In Alaska, we likely know 3 things going into Wednesday's RCV count:
Rep. Peltola (D), Sen. Murkowski (D), and Gov. Dunleavy (R) will be re-elected
House stands at 20 D/I - 19 R, with 1 race likely in the air til RCV
Senate is 9D - 11R with a VERY likely Bipartisan Coalition.
Rep. Peltola (D), Sen. Murkowski (D), and Gov. Dunleavy (R) will be re-elected
House stands at 20 D/I - 19 R, with 1 race likely in the air til RCV
Senate is 9D - 11R with a VERY likely Bipartisan Coalition.
RE: House, two candidates lead with two R's splitting the vote: Featherly (I) & Wells (D).
Only Wells has a reasonable chance. In each race, assuming 5% of the 3rd place R goes to the D/I: Wells needs Eibeck to exhaust 25% of his votes. Featherly needs Bieling to exhaust 50%!
Only Wells has a reasonable chance. In each race, assuming 5% of the 3rd place R goes to the D/I: Wells needs Eibeck to exhaust 25% of his votes. Featherly needs Bieling to exhaust 50%!
RE: Senate — the majority that actually passes the budget has been Dems + R's Steadman, Stevens, and Bishop.
With 9D's, plus R's Merrick and likely Giessel, you COULD have:
A 14D/R - 6R Senate;
A 21 D/I/R - 19R House;
And a Trump-endorsed Governor! Buckle up for #akleg, folks.
With 9D's, plus R's Merrick and likely Giessel, you COULD have:
A 14D/R - 6R Senate;
A 21 D/I/R - 19R House;
And a Trump-endorsed Governor! Buckle up for #akleg, folks.
I mailed my ballot today. And I proudly voted to uphold my constitution. I remember not so long ago when Republicans like Mike Dunleavy called themselves "proud Constitutional conservatives." Some of them were SO proud, they left the Republican Party to join the 1/
"Constitution Party." That was even more Consititution-y! They treated the Constitution like the Bible, like a holy writ. Until all of a sudden the Constitution wasn't working for them anymore. They didn't ask themselves why they kept losing constitutional challenges 2/
in the courts. Or maybe they did. And maybe they figured out that the Constitution wasn't what they thought it was. It didn't mean an automatic win. It wasn't always on their side. In fact, it wasn't more often than not. So now suddenly these strict constitutional 3/
It's #akleg day, baby! The Legislative Budget and Audit Committee is underway with a hearing on the results of the investigation into the abrupt firing of Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation CEO Angela Rodell last year.
📺: w3.akleg.gov/includes/_play…
📺: w3.akleg.gov/includes/_play…
As @ak_ok pointed out, the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation ran its own counter investigation into the investigation that says it's all fine BUT it does note efforts by individuals in Gov. Dunleavy's office to rein in Rodell's social media use.
Sen. von Imhof, leading off on the firing of Rodell and the importance of the permanent fund's place in the state budget: "It's imperative that the fund is protected from political intervention or manipulation."
#akleg
#akleg
The governor has signed the final fiscal year 2023 budget and made vetoes. Sadly, the vetoes include:
- $62.5M in school capital projects
- $22.5M for capital projects across Alaska
- $27M in deferred maintenance for the @UA_System
- $10.5M for the Alaska Long Trail 1/
- $62.5M in school capital projects
- $22.5M for capital projects across Alaska
- $27M in deferred maintenance for the @UA_System
- $10.5M for the Alaska Long Trail 1/
@UA_System - $6M for a traffic signal at Tudor and Patterson Street
-$4.3M for Food Bank of Alaska
- $4M for the Child Care Program
- $4M for the Alaska Housing Trust
- $2.95M for Alaska Primary Care Association's Healthcare Workforce development
- $2.6M for other workforce development
2/
-$4.3M for Food Bank of Alaska
- $4M for the Child Care Program
- $4M for the Alaska Housing Trust
- $2.95M for Alaska Primary Care Association's Healthcare Workforce development
- $2.6M for other workforce development
2/
@UA_System - $1.5M for Alaska Public Broadcasting
- $1.5M from the University of Alaska
- $1.5M from grants for Senior and Disabilities Services
- $1.3M in federal funds allocated to the Muldoon Library
- $790,000 in Medicaid funding for Behavioral Health Treatment and Recovery services 3/
- $1.5M from the University of Alaska
- $1.5M from grants for Senior and Disabilities Services
- $1.3M in federal funds allocated to the Muldoon Library
- $790,000 in Medicaid funding for Behavioral Health Treatment and Recovery services 3/
Oh good the Heartland Institute is testifying in support of Lora's egregiously unconstitutional online censorship bill. #akleg
He's complaining that Facebook is fact checking and shadow banning Heartland Institutes posts.
Facebook can do whatever it wants. Don't like it, don't use it!
Facebook can do whatever it wants. Don't like it, don't use it!
James Taylor the president of the Heartland Institute is as wrong about climate change as he is about the first amendment.
The hearing is starting now ktoo.org/gavel/video/20…
Costello, Hughes, Reinbold, and Wilson all present. Begich absent for this circus
Costello, Hughes, Reinbold, and Wilson all present. Begich absent for this circus
Reinbold starts by calling the bill a tsunami with so much public testimony. She also has the global alliance doctors on line
After reading through the public testimony it's a lot of repeats from the same people. #akleg
After reading through the public testimony it's a lot of repeats from the same people. #akleg
Lora says we take an oath to defend liberties, not businesses or big pharma.
I guess Lora's no longer pro-business?
#akleg
I guess Lora's no longer pro-business?
#akleg
There will be another hearing on Reinbolds vaccine discrimination hearing today at 1:30. Here are some of the people that have written in support of this bill. #akleg
Dr. Janet Abadir is a surgeon for Providence based in Kodiak Island
Desiree Cook is a soon to be UAA Nursing School graduate
The House Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee is underway with its Oath Keepers Informational hearing. They're hosting the Anti-Defamation League's Center on Extremism and George Washington University's Program on Extremism.
#akleg
w3.akleg.gov/includes/_play…
#akleg
w3.akleg.gov/includes/_play…
Not exactly the best-attended hearing so far. None of the Republicans—who've so far voted in defense of Rep. David Eastman, a member of the Oath Keepers—are present currently.
First up is Alex Friedfeld, an investigative
researcher from the Anti-Defamation League's Center on Extremism.
He's going over the Oath Keepers' involvement in Jan. 6 and is explaining the deep state conspiracies fueling the militia movement, noting that anti-vax is a key part.
researcher from the Anti-Defamation League's Center on Extremism.
He's going over the Oath Keepers' involvement in Jan. 6 and is explaining the deep state conspiracies fueling the militia movement, noting that anti-vax is a key part.
Some after-the-credits action in the House, Rep. Hopkins moves that the Sense of the House be adopted. There's a flurry of objections from Republicans so a pretty good guess about what it's about.
#akleg
Watch: w3.akleg.gov/includes/_play…
#akleg
Watch: w3.akleg.gov/includes/_play…
Rep. Kurka says it's "clearly engaging in personalities."
Followed by an at-ease.
Followed by an at-ease.
Following the at-ease, House Speaker Stutes says his concerns are "duly noted" and refers the Sense of the House to the Military and Veterans Affairs Committee.
Which gets an objection from Eastman and another at-ease.
Which gets an objection from Eastman and another at-ease.
The 2022 Alaska State of the Judiciary is underway. Delivering his first State of the State is Chief Justice Daniel Winfree. He notes it may be his last given the age limits for the Alaska Supreme Court.
w3.akleg.gov/includes/_play…
#akleg
w3.akleg.gov/includes/_play…
#akleg
Winfree: I was one of the young ones 50 years ago criticizing the establishment and now I'm part of the establishment. I find myself wondering why we haven't made more progress.
Winfree is the first Alaska-born Supreme Court Chief Justice, has experienced all the political establishments and governors, the good and the bad.
"Alaska still stands."
"Alaska still stands."
The House floor is underway. Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson was in the gallery. Also Reps. Eastman and Kurka introduced a move-the-capitol-to-Willow bill that got tagged with three committees of referral.
#akleg
w3.akleg.gov/includes/_play…
#akleg
w3.akleg.gov/includes/_play…
First on the legislation agenda is Rep. Zulkosky's HB198, establishing Sept. 10 as Alaska Community Health Aide Appreciation Day. As introduction, she's talking about the importance of health aides provide care throughout the state.
Rep. Zulkosky said in her opening comments that Sept. 10 was picked because it was the first planning and advisory committee meeting in 1973.
In questions, Rep. Eastman asks why Sept. 10.
Rep. Zulkosky repeats the explanation in closing.
In questions, Rep. Eastman asks why Sept. 10.
Rep. Zulkosky repeats the explanation in closing.
Today's the State of the Judiciary at 11 a.m.
But first, the House Education Committee is holding a hearing with the free/reduced tuition for essential workers bill. It's set to gavel out for the House floor session at 10 and resume at 330.
w3.akleg.gov/includes/_play…
#akleg
But first, the House Education Committee is holding a hearing with the free/reduced tuition for essential workers bill. It's set to gavel out for the House floor session at 10 and resume at 330.
w3.akleg.gov/includes/_play…
#akleg
SB10 by Sen. Tom Begich passed out of the Senate last year on a 12-7 vote. He starts off by noting that the bill needs to be updated since it was written for last year.
He says providing these opportunities could be "potentially life-changing" for frontline workers.
He says providing these opportunities could be "potentially life-changing" for frontline workers.
Begich: "It's clear that there's been a wildly uneven recovery."
He says this could give frontline workers a "hand up as the dust settles." Then talks about some of the earning power of higher education and technical training.
He says this could give frontline workers a "hand up as the dust settles." Then talks about some of the earning power of higher education and technical training.
Over in the Senate floor, they're working through amendments on Senate Bill 9. It's Senate President Peter Micciche's long-delayed alcohol law rewrite.
👀: w3.akleg.gov/includes/_play…
📄: akleg.gov/basis/Bill/Det…
#akleg
👀: w3.akleg.gov/includes/_play…
📄: akleg.gov/basis/Bill/Det…
#akleg
Amendment 1 was by Sen. Kiehl. It would've loosened the strict population limits the bill would place on tasting rooms (effectively closing many markets to any new entrants) but he says in the interest of trying to get this bill—which was first introduced in 2015—he withdraws it.
And now a little at ease, as a treat.
The trial over the Higher Education Investment Fund is underway. The case was brought by several University of Alaska students challenging Gov. Dunleavy's sweep of the fund set up by the #akleg to fund scholarships (and later WWAMI).
The main argument here, as I understand, is the original appropriation setting up the fund is still valid and therefore it's out of reach out of the constitutional budget reserve sweep.
Dunleavy argues it should be funded ad hoc each year, competing with other spending.
Dunleavy argues it should be funded ad hoc each year, competing with other spending.
Former Attorney General Jahna Lindemuth is handling the oral arguments for the plaintiffs. She's outlining the legal argument that the funds have not lapsed.
She says it's the only one consistent with the plain language of the Alaska Constitution and precedent.
She says it's the only one consistent with the plain language of the Alaska Constitution and precedent.
Would you like to get this guy expelled from the Alaska State legislature? Here’s what you can do Monday to help! (Be sure to retweet this whole thread, to begin with!)
(1/18)
(1/18)
If you don’t know who your legislator is, find them on this website: openstates.org/find_your_legi…. You’re look for your State House (not State Senate) representative.
(2/18)
(2/18)
Monday, let’s target members of the House Majority (plus un-caucused @sararasmussenak , my own representative). The Minority will get their turn in the barrel, I promise.
(3/20)
(3/20)
