Juneau’s legislators have outlined their priorities for the upcoming legislative session. They hope to find new revenue sources, decrease outmigration, and improve Alaska’s Marine Highway system.
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span style=”font weight: 400 Seventeen years ago was when we last adjusted our tobacco tax,” she stated. “E-cigarettes didn’t exist 17 years ago so they aren’t mentioned in the tax statute.” The providers of this product argued that they can’t be taxed because they’re not listed in the tax statute ‘.”
Gov. Mike Dunleavy, Gov. Hannan stated that she is optimistic this year, as the state looks for new revenue sources.
She also wants to see more service on the Alaska Marine Highway. She stated that it is a valuable resource for Southeast communities all year, especially for those who travel to Juneau for treatment.
All three legislators have already filed bills this week. Rep. Andi Story (whose district includes the Mendenhall Valley and Haines, Skagway, Gustavus, and Skagway) introduced a bill to update some aspects of the Alaska Performance Scholarship. The scholarship provides money for high school students to attend in-state postsecondary programs. She stated that the goal was to encourage young people in Alaska to remain.
She said that if students continue taking the classes they have committed to, this would inform them in their junior year of eligibility for the award. They don’t know what they will get until their senior year and many students choose .”.
Story stated that she is optimistic about the state increasing the base student allocation. This refers to the amount per student that school districts get from the state.
Jesse Kiehl has filed a bill that would allow public servants to choose to contribute to a pension. It would reduce worker turnover, according to Kiehl.
He said that most people who work in the public sector do so because they love it. “We shouldn’t make it an economic decision for them to stay .”
From 5:30 to 7 p.m., the Juneau delegation will host an informal town hall meeting at Juneau Douglas High School Yadaa.at Kale. School buildings require masks.
