Recession, not overpaid public sector employees to blame for state and local budget woes

Income Gaps Between Very Rich and Everyone Else More Than Tripled In Last Three Decades, New Data Show

By Arloc Sherman and Chad Stone

“The gaps in after-tax income between the richest 1 percent of Americans and the middle and poorest fifths of the country more than tripled between 1979 and 2007 (the period for which these data are available), according to data the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) issued last week. Taken together with prior research, the new data suggest greater income concentration at the top of the income scale than at any time since 1928.” Read the rest of this entry »

2008 Nobel Prize winner for economics Paul Krugman, who has authored 20 books and more than 200 papers on the subject, offered an enlightening viewpoint on another aspect of spoon-fed fear in The New York Times in February.

In a sudden hysteria that could be likened to swine flu on many levels, Washington now has a chorus of hand-wringing-fear-filled politicos belting out a song of despair. And it now appears this choir has warbling voices from all corners of political ideology.

This unlikely acapella emanates from a bizarre belief that there is no time like the present to lower budget deficits. While I am no Krugman (who is?) a simple checkbook balancing approach and a look into the past while analyzing the present could reel in these Nervous Nellies if they just take the time to stop and think.

Checkbook: If my wife Karen and I are out of a job and private sector jobs are stymied, where can we hope to find relief? As bad as the budget deficit choir hates to admit it; government. But if government stops creating jobs by cutting spending through deficit reductions, well, I think you get the picture: How Now Brown Cow? Read the rest of this entry »

Nearly 7,000 low income children in Alaska can’t get a free or reduced price meal at school because their schools do not offer the breakfast program. Why not? The federal reimbursement for breakfast is simply too low to make it economically feasible for most schools.

Over the last three legislative sessions, Food Bank of Alaska, the Alaska Food Coalition, and the Alaska School Nutrition Association have partnered to request state support for school breakfast and lunch.  The Alaska State Legislature is currently considering legislation (SB 213) which provides state funding to supplement federal dollars received for school meals served to students who qualify for free or reduced price meals.  To view SB 213 follow the link to: http://www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/get_bill.asp?bill=SB%20213&session=26

The bill was passed through the Senate Education Committee and has been referred to the Senate Finance Committee.  We need your help to keep SB 213 moving through the legislative process in Juneau. Read the rest of this entry »

Rep. Beth Kerttula and Sen. Menard pose with Matt and Sue, the office marmots. Both legislators are eagerly awaiting the historic first Alaska Marmot Day.

Alaskans and their young state will officially celebrate the newest tradition to be established in the Last Frontier February 2nd. Alaska Marmot Day pays homage to our very own marmot, an iconic creature that populates so many regions of Alaska.

[Excerpted from Senator Menard's newsletter]

SB 101, Student Questionnaires and Surveys (sponsor Senator_Bettye_Davis@legis.state.ak.us) is scheduled for a hearing in the House Health and Social Services Committee on Tuesday, February 2nd. This bill allows for passive parental consent for students taking the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS.)

ACTION NEEDED:

PLEASE Contact House H&SS Committee members before the 3 p.m. hearing on Tuesday. Testify in favor of the bill from you local Legislative Information Office at the hearing on Tuesday. To find your office: http://w3.legis.state.ak.us/misc/lios.php Read the rest of this entry »

Congress is working on a major jobs bill that could help struggling transit systems across the country facing serious layoffs, service cuts and fare hikes, keep our buses and trains running, bring lasting improvements to our country’s transportation system…and strengthen our economy at the same time.

But only if it’s done right. And that is going to require some leadership. Read the rest of this entry »

Commentary by Representative Les Gara

Yesterday the United States Supreme Court did something so big that it even took that couple who broke into the White House party – and that 3D movie with the blue people – off the news radar.  For at least a minute.

If you thought the fight over who should be placed on the Supreme Court was only about abortion and social issues, you missed a bigger motive for some of the federal politicians who’ve pushed to appoint these guys.  Many partisan federal politicians have wanted to increase the influence of big corporations over your government.  Yesterday they won.  Yesterday they gave Exxon about $85 billion more in power than they left for you. Read the rest of this entry »

We have something that you can give to working families this year — and it doesn’t need to be wrapped.

Tax credits can provide thousands of dollars to working families — but only if families know about the credits and claim them on their tax returns.

That’s why we need your help. Please help spread the word about tax credits for working families by downloading our new outreach materials and sharing them with your community — schools, non-profit agencies, child care centers, places of worship, etc. Read the rest of this entry »