JUNEAU — Today, in an affront to precedence and a move that seeks to undermine the will of thousands of Alaskan voters, the House Democrat Majority discharged HB 69 from the House Education Committee on the House Floor without a formal vote from the policy committee. HB 69 is an education funding increase bill that the House Democrat Majority has proposed, however it lacks any education policy reform which is necessary to maximize outcomes for Alaskan students and families.
The Majority Leader said this is the most important policy issue we are facing, and yet they have prematurely ended that conversation without proper vetting.
“You are asking us to discharge a bill out of its own policy committee,” stated Minority Leader Mia Costello (R-Anchorage). “We have heard that policy changes and funding need to go hand in hand to address the hurdles we have when it comes to education. Good faith negotiations that initially included the House Republicans have continued without us, and now this motion to bypass the process is being made.”
The Alaska House Republicans represent almost half of the state if not more, and today the Democrat Majority has made it very clear that half of all Alaskans do not have a voice in Juneau.
“I spent the previous legislature dealing with this issue in an intense way, speaking to every stakeholder, parent, and teacher who wished to share their opinion,” shared Representative Justin Ruffridge (R-Soldotna). “We must choose to work together on this issue, and this is certainly a step in the wrong direction.”
House Republican Caucus Education Committee member, Representative Rebecca Schwanke (R-Tok/Northway), said, “We’re asking for the opportunity to finish the process. If we have one more opportunity to bring up all the questions and comments that came up in public testimony, debate the bill, and take a proper vote, that would have allowed the process to be completed. If we don’t get that opportunity, I’m wondering what kind of tone that sets for the 34th Legislature.”
The Alaska House Republicans will continue to fight not only for proper, responsible education funding, but for transparency and honesty in our legislative process.