JUNEAU- House Republicans made a motion again to bring HB 69, a Majority education bill, to the House floor for debate. In a vote of 19 to 19, the Democrat House Majority rejected the motion, once again refusing to take up their own bill saying the timing isn’t right.
House Republicans need to be part of the discussion. Our caucus has a tremendous amount of experience in education. We are being excluded while the discussion seems to be occurring only through the majority caucuses. This was not the agreement. So, the House Republicans are advocating as per legislative procedure, again to bring HB 69 out of the Rules Committee and onto the floor where we will be able to debate, discuss or even amend the bill. This would bring us back into the process and puts the bill in full transparent view of the public.
The House Democrat Majority stated that this bill is a priority, yet for weeks, HB 69 remained stalled in committee. When finally given the chance for open discussion, the Majority shut it down, again. Alaskans deserve to know where their elected officials stand on education issues, yet House Republicans were again denied the opportunity to debate the bill in full view of the public.
House Republican Whip Representative Cathy Tilton (R-Wasilla) stated, “According to the Democrat Majority the bill (HB 69) is being held and discussed in a small group to allow for the addition of policies. I’m curious and concerned as to that process. It does not appear to be a very public or transparent process. I nor any other of our members have been part of that process.”
Representative Kevin McCabe (R-Big Lake) stated, “The Democrat Majority is determined to keep HB69—the MEGA-BSA bill, Sponsored by Representative Himschoot—hidden from public scrutiny. This is a massive spending bill with long-term budget implications, yet it includes zero policy changes to improve student outcomes. That alone should concern every Alaskan. But instead of engaging Republicans and Alaskans in real debate, Democrats are focused on funneling more money into the failing education-industrial complex with no accountability.”
House Republicans are taking action everyday through the legislative process and discussions to advancing the discussion on HB 69 and ensuring that this legislation receives the public debate it deserves.