The bill may not be able to get traction in the shorter, 90-day session, and it's generally harder for Democrats to push through their agendas in the Republican-controlled state House. But among the three sponsors are state Rep. Lindsey Holmes, whose bill providing for sexual assault victims to get restraining orders was the first measure to pass the House this year. The other sponsors are Reps. Les Gara and Sharon Cissna, one of the leaders of the Legislative Health Caucus.
Many Alaska doctors don't accept Medicare patients because of low federal reimbursement rates for office visits. The three Democrats say federal law prevents states from boosting the rates. But states can encourage the creation of clinics designated as "community health centers," which under federal law can bill Medicare at a much higher rate, according to the sponsors. Their legislation, House Bill 335, would create a grant fund to help create or expand Medicare clinics.
-- Anchorage Daily News/adn.com
Lawmaker pushes $1 billion for transportation projects
JUNEAU -- An Alaska lawmaker wants to set aside $1 billion in a fund that would fuel state transportation projects.
Rep. Peggy Wilson, R-Wrangell, said she's worried about declining federal funding for Alaska transportation projects and cumbersome oversight tied to those dollars. Under her proposal, fuel tax revenue now bound for the general fund would be redirected to a transportation infrastructure fund to keep it growing. Since dedicated funds of this sort are forbidden under the state Constitution, Wilson is also proposing a constitutional amendment to go before voters.
On Tuesday, the Transportation Committee, which she chairs, passed the ballot question resolution on to the Judiciary Committee and began discussing the measure to establish the fund.
-- The Associated Press
House speaker introduces death penalty legislation
JUNEAU -- House Speaker Mike Chenault has introduced a death penalty bill in the Alaska Legislature.
It would allow the attorney general to seek capital punishment in certain cases. The Nikiski Republican said he doubts there are enough votes to pass the bill.
The death penalty was banned by the territorial legislature. The issue is a perennial favorite of some conservative legislators, but with long sentences routinely handed down to first-degree murderers and a secure state prison to hold them, it rarely develops traction in the Legislature.
-- The Associated Press
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