Rep. Carl Gatto News & Bill Activity

HB 50 : Limit Overtime For Registered Nurses

Tue, 7 Sep 2010 21:00:01 -0800

Sponsors : Rep. Wilson, Rep. Gara, Rep. Tuck, Rep. Petersen, Rep. Lynn, Rep. Seaton, Rep. Gatto, Rep. Cissna, Rep. Munoz, Rep. Gardner

Relating to limitations on mandatory overtime for registered nurses and licensed practical nurses in health care facilities; and providing for an effective date.

Version : CSHB 50(FIN)
Status : TRANSM TO GOVERNOR >> CHAPTER 118 SLA 10 : 2010-07-07
Contact : Rebecca Rooney, 465-3759

Nurses are working excessive amounts of hours without adequate rest. This creates an unsafe work environment for patients and nurses. Mandatory overtime is one of the main reasons nurses leave nursing. Recent studies indicate that one in five nurses is considering leaving the profession. ...

HB 37 : Right To Work

Tue, 7 Sep 2010 21:00:01 -0800

Sponsors : Rep. Gatto

An Act relating to the relationship between employees and labor organizations; prohibiting collective bargaining contracts that require employees to join a labor or employee organization; extending the policy and limitations set out in this Act to public employers and public employees ...

Status : PREFILE RELEASED >> (H) L&C : 2009-01-20
Contact : Dirk Craft, 465-5025

Coffee with Carl - Capital Budget and Bills Signed into Law

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 20:48:49 -0800

Contact : Sandra Wilson, 465-3163

Dear Friends,

It's hard to believe that we have already passed Summer Solstice! Hope you are enjoying your summer!

Rep. Gatto's 2010 District 13 Survey

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0800

Rep. Carl Gatto - Survey

HJR 16 : Disabled Veterans Procurement Preference

Mon, 7 Jun 2010 18:00:01 -0800

Sponsors : Rep. Gatto

Relating to federal procurement preferences for small businesses in the state that are owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans.

Version : CSHJR 16(L&C)
Status : TRANSM TO GOVERNOR >> LEGIS RESOLVE 30 : 2010-06-04
Contact : Karen Sawyer, 465-5025

On a regular basis we deploy hundreds if not thousands of our young men and women to overseas bases. Opportunities that would normally come to them such as starting and building a new business, are necessarily put on hold. Additionally, if wounded and thus disabled in service to their ...

HB 24 : Procurement Preference For Veterans

Sat, 5 Jun 2010 14:00:03 -0800

Sponsors : Rep. Fairclough, Rep. Gatto, Rep. Lynn

Relating to a public procurement preference for Alaska veterans.

Version : CSHB 24(MLV)
Status : TRANSM TO GOVERNOR >> CHAPTER 45 SLA 10 : 2010-06-04
Contact : Crystal Koeneman, 465-3777

Alaska law, Sec. 36.30.180, states that "The purpose of bidder preference for resident firms when the state acts as a market participant is to encourage local industry, strengthen and stabilize the economy, decrease unemployment, and strengthen the tax and revenue base of the state." ...

Gatto Comments on Veterans Legislation - HB 24 Enacted, HJR 16 off to Congress - Both Support Veteran-Owned Business

Fri, 4 Jun 2010 18:48:19 -0800

Contact : Sandra Wilson, 465-3163

Representative Carl Gatto, R-Palmer, released the following statement today regarding the enactment of House Bill 24, legislation establishing a five percent State bidder preference for Alaska veteran-owned businesses, and his own House Joint Resolution 16, which calls on the federal government to implement the 2003 Veterans Benefit Act that creates a three percent federal procurement preference for service-disabled veterans.

Statement

"When veterans muster out of service, retire, or - God forbid - get injured and return to civil life, they can find it hard to re-adjust or transition into the next career. And that's where these two bills come in. HJR 16 asks the federal government to do what Congress told them too: write the rules and guidelines to create the service-disabled veterans preference carried within the VBA of 2003. I've heard from some Alaska veterans who've told me federal agencies in Alaska aren't complying with the law. That is unacceptable. We mustn't further hinder our veterans. We should, and can, help them transition and start a business. That's what HB 24 does; creating a State bidder preference for veteran-owned Alaska businesses. That's a start. Both bills are small ways to say thanks to our veterans, honoring their sacrifice and helping them build family-sustaining civil lives."

Coffee with Carl - Memorial Day - 2010

Fri, 28 May 2010 19:51:09 -0800

Contact : Sandra Wilson, 465-3163

Dear Friends,

If you are as old as many of us are, you may recall that Memorial Day used to be called Decoration Day. No matter the name, the intent is to remember the men and women of our military who served their country.

Memorial Day is special, a single day during which we honor our nation but who we continue to remember and honor in our hearts.

Alaska House of Representatives Republican Majority Ajournment Book - 26th Alaska Legislature First Session 2010

Tue, 25 May 2010 15:25:31 -0800

Contact : Sandra Wilson, 465-3163

May 12, 2010

Dear Colleague,

This 2010 Adjournment Package is intended to help you report back to your districts and constituents about the Majority Caucus's successes during the 2010 legislative session. Inside the package you'll find detailed breakdowns of the budget bills, highlights of priority Caucus legislation, a breakdown by member and committee, and a comprehensive list of legislation passed by the 26th Alaska Legislature.

Coffee with Carl - Alaska Ag Day 2010

Mon, 10 May 2010 13:34:27 -0800

Contact : Sandra Wilson, 465-3163

Dear Friends,

It was a real pleasure to be a part of Agriculture Day this year and to see my bill, HB 70 - the Farm to School Act, signed into law by Governor Parnell. This legislation creates a Farm-to-School program to increase the procurement of Alaska grown foods by schools and school districts. 18 other states have enacted or authorized similar programs. The bill also gives schools the authority to create gardens and farms, with the stipulation that students representing student organizations, like Future Farmers of America and 4H, have the opportunity to be involved with the operations.

HB 70 : Farm To School Program

Thu, 6 May 2010 18:00:02 -0800

Sponsors : Rep. Gatto

An Act establishing the farm-to-school program in the Department of Natural Resources, and relating to school gardens, greenhouses, and farms.

Version : CSHB 70(FIN)
Status : TRANSM TO GOVERNOR >> CHAPTER 11 SLA 10 : 2010-05-04
Contact : Thomas Reiker, 465-3163

The Farm-to-School Act is similar to programs proposed in several other states. Its intent is to strengthen links between state agriculture and state food procurement in schools, expand local markets, improve nutrition, and even benefit the environment. It improves upon current law ...

Gatto Comments on Farm-To-School Bill Signing - HB 70 targets Alaska grown foods for school meals and procurement

Tue, 4 May 2010 17:13:05 -0800

Contact : Sandra Wilson, 465-3163

Representative Carl Gatto, R-Palmer, released the following statement today regarding the enactment of his House Bill 70, the Farm-to-School Act. The bill takes effect Aug. 1 and sunsets July 1, 2014. HB 70 creates a Farm-to-School program within the Dept. of Natural Resources Division of Agriculture to increase the procurement of Alaska grown foods by schools and school districts. 18 other states have enacted or authorized similar programs. The bill also gives schools the authority to create gardens and farms, with the stipulation that students representing student organizations like Future Farmers of America and 4H have the opportunity to be involved with the operations.

Statement

"HB-70, known as 'The Farm-to-School Act,' offers districts and schools an opportunity to add fresh, nutritional, local foods into their meal programs. Nutritionists tell us that our kids are poorly nourished, mostly due to unhealthy choices. It is time to reverse this long time trend with locally-grown fruits and vegetables.

Coffee with Carl - End of Session Wrap Up!

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 04:42:50 -0800

Contact : Sandra Wilson, 465-3163

Dear Friends,

The 26th Legislature has adjourned and I want you to know what a distinct privilege it has been to serve you. Much has happened in only 90 days.

House Majority Highlights 2nd Session Accomplishments - Priorities of repaying CBR debts, controlling operating growth, addressing state energy policy and goals, and in-state gas storage and use all accomplished

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 03:39:05 -0800

Contact : Sandra Wilson, 465-3163

The Alaska State House today adjourned the second session of the 26th Alaska Legislature. Alaska State House Majority Caucus leadership spent the bulk of the two-year legislative lifespan focusing on restraining state agency operating budget growth, repaying past legislature's debts to the Constitutional Budget Reserve Fund, forward-funding education, researching and addressing energy costs and generation statewide, restoring the confidence of voters in the election process, and continuing to advance an in-state gasline project. The Caucus also addressed, where appropriate, revisions and expansions to oil and gas development tax credits and incentives, including Cook Inlet exploration, development, and gas storage.

"We had an aggressive agenda and many moving targets to aim for," House Speaker Mike Chenault, R-Nikiski, said. "This Caucus, in this Legislature, was able to tackle a wide range of issues while meeting our constitutional mandate to pass the budgets. I am thankful for the leadership team, committee chairs, caucus members and their staff for pushing and refocusing our efforts. Alaskans sent us to Juneau with a purpose and I believe we can return to them with results. We kept operational spending down, focused on creating jobs, protecting families, and keeping the pressure on in-state gas delivery."

"We set energy policy and direction, settled a major visitor industry lawsuit and strengthened campaign and initiative disclosure laws," House Majority Leader Kyle Johansen, R-Ketchikan, said. "I am very pleased with our success."

Legislature Supports Alaska Grown Option in Schools - HB 70 benefits students, farmers in Farm-to-School Program

Sun, 18 Apr 2010 17:02:06 -0800

Contact : Sandra Wilson, 465-3163

The Alaska State Senate today unanimously passed House Bill 70, also known as the Farm-to-School Act. The bill heightens the presence of locally-grown produce in Alaska schools and create opportunities for students to be involved in agriculture. Representative Carl Gatto, R-Palmer, sponsored the bill.

Under HB 70, a Farm-to-School Program is created within the Department of Agriculture to facilitate increased procurement of Alaska-grown food by schools. It gives farmers, distributors, and brokers more opportunities to sell produce, particularly to schools. In addition, schools would benefit by having direct access to these local farms and gardens to supply their kitchens with food. Schools would also have the authority to create a school garden or farm, allowing students to participate in organic or traditional farming methods.

"Not only would this allow students a better understanding of nutrition, but there's also an opportunity for Alaska's farmers and gardeners to develop a dependable new income stream," Gatto said.

HJR 35 : Constitutional Am.: Health Care

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 00:00:01 -0800

Sponsors : Rep. Kelly, Rep. Keller, Rep. Wilson, Rep. Gatto

Proposing amendments to the Constitution of the State of Alaska prohibiting passage of laws that interfere with direct payments for health care services and the right to purchase health care insurance from a privately owned company, and that compel a person to participate in a health ...

Version : HJR 35(FLD H)
Status : RETRND 2ND RDNG (H) >> FAILED (H) : 2010-04-15
Contact : Derek Miller, 465-6879

HJR 35 would give Alaskans the opportunity to vote on a Constitutional Amendment prohibiting the passage of laws that would force any person or employer to participate in a particular health care system or plan. Similar measures are under consideration in 35 states. The Health ...

House Supports Alaska Grown Option in Schools - HB 70 benefits students, farmers in Farm-to-School Program

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 20:43:24 -0800

Contact : Sandra Wilson, 465-3163

The Alaska State House this weekend unanimously passed House Bill 70, also known as the Farm-to-School Act. The bill would heighten the presence of locally-grown produce in Alaska schools and create opportunities for students to be involved in agriculture. Representative Carl Gatto, R-Palmer, sponsored the bill.

Under HB 70, a Farm-to-School Program would be created to facilitate increased procurement of Alaska-grown food by schools. It gives farmers, distributors, and brokers more opportunities to sell produce, particularly to schools. In addition, schools would benefit by having direct access to these local farms and gardens to supply their kitchens with food. Schools would also have the authority to create a school garden or farm, allowing students to participate in organic or traditional farming methods.

"Not only would this allow students a better understanding of nutrition, but there's also an opportunity for farmers and gardeners in the business to have a dependable income stream," Gatto said.

Final Majority Caucus Press Availability Scheduled - Leadership set to meet with reporters tomorrow morning at 9:00 a.m.

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 20:43:07 -0800

Contact : Sandra Wilson, 465-3163

Members of the Alaska State House Majority Caucus' leadership will participate in the final weekly press availability of the session tomorrow, Monday, April 12, at 9:00 a.m. in the Speaker's Chambers, Capitol Room 210.

A teleconference for reporters unable to attend in person has been set up through the Legislative Bridge Teleconference Center at 877-763-5073.

Digital Audio and video will be posted to iTunes and the Majority Caucus Web site following the event. Reporters with specific requests are encouraged to contact the House Majority Press Office at 907-465-5284 prior to the event for individual requests and formatting requirements.

Health Freedom Act Introduced In House - House Judiciary, Gatto challenge Constitutionality of federal healthcare mandate

Thu, 1 Apr 2010 15:02:00 -0800

Contact : Sandra Wilson, 465-3163

This week the House Judiciary Committee introduced House Bill 423, the Health Freedom Act. Representative Carl Gatto, R-Palmer, requested the legislation to address concerns about the constitutionality of the federal healthcare reform package recently signed into law.

"The Tenth Amendment is clear that rights not explicitly granted to the federal government are reserved to the States and the people," Gatto said. "Few individual rights are more fundamental than the right to determine one's personal health and finances."

HB 423 affirms Alaskan's freedom to choose or decline any mode of securing healthcare services. It also prohibits state employers and officials from imposing or collecting fees for asserting this right, and instructs the Attorney General to defend those provisions in court.

Coffee with Carl - Thank You Soldiers - Veterans' Day/Memorial Day Song

Wed, 31 Mar 2010 22:36:22 -0800

Contact : Sandra Wilson, 465-3163

Dear Friends,

If you experienced problems with yesterday's newsletter when you tried connecting to the link of the heartwarming "Thank You Soldiers - Veteran's Day/Memorial Day Song", this link solves the problem.

Hope you enjoy it.