JUNEAU, Alaska - A wide-sweeping education bill that includes money for students, teacher bonuses and rural school internet remains in limbo for a second day, after House Majority members were hoping the matter would be taken up Tuesday morning.
“The underlying bill was a simple BAG grant bill that allows us to increase internet speeds across the state of Alaska, a bill that has not had other bills embedded into it,” House Minority leader Calvin Schrage, I-Anchorage, said. “I think that what has been done to SB 140 in the House this year, frankly, is a betrayal of good process in this body, and fails to do the work that our constituents expect us to do,” Schrage said. “To understand and vet the legislation that’s before us. And to understand the potentially severe fiscal consequences of what we may or may not do.”
Rep. Will Stapp, R-Fairbanks, echoed Johnson’s concerns. Saying there are schools in his district on the verge of closing.