Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, December 23, 2010

Alaska Democratic Party Chair Patti Higgins Commends the President, Democratic Congress for Repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”

(Anchorage, Alaska) – Alaska Democratic Party Chair Patti Higgins released the below statement after President Barack Obama signed critical legislation that would repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”   The legislation would allow Americans to serve in the military regardless of their sexual orientation.

“With the President’s signature, he has enacted a reform overwhelmingly supported by the American people and has fulfilled another campaign promise that takes a critical step to ensure equal rights for all Americans.

“The repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ offers to brave American men and women the opportunity to serve their country and defend the principles for which it stands, without fear of discrimination based on their sexual orientation.  They have always served in our military, and some sacrificed their lives defending liberties that were denied them in their own military.

“As we move past this undemocratic policy, all members of our armed forces will be able to serve openly and with the integrity that we expect from our military service members. This reform is a much-needed one, and I commend the Democratic Congress and President Obama for their hard work to enact it."

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, December 17, 2010

Murkowski Toes Party Line, Penalizing Alaska’s Interests

Senator Lisa Murkowski, who won her Senate seat mostly based on fears that Joe Miller would not defend Alaska’s crucial appropriations, has just done what Miller said he would do and she wouldn’t.

Yesterday, Senator Lisa Murkowski refused to step up and save millions of dollars of earmarks for Alaska, so that she could close ranks with Republican leadership railing against earmark spending. Senator Murkowski failed to support more than $130 million dollars for Alaska and refused to support more than $ 100 million dollars of earmarks she herself requested.

In response to Senator Murkowski’s harmful about-face, Patti Higgins, Chair of the Alaska Democratic Party, released this statement:

"Senator Murkowski has once again demonstrated that she regularly says one thing and then does another. In a clear choice between supporting Alaskans and supporting her partisan Republican leadership in the Senate, Murkowski sided against the best interests of Alaskans.

"Failing to support the spending bill was tantamount to voting for the Republican earmark ban she claims to oppose. It resulted in losing the crucial Alaska earmarks she herself proposed.  Alaskans who were hoping that Senator Murkowski would be an independent voice for our state versus a reliable rubber stamp for lower-48 Republican Senators have been given their answer, even before the election has been confirmed."

Some of the projects Senator Murkowski is now abandoning include:

• Alaska Aviation Safety Project $1,000,000 - Murkowski
• Alaska Coastal Erosion, AK, Corps of Engineers $1.5M – Murkowski
• Denali Commission AK only for the Anaktuvuk Pass Bridge Replacement, Scammon Bay Community Streets, Alakanuk Community Streets and Kind Salmon & Naknek School Bus Road - $1,000,000 – Murkowski
• Fairbanks Rail Line Relocation $1,000,000 SLM
• RurAL CAP in Toksook Bay to construct an early childhood development center $500,000 - Murkowski
• Hoonah IPEC Hydroelectric Project (AK) $1.5M – Murkowski and YoungAlaska Land Mobile Radio System – $800,000 Elmendorf AFB, Joint Task Force Alaska. Begich
• Alaska NORAD Region Communication Upgrades & Repairs $400,000 – Elmendorf AFB, 611th Air Support Group. Begich
• Domestic Violence Sexual Assault Prevention, State of Alaska $500K – Mukowski and Young
• Rural Drug and Alcohol Interdiction and Prosecution $500K – Murkowski and Young
• Copper River Native Association, Glennallen, AK for the construction of a health and multi-use facility serving tribal members and basic health service needs $500,000 – Begich and Murkowski
• Covenant House Alaska, Anchorage – for construction of a new facility for Covenant House, a center providing immediate and long-term needs of homeless youth in AK - $500,000 – Begich and Murkowski

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, November 12, 2010
       
AS WRITE-IN COUNT DRAGS ON, ALASKA RISKS LOSING EARMARKS
Sen. Murkowski Can’t Cast a Vote to Keep Earmarks Coming to Alaska

(Anchorage, Alaska) – A vote to ban earmarks is scheduled for Tuesday, November 16, 2010.  This ban on earmarks jeopardizes Alaska’s economic future.  Since Lisa Murkowski has been shut out of leadership positions by her Republican colleagues, she won’t be getting a real say on this important vote.  Senator Murkowski might claim to oppose the ban on earmarks, but there will be no vote to back it up.  So much for having seniority and standing up for Alaska.

"With Senator Murkowski, we have a powerless Republican senator in a minority caucus determined to marginalize Alaska,” said Alaska Democratic Party Chair Patti Higgins.  “The next two years are going to be tough for Alaskans.  Expect to hear a lot more mocking of Alaska’s ‘Bridges to Nowhere.’”

During the 2010 campaign for U.S. Senate, Murkowski frequently dodged her record of voting NO on Alaska projects but she highlighted standing up to the Republican leadership.

"Sen. Murkowski says she’ll stand up to the Republican leadership.  But the only way to do that is to cast a vote for Alaska.  Otherwise, you’re just another talking head.  We already have plenty of those,” stated Higgins.  “We need Senator Murkowski to get to work for Alaska now because Alaska deserves a Senator who does what’s best for us and isn’t beholden to a party establishment.”

Fortunately, Alaska has one senator – Mark Begich – in the U.S. Senate majority who fights for Alaska.  Alaska can trust that Senator Begich will get Alaska its fair share of federal funds.

“Senator Begich is moving up in seniority in the majority in the U.S. Senate.  And unlike his Alaska colleague, Senator Begich has been fighting to put Alaska earmarks into the regular budgetary process where the needs of Alaska can be addressed in a clear and straightforward way,” Higgins stated.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, November 4, 2010
     
SEEING ALASKA’S TRUE COLORS
The Alaska Democratic Party Reminds Randy Ruedrich Alaska Is Not “Deep Red”

(Anchorage, Alaska) – The Alaska Democratic Party stood its ground in the 2010 election.  Even though the Republicans tried very hard to defeat two State Senators, they failed.  The Alaska Democratic Party retains ten seats in the State Senate.  While Alaska Republicans gained two seats in the State House, the Alaska Democratic candidate Bob Miller picked up a seat in Fairbanks from six-year incumbent Mike Kelly.

“Alaska Democrats represent half of the seats in the State Senate and 43% of the seats overall in the State Legislature.  Plus, one of our two U.S. Senators is an Alaska Democrat and the other wasn’t even the Republican Party endorsed candidate.  That doesn’t look ‘deep red’ to me,” said Patti Higgins, Chair of the Alaska Democratic Party.  “Efforts are made – and led – by Alaska Democrats to work in bi-partisan fashion with Republicans in the House and the Senate.  Alaska Democrats understand that helping all Alaska is their first and foremost goal – not gloating about victories or advancing national agendas.”

On Election Day, two items on the ballot passed which reveal Alaska’s true colors: Proposition A and Proposition B.  Higgins went on to say:

“Alaskans know what is best for Alaska.  That’s why they overwhelmingly passed Prop A and Prop B.  Both of these propositions reflect democratic values – create programs to help Alaska veterans, universities, job-force, and economy.

“Prop A and Prop B are the best examples of what Alaskans really want.  They want Alaska to grow and be better and stronger for our families, our children, and our businesses.  No outside or corporate money went to persuading Alaskans that Prop A and Prop B were bad.  So Alaskans voted for what was best for Alaska.

“Many statewide campaigns – and even some local campaigns – had large amounts of outside and corporate money pumped into Alaska to use scare tactics and tell voters what’s ‘best for Alaska.’  The Alaska Republicans who used that money are now beholden to the special-interests that gave them those resources.  Last year’s Republican dominated legislature did not pass legislation like Prop A and Prop B.  If it happens at all, it happens because Alaskans vote for it.

“Right now, Alaska is purple.  Those who try to say differently ignore Alaskans’ votes on things like Prop A and Prop B and the fact that Alaskans keep sending outstanding Alaska Democrats to Juneau and Washington, D.C. to represent them.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, November 3, 2010

NOW IT’S TIME TO MOVE ALASKA FORWARD
Chair of the Alaska Democratic Party Issues Statement on Election Results

(Anchorage, Alaska) – Chair of the Alaska Democratic Party Patti Higgins issued the following statement about Alaska’s election results:

“Alaska Democrats know we aren’t fighting for something that is easy to do, but we are committed to working hard until every American sees change.

“Throughout the 2010 election, the Alaska Democratic Party and its candidates have had two clear and consistent messages: Move Alaska Forward and Vote Your Values.  Both of those messages highlight how important it is to develop Alaska’s potential and remind Alaskans that members of both Parties need to represent Alaska’s needs and interests in Washington, D.C. and Juneau.

“Democrats are ready to move ahead and work for the good of Alaska in both capitols.  We expect the Republicans to do the same.  Alaskans deserve to know that their elected leaders – whether local or federal – are listening to them, addressing their concerns, and proposing long-term solutions.

“Alaska Democrats and Republicans may have different solutions, but the problems that need to be fixed are the same.  Our elected leaders must find ways to develop Alaska’s resources, keep our taxes low, grow our businesses, and improve our schools.

“For Alaska to move forward and for our values, interests, and needs to be respected, members of both parties must work together for the good of all Alaska.  We are confident that solutions and compromise will happen in Juneau and Washington, D.C. – because every Alaskan knows, it’s about Alaska.”

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