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To my constituents and the People of Alaska,
Good morning from Europe. My office has received
numerous inquiries about
whether or not I will be attending the Special Session
on August 2nd. As everyone
is aware, should the Legislature be called into
session, we have five days in which
to override the Governor’s veto of the critical
education funds that we added at the
end of last session, through a balanced, bipartisan
compromise.
I am currently mobilized with the Alaska Army National
Guard, a fact which I
announced in May, and for which I received an excused
absence on the Floor of
the Legislature.
However, the Legislature obviously does not control
the actions of the Governor.
When he declared that we would be called into Special
Session, I began seeking an
Exception to Policy from my Federal chain of command,
so that I could use Leave,
return to Alaska on my own dime, and join my
colleagues for that vote.
Fortunately, the timing is such that I can make this
journey without interference
with the performance of my military duties, in
accordance with DoDI 1344.10.
I am pleased to report that the commanding general to
whom our unit now reports
has indeed granted that request. I plan to return to
Alaska for the start of the
Special Session, and I will be voting yes to
override, so that our students have the
funds they need to avoid catastrophic cuts to their
schools.
Sincerely,
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