Representative
CHRIS TUCK

I want to hear from you, share your thoughts, voice your opinion. Together we will make a difference.

Click here to visit my Website
 
Click here to write me an email

Call me anytime:
   (907) 465-2095
   Toll-Free (866) 465-2095

Visit me:
   January-April
   State Capitol Bldg. Rm. 426
   Juneau, AK 99801
   (907) 465-3810 fax

   May-December
   716 W. 4th St., Ste. 370
   Anchorage, AK 99501
   (907) 269-0242 fax

Contact Other Elected Officials:

Governor Parnell,
Anchorage Office:
907-269-7450
EMAIL: Gov. Sean Parnell

Senator Mark Begich,
Anchorage Office:
907-271-5915
EMAIL: Sen. Mark Begich

Congressman Don Young,
Anchorage Office:
907-271-5978
EMAIL: Rep. Don Young

Senator Lisa Murkowski,
Anchorage Office:
907-271-3735,
EMAIL: Sen. Lisa Murkowski

Happy Birthday, America!
Improving Access to Job Opportunities:
Rep. Tuck Named to Higher Education Funding Task Force

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

The 4th of July weekend is one of my favorite times of year.  I love to see families out in nearby yards, barbequing with children and friends around.  Seeing waving flags brings to mind the best about our country, and those who make our nation stronger and a better place to live. 

In honoring our country’s history and the conviction of our founding fathers, the holiday motivates me to work even harder as your Representative for District 29.

I couldn’t do my best without you.  Thank you for your trust, and for staying engaged and active in improving our community.

I wish you and your family a happy and safe 4th of July! 

Rep. Tuck Appointed to Higher Education Funding Task Force

A solid education that doesn’t break the bank is needed to access lasting, legacy jobs in Alaska.  Yet, money is often an obstacle, keeping Alaskans from earning the education necessary for good jobs.

I want to help find real solutions for making college and trade school affordable. 

This week, I was appointed to serve on the Joint Legislative Higher Education Scholarship Funding Task Force.  The newly created task force will evaluate how to best fund necessary financial aid and scholarship opportunities for Alaskans.

 I have served or am currently sitting on the following boards, which will help inform my work on the Task Force:

·         Anchorage School District’s K-6 Curriculum Task Force;
·         Anchorage School Board Member;
·         Anchorage’s Education and Workforce Advisory Commission;
·         The Alaska Process Industry Career Consortium; and
·         The Alaska Joint Electrical Apprenticeship Training Trust.

Representative Chris Tuck leads a June 2010 swearing-in ceremony for new AmeriCorps and SERVE Alaska volunteers.  Most of these youth come from the Lower 48 to volunteer in our schools and service organizations.  Photo credit: Ken Smith/Turnagain Times  

The Task Force was established in Alaska Merit Scholarship bill (SB 221), and is assigned the task of bringing the Governor and the Legislature a plan to address comprehensive merit and needs-based financial aid for Alaska’s students.  The report is due by Dec. 1, 2010.

The fifteen-member task force includes:

·         Ten members of the Legislature;
·         The Commissioner of Education and Early Development;
·         The President of the University of Alaska;
·         The Director of the State Office of Management and Budget;
·         A member of the State Board of Education and Early Development, to be appointed by the Governor; and
·         The Executive Director of the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education. 

During the Legislative session, I heard many of you ask to expand the merit college scholarship to include needs-based financial aid and trade schools.  

Please contact me with your thoughts on problems with existing financial aid for post-secondary education, and any suggestions you might have for solutions. 

Topics already under discussion include:

·         Fiscally-responsible funding mechanisms
·         Loan forgiveness
·         Reducing loan default rates
·         Education and performance requirements associated with aid
·         Voc-tech vs. college aid
·         Needs vs. merit-based approaches

Your opinion matters to me, and I’m here for you.

Warm Regards, 

      Chris Tuck
      Alaska State Representative
      District 29 – Anchorage

P.S. Please forgive me if you received two copies of this newsletter.  I am in the process of switching between two different email systems, and am working to remove duplicate addresses.

Tuck’s Tips: 

Coffee with Chris

I meet constituents for coffee every week, to catch up in a casual setting.

Please join me each Tuesday, at Café Vivachi, from 7:00-7:30 a.m. The café is on the corner of Dimond and King Street. 

I look forward to seeing you!  

4th of July safety tips

·         Click here for holiday safety tips from the Red Cross of Chicago.

·         The Municipality of Anchorage sent out these suggestions for keeping pets safe over the holiday weekend:

• Keep pets in a secure and quiet setting like a residence (make sure all windows and doors are closed);
• Turn on a television or radio to mask the noise of fireworks, helping keep the pet calm;
• Be certain that pets have a current MOA dog license, a current identification tag and rabies tag securely fastened to their collar;
• In the unfortunate event that a pet does escape, check with Anchorage Animal Care and Control Center ASAP; and 
• While the Animal Care and Control Center can be reached by phone at 343-8122, it is always best to come in person to look for a lost dog every two to three days, as no one can identify a pet better than its owner.