On Aug. 30, amid the lengthy debate over PFD payments, oil tax credits and various spending items, an attempt was made by some Alaska lawmakers to protect residents who decline to take the experimental COVID shots. Enough Republican members of the Alaska State House, however, joined Democrats to successfully kill this attempt.
Wasilla Representatives David Eastman and Christopher Kurka, along with Rep. George Rauscher (Palmer) offered an amendment to a budget bill that deals with the PFD and other spending items. The amendment stated that it is the Legislature’s intent that financial appropriations only be disbursed to “entities that establish a policy stating that an individual’s COVID-19 vaccination status is considered confidential information and that the entity will not solicit, collect, or maintain that information.”
The amendment initially passed 21-19, but Rep. Ivy Spohnholz (D-Anchorage) later ask the House to rescind this action and allow members to revote on the amendment. Spohnholz successfully convinced enough Republicans to side with her, and the amendment was rescinded on a 25-15 vote with seven Republicans voting to rescind and revote. These Republicans were DeLena Johnson (Palmer), Bart LeBon (Fairbanks), Kelly Merrick (Eagle River), David Nelson (Anchorage), Sara Rasmussen (Anchorage), Louise Stutes (R-Kodiak) and Steve Thompson (Fairbanks).
ALASKA WATCHMAN DIRECT TO YOUR INBOX
At that point legislators voted again on whether the amendment should be adopted. This second vote resulted in it being narrowly defeated – 21-19 – with Rep. Sarah Rasmussen (R-Anchorage) and Rep. Chris Tuck (D-Anchorage) switching their original yea votes to nays.
While Republican lawmakers Johnson, Lebon, Nelson and Thompson ultimately voted in favor of keeping the amendment in place, they also first voted to rescind the amendment and let their colleagues revote. This ultimately allowed Rasmussen and Tuck to flip their votes and kill the amendment.
The notion of withholding public funds from groups that mandate COVID vaccines or passports is playing out across the nation. According to the National Academy for State Health Policy, 20 states have now banned vaccine passports, five states have banned COVID vaccine mandates, seven states prohibit mandates for state workers, and three states won’t allow private employers to force employees to take a COVID shot.
TAKING ACTION
Contacts for Republican House members who voted against amendment to protect Alaskans who decline COVID jab
- Rep. Kelly Merrick: (907) 465-3777 or Representative.Kelly.Merrick@akleg.gov
- Rep. Sara Rasmussen: (907) 465-3892 or Representative.Sara.Rasmussen@akleg.gov
- Rep. Louise Stutes: (907) 465-2487 or Representative.Louise.Stutes@akleg.gov
27 Comments
Until these politicians Follow the Science and accept that Natural Immunity is as good or better than the vaccines – they are just pissing away OUR money.
I agree!
We must follow the science…. Unless the subject is masks, and COVID “experimental” jabs.
That’s nuts. Or maybe it’s sarcasm and I missed it.
you are so right…..it is insane and counter productive to wear masks, common sense would tell you breathing in carbon dioxide is causing eye infections and lung damage…..is not a healthy alternative…..and it does nothing to stop the spread of the virus…..and our medical people are into supporting the medical and government establishment of big money and big pharma and Fauci and Gates and Soros etc. just follow the money trail…..Front Line Doctors whose interest is the American people …… know that Ivermectin cures this Wuhan at every stage but it does not pour in millions of govenrment dollars to the doctors and hospitals who want to poison people with these vaccines that kill their DNA and T-cells permanently….4 out of 5 vaccinated pregnant women miscarry their babies…..just another way to murder the unborn……now, you have the shed spike protein of the vaccinated that is giving this virus not only back to the vaccinated but to the unvaccinated…..just a vicious cycle……natural immunity is 13 times more effective than any vaccine……ny
Over 30 California school students stranded by (*no American left behind lying traitor, Joseph R. Biden), while Taliban ride on multi million (*your tax paid) heavy equipment) Celebrating death to great Satan” USA . And of course the persistent traitors in Alaska State Legislature- again. Can we recall these traitors who always sell out WE Alaskans? Who somehow think they are above the constitution? I am growing very weary. And fear what actions we will deem absolute Human Rights actions . Perhaps the 2021 Fall “Of love?” grandma
And, not only that, they are assisting the Chinese by selling the equipment, and weapons to China for reverse engineering. They will wind up using that against us.
Kick em while they’re down eh? You legislators who made this change make me sick. Greedy, money driven insolent pigs. This wasn’t about your dammed districts, this was doing something right for your fellow human and you couldn’t even do that. Disgusting.
we have got to get competent people who care about real service to Alaskan….our politicians reek with greed and narcissism to fill their pockets and to heck with the people they serve…..we have got to find real people who want to serve real Alaskans….people of trust and integrity and patriotism and moral values…..
Now we know, who can not be trusted to stand for freedom and who can. Great job Eastman, Kurka and Rauscher!
No legislature is ever going to tell me what to do.
Amen
amen!!
You don’t stop at red lights?
Very disappointing that those elected Republicans Bart LeBon and Steve Thompson are so weak in their resolve to represent the interests of their constituents and consequentlly they are also voting against our freedoms in ignorance. No backbone here.
we have got to find better elected men and women then what we have in Juneau today…..
Please add the contacts for the rest of the Republicans from the Interior who are not helping the conservative voice to be heard. Thank you, Alaska Watchman. We live in the Interior.
Do they draw straws to see which turn coats turn it is to vote with the democrats? This is sicking. This needs to stop. Do these people have any spine? I think an amoeba has more spine than they do.
We need to send some of this packing!
Exactly! They jump around and obfuscate their position.
Rep. David Nelson and Rep. Paktoyak are a disappointment. Although Paktoyak already revealed what kind of man he is. This Bad political move for the young Rep. DavidvNelson. He should had known better by experience, the district he represents elected him because of they thought he would not be turncoat as his predecessor showed herself.
Vote out these looser, plus all the ones who voted against a full PFD too.
Especially Sara Rasmussen
Tar and Feathers is too good for these RINO/Demonrat/Marxist SOBs.
Join me for a peaceful protest against vx mandate!
erichey501@protonmail.com
The US Constitution remains in tact. Those who are tyrants will not succeed.
Where did my freedom go? Seems like the commies slipped in the back door. We see you now you treasonous scum! We will never forget you. Promise!
Call your neighbors out for being demo rats. Do not be quite.
joe is the terrorist
52 fighters on Eilson runway. Sitting there
Ask the question Alaskans
Why Lisa and Dan why
In her defense, when I contacted Rep. Rasmussen about this matter, I was assured that it was a legal matter because this type of amendment is not eligible to be added to an appropriations bill. She is a co-sponsor of HB175, which is a bill that would protect all Alaskans from medical discrimination. We all need to get our vocal support behind the passage of HB175!!!! Write your representatives in Juneau about this bill. It has been introduced but must be supported and passed. Alaskans are historically independent and freedom loving people. Let’s join the other states who have passed a bill for medical freedom and protection!