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A Partnership for Alaska’s Tech Future
Sponsored content presented by MTA
Participants in the 2021 MSBSD Girls Who Code Camp had the opportunity to experience the MTA’s innovative tech space at the Shoppes at Sun Mountain. The participants finalized projects, collaborated and heard from a panel of MTA women leaders as part of their official partnership.
MTA
Before there was broadband, WiFi, esports, or even the internet, Matanuska Telephone Association (MTA) was partnering with area schools with a goal of making new connections – both literally and figuratively.
Launched in 1953, the co-op has long held educational initiatives as a top priority and that has not changed in the nearly 70 years since. What has changed is the technology available to both MTA and students, as well as the strategies aimed at ensuring all students in the area have a tech-forward future.
If enacted, the state legislation would align the minimum age requirement with federal law.
The bill also would impose a state tax on electronic smoking products, or e-cigarettes, for the first time in Alaska. The Fairbanks City Council turned down a municipal tax on e-cigarettes, but other local governments in Alaska tax e-cigarettes, including Anchorage and Juneau.
The proposed statewide tax would be at the same rate as it is for other tobacco products in Alaska, yielding an estimated $2.5 million in revenue, according to Rep. Sara Hannan, the House sponsor.Â
The bill also would prohibit internet sales of e-cigarettes.
âThe last time we touched tobacco taxes was 17 years ago,â said Hannan, in a House Finance Committee meeting Wednesday. âVaping was not broadly used then. It is similar to other tobacco products, but it is not taxed.â
The Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska announced the hire of Courtney Lewis as the child welfare attorney for the Tribe’s new Seattle-based office. As the child welfare attorney, Lewis will provide legal representation to children crime victims with the local courts of jurisdiction within the Washington area, track appellate level Indian Children
5 Things Alaska: ARPA funding proposal, Q&A w/Verné Boerner, Budget conversations DJ Wilson | Apr 21, 2021
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1. Proposal for $1.02 billion in ARPA funding
Gov. Mike Dunleavy on Friday released his allocation proposal for $1.02 billion in federal funds coming into Alaska through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The proposal includes $80 million for emergency response costs including $6 million toward addressing the domestic violence impacts of the pandemic, $150 million for tourism revitalization, and $325 million in infrastructure investments.