Quite a couple of weeks, no? On Tuesday, June 16, the Anchorage Assembly held a special meeting to hear yet more public testimony on the proposed Equal Rights ordinance.
This evening we’re back at Assembly chambers in a continuation of last week’s meeting. We spent the first couple hours finishing up “regular” business items before continuing the public hearing on the equal rights ordinance. One new twist is another draft version that makes some changes.
As we’ve discussed the issue of equal rights based on sexual orientation some opponents have expressed a concern that granting equal rights for housing, employment and education to gays and lesbians would infringe on their right to practice their faith. I’ve written about that matter before and thought the story below might offer a slightly different approach (cautionary note: this one is slightly off-color): (more…)
We’re now in the fourth of an expected five hours of public testimony on the ordinance that provide equal rights based on sexual orientation. For the most part things have been respectful, though not entirely, and there’s been a fair amount of crowd noise from the masses outside. If there’s a surprise twist it’s that a significant number of people appear to have driven in from the Mat-Su Valley to join in the debate (by invitation, it seems).
So here’s the deal: Anchorage has an incoming mayor and we have differing opinions on when and how a Knik Arm Crossing should be built. Anyone who follows local government knows that I’ve helped initiate a process that would remove the proposed bridge from Anchorage’s Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP). As I’ve stated before, I’m not opposed to any bridge ever, but I do object to the proposed bridge now. So what happens next?
As those who follow the news are aware, there is now an organized campaign against the proposed ordinance that would grant equal rights to gay and lesbian residents of Anchorage. As I’ve stated before, I expect those with whom I disagree to do so based on their personal beliefs and I consider it inappropriate to belittle or condemn their points of view. Their concerns do deserve answers, however, so here’s a start:
Thanks to everyone who took the time to play a round of Assembly Insider Baseball! I really enjoyed the responses, both from those who made their best guesses and those who simply liked the trivia while awaiting the answers. Perhaps my favorite line came from a local media figure who actually covers the Assembly from time to time: (more…)
It’s time to play the first, but likely not last, edition of “Assembly insider baseball” – your chance to test your knowledge of the little details that may, or may not, have any bearing on municipal governance. This quiz is a simple one, simply match the factoid with the member! (more…)
At the next Assembly meeting (May 12) an ordinance will be introduced that would bar discrimination based upon sexual orientation or veteran’s status. This change, which is consistent with Anchorage’s long history of social justice, would prevent:
“discrimination in the sale or rental of real property, financing practices, employment practices, public accommodations, educational institutions, and practices of the municipality, based upon…sexual orientation or veteran’s status.”
The only really important thing the Assembly needs to do tonight is set mill rates for 2009. There are two ordinances for that, one for MOA budget items and one for ASD budget items. In conjunction we pass the first quarter budget amendments, where we set spending levels for which we need to provide revenue.
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