State Representative, 2002-present.
Overview of Representative Gara and UAA
Representative Gara was a supporter of the 2004 budget deal in the House that helped University funding. He was a key participant at a conference in Juneau with UA students that dealt with University issues. Representative Gara appears to be increasing his visibility on University issues in the legislature. His leadership with needs based scholarships is to be commended. He received endorsement from APEA/AFT during the 2006 election. He attended the legislative luncheon at UAA in 2006.
During the 2008 session, he introduced an amendment for $3.7 million for UA’s staff step increases. He was endorsed by United Academics AAUP/AFT and APEA/AFT in 2008.
In 2009 Representative Gara supported the University as a member of the House Finance Committee. He remains an advocate for student scholarships and was a cosponsor of HB94 for post secondary scholarships. Representative Gara also was a primary sponsor for HB54 and a cosponsor for HB30 which would repeal the current defined contribution retirement plans.
In 2010, as a member of the House Finance Committee, Representative Gara spoke out several times in support of the University and attempted to add funding to the University’s budget. His amendment failed 3-7 with Representative Doogan joining the majority in opposition. Representative Gara was also a cosponsor of HB184 which will help UA by increasing the debt authorization. Representative Gara was endorsed by APEA and met with the Association during the 2010 General Election.
In 2011, as a member of the House Finance subcommittee on the University, Representative Gara was supportive of UA and in March 2011 voted “do pass” on the committee’s version of the UA budget which was slightly better than the Governor’s proposed budget for UA.
Representative Gara Web Page
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Representative Les Gara 