Calling our 1998 State Constitutional Amendment defining marriage as a union between one man and one woman a "blot" that needs to be removed, State Senator Hollis French today introduced a resolution that would eliminate the definition and open up the door for same-sex "marriage" in Alaska.

In a news release, French noted how courts in Oklahoma, Utah and Virginia recently have invalidated those state's marriage amendments completely thwarting the will of the majority of the populations that had, like Alaska, overwhelmingly voted to lift up natural marriage as good public policy. 

To pass, the proposal would need two-thirds vote in each of the Alaska State Senate and House before it could qualify for the ballot.

Alaska Attorney General Michael Geraghty has said he will defend the state's constitution, which defines marriage as being between one man and one woman.

French understands he doesn't have a chance to get 2/3 of either chamber to vote to eliminate our marriage amendment so why is he doing it now ? 

Well, he's running for Lt. Governor and maybe he thinks this will fire up his supporters.  Liberal Democrats are already with him on this issue though.  

My guess is that he's doing it to begin a public dialogue on the issue in order to set up a lawsuit against our marriage amendment.  It's happened in other states and for that reason, we've recently encouraged Alaskans to contact Congressman Don Young and ask him to support the State Marriage Defense Act of 2014 (H.R. 3829) that affirms a state's right to define marriage and prevents the federal government from undermining its definition.

One thing we know for certain. Hollis French and his allies are not going away in their attempt to force all Alaskans to accept same-sex marriage.  

As they continue to call us bigots, file lawsuits, introduce legislation and encourage activist judges to overthrow our marriage amendment, we will stand strong for your values and be your voice in the public square articulating why marriage matters, what the consequences are for redefining it and why the Government should lift it up and distinguish it as a critical foundation of our culture.  

Please join us today financially, prayerfully and as an engaged citizen.  We need your support and would be privileged to link arms with you. 

Slow and Steady Wins the Race !We have to keep the momentum going that was created from last weekend's energetic school choice rally. Those opposed to giving kids more educational opportunities are on their heels and know that the momentum is shifting toward greater choice - just as it has in dozens of other states as the public gets engaged. 

As Walt Whitman said - "the powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse." Be involved ! Change the future for your kids and grandchildren.

It's time again to let legislators know you support school choice.
tomorrow Saturday, February 22nd. 

Anchorage area legislators are gathering at the Assembly Chambers at the Loussac Library (3600 Denali St) and we need a huge crowd to show up at 8am tomorrow morning with signs and smiles and enthusiasm. The meeting runs from 9am - 2pm but if we don’t arrive early, the school choice opposition will sign up for all of the public testimony spots and commandeer all of the seating.  

Your attendance is critical to the success of school choice in Alaska!
i Please show up Saturday if at all possible and support school choice bills SJR9 and HJR1.
 

The rally outside will begin at 8:00am until the meeting gets underway about 9:00am. Once the meeting begins, feel free to sign up to speak. It can be as simple as, "We appreciate your support of SJR9 and HJR1 and for giving Alaskans an opportunity to vote on this important issue. Thank you." 

Or, if you feel able, you can speak to the merits of the resolutions. Talking points are listed below. Either way, please come. Again, bring your family, bring your friends, and let our legislators know that Alaskans want an opportunity to vote on this extremely important issue. 

SCHOOL CHOICE TALKING POINTS

1.  Parents have the responsibility to set a strong educational path for their children, and we ought to give more opportunities for parental choice, not less.

2.  The question of school choice is not about private schools versus public schools, but whether parents should have the freedom to choose which school best facilitates their child’s education with the child’s share of public money.  We must stand for the educational rights and liberties of all parents and students.

3.  Under Alaska’s Constitution, the Legislature is required to maintain a system of public schools open to all our children and free from sectarian control.  This will not change.  The amendment will allow the legislature to discuss educational opportunities flowing from parental choice.

4.  Wealthier Alaskans can always send their kids to private schools, but others cannot – this amendment  gives the Legislature the opportunity to consider how all Alaskans could benefit from parental choice.

5.  Since Alaska’s constitutional provision was put in place, the United States Supreme Court has affirmed a parent’s right to school choice under what the court calls the “private choice test.”  Alaskans should have an opportunity to decide if we want our state constitution to be aligned with the federal precedent.

6.  To keep Alaska strong, Gov. Parnell is urging the House and Senate to vigorously debate the provisions of SJR9/HJR1 and move it to the people for a vote so that all Alaskans can participate in a statewide discussion.

7.  On this question of how all of Alaska’s parents can have a greater say in their child’s education – it is time legislators let Alaskans decide.

8.  The goal of school choice is to promote better public education through competition among government-run and non-government schools. This has been the result of competition in the Lower 48 where school choice programs are operating in 23 states.

With so many public officials "evolving" on issues and letting go of foundational truths in favor of political correctness and cultural pressure, it is encouraging to witness someone stand firm against the tide of relativism.  

It is even more inspiring when that individual happens to be an Alaskan we can claim as one of our own.

Let's all join hands in giving a round of applause for Alaska Attorney General Michael Genaghty for standing up for the rule of law recently in an interviewhe gave where he said he would continue to defend our state constitutional definition of marriage as a union between one man and one woman.  

According to a blog/action alert from the National Organization for Marriage, a leading voice for natural marriage in our country and an ally of Alaska Family Action, 

"Geraghty's commitment to his duty stands in stark contrast to Attorney General Herring of Virginia. Instead of fulfilling his oath-of-office, Herring not only refused to defend the Constitution of Virginia but actively litigated against the people of his state!"

"Geraghty's position also flies in the face of activist judges across the country who, rather than following the law and Supreme Court precedent, have inserted their own feelings into the matter and tried to impose same-sex 'marriage' on the people of several states."

"Geraghty's commitment to the rule of law and to the will of the people of Alaska is additionally a positive counter-point to the cowardice of Nevada's Governor and Attorney General who have betrayed their people and refused to fulfill their duty to execute and defend the laws of that state."
We couldn't have said it any better and we ask each and every Alaskan to step forward and send a note of thanks to Geraghty now. Click HERE to send that now. 

Today, Saturday, February 15th, at 12:00pm at Wayland Baptist University, WE NEED YOU to take a stand for SCHOOL CHOICE !

Too often during this public debate on real educational reform in Alaska, the ONLY people who are speaking up are those connected with the Government run public schools and the NEA (the powerful teacher union). They are desperately afraid of any real change. We need ordinary Alaskans to come to the rally today and show your support for stopping discrimination.  Discrimination that say to parents unless you have enough money or live in the right neighborhood, you don't deserve real choice in education.

Sen. Anna Fairclough and Rep. Lance Pruitt are hosting a legislative townhall in Anchorage TODAY at Wayland Baptist University (7801 E. 32nd Ave. off of Muldoon) and we've received word that the NEA is planning a big turnout to pressure them into backing off their support of the school choice resolutions (HJR1 and SJR9). We need these legislators to see strong support for real educational reform.

Some signs will be available but feel free to make and bring your own. Wear your bright yellow school choice scarf if you have one. There will be extra there.  Bring your kids and other family members. We have to show strong support for school choice in Alaska. Please don't let the powerful public school unions dominate this conversation.

The rally outside will be from 12 o'clock noon until the meeting gets underway (probably about 1pm). Once the meeting begins, feel free to sign up to speak. It can be as simple as, "We appreciate your support of SJR9 and HJR1 and for giving Alaskans an opportunity to vote on this important issue. Thank you." Or, if you feel able, you can speak to the merits of the resolutions. Talking points are listed below. Either way, please come. Again, bring your family, bring your friends, and let our legislators know that Alaskans want an opportunity to vote on this extremely important issue. 

SCHOOL CHOICE TALKING POINTS

1.  Parents have the responsibility to set a strong educational path for their children, and we ought to give more opportunities for parental choice, not less.

2.  The question of school choice is not about private schools versus public schools, but whether parents should have the freedom to choose which school best facilitates their child’s education with the child’s share of public money.  We must stand for the educational rights and liberties of all parents and students.

3.  Under Alaska’s Constitution, the Legislature is required to maintain a system of public schools open to all our children and free from sectarian control.  This will not change.  The amendment will allow the legislature to discuss educational opportunities flowing from parental choice.

4.  Wealthier Alaskans can always send their kids to private schools, but others cannot – this amendment  gives the Legislature the opportunity to consider how all Alaskans could benefit from parental choice.

5.  Since Alaska’s constitutional provision was put in place, the United States Supreme Court has affirmed a parent’s right to school choice under what the court calls the “private choice test.”  Alaskans should have an opportunity to decide if we want our state constitution to be aligned with the federal precedent.

6.  To keep Alaska strong, Gov. Parnell is urging the House and Senate to vigorously debate the provisions of SJR9/HJR1 and move it to the people for a vote so that all Alaskans can participate in a statewide discussion.

7.  On this question of how all of Alaska’s parents can have a greater say in their child’s education – it is time legislators let Alaskans decide.

8.  The goal of school choice is to promote better public education through competition among government-run and non-government schools. This has been the result of competition in the Lower 48 where school choice programs are operating in 23 states.

Tomorrow, Saturday, February 15th, at 12:00pm at Wayland Baptist University, WE NEED YOU to take a stand for SCHOOL CHOICE !

Sen. Anna Fairclough and Rep. Lance Pruitt are hosting a legislative townhall in Anchorage tomorrow at Wayland Baptist University (7801 E. 32nd Ave. off of Muldoon) and we've received word that the NEA is planning a big turnout to pressure them into backing off their support of the school choice resolutions (HJR1 and SJR9). We need these legislators to see strong support for real educational reform.

Some signs will be available but feel free to make and bring your own. Wear your bright yellow school choice scarf if you have one. There will be extra there.  Bring your kids and other family members. We have to show strong support for school choice in Alaska.

The rally outside will be from 12 o'clock noon until the meeting gets underway (probably about 1pm). Once the meeting begins, feel free to sign up to speak. It can be as simple as, "We appreciate your support of SJR9 and HJR1 and for giving Alaskans an opportunity to vote on this important issue. Thank you." Or, if you feel able, you can speak to the merits of the resolutions. Talking points are listed below. Either way, please come. Again, bring your family, bring your friends, and let our legislators know that Alaskans want an opportunity to vote on this extremely important issue. 

SCHOOL CHOICE TALKING POINTS

1.  Parents have the responsibility to set a strong educational path for their children, and we ought to give more opportunities for parental choice, not less.

2.  The question of school choice is not about private schools versus public schools, but whether parents should have the freedom to choose which school best facilitates their child’s education with the child’s share of public money.  We must stand for the educational rights and liberties of all parents and students.

3.  Under Alaska’s Constitution, the Legislature is required to maintain a system of public schools open to all our children and free from sectarian control.  This will not change.  The amendment will allow the legislature to discuss educational opportunities flowing from parental choice.

4.  Wealthier Alaskans can always send their kids to private schools, but others cannot – this amendment  gives the Legislature the opportunity to consider how all Alaskans could benefit from parental choice.

5.  Since Alaska’s constitutional provision was put in place, the United States Supreme Court has affirmed a parent’s right to school choice under what the court calls the “private choice test.”  Alaskans should have an opportunity to decide if we want our state constitution to be aligned with the federal precedent.

6.  To keep Alaska strong, Gov. Parnell is urging the House and Senate to vigorously debate the provisions of SJR9/HJR1 and move it to the people for a vote so that all Alaskans can participate in a statewide discussion.

7.  On this question of how all of Alaska’s parents can have a greater say in their child’s education – it is time legislators let Alaskans decide.

8.  The goal of school choice is to promote better public education through competition among government-run and non-government schools. This has been the result of competition in the Lower 48 where school choice programs are operating in 23 states.

As many of you have read by now, Judge John Suddock, despite having a serious conflict of interest regarding the current Planned Parenthood vs. the State of Alaska case concerning Medicaid payment of abortions, is now the sitting judge in this important case and has compliantly issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) to stop the regulation in it's tracks. State funds are now continuing to pay for elective abortions because of Suddock, whose former law firm, Suddock & Schleuss, actually represented Planned Parenthood in the past.

Many of you have filed complaints with the Alaska Commission on Judicial Conduct bringing attention to this egregious abuse of power by the judiciary.  Thank you for taking a stand.

It's now time to turn our attention toward the Attorney General's office to let them know, in no uncertain terms, that Alaskans are thoroughly disappointed that the AG refused Judge Suddock's offer to recuse himself. Here is an action step we encourage you to take right away to bring the voice of truth to those in power.

Send a respectful, encouraging email to Governor Sean Parnell making the following three points - 

1) Thank his Administration for implementing these important regulations that prevent State of Alaska dollars from paying for elective abortions.

2) Remind Gov. Parnell that this wise public policy is under assault from a whole phalanx of the "best and brightest" attorneys in the abortion industry.  These legal experts from Planned Parenthood, the ACLU and the Center for Reproductive Rights are paid lucrative salaries  to travel around the country and work full-time to derail even the most common sense restrictions on abortion.  We cannot defeat this A-team by putting up untrained attorneys in the Dept. of Law who have no experience and background with this specialized type of litigation.

3) The performance of the state's attorney at the Feb. 3 hearing was embarrassing.  The fact that the state's attorney declined Judge Suddock's offer to recuse himself is nothing less than legal malpractice.  The Dept. of Law needs to contract with outside counsel who have specialized expertise in defending public policies related to abortion.  Such legal professionals exist, and if the Dept. of Law does not seek them out and get their assistance, then this legal proceeding is not going to have the outcome that we all desire.

Please make sure to CC the State of Alaska Attorney General Michael Geraghty on this e-mail. Abortionists in Alaska are committing Medicaid fraud and its time for it to stop. Citizens have been waiting since 2001 for an opportunity to stop the State from paying for elective abortions.  This is our chance and it will not happen unless we have an impartial judge and an aggressive State AG ready and willing to do everything it takes to defend this common sense regulation. 

Judge Suddock: The face of judicial arrogance

Yesterday, Judge John Suddock did exactly what we predicted: he obediently granted Planned Parenthood’s request for a “temporary restraining order” or TRO.  As the name implies, that order prohibits the state from enforcing the recently adopted regulations that do nothing more than stop taxpayer funding of abortions that are performed simply because a woman doesn’t want to be pregnant.

As a result of Judge Suddock’s decision, abortions will be performed this very week in Alaska that are done purely for reasons of convenience – and you and I will be footing the bill for all of it.

Years ago, I remember seeing a bumper sticker that said: “If you’re not outraged, you’re not paying attention.”  I feel like that saying applies very well to the Alaska court system.  If you’re not outraged at the behavior of our judiciary, you simply haven’t read enough of their arrogant decisions.

I’ve read Judge Suddock’s decision carefully.  Like so many activist judges he behaves like a “super legislator” who thinks he’s in charge of crafting public policy, rather than a lawyer who is charged with a very narrow task of discerning whether a law or regulation is compatible with the constitution.  At one point in his decision, Judge Suddock writes:

“DHSS (the Department of Health and Social Services) has tolerated a status quo of relatively unfettered physician discretion for twelve years since the Supreme Court’s 2001 overruling of its prior attempt to propound an acceptable standard.  It (sic) implausible that a delay of a few months until an evidentiary hearing is held will unduly burden the DHSS in minimizing Medicaid expense.  Accordingly, Planned Parenthood qualifies for a temporary restraining order.”

Translation: We’ve allowed the people who profit from performing abortions to have free reign to decide when YOU get to pay for one of THEIR abortions.  And since this travesty has been going on for so long (primarily because of an earlier bad court decision), what’s the big deal in allowing it to continue for several more months?

 The problem is, Judge Suddock, that someone who actually WON AN ELECTION (Governor Parnell) sees things differently than you.  The Parnell Administration has the authority to do this because the Governor won an election, and that makes him accountable to the people.  In contrast, nobody elected Judge Suddock to pass any laws, or decide how our tax dollars will be spent – even for a few months.

This Guttmacher Institute study (scroll down to Tables 2 & 3) shows the VAST MAJORITY of abortions take place for elective/non-medical reasons. Remember, Guttmacher is a pro-abortion research arm of Planned Parenthood.  

Judge Suddock chose to ignore testimony offered in the past by Dr. Jan Whitefield, one of the most prolific abortionists in Alaska, under oath that he certifies medical necessity whenever a pregnancy would interfere with a woman’s work or education plans, or even if she views her pregnancy as an “affront.”  In other words, an abortion is medically necessary whenever a woman does not want to be pregnant.  Right now, because of Judge Suddock, any abortion a Planned Parenthood doctor certifies is medically necessary is just that, and the State must pay.

Action item:  Many of you have asked what you can do to protest Judge Suddock’s involvement in this case, since his former law partner once helped represent Planned Parenthood in an earlier lawsuit over Medicaid funding of abortion. It's outrageous that Judge Suddock is still even on this case.

We recommend that you file a complaint with the Alaska Commission on Judicial Conduct.

You can visit the Commission’s webpage here:

http://www.ajc.state.ak.us/conduct/conduct.html

You’ll see a list of topics about the Commission, and one of the items is called “Commission Complaint Form”.  If you click on it, it will allow you to download a pdf form you can use to file a complaint against Judge Suddock.  The form contains a mailing address, email, and fax number that can be used to return the form to the Commission.

URGENT ACTION NEEDED ON SCHOOL CHOICE BILL HEARING TODAY

We need as many people as possible to do one or all of the below (in order of preference).

1. Testify in support of SJR9 at your local LIO today - Tuesday morning, February 4. The meeting begins at 9AM. 

2. If it is not possible for you to go to the LIO, call in to testify 855-463-5009 - but be advised that those on the phones are "last in line" and you may have a long wait.

3. Call the offices of the following Senators urging them to give you the opportunity to vote on the school choice bill:

• Senator Meyer: 866-465-4945
• Senator Fairclough: 800-861-5688
• Senator Bishop: 800-336-7383

4. Email these members of the Senate Finance Committee:

• Senator Meyer: [email protected]
• Senator Fairclough: [email protected]
• Senator Bishop: [email protected]

The main message: 

Let The People Of Alaska Vote On The School Choice Bill !

"Let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith..."Hebrews 12:1-2

Today, was one of those days I wanted so bad for justice to prevail.  A great many Alaskans engaged and spoke up on this issue but we now must press into this verse in Hebrews that centers you on the reality of life's journey.  Patience with an eye toward a certain and perfect finish.  A little muddied up in the middle but always persevering forward to the cross where all things are made new.

As you might have read earlier, Alaskans had every reason to believe that Judge John Suddock should have recused himself from the latest Planned Parenthood vs. State of Alaska case. His former law firm had represented Planned Parenthood previously and the first judge assigned to the case, Judge Mark Rindner, had taken himself off of the case due to his own conflict as the husband of Suddock's former law partner.  What a mess !

In any event, Judge Suddock did not recuse himself. The hard part to swallow though is that Suddock actually ASKED the Chief Assistant Attorney General, the plaintiff lawyer in this case defending the regulation, if she had any issues with him serving on the case based on the potential conflict.  He basically dished it up on a platter and she refused his offer to recuse himself from the case. 

It was a low moment in the hearing to say the least.

From that point on, it became evident, in my opinion, that Judge Suddock was mostly concerned about the potential "irreparable damage" that might occur from a women being denied a Medicaid funded abortion because of the "possibility" that it might be "medically necessary." It was difficult to see the Chief Assistant AG backtrack on this. 

The question of why this regulation was implemented in the first place never really came up. No mention of theGuttmacher Institute study (scroll down to Tables 2 & 3) showing the VAST MAJORITY of abortions take place for elective/non-medical reasons. Remember, Guttmacher is a pro-abortion research arm of Planned Parenthood.  The study, the most comprehensive we've been able to find, compared the years 1987 and 2004. Guttmacher hasn't done a more recent study but there is no reason to think the results would be much different.

No mention of testimony offered by Dr. Jan Whitefield, one of the most prolific abortionists in Alaska, under oath that he certifies medical necessity whenever a pregnancy would interfere with a woman’s work or education plans, or even if she views her pregnancy as an “affront.”  In other words, an abortion is medically necessary whenever a woman does not want to be pregnant.  Right now, any abortion a Planned Parenthood doctor certifies is medically necessary is just that, and the State must pay.

This does not have to be.  We simply need an impartial judge who hears a vigorous defense of a common sense regulation that stops Medicaid fraud from occurring.  After witnessing today, it's not likely that is happening. 

I'm rushing off to the Courthouse in downtown Anchorage in a few minutes to see if Judge John Suddock will be recusing himself from a very important case we're working on regarding Medicaid funding for "medically necessary" abortions.  Click HERE to see the latest update.  I'll be tweeting later today hopefully with the good news that Judge Suddock did the right thing.

I'm also working with staff to ensure that legislation down in Juneau right now is moving in the right direction. The two biggest bills we're working on are the school choice bill and the medically necessary abortion bill although we have several others that are brewing and in need of attention.

We're working with multiple nationally recognized speakers to come up to Alaska during the next several months to elevate public dialogue on a number of issues important to the pro-family movement.

Lots going on and we are privileged to announce that a generous donor has provided a $5,000 challenge grant to help us in our legislative work during this session. We are HALFWAY to our goal and would be honored and humbled if you would link arms with us financially right now. Give generously so we can cross this finish line and meet this challenge.

Please click on the secure link below and join forces with us as we continue to take a stand for your values in your state on behalf of your family.  Because this is political work, the donation will need to go to Alaska Family Action, our 501(c)4 group.
We can't do this work without willing partners.  
Thanks so much for being there.