(JUNEAU) - Representative Carl Gatto (R-Palmer) has continued his high energy pace in Juneau by introducing House Bill 1 and House Bill 2.

Representative Gatto worked hard during the interim to ensure education funding continues as a top priority this session. It is his hope that HB 1, a bill to increase the foundation formula, will spark debate on K-12 education funding and HB 2, a tax on cruise ships, will provide additional revenue for the state used to offset the costs to the taxpayer to provide the infrastructure needed to service this industry.

"Since I began my career in the legislature, I have made education a top priority. As a former school board member, former Chairman of House Special Committee on Education and the current vice chairman of that committee, I believe that increasing the per student allocation is appropriate. We have successfully addressed the issue in recent years, and I want to continue to deal with the changing needs of our children."

This is the second year that Representative Gatto has sponsored a cruise ship tax. With regard to HB 2, Representative Gatto said, "It is fiscally irresponsible to continue to subsidize the cruise ship industry while we look into the possibility of reaching into the pockets of our own citizens with broad based taxes."

In addition to his vice chairmanship on the House Education Committee, Representative Gatto is the co-chair of the House Transportation Committee.

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