Most Alaskans would call it progress. But when then-Mayor Sarah Palin found out in 2000 that a new state law required her town of Wasilla -- rather than the victims -- to cover the cost of rape kits, local officials blasted the policy as just too expensive. Here's what Wasilla Police Chief Charlie Fannon told the local newspaper at the time, according to a McClatchy report:

"In the past we've charged the cost of exams to the victims insurance company when possible. I just don't want to see any more burden put on the taxpayer," Fannon said.

The additional cost of having to supply the rape kits, the Wasilla Police Department estimated, came to between $5,000 and $14,000 a year. In a conference call with reporters today, former Alaska Gov. Tony Knowles confirmed that the 2000 bill was, in fact, spurred by Wasilla's policy. From McClatchy:

Eight years ago, complaints about charging rape victims for medical exams in Wasilla prompted the Alaska Legislature to pass a bill - signed into law by Knowles - that banned the practice statewide.

"There was one town in Alaska that was charging victims for this, and that was Wasilla," Knowles said.

While the print outlets have begun reporting on this issue, it's yet to get much play on the cable networks.  Appearing yesterday on MSNBC, our own Rep. Jan Schakowsky did her part to change that.  Video after the jump.