Dear Neighbors,

Here are two opportunities for you to participate in and comment on important public meetings. I hope you will pass this information on to your neighbors, friends and co-workers.

Tobacco Tax Issues Hearing

In effort to discuss and review tobacco tax issues before the scheduled Special Session, I will be holding a Senate Labor and Commerce Committee meeting on Thursday, June 17, 2004. The meeting will be from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. at the Anchorage Legislative Information Office, 716 W. 4th Avenue.

I apologize for the late notice; however, I feel the informational meeting is important before we make decisions during the Special Session.

Please call my office at 269-0181 for details and the agenda. I hope you will all be available to participate.

Gavel to Gavel Alaska to Broadcast Special Session

Gavel to Gavel Alaska will provide live TV and web coverage of the upcoming special session of the Alaska Legislature, starting when the Legislature convenes at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, June 22.

The coverage will include House and Senate floor sessions, committee meetings and news conferences, and will continue until the Legislature adjourns.

Gavel to Gavel Alaska is produced by KTOO-TV in Juneau and is carried by 35 cable systems statewide (including cable channel 18 in Anchorage) and is also streamed on the Internet at www.ktoo.org/gavel. Gavel to Gavel Alaska is funded with a major grant from the City and Borough of Juneau.

I hope you will take time to tune in to the special session and let me know your thoughts as it progresses.

# # #