Greetings from Juneau:

We have several new staff members this year in addition to our returning staff, Janey Wineinger and Vicki Kindseth. Deb Davidson and Traci Carpenter are my Senate Finance staff; Jacqueline Tupou and Janey Wineinger are working on legislation; Vicki Kindseth is scheduler and front desk. Rounding out the office is our University of Alaska Southeast intern, Claudia Maetoku.

GET INVOLVED: We need your input, what is being discussed in the district and your concerns and those of your neighbors. You can reach my office and speak to any one of my staff or me about issues, legislation or any other item of interest.

LEGISLATION: As Co-Chair of Senate Finance this busy session I am limiting my personal legislation to just a few bills.

SB 41 - Medicaid Costs and Crimes:
"An Act relating to medical care and crimes relating to medical care and to the medical assistance program." This legislation was introduced to more clearly define misconduct involving Medicaid and the penalty of such activity.

SB 42 - Victims' Advocate Amendments:
"An Act relating to the office of victims' rights." This legislation clarifies that municipalities will participate with the Office of Victims Rights.

SB 45 - Legislative Budget and Audit Crimes and Cooperation:
"An Act relating to the Legislative Budget and Audit Committee." This legislation was introduced to establish the crime of hindering the Legislative Budget and Audit Committee and requires public employees to participate in audits.

SB 65 - Correctional Facility Expansion:
"An Act authorizing the Department of Corrections to enter into agreements with municipalities for new or expanded public correctional facilitates in the Fairbanks North Star Borough, the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Bethel, and the Municipality of Anchorage. This legislation provides authorization for expansion of state prisons by local governments.

SB 78 - Medicaid For Breast and Cervical Cancer:
This bill continues the specific Medicaid eligibility category of Breast and Cervical Cancer. It has passed both the Senate and House and has been transmitted to the Governor for his signature.

SB 95 - 72-Hour Notice of Teacher Strike:
Adds a new subsection regarding strikes by employees of a municipal school district, a regional educational attendance area, or a state boarding school. 72 hour notice must be given a school district before a strike so that schools can notify parents and students of any possible changes to school hours or schedules.

SB 147 - Control of Nuisance Wild Animals:
This is a reintroduction of legislation from last year that authorizes the Board of Game to issue licenses and/or permits to control nuisance animals.

SB 157 - Inpatient Psychiatric Services:
Directs the department to deny assistance for psychiatric services to persons under 21 years old who are in an out-of-state facility when adequate services are available in the state. This legislation would encourage bringing our out-of-state juvenile patients home so that they can be closer to their families when receiving treatment.

SCR 4 - Avalanche Awareness Month - November:
I have introduced similar resolutions for several years. These resolutions serve to raise public awareness of the hazards associated with avalanches and provide the opportunities to participate in avalanche safety training at the beginning of the winter recreational season. The resolution passed both bodies this week.

FY 04 BUDGET:
The governor recently released his revised budget request for the upcoming fiscal year. There are numerous changes being proposed including the reorganization of several departments and the elimination of certain state programs. Governor Murkowski also suggested several revenue generating measures to help address the fiscal gap. I would like to know your opinion of the governor's proposals. Below are some of the issues, which will be debated during the budget process. I would like your response to the questions to assist me in representing your views. You may take the survey on-line here, email your comments, return this to our postal address listed above, or you may call my office with your comments.

How many years have you been an Alaskan resident?

What is your age?

18 - 30
31 - 55
56+

I live:

in or near Wasilla
in or near Palmer
other, in District G
outside District G

Name:

Address:

Maintain current K-12 funding?

Support
Neutral
Oppose

Maintain current University funding?

Support
Neutral
Oppose

Cut the entire budget by 10% across the board?

Support
Neutral
Oppose

Protect the Permanent Fund?

Support
Neutral
Oppose

Reorganize and consolidate departments?

Support
Neutral
Oppose

Eliminate/Revise Longevity Bonus Program?

Support
Neutral
Oppose

Changes to charitable gaming?

Support
Neutral
Oppose

Institute gasoline tax?

Support
Neutral
Oppose

Institute business tax?

Support
Neutral
Oppose

Institute studded tire/tire fee?

Support
Neutral
Oppose

Additional Comments:

If you know of others who would like to receive my report by e-mail or mail, please have them contact me at Senator_Lyda_Green@legis.state.ak.us or 376-3370. If you do not want to receive this mailing, please let me know and I will remove your name. You may also visit my page on the Majority website at www.akrepublicans.org.

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