Greetings from Juneau:

I have received wonderful response from constituents this week through emails, faxes and the on-line survey. Your concerns, thoughts and suggestions are very much appreciated as we go through the budget and legislative process. Please do not hesitate to participate in your legislature.

This Week:

Five pieces of legislation designed to implement cost saving measures through responsible departmental reorganization, while assuring that health services will remain available to those Alaskans that truly need them passed out of the Senate Thursday. The five bills were introduced by the governor and were meant to help curb the runaway growth at the Department of Health and Social Services.

Senate Bills 108 and 109 give attention to the growing issue of how to deal with Medicaid. SB 108 removes a bureaucracy that is no longer needed and SB 109 allows the Health and Social Services Department to implement their own cost containment procedures. This protects Alaskans in need of healthcare from being denied necessary and cost-effective services. Senate Bill 123 will save the State $270,000 annually by eliminating the need for an annual evaluation of subsidy payments paid to people who adopt to take legal guardianship of "hard to place children." SB 124 changes the local match from 10% to the standard 25% on alcohol and drug abuse program grants from the department. This piece of legislation would reduce the State's budget by more than $1.6 million. SB 105 puts in statute fixed income levels of 175% (down from 200%) of the 2003 "Federal Poverty Guideline" for Denali Kid Care. The projected budget to Denali Kid Care for FY04 is $806 million.

The Senate Finance Committee has adopted a committee substitute to the Governor's amended request for the FY04 operating budget. Public testimony will be taken today and tomorrow (April 15 and 16). The Senate Finance Committee will consider amendments to the committee substitute next Thursday (April 24) before passing the bill out of committee and sending it to the Senate floor for consideration.

State Parks:

The Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation have been aggressively issuing RFPs to privately operate our parks and assure their continued operation. Big Lake North and South, Kepler-Bradley, Lake Louise, Rocky Lake, Matanuska Glacier and King Mountain should be open by Memorial Day.

Visitors to the Capitol this Week:

The Academy Charter School sixth grade class studying government invited us to dine on pizza with them in the Senate Finance room on April 10th. Representatives Bill Stoltze and Carl Gatto and Senator Scott Ogan and I welcomed them to the capitol. Their principal, Barbara Gerard, teachers and proud parents, accompanied the students. On Friday, individual members of the Mat-Su delegation introduced the students in the galleries of the House and Senate.

Colony High School Girls Soccer Team was also in town to play two games against the Juneau Crimson Bears. Sadly, our team lost both games. Great game photos appeared in the Juneau Empire.

Agriculture:

We understand that interviews have been held to appoint a new Agriculture Division Director. It is important that a Director is in place soon as possible and we welcome the appointment.

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:

Increase current K-12 funding?

Support
Neutral
Oppose

Increase current University funding?

Support
Neutral
Oppose

Protect the Permanent Fund?

Support
Neutral
Oppose

Reorganize and Consolodate Departments?

Support
Neutral
Oppose

Eliminate Longevity Bonus Program?

Support
Neutral
Oppose

Phase out the Longevity Bonus Program?

Support
Neutral
Oppose

Maintain Current Longevity Bonus Program?

Support
Neutral
Oppose

Approve Video Gaming?

Support
Neutral
Oppose

Approve State Lottery?

Support
Neutral
Oppose

Gasoline Tax?

Support
Neutral
Oppose

Business Tax?

Support
Neutral
Oppose

Studded Tire/Tire Fee?

Support
Neutral
Oppose

Cruise Ship Tax?

Support
Neutral
Oppose

Additional Comments:

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.

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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