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House Majority Press
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Juneau, AK 99801
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The 24th Alaska State Legislative 2nd Session House Majority Newsletter - Issue 1, Feb. 3, 2006
Legislators returned to Juneau to commence the second session of the 24th Legislature on January 9th. The House Republican Majority has turned their focus onto the basics. Our commitment to Alaska's future is clear, and the Majority is dedicated to making policies that will best benefit all Alaskans.
As a body, we are focused on preparing our children for a competitive future, saving a portion of the surplus and continued control of spending, while also protecting and keeping Alaskan families together. We continue to pursue the building of a gas line that will benefit all Alaskans, provide jobs and stimulate the economy. We want to provide assistance to our communities and maximize the use of our land and resources. In pursuit of these goals, we are trying to keep our constituents better informed. This newsletter is an attempt at that. We hope that you will find this informative, and we will attempt to regularly keep you, updated on Legislative affairs. This newsletter will highlight key issues that are being considered by the Majority party during this session.
The establishment of a North Slope natural gas line has been at the forefront of Alaskan State politics for years. The Governor is conducting negotiations with Conoco Phillips, Exxon Mobil and BP. In preparation for a proposed contract, the Republican Majority has begun to host open caucuses, inviting organizations and individuals who will be involved in the development of the pipeline.
Speaker of the House, Representative John Harris (R-Valdez,) hopes to host representatives from the Administration, TransCanada Corp., the Alaska Gasline Port Authority, the producers involved in the negotiations, and anyone that has a vested interest in the natural gas pipeline. "The more information that is made accessible, the more educated and informed the general public will be," Harris said. "Informed public testimony is essential to the legislative process and I hope that this will help to achieve this." It is also important, he believes, to have all of the facts and options available.
On January 12th the House Majority hosted former Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources, Tom Irwin at an open caucus. He discussed the deal being worked on by the governor in great detail. He focused his presentation on the risks the state faces under the proposed deal. Irwin also described at length the potential gains that are available to our state under a fair contract.
The January 12th caucus was very informative, and allowed legislators, members of the press and the public a chance to hear more opinions and scenarios about the proposed pipeline. The Republican Majority is confident that these caucuses will encourage open discussion of all of the issues surrounding the North Slope natural gas pipeline.
Transcript of the Open Caucus
The second session of the Twenty-Fourth Alaska State Legislature is off to the races. The upbeat pace in the Capitol building is a sign of good things to come. If we continue this pace until sine die, we will have accomplished a number of important changes for Alaskans. Top on our list is a responsible, sustainable state budget for FY07 - we must live within our means.
A few weeks ago, the Governor made his State of the Budget speech. Legislators in both the House and Senate, Democrat and Republican listened intently to the direction the Governor wants the state to go.
I can tell you with confidence, the House Majority Caucus is committed to saving some of the projected surplus and dedicated to passing a sustainable budget for Alaska - one which we can maintain in future years, which ensures that Alaskans receive the support they need from the state, and one that future Legislatures can look to as a benchmark of conservative, thoughtful spending. It's a significant goal, but one that I am confident we will achieve...
Read The Full Text of Rep. Harris's Comments
The budget is one of the most important items on the agenda for this legislative session. In response to the Governor's State of the Budget Address the House Majority spoke animatedly about the importance of reviewing each aspect of the proposed budget. As a body we also pledged to save a portion of the surplus in order to ensure the establishment of a sustainable budget.
Representative Mike Chenault (R-Nikiski) and Representative Kevin Meyer (R-Anchorage,) co-chairs the House Finance Committee, are responsible for the overall coordination of the state operating and capital budgets. Each majority Finance member chairs a budget subcommittee. Subcommittees are designed to evaluate and scrutinize each individual state department's budget. Through the subcommittee process each member gains a better understanding of individual departments and the cost of operating our state's departments. Everyone is part of the budget process. "Through having so much work done by all of the members, we can maintain our goal of keeping spending in check and ensuring a substantial percentage of the surplus saved," said Representative Chenault.
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In response to the United States Supreme Court ruling, which expanded the government's eminent domain powers, many majority party members have introduced legislation to clarify Alaskan's property rights in an attempt to prevent a repeat of what transpired in Connecticut. Representatives Lesil McGuire (R-Anchorage), Bob Lynn (R- Anchorage) and Jim Holm (R- Fairbanks) along with Senators Con Bunde (R- Anchorage) and Ralph Seekins (R-Fairbanks) are among those legislators who were compelled to Alaska's protect private property rights.
The overriding concept behind all of the proposed legislation is that, eminent domain has a legitimate place in land development, but its use must be controlled within a narrow definition to protect private property rights. If it becomes necessary to seize someone's property, the standard should be high. In every case, the owner of the property must be fairly compensated for his or her property and for all aspects of the seizure, not just the value affixed to it by a government. Personal property rights are a very high priority, especially in Alaska where such a small percentage of land is in private hands.
"My legislation would further clarify that the government be prohibited from taking all or part of our private property through eminent domain so that others may have a recreational opportunity," said McGuire about the intent of her bill. She believes that a family who has sacrificed to live in and develop their home should not be forced to sell their home or the yard their children play in so that others may have leisure opportunities. "Alaska has thousands of acres of land and it is unacceptable to take someone's home for recreational opportunities. If a government determines it necessary to acquire private property for such purposes it should purchase the land on the open market like any other person or group," McGuire said.
The bills on Eminent Domain are as follows:
HB 317 : No Eminent Domain For Economic Development
Sponsored by Representative Lynn
HB 318 : Limitation On Eminent Domain
Sponsored by Representative McGuire
HB 337 : Limit Eminent Domain
Sponsored by Representative Holm
SB 205 : No Eminent Domain For Economic Development
Sponsored by Senator Bunde
SB 221 : Limit Eminent Domain
Sponsored by Senator Seekings
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