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Greetings
I will continue to send out periodic email updates on what is happening in the Alaska State Legislature and items of importance. If you know of someone who currently does not receive my email updates, and that would like to receive them, please feel free to forward this to them.
New Leadership
On December 4, Governor Sarah Palin and Lt. Governor Sean Parnell were sworn into office in Fairbanks, Alaska. I am excited about the new administration and the positive energy and potential that Governor Palin and Lt. Governor Parnell possess. I know both Sarah and Sean personally, and I am confident that they will lead our state with the honesty, integrity, and determination that Alaskans deserve. This is an exciting time in our state history and I would like to wish them well as they take the helm.
If you would like to learn more about Governor Palin’s priorities, or if you are interested in available positions or serving on a State board or commission, please visit Governor Palin’s website at .
Legislature Set to Convene
On January 16, 2007, the first session of the 25th Alaska State Legislature will convene in Juneau, Alaska. Forty members of the Alaska State House and ten members of the Alaska State Senate will take the oath of office from Lt. Governor Parnell. I am proud to represent House District 30 in the Alaska State House. Thank you for the opportunity and honor to serve you.
In the upcoming Legislature, I will co-chair the House Finance Committee again. After two years as Co-Chairman, I feel that I am in an excellent position to work with the new administration and my colleagues in the House and the Senate to continue our efforts to streamline government spending, promote efficiencies, and reduce government waste. I will be responsible for the coordination of the state capital budget. This will require intensive work with all of my colleagues and the administration in defining priorities for infrastructure development, school construction and maintenance, and municipal revenue sharing.
Over the next few weeks, I will be meeting with principals and PTA leaders of our local schools, community councils, Mayor Begich and his administration, and other local groups to discuss priorities for the upcoming session. If there is something specific that you would like to discuss with me, please do not hesitate to contact my Anchorage office at 269-0199, or send me an email at: Representative_Kevin_Meyer ''at'' legis.state.ak.us.
State of the Budget
Last week, the Department of Revenue issued the Fall 2006 Revenue Forecast. This forecast will be used to draft the FY 2008 budget. Governor Palin will submit her FY 2008 budget to the Legislature for consideration on December 15.
It does appear that the State will have a budget surplus at the end of this fiscal year, June 30, 2007. How much is hard to predict, because we will not know the full impact of the closure of several North Slope fields this summer and the decline in production experienced due to the closure. However, with the re-write of the oil production taxes and high oil prices, the increase in revenue collected is significant and will hopefully offset the loss of production this summer.
For the past three years, the State of Alaska has realized a surplus and significant discussion always takes place in regards to saving or spending our surplus revenue. At this point in time, I see the best use of the surplus revenue as an opportunity to begin addressing the PERS/TRS unfunded liability, as well as continuing the trend that we began last year, by setting aside at least half of the surplus into savings for the future.
One issue that is discussed at length in the revenue forecast is the decline in oil production. In a year where we experienced oil prices as high as $72 a barrel, we also experienced a decline of oil production of 12%. Oil provides 85% of our unrestricted general fund money for our budget. High oil prices can only mask the effect of declining production for so long. As the price of oil begins to drop, the State will experience the effect with a reduction in revenue.
As we look to our future and the economy of our future, we can see that heavy oil and natural gas will be at the forefront. In the meantime, we must take prudent measures to handle our debt and save for the future.
Personal Legislation
Over the course of the interim, I have worked on several issues that I plan to introduce as legislation. Most of the legislation that I introduce comes from working with constituents on issues that are important to them.
Ignition Interlock Devices
In Alaska, a person convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) has their driver’s license suspended or revoked and can get a limited license which allows them to drive to and from work. Last year 15% of all DUI arrests in Alaska were repeat offenders caught driving with a suspended or revoked license.
I am working on legislation that will require individuals who seek a limited license to install an ignition interlock device in the vehicle. An ignition interlock device is a breathalyzer device installed in a vehicle that tests a driver's blood alcohol level and keeps the car from starting if any alcohol is detected. Rather than relying solely on a suspended license to keep drunk drivers off the road, this bill will require an ignition interlock device in a person's car before they can get another driver's license or even a limited driver's license. The offender will bear the cost of installing and maintaining the ignition interlock device.
Similar laws in other states have reduced the number of repeat DUI offenders, allowed offenders to be productive members of society, and most importantly, saved hundreds of lives. The success of these programs in other states was brought to my attention by constituents who contacted my office to discuss their concerns with repeat drunk driving offenders.
I would like to thank Narda Butler and Louis and Babette Miller for all of her hard work on this issue.
Closing
With just a little more than a month left before the Legislature convenes, I encourage you to contact my office and let me know what your concerns are and what issues you think are the most important facing the Legislature, our new Governor, and the State of Alaska.
Before January 5, 2007
Representative Kevin Meyer
716 W. 4th Avenue Suite 310
Anchorage, AK 99501
Representative_Kevin_Meyer ''at'' legis.state.ak.us
Phone: 269-0199
Fax: 269-0197
January 5, 2007-May 16, 2007
Representative Kevin Meyer
State Capitol Room 515
Juneau, AK 99801
Representative_Kevin_Meyer ''at'' legis.state.ak.us
Toll Free: 1-866-465-4945
Fax: 1-907-465-3476
I look forward to working with you in the upcoming session. I hope that everyone has a joyous and safe holiday season and a prosperous New Year!
Kevin # # # |
