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Greetings again from Juneau! We are fast approaching the halfway point for the legislative session and the Capitol is abuzz with ideas and energy. I have recently heard from many of you who are concerned about the state's fiscal crisis. I urge those of you who have opinions and ideas on how to generate new revenue to speak out by contacting me and other legislators. My staff and I always welcome input from the public - we are here to serve you.
The House has finished analyzing the Fiscal Year 2005 operating budget and next week the public comment period will begin. This is a good opportunity to speak out on behalf of programs you believe in and I encourage you to do so. Kodiak's public comment period is scheduled for 1 to 2 pm, Sat., March 6. To participate in the public hearing, go to the Legislative Information Office at 112 Mill Bay Road. For more information, please contact my office at 1-800-865-2487 or the LIO at 486-8116. After the operating budget passes the House, it will be sent to the Senate for further debate and scrutiny.
Fisheries Legislation
There are several important fisheries bills currently working their way through the committee process. If these bills will affect you, now is the time to weigh in on them, by contacting the bill sponsor and testifying during the committee public hearing process.
, sponsored by Sen. Gary Stevens, will reduce the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute's (ASMI) board size from 25 to nine, including four harvesters, four processors, and one public member. It retains the 1% salmon enhancement tax, makes the 0.3% processor tax mandatory, and creates a 0.3% tax on all non-salmon species. Sen. Ben Stevens has proposed changing the bill to get rid of all harvester taxes, making ASMI solely processor funded. He has also said the board should be reduced to seven members, including four processors, two harvesters, and one person from an associated industry.
, sponsored by Sen. Ben Stevens would impose a moratorium on any new vessel entering the state Gulf of Alaska groundfish fishery as of Jan. 1, 2005. The moratorium is anticipating GOA groundfish rationalization in the federal fishery, which could swell the number of state water fishermen. Jig gear is not included in the moratorium as the bill is presently written.
, sponsored by Rep. Bill Williams, would allow fishermen to fish in any commercial fishery for which they hold a permit. Currently, the BOF has the power to limit a person's participation in fisheries. Opponents of the bill say it would encourage fishermen to cherry-pick the run peaks, while proponents say people already do it by transferring permits into family member's names and it would create equity.
, sponsored by Rep. Bill Williams, passed the House last week with a 33-0 vote. The bill will give the Board of Fish authority to change the 58-foot limit on seine vessels. The 58-foot limit is the only vessel limit currently in statute; others are left to the BOF to decide. The bill will now be considered by the Senate.
Fish and Game funding
After much debate, the House Finance subcommittee examining the Alaska Department of Fish and Game budget recommended no cuts to the Commercial Fisheries Division. Originally, the division was facing $1 million in cuts, which would likely lead to decreased fishing time as managers were forced to make more conservative management decisions.
Commercial fishing provides almost $50 million in taxes to the state. If fishing time is lost, state revenue is lost as well. Therefore, it is in all of our best interests to have Fish and Game well funded. The full Finance committee is currently reviewing the entire budget.
On the Radar
As a member of the Ways and Means committee, I continue to grapple with the state's fiscal crisis. Our discussion has centered around how to generate new revenue immediately, before the gap widens further. Even if the state keeps level funding for all programs, Medicaid, retirement system increases, and inflation will result in a $1 billion deficit by 2011.
The longer we wait to deal with it, the harder it will be to dig ourselves out of the hole. Please take the time to consider what new revenue source is most palpable to you. , sponsored by Rep. Carl Moses, would institute a state income tax. Do you think an income tax is a good idea? Should we use a portion of the permanent fund earnings? Do you have other ideas that would generate new revenue?
Want to check on a bill?
All bills can be found on the Internet on the BASIS system. Anyone can find out a bill's status, including committee hearings, how legislators have voted on the bill, and you can view and print the bill's entire text. Access the system from
Visitors
We've had several recent visitors from House District 36, including school district superintendent Betty Walters, school board members Barry Still and Norm Wooten, Terry Stone, Ron Jolin, Ben Ortez, George Pikus, Don Roberts, Robert Weldy, Lorna Steelman, Phyllis Clough, Lisa Anne Christiansen, and Teresa Seybert. It was great to see you all!
And remember, my ears and door are always open to you.
Dan Ogg
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