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Greetings again from Juneau! Due to a fortunate scheduling change, I was able to make it home for ComFish again this year. I had the opportunity to meet with many commercial fishermen and other industry stakeholders to discuss pending legislation and other issues affecting our fisheries.
One fisheries bill that will impact many in our community is Senate Bill 347, which would enact a moratorium in most Gulf of Alaska groundfish fisheries. The North Pacific Fishery Management Council is currently considering options for rationalizing the federal groundfish fishery. Many fear that a flood of new participants will enter the state waters fishery once the federal fishery is rationalized. In order to protect Alaska's fisheries, state fisheries managers are recommending a temporary suspension of new entrants in the state fishery while they pursue a permanent solution.
I have received several comments, questions, and suggestions concerning SB 347. It has had one hearing in the House Special Committee on Fisheries and has been held for further discussion on Monday, April 5. If you are a stakeholder in this fishery, please take a few minutes to read the bill. If you have any concerns, please contact me or staff member, Melissa Dover. I would also encourage you to testify during the committee process.
Final Salmon Task Force Meeting
After two years of work dedicated to boosting Alaska's salmon industry, Joint Legislative Salmon Industry Task Force members met for the final time on Sunday. We updated one another on the status of legislation that was endorsed by the task force and adopted a plan for the Board of Fisheries to begin discussing what elements they need to consider when evaluating salmon restructuring proposals such as the Chignik sockeye cooperative.
Although the task force has no plans to meet again, the Legislative members of the task force maintain their commitment to ensuring the long-term viability of Alaska's salmon industry. I am always happy to hear innovative ways to help our fishermen stay afloat.
Many bills that aim to help salmon fishermen are currently working their way through the legislative process, including two that I sponsored. HJR 34, which asks for changes to the federal Trade Adjustment Assistance program for salmon fishermen, will be heard in Senate Resources this week, then will move on to the Senate floor for a vote, the final step in its legislative journey. HB 419, which would allow regional marketing associations to tax themselves, is scheduled for a vote on the House floor this week. It will then proceed through the Senate committee process.
Youth Courts Update
Amendments will be offered for House Bill 375 in the House Finance Committee this week. HB 375 lays out the state's operating budget for the next fiscal year. In the latest work draft of the budget, funding for Youth Courts has been increased by $200,000 for a total of $508,300. This increase is a direct result of House Bill 303, which I introduced in order to properly fund Youth Courts in Alaska. The Finance Committee heard testimony from members of the Kodiak Teen Court and other Youth Court advocates around the state that they cannot incur more cuts without jeopardizing the wonderful work they are doing. I will be monitoring this bill very closely as it moves to the House floor.
On the Radar
Several Kodiak residents have contacted me about potential cuts to the State Parks system. The proposed budget includes a $350,000 cut to State Parks, which would result in reductions in staff and services. I am well aware of the enormous value of our state parks for recreation, education, and conservation.
I have been a strong supporter of Kodiak's state parks since 1979 when, as deputy mayor of the Kodiak Island Borough, I worked to get Fort Abercrombie's first park ranger. My office has contacted the Department of Natural Resources concerning the proposed cuts. We are fighting to get this vital money back in the budget.
Possible Fiscal Solutions
Until we collectively decide on a long-term approach to closing our fiscal gap, cuts to valuable services and programs will continue to occur. Unfortunately, the high price of oil has taken the pressure off of the Legislature to solve the problem immediately. Several bills have been offered to help reduce the state's spending deficit, including a state income tax, a statewide sales tax, and using a percentage of Permanent Fund earnings. I am personally in favor of managing the permanent fund under a percent of market value (POMV) plan and adopting a statutory spending plan for the fund's earnings. I also support a state income tax. A statewide sales tax would hurt smaller communities that currently rely on local sales taxes as a major revenue source.
Piecemeal taxes have also been proposed. HB 538, which would impose an additional $1 per pack tax on cigarettes, is being debated in the House Ways & Means Committee. As currently written, it will also create a system for forfeitures of property for someone who is attempting to illegally transport large quantities of tobacco products into the state without paying the necessary taxes. Please let me know what you think of this and other fiscal legislation.
Visitors
Several folks from House District 36 dropped by my Juneau office in the last couple of weeks: Steve Atwater, Superintendent of Lake and Peninsula School District; Chris Quick, Denise May, and Wayne Lukin from Port Lions; Darron Scott, general manager of Kodiak Electric Association; and Gordon Gould, Michael Brechan, Stosh Anderson, Walter Sapp, Kate Ballenger and Bob Hatcher of the KEA Board of Directors. It was a pleasure to see all of you. If you are in Juneau, please make it a point to stop by Room 409 in the Capitol Building.
And remember, my ears and door are always open to you.
Dan Ogg
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