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The second session of the 23rd Legislature came to an end this week after House members worked right up to the strike of midnight. I am pleased with the legislature's work this session and eager to continue my work over the interim.
It has been an honor to be a part of the democratic process in Juneau and a pleasure to serve the Kodiak and Lake and Peninsula communities. Thank you to everyone who voiced his or her opinions on issues of great importance to our state. Your input was valuable to me and I look forward to continue working with you this summer.
I will be back in Kodiak in time for Crab Festival. During the interim you can contact me through the Kodiak Legislative Information Office at (907) 486-8872. Staff member Melissa Dover will be working in Kodiak, while Cliff Stone will remain in Juneau at 1-800-865-2487. Always feel free to call either staff member with questions or concerns.
Education Funding
After lengthy committee discussions, the House and Senate both approved a budget package that increases K-12 education funding by $82 million, the largest increase for public education in Alaska's history. Governor Murkowski has said he will not veto the education funding portion of the budget.
I fought hard all session for an increase to education funding and am happy that both houses were able to agree to a substantial increase. The House of Representatives made education a top priority, sending the budget to the Senate about two months ago.
I believe that education should always be one of the state's top priorities. It is an honor to be a part of this important process to ensure our students' future success.
Regional Marketing
House Bill 419, which I sponsored, passed the Senate this week by a vote of 16 to 1. The bill will now continue to the Governor's desk for his signature.
The bill creates 12 distinct seafood development regions and allows regional seafood marketing associations to form and tax themselves up to two percent. This approach will complement the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute's generic "Alaska Seafood" campaign. The formation of an association is voluntary, requiring 51 percent of permit holders in a fishery to vote themselves into an association.
The Senate Finance Committee made one change to the bill, which will require at least 30 percent of permit holders to vote in an election for the election to be valid. I supported this amendment.
I am confident regional marketing associations will provide a valuable tool for Alaska's commercial fishermen. These associations will be able to focus on the unique area where the fish is harvested, building on Alaska's reputation for pristine waters that yield superior fish.
Teen Court
I worked hard to obtain more money for Teen Court this session. I introduced House Bill 303, which would have used a percentage of criminal fines to fund youth courts throughout the state. I also worked with the House Finance Committee to ensure $200,000 for teen courts statewide was added to the existing youth court budget.
However, in conference committee, legislators adopted the Senate budget figures for youth courts, eliminating the extra $200,000 the House authorized. While I'm disappointed with the final outcome, I will continue to fight for this important program.
The McLaughlin Youth Center costs $40,000 per patient each year. If Alaska's youth courts prevent just seven teens from going to McLaughlin each year, it equals the entire current youth court budget.
New Kodiak Jail
After working with Sen. Lyda Green, we were able to negotiate a deal that will finally enable Kodiak to build a new jail.
Former Senator Alan Austerman set the groundwork when he was a member of the Senate Finance Committee. I picked up where he left off, introducing legislation last year to replace our aging jail with a new facility with more beds. The current jail is housed in a building that was constructed sometime in the 1940s. It was remodeled in 1963 when the jail was placed there.
The final deal calls for a new 22-bed facility that will be financed with $2 million in state funds. The city will match this with $1.5 million. Since the existing facility only has 16 beds, the city will also receive an additional $188,000 per year under their contract with the state to run the new facility.
Once again, thank you for helping me make this a productive year in Juneau!
And remember, my ears and door are always open.
Dan Ogg
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