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Besides campaigning this summer, I have been working with the city and borough, state agencies and the governor's office to lay the groundwork for next state operating and capital budgets. As my years of experience taught me on the University's Board of Regents, it's much easier to include something in the budget now than to add it during the legislative session. Here is what I've been doing:
Education
Although we funded the largest increase for public education in Alaska's history this past session, that budget will need to be augmented once again this coming year. The base student allocation will need to be increased just to keep up with inflation. We will need an additional $25-35 million just to deal with the shortfall in the PERS/TRS retirement system as well. I am encouraging the governor to create an education package that could involve an automatic increase every year tied to an inflation index. We cannot afford to short fund the education of our youth as it pays off in the long run. I believe an additional $80 million for the Kindergarten through University System is a good starting point for this discussion.
Youth Courts
Speaking of youth, I introduced HB 303 this past session to adequately fund the youth courts around Alaska. The federal money has been drying up for many years and so it depends on us to find a stable income source for this program. Why? Here's one example. The McLaughlin Youth Center costs $40,000 per patient per year. If the youth courts prevent just seven teenagers from going there each year, it would equal the entire current youth court budget. This program has proven to be highly effective in reducing repeat offenders, thus saving the state a tremendous amount of money. I'm working with the Department of Health and Social Services to properly fund this line item and include it in the governor's proposed FY 06 budget to the Legislature.
Fish & Game Building
As most of us know, the current building is incredibly overcrowded, there is inadequate lab space for the biologists to do their job, and the building is out of compliance with several health and safety codes. I've been working with Commissioner Kevin Duffy to guarantee that the needs and specifics for a new building are adequately planned for whenever the funding does become available. Our best hope now is to insert some money into the capital budget for development purposes. Meanwhile the existing building will see a facelift of sorts with new windows and siding.
With every budget cycle, the Commercial Fisheries Division seems to incur cuts in the governor's recommendations. I'll continue to work for full and adequate funding to manage our commercial fisheries.
Roads
You are going to see tremendous improvements to the road system in Kodiak over the next two years. The Anton Larsen Road will be paved to the golf course. The Monashka Bay Road will be paved all the way to Pillar Creek. The Chiniak Highway is scheduled to be reconstructed in portions, and then paved to the Roads End Restaurant. The Pasagshak Road will see additional realignment and more paving. Abercrombie Drive, Lakeview Drive and Sawmill Circle are all slated to be paved. This is the result of many years of work by my predecessor Alan Austerman and my office to keep these projects from falling by the wayside.
Ferries - Late Breaking News
This past session I worked with our congressional delegation, Better Ferries for Alaska, and the Alaska DOT in developing a plan for a fast ferry in Kodiak. I'm pleased to announce that the draft congressional priority list for the Alaska Marine Highway system that's been proposed by Better Ferries for Alaska has requested $7 million to begin planning for a 105 meter fast ferry to service Kodiak/Homer/Anchorage. This will give Kodiak a predictable daily schedule to the mainland. More details will be forthcoming.
MarkAir Building
I've been working with the Kodiak Island Borough, the KIB lobbyist and the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA) these past years to try and resolve this eyesore at the state airport. I think the groundwork has been laid that should produce results this next year.
SB 30 Informed Consent Bill
Since passage of SB 30, the Informed Consent Bill, a lot of folks have asked about my stance on Pro-life/Pro-choice as I supported and voted for it. It is as follows: I personally believe life begins at conception, but this is not an issue about my body. So for me the real question is one of constitutional rights. Our constitution presently gives a woman a right to decide for herself on this matter in the first trimester. Our constitutional rights are not to be given up lightly. My record is clear. I have fought to ensure those rights have not been violated.
On the Radar
Gulf of Alaska rationalization is still a very important issue. This summer, during the special session, I urged Commissioner Duffy to get the state Board of Fish's special committee on Gulf of Alaska rationalization back together. I urged him to include fishermen who were not at the table last year (ie. Jig fleet, pot cod fleet, small boat fleet and the native/village fishing interests) I met with jig/pot cod fishermen in Kodiak in late May at Fisherman's Hall. As I did then, I continue to urge folks who have an interest in the future of Gulf of Alaska fisheries to get at the table. Call Commissioner Duffy (907-465-6141 or Board Chair Ed Dersham (907-465-4110) about the special committee. Also, please give me a call on this issue if you have concerns. (486-8872-Kodiak or 1-800-865-2487-Juneau) Get involved in the discussions.
If you have any questions please call Heather Fincher in my Kodiak office at 486-8872 located in the LIO Office or Cliff Stone in my Juneau office at 1-800-865-2487. I will get back to you as soon as possible.
And remember, my ears and door are always open to you.
Dan Ogg
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