Session: State Capitol, Room 24 Juneau, AK 99801-1182 Phone: (907) 465-2186 Fax: (907) 465-3818 Interim: 600 East Railroad Avenue Wasilla, AK 99654 Phone: (907) 373-1842 Fax: (907) 373-4729

Rep. Kohring Pushes for Legislative Move
Says Move Would Achieve Better Government at Less Cost

(JUNEAU) - Rep. Vic Kohring (R-Wasilla/Peters Creek) said today that Alaska's Legislature, and ultimately the state capitol, ought to be moved out of Juneau to Southcentral Alaska as soon as possible.

Kohring, a strong advocate of cutting the size of government, feels that such a move, if done right, would save taxpayers tens of millions of dollars.

"We can close up shop in Juneau and re-open in Anchorage with a greatly reduced work force," he said.

Kohring has been pushing to relocate the Legislature and entire capitol into the state-owned Atwood Building in downtown Anchorage. The 20-story structure is large enough to accommodate both the Legislature and headquarters of the state's 16 departments. Kohring said he's convinced that the facility can be sufficiently retrofitted and serve basic functions with the expenditure of just $4 million to $5 million.

"We don't need 22,000 employees housed in a half-dozen office buildings scattered around Juneau," Kohring said. "Let's move them out and shut the buildings down."

In addition, Kohring said having legislators closer to the majority of Alaskans would improve government, because politicians would feel more accountable to their constituents when they're not so far removed ? not to mention that it would be easier for members of the public to visit their representatives.

Kohring has co-sponsored legislation to accomplish his objective, including House Bill 1 and House Bill 28 and Senate Bill 303, the measure that would move the Legislature to the Matanuska-Susitna Valley. Kohring, who represents a portion of the Mat-Su, is enthusiastic about the prospects of the Legislature moving to his neighborhood.

"Such a move would be a good alternative to Anchorage," he said.

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