This "update" and future news from Juneau will be shorter than many of you have become use to in the last four years. The Mirror has requested that I cut my "updates" in half because of space limitations. I have always endeavored to provide only the most current and useful information in my "updates." By striving to keep the citizens of Kodiak well informed on what goes on here in our Capitol, I feel knowledge gives you, the public, a tremendous amount of power in our democratic society. I know the Mirror will continue to provide you with the quality of reporting that we have all grown to expect, but I challenge them to also look at "news" that will empower us.

Current Legislation

At the request of the Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission (CFEC), Representative Bill Hudson of Juneau has introduced House Bill 104. This is the same moratorium bill that was introduced last year. If passed, this bill would give the CFEC the authority to impose moratoria on vessels or participants in state-managed fisheries. I have signed on as a co-sponsor of this piece of legislation.

The Governor's personal income tax bill, House Bill 91, which requires employers to withhold a percentage of your income, will also require withholdings be taken out of payments by fishing boat skippers and other employers who pay crew shares. Items in discussion are concerns that crewmen are self-employed individuals, and the question of determining taxes in a fishery that cross the three-mile limit in state waters.

In response to inquiries on the fishing restrictions imposed on the pollock trawl fishery in the Stellar sea lion issue, I have requested that Rep. Bill Hudson, Chair of the House Special Committee on Fisheries conduct a hearing on this issue. The purpose of this meeting is to disclose which scientific research, to date, has been done linking the Stellar sea lion decline to pollock as a food source.

Governor Knowles has introduced to the Senate, a bill that would establish a state-run boat registration and safety program. This follows behind his creation last year, of the Office of Boating Safety within the Department of Natural Resources. I will continue to monitor this closely. I think it is important that we continue to work with the Alaska Marine Safety Education Association (AMSEA) to ensure safe boating laws in Alaska.

Budget Ideas

Another idea being proposed to save you and me money is in the form of House Bill 74. The bill would bring the salaries of certain state administrators within long-standing legislative guidelines. Years ago, the Legislature set salary caps for all of its employees. My staff, as well as other legislative assistants, come from all over the state to Juneau at their own expense. Legislative staff does not receive travel reimbursement or per diem when they travel to Juneau for the legislative sessions. Some administrative staff and agency personnel performing similar duties, earn as much as $28,000 more a year than their counterparts on the legislative side. This amount doesn't include reimbursements they receive for travel and per diem.

ASTF-Entrepreneurial Opportunities

The Alaska Science and Technology Foundation has appropriated $20,000 matched by over $37,000 to the Yukon River Drainage Fisheries Association to continue to grow niche markets for Yukon salmon. These efforts have increased Yukon River fish sales from 12,000 to 60,000 pounds between 1995 and 1997. By bringing this to your attention, it is my hope that it might provide encouragement for a similar entrepreneurial enterprise in Kodiak.

Constituent Fares

Alaska Airlines has informed me of the following new "constituent fare." They are offering their active Mileage Plan members of Alaska one discount coupon for travel to Juneau during the 1999 legislative session. Your coupon would be valid towards the purchase of one round-trip ticket to Juneau from now until May 13th. Please call Alaska Airlines or contact your travel agent for more details. I wouldn't normally "advertise" for one particular company, but since Alaskan Airlines is the only air carrier providing service to Juneau, I thought it worthwhile to bring this fare plan to your attention.

PFD Problems?

If you are experiencing any difficulty with your permanent fund application or don't know if you qualify, you can call the PFD folks at 1-800-733-8813. If you do not get a satisfactory answer, please call my staff at 1-800-865-2487 for assistance. Remember the deadline to file for your dividend is March 31, 1999.

Visitors

There were several visitors from Kodiak in my office these past couple weeks. Those in town for various meetings were Bob Wagner of Port Lions, former borough mayor Jerome Selby, Wallace Fields, Larry Malloy, Debbie Marlar, Paul Panamarioff of Ouzinkie, Tammy Aga of Larsen Bay, current borough mayor Gary Stevens along with his wife Rita, city mayor Carolyn Floyd, Susan Rodeheaver, Rob Fitch, Robyn Cassidy, school superintendent Betty Walters, Norm Wooten, Jack McFarland, and former Alaska Senator Fred Zharoff.