"JUNEAU UPDATE"

Kodiak Daily Mirror publication date of March 5, 1997

The Permanent Fund

I have heard one message very clear from folks in Kodiak - do not touch the permanent fund dividend program to balance the budget. Most citizens did not realize that under current law, their dividend program could be eliminated by a simple majority vote of the Legislature and approval by the Governor.

Roughly half of the Permanent Fund's earnings are used for dividend checks and a large part of the remainder is reinvested into the principal of the fund to ensure its value keeps pace with inflation. Virtually all remaining funds are deposited into the Earnings Reserve Account. This past week I introduced a resolution in the House that would safeguard the PFD program. If adopted, this proposed amendment to the Constitution will permanently protect dividends and guarantee inflation proofing of the Alaska Permanent Fund.

The "left over" earnings reserves will remain available to Legislators to spend as they see fit. Typically they have decided to place most of the remaining earnings reserves back into the principal. But as North Slope oil production keeps dropping in the months and years to come, the undistributed earnings reserve could be spent in the case of a fiscal emergency. With the PFD and inflation proofing permanently protected, Alaskans may also feel more comfortable about considering using some of this money to benefit our state, i.e.; schools and education, roads and harbor facilities maintenance.

This proposal along with the Senate companion resolution may not be the ultimate solution for safeguarding the Permanent Fund, but the debate it generates will be useful for educating voters about the fund's vulnerability and ultimately inspiring a more perfect solution.

Please watch for a special section on my web page that asks for your opinion on this proposal. If you are not "wired" to the web, please let me know how you feel about this proposal to protect your PFD. You can send a Public Opinion Message from the Kodiak Legislative Information Office located at 112 Mill Bay Road across from Subway. I will keep everyone informed as to how this piece of legislation is moving through the Capitol.

Aerospace

I appreciate hearing from many of you in regard to recent articles that have appeared in the Mirror. As the government side of the dual-use of the Kodiak Launch Complex receives greater emphasis, it is paramount that Kodiak lets the Alaska Aerospace Development Corporation know where they stand on this issue. I see where AADC is going to take resumes on names to form a new advisory committee to the corporation. I had suggested AADC solicit the help of the Kodiak Island Borough to field names in establishing a borough wide committee. If you are interested in serving, please contact AADC Executive Director, Pat Ladner in Anchorage at (907) 561-3338.

Fisheries

On Monday, March 24, the Fisheries Committee passed HB 123 and HJR 23 from committee. HB 123, by Representative Ivan Ivan, repeals the termination date of the federal tax obligation loan program under the Commercial Fishing Loan Act. There are many fishermen who need to access this type of loan program, particularly due to the recent salmon price slump. HJR 23 is the resolution introduced by Representative Bill Hudson which sends the message to our Congressional delegation to halt the recent IRS limited entry permit seizures.

On Wednesday, March 26, the Fisheries Committee moved CSHB 19 out of committee where it awaits scheduling in the House Resources Committee. As you recall, this is my sport fish guide licensing legislation. We have received strong support from the Board of Fish for this legislation. At the same meeting, the committee also moved HB 141, my scallop moratorium legislation, out of committee into House Resources Committee.

For this week we have scheduled a NMFS presentation with Ron Berg. I expect a general overview of NMFS authority in Alaska's fisheries with some emphasis on bycatch and observers. I have invited members of the House Resources Committee to join us and have set up a teleconference to include Kodiak. If you are interested in hearing Ron Berg talk about our offshore fisheries, please visit the LIO at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday the 5th of March.

Also this Wednesday, HB 13, my AMSEA bill, will be heard in House Finance Committee. As you may recall from last year, this bill seeks to provide AMSEA with a small funding level on an annual basis. As it is currently written, HB 13 requests up to half of the interest earnings from the Fishermen's Fund for AMSEA.

I am watching carefully the budgets of ADF&G and ASMI through the subcommittee process. Although I would like to see an increased commfish budget in ADF&G, I anticipate a level funding budget and am working hard on ensuring the $518,000 general fund match for ASMI. I have also obtained additional program receipt authority in ADF&G to provide for additional herring test fishery efforts this spring and obtained assurances from the department that the increased test fishery is in place for the upcoming fiscal year as well.

Internet Address

I want to repeat the same information I given out in the past for those who might have missed it. Please let me know what kinds of information you want to see on the web.

My E-mail address is: {Representative_Alan_Austerman@Legis.state.ak.us}. The legislature can be accessed on the web with the following address: {http://www.state.ak.us}. My web page along with other legislator's can also be accessed with the following web address: {http://www.akrepublicans.org}.

Please call my toll free number in Juneau at 1-800-865-2487 to voice any concerns or suggestions you may have.

Congratulations

Dr. Jim Arneson was reappointed to the Board of Dental Examiners. His new term expires in the year 2001. Congratulations also go out to Alutiiq artist Alvin Amason, originally from Kodiak. Alvin was a recipient of the 1997 Governor's Art Awards presented in a formal ceremony this past week. Accompanying Alvin was his mother Nettie Amason, his wife Ilana and their daughter Lena.

Visitors

I conferred with several folks from Kodiak these past two weeks. Visiting the office were: Freddie Christiansen from Old Harbor, Denise May and her son Raymond May both of Port Lions. In addition, Betty Walters, Norm Wooten and Jack McFarland were by to talk over education issues. Also stopping by were Mark Kandianis, Bruce Nelson, Joe Gulley, Leanne Ng and Ginny Sargent who was representing the Key Campaign. I also met with Ed Kozak, Walter Sapp, Bob Hatcher, Gene Sundberg, Al Cratty and Kate Ballenger. Thanks to all of you for stopping in and sharing with me your concerns and hopes and dreams for Kodiak.