The predominant feature last week in Juneau was the beginning of department budget close-outs. Just over a week ago the majority leadership rendered specific financial goals for each subcommittee. The leadership has chosen this means of balancing the budget in response to constituent surveys.

Public Safety

I sit on the House Finance Subcommittee for the Department of Public Safety's budget. The subcommittee will be holding work sessions today and tomorrow in order to finalize that department's budget. I anticipate some cuts and will work to ensure that any reductions will have a minimal impact on our district.

Administration

I also sit on the House Finance Subcommittee for the Department of Administration's budget. On March 13th, the chairman of that subcommittee proposed severe cuts to public communications. This includes RATNET/ARCS, the Public Broadcasting Commission, Public Radio and Public Television. For example, he proposed cutting in half, both public radio and the public television budgets, from their FY96 budgets and eliminating the RATNET/ARCS budget altogether. Fortunately, another subcommittee member and I were able to discourage him from making cuts of this magnitude. As an alternative, the chairman is looking at lumping all public communications together and imposing a 20% cut from the FY 96 budget. The industry can sort out where to make their own cuts, is where his thinking is. I still find this harsh in light of the cuts endured last year and will continue to work to try to find an amicable solution.

Fish & Game Budget

Fisheries

The CFAB bill, HB 284, finally moved out of the House Finance Committee amended after nearly a year in the Finance subcommittee. This legislation should make it to the House Floor for a vote later this week. Later this week in the Fisheries Committee, we will be hearing HB 542, that relates to the Board of Fisheries' conflict of interest law. I introduced this legislation through the C&RA Committee because of the industry's frustration with the Attorney General's interpretation of the Executive Ethics Act and its interference with the Board. HB 542 is also scheduled in House Resources for Friday. Representative Nicholia's bill, HB 504, commonly referred to as the "niche marketing bill," will be heard in Fisheries tomorrow also. The finfish farming bill moved out of the Fisheries Committee after we excluded all types of salmon from the bill. If the bill is brought to the table in the Resources Committee, on which I sit, I plan on introducing an amendment to prohibit non-native fish from being introduced into Alaskan waters.

AMSEA Bill

Originally all personal legislation was to be passed from the House to the Senate by March 22nd. We seem to be a little behind with these deadlines and I have heard that they have changed the date to April 1st. This is good because I still have several pieces of legislation that we want to try and get passed this year. One of the bills is HB 366. This is the bill that would fund the Alaska Marine Safety Education Association (AMSEA) from the interest earnings of the Fishermen's Fund. This bill is stuck in the House Finance Committee. It would help, if a number of people went down to the LIO and sent Public Opinion Messages to all the finance committee members in support of HB 366.

COMFISH

I was home for COMFISH this past weekend and had a very good visit. I was able to meet with a number of folks who had concerns and some good ideas about where this state should be heading. I was a little disappointed with a meeting that I had invited teachers to. For one reason or another, that group didn't show up for our informal talks. The Kodiak Area Chamber of Commerce is to be commended for putting on another great fisheries show.

Visitors

Mayor Jerome Selby was once again in my office to confer. Also visiting from Kodiak were Letitia Raub and Karen King. KEA General Manager Ed Kozak, along with board members Kate Ballenger, Al Cratty and Walter Sapp were in town for important meetings. Jim Balamaci was down again, this time as part of the Key Campaign.