"JUNEAU UPDATE"

Kodiak Daily Mirror publication date of April 2, 1997

The Senate and House Majorities are in the process of prioritizing state spending. The three priorities which will receive current or increased funding levels include: Education - fully funded, Public Safety- added $400,000, with 2-3 new Village Public Safety Officers and Transportation - with emphasis on Alaska's roads and airports.

The House Finance Committee has passed out a reduced state operating budget that is reflective of the Majorities goal of reaching $60 million in cuts for the next fiscal year. The budget is comprised of dollars that belong to you - the people. If you don't agree with where these cuts are being made, please let the Legislature know why and where you would make them. Many of you have already made a difference by testifying before House Finance. Please see Lorna at the Kodiak LIO to look at a copy of the House's proposed budget. This budget will be heard on the House Floor starting this Thursday.

I cannot emphasize enough how important it is for you to be involved in the budget process. We need direction from you as to what programs are an essential function of government and what services can be reduced. Effective businesses are constantly re-evaluating the way they do business. I am confident that if the public, the Legislature and the Governor's office all work together we can develop the most efficient and cost effective means of delivering essential services to all Alaskans.

I certainly don't agree with all of the proposed cuts and will work hard to restore funding to vital programs that might affect our elders, our children, our community. The budget will go through many different revisions before the end of session on May 13th. Please let me know what you think about the budget or any pending legislation.

Fisheries

It was great to be home in Kodiak and to attend the COMFISH show. Hats off to Wayne Stevens and everyone responsible for making this show such a success. We had a good turnout at the Fish Forum we held at the Fishtech center on Saturday. I consider the discussion and questions raised very valuable and thank those of you who participated on such a beautiful sunny day. My fisheries staff Amy Daugherty, enjoyed her visit to Kodiak and was able to talk to quite a few Kodiak fishers. Each trip back to the district, she gets a better feel for Kodiak and what drives the town.

Directly after the Fish Forum, Senator Jerry Mackie and I attended a meeting on harbor repair/marine fuel tax. At present, there are three potential legislative vehicles to address the problem of funding for harbor repair and maintenance: (1) A bill I've had drafted, would repeal the marine fuel tax and would establish the authority to tax marine fuel at the municipal level; (2) SJR 21, a resolution by Senator Tim Kelly, which would establish within the state constitution, a Public Facilities Capital Fund, to serve as a permanent revolving account for funding most of Alaska's public works projects.(This resolution has not moved as yet); and, (3) Resurrection of Representative Jeannette James' resolution from last session, HJR 49, which would earmark marine fuel tax dollars for harbors and motor fuel tax dollars for highways. Both resolutions, if passed, would be voted on at the next general election.

On Monday, March 24th the House Special Committee on Fisheries, which I chair, heard Senator Donley's bill, SB 7, which will eliminate the annual nonresident sportfishing license. SB 7 creates a tool for enforcement to trace those non-residents who abuse sportfish resources by the issuance of nonresident sportfishing licenses for shorter periods of time.

The Fisheries meeting on Wednesday, March 26th was a presentation on Cook Inlet salmon issues by the Department of Fish and Game staff. The purpose of this meeting was to have constructive conversation on our state's most contentious fisheries. I was pleased with how the meeting went, as I believe there are now six more legislators who are better informed about the issues surrounding this fishery.

On the 7th of April, the committee will hold confirmation hearings on Board of Fisheries appointments Larry Engel and Ed Dersham. This meeting will be teleconferenced statewide as well as Kodiak. On April 9th, I anticipate holding a hearing on HB 198 which relates to Dive Fishery Management Associations and Assessment by Representative Williams. I might possibly hold hearings on HB 96 - Boards of Fisheries and Game Qualifications by Representative Vezey, as well, the same night. As always, we encourage your participation via teleconference.

The House operating budget that will be debated on the floor this Thursday, had a $26,000 cut to the ADF&G budget from FY97. This is good new and we hope that is passes the Senate with as little of a cut as well.

Communicating

Recent technological advances have given citizens many more avenues of communicating with your government. You can be very effective voicing your ideas or concerns by following these basic guidelines. Know the legislative process. Lorna or Mary at the Kodiak LIO can bring you up to speed on how the three branches of government work and current legislation being debated. Do your homework. Be sure of your facts and figures before committing them to paper. Check more than one source to confirm your research. Develop networks. Contact other individuals who have expressed a similar concern. Learn who the key players are in the Legislature and the various state agencies. Avoid being a fanatic. Credibility is enhanced by a reasoned approach supported by your commitment to the issue. Don't take it personally. Taking a position can often evoke criticism. Keep your sense of humor.

Remember - it is with your participation that we as a democracy flourish!

Future Leaders

Nine years ago, Pete Squartsoff of Port Lions, founded the Future Leaders of Alaska program for young adults in Kodiak's villages to participate in the Rural Alaska Community Action Program (RurAL CAP). RurAL CAP provides technical assistance for community development programs, alcohol/drug abuse prevention, information about subsistence issues, education for rural Alaskans, community organization and advocacy. Over the years Pete has graciously received money for this program from various entities, while donating a great deal of his time and money as well. Due to a lack of funds, this will be the last year our village kids will participate. Senator Mackie and I arranged for the participating students to be guest pages during floor sessions. On the Senate side were, Shaunna Squartsoff and Stacey Squartsoff of Port Lions. Seeing action on the House Floor were, Alvin Mullan and Lester Lukin, also of Port Lions. Accompanying Pete and the students was Alvin's mom Evelyn Mullan.

I met later in the week with the students to talk about issues important to them and to answer any questions they had. Thanks to Pete for his efforts.

Teleconference

The next constituent's teleconference will be the third Tuesday of this month, April 17th at the Kodiak LIO. This is your opportunity to talk with Senator Jerry Mackie and myself about any subject that comes to mind. All of Kodiak's village sites will be on-line as well as the community of Chiniak. Please watch for a bulletin in communities outside the city of Kodiak to see where you can participate.

Visitors

Visiting in Juneau for the Alaska Municipal League's Conference of Mayors was Borough Mayor Jerome Selby, City Mayor Carolyn Floyd and Charles Christensen, Mayor of Larsen Bay. They were joined by Kodiak Island Borough Assembly members; Wayne Stevens, Dr. Bob Johnson, Robin Heinrichs and Mike Milligan. Kodiak City Manager Bill Jones was in as well as City Councilmen Tom Walters. Additional visitors these past two weeks were Al Burch and Mark Kandianis. Remember - My door is always open.