Budget

I trust everyone had a very nice Easter with family and friends. With spring in the air, the days are getting warmer along with the anticipated longer days of summer. My schedule as well will certainly involve many long hours this final month before the mandated end of session.

AMSEA

The highlight of last week was the passage of HB 366, out of the House Finance Committee with a $150,000 fiscal note attached. This is the bill I sponsored to secure funding for the Alaska Marine Safety Education Association. Due to the various budget cutting plans, House Finance has been particularly difficult to get legislation through this year. The $150,000 proviso was a particularly difficult feat. I explained to the chairman of House Finance that AMSEA needs funding beginning in July, which is the fiscal year that they are currently budgeting for, and that a lapse in funding could be devastating to them. I look forward to a House floor vote on this legislation later this week. Keep those POM's coming, in support of AMSEA to the other legislators.

Senate Hearings

This week we have two bills scheduled for committee hearings on the Senate side. House Bill 284, the CFAB bill, will be heard in Senate Labor and Commerce, on Thursday at 1:30. If it passes out of this committee, HB 284 will proceed to the Senate Finance Committee for a hearing. HB 542, which changes the Conflict of Interest laws for the Board of Fisheries, has been scheduled for a hearing before the Senate Community & Regional Affairs Committee. I hope to get it waived through the Senate State Affairs Committee, its next committee of referral.

Dungeness Crab Bill

The Fisheries Committee meeting scheduled for this Wednesday has been changed to this Thursday at 5:00 p.m. We will hear SB 42. This is Senator Robin Taylor's bill which allows "stacking" of Dungeness Crab permits. We will also hear from Deputy Commissioner Dave Benton on the pending salmon litigation the State is pursuing. As always, these will be teleconferenced to the LIO in Kodiak.

Survey Results

Thanks to everyone for responding to my survey conducted earlier this session. The response was incredible with almost 500 surveys returned. Here are the basic findings. About 79% of respondents wanted to see spending cut by at least $100 million over the next three years. The same number thought there should be increased taxes on alcohol. Almost as many wanted to see an increase in taxes on tobacco. Over 66% of those surveyed said no to an increase on marine fuel tax and 74% said no to a tax increase on motor fuel. While 69% said no to a tax on fisheries, 66% said yes to taxing tourism. A majority of responders said no to changing the permanent fund and the way it operates. Finally, my last question asked your opinion on reestablishing a state income tax. A strong 64% said no. I really appreciate the response. This information helps me in making informed decisions on the issues facing our Island community. I am here to serve you. Thanks again!

Art in the Capitol

For the entire month of April, artwork will adorn the halls of the capitol from two village schools on Kodiak. Old Harbor students Misty Larinoff, Mario Esparza, Walter Hok, Dwayne Keeling, Joshua DeVaney, Jessica Christiansen, Brianne Johnson, Loren Peterson, Andrew Lam, Walter Erickson, John Ignatin, Flossie Ashouwak, Gerie Pestrikoff, Tess Christiansen and Sabrina Anderson utilized pencils, crayons, markers, watercolors and photography to show off their creative talents. The Chiniak School is represented by Kindergarten students Laura Ranney, Brennan Patterson and Michael Odell. First graders Gabe Edwards, Adam Sutton, Beth Pingree, Noah Patterson and Austin Stewart, along with second graders Justine Ranney, Mary Werbe and Shea Sargent also showed off their abilities with a southwestern motif. This program is sponsored by the Alaska Department of Education, the Alaska Alliance for Arts in Education and the Alaska Legislative Information Office. Congratulations to these fledgling and seasoned art students and their parents.

Visitors

Kevin Brennan with the Alaska State Employees Association was in Juneau for meetings last week and stopped by for a visit. Remember, my door is always open.