Operating Budget

The operating budget is being heard in Conference Committee. Many recommendations regarding program cuts - or in some cases, increases - were identical in the House and Senate versions of the budget, and therefore are off the table. The Conference Committee is in the process of comparing the areas of disagreement and making recommendations on whose numbers will prevail. This has been a slow process because the comparisons are at the program or component level and each are decided individually. The six-member conference committee is likely to have their work completed by the end of this week. There are several major differences in the House and Senate versions of the bill including Municipal Assistance and Revenue Sharing, funding for the Power Cost Equalization Program (PCE), in the Department of Community and Regional Affairs budget, as well as the question of funding for the University of Alaska. These hearings are presently underway and can be viewed on Gavel to Gavel.

Capital Budget

The Senate's version of the capital budget (Senate Bill 32) has recently been moved out of a subcommittee. Senator Dave Donley, the subcommittee chairman, presented a pared down version of the Governor's $183.7 million general fund request. The new draft is a mere $132.9 million. Kodiak does not lose any of the capital requests in this version of SB 32. Among the projects in this year's list is Chichenof Street improvements, phase two of the Monashka Bay Water and Sewer Project, Old Harbor Sanitation Project, Kodiak Launch Complex, Port Lions Water Dam replacement and the Ouzinkie Harbor. The total dollar amount of Kodiak capital projects is almost $16 million.

Fisheries Legislation

What follows is a quick rundown on fisheries legislation. Measures that aren't passed this year will be scheduled once again for the committee process during the second session next year. If you are interested in more information on any of these bills, please contact the Kodiak LIO at 486-8116 or go by 112 Mill Bay Road.

HB 25 - River Habitat Protection Tax Credit.
HB 104 - Entry Moratoria on Participants/Vessels.
HB 108 - Use, Regulation & Operation of Sport Boats.
HB 142 - Education Credit for Fishery Taxes.
HB 160 - Length of Salmon Seine Vessels.
HB 217 - Fishery Cooperative Contracts.
HJR 22 - Alaska Native on Pacific Salmon Commission.
HJR 39 - Surplus Salmon to Aid Balkans.
SB 13 - Discrete Salmon Stock Management & Assessment.
SB 86 - Recreational Boat Safety & Registration.
SB 139 - Seafood Labeling.
SB 143 - Vessel Limited Entry for Commercial Fisheries.
SB 146 - Commercial Fish License/Fishermen's Fund.
SJR 13 - Alaska Native on Pacific Salmon Commission.

Safe Schools Resources Available

Early Warning, Timely Response: A Guide to Safe Schools was developed at President Clinton's request by the Departments of Justice and Education in August 1998 in cooperation with the National Association of School Psychologists. The guide tells what to look for, what to do to prevent violence, when to intervene and get help for troubled children, and how to respond when violent situations occur.

The full text of the guide and a press release are available by calling 1-877-4ED-PUBS or at
http:// www.ed.gov/offices/OSERS/OSEP/earlywrn.html

Here's some other useful links for school safety and violence prevention. USDE's Action Guide for Safe and Drug-Free Schools
http://www.ed.gov/offices/OESE/SDFS/actguid/index.html

National School Safety Center "Making a Difference,"
http://www.nssc1.org

Safe and Drug-Free School Site, United States Department of Education
http://www.ed.gov/offices/OESE/SDFS

National PTA Community Violence Prevention Kit
http://www.pta.org/events/violprev

Visitors

Among the folks from Kodiak participating in a variety of meetings including education and municipal league meetings were Superintendent Betty Walters, Pat Jacobson, Jack McFarland, Norm Wooten, Frank Peterson, Sven Haakanson, Sr. from Old Harbor, Mayors Carolyn Floyd and Gary Stevens, Tom Manninen, Pat Branson, Scott Arndt, Greg Spalinger, Bill Jones, Barbara Stevens, Jesse Vizcocho, and Hap Heiberg. Other visitors included Ole Olsen, Willie Heinrichs, Jay Stinson and Terry Stone, who serves on the Alaska EMS Council. Remember - My door is always open!

Look for my opinion-editorial in a future Mirror that deals with the permanent fund. Asa Cole has graciously offered to print this brief history on how the permanent fund was conceived and its original intent. Please let me know your views on the budget crises facing this state.