By: Senator Jerry Mackie

This last weekend, Rep. Alan Austerman and I had a very productive series of meetings with Kodiak municipal officials, education leaders, fishermen and other citizens about their concerns for this legislature. Now that the session has begun, these meetings give focus to the community's legislative goals and objectives. It is also an opportunity for us to get a sense of local perspectives on some of the major issues facing the state, such as the revenue shortfall.

We had good discussions with Mayor Floyd, Council members, and Manager Jones and with Borough Mayor Stevens, Assembly members and Manager Manninen. The meeting with School Board President Knowles, Superintendent Walters and other school officials on education issues was also informative. The meeting with Dr.Hammer and Regent Ogg on the plans and programs of Kodiak College completed our review of the education programs on the Island. The fisheries forum was well attended and provided us with a wide variety of concerns and perspectives to work on or bring to bear in Juneau.

Two events that were particularly enjoyable were the lively discussions I had in the High School's current events class and attending the Kodiak Bears basketball games. In the first case, the students were particularly interested and opinionated on exit exam requirements that were recently mandated by the legislature. Secondly, it is always a great feeling to be in the gym watching the kids playing their hearts out.

Here in Juneau this week, a bill I introduced to increase stream and fish habitat protections passed out of the Senate Resources Committee on Monday by a unanimous vote. SB 12 is about forestry and the forest practices of the timber industry in buffer areas adjacent to anadromous streams. The bill is a result of recommendations by representatives of the timber, commercial fishing, and environmental communities after an extensive scientific review of research pertaining to these areas. SB 12 will greatly improve the salmon habitat and water quality of all our coastal anadromous streams. A similar bill failed to pass the last legislature, but I am confident of the outcome for SB 12. The quick action by the Senate Resources Committee is a good sign.

Next week, there is a "State of the Economy" Forum here in Juneau, sponsored by the House and Senate Leadership together with Governor Knowles. This is an effort to gain a clearer economic picture of what is forecast for the state's various industries. Moreover, it is an attempt to understand any interrelationship or impact from proposals to provide a long term, sustainable resolution to the State of Alaska's own fiscal problems. This is just one of many public discussions about long range financial solutions that will take place in the coming months.

Please contact me, or my office, at any time on issues of concern. The Juneau toll free phone number is 800-821-4925 and the fax number is 907-465-3517. The Kodiak office number is 486-4925. My Juneau address is Senator Jerry Mackie, State Capitol, Juneau, Ak 99801 and the E-mail address is Senator_Jerry_Mackie@legis.state.ak.us.