OP-ED ARTICLE

BY REPRESENTATIVE IVAN M. IVAN

MAY 2, 1997

TUNDRA DRUMS

WITH THE FINAL DAY OF THE 20TH ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE'S FIRST SESSION APPROACHING, THERE IS STILL A LOT OF WORK AHEAD FOR LEGISLATORS PRIOR TO ADJOURNING. AT THE TIME THIS ARTICLE WAS SUBMITTED TO THE DRUMS, THE CAPITAL BUDGET STILL NEEDS TO BE FINALIZED AND FINAL PIECES OF PRIORITY LEGISLATION HAVE TO BE VOTED UPON BY BOTH LEGISLATIVE BODIES. TWO BILLS THAT I HAVE SPONSORED SHOULD BE PASSED BY TIME WE ADJOURN. ONE IS HOUSE BILL 123 WHICH EXTENDS FOR THREE YEARS THE TAX OBLIGATION LOAN PROGRAM WITHIN THE COMMERCIAL FISHING REVOLVING LOAN FUND. THIS BILL HELPS COMMERCIAL FISHERMEN MEET I.R.S. OBLIGATIONS AND KEEP THE PERMIT IN THE STATE AND NOT SOLD OFF AT ROCK BOTTOM PRICES BY THE I.R.S. THE OTHER MAJOR PIECE OF LEGISLATION I SPONSORED IS HOUSE BILL 86 WHICH GIVES THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL AFFAIRS THE AUTHORITY TO DISTRIBUTE FEDERAL PAYMENTS TO MUNICIPALITIES IN THE UNORGANIZED BOROUGH FOR TAX PAYMENTS FOR FEDERAL LANDS WITHIN FEDERAL CENSUS AREAS. THIS LEGISLATION COULD MEAN AS MUCH AS $4 MILLION TO RURAL CITIES.

I HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE MEMBERS IN AN EFFORT TO KEEP OUR DISTRICT'S CAPITAL PROJECT NEEDS AS THEY APPEARED IN THE ORIGINAL CAPITAL BUDGET PROPOSED BY THE ADMINISTRATION. PROJECTS SUCH AS THE BETHEL SEAWALL COMPLETION, THE BETHEL NATIONAL GUARD ARMORY PHASE 2 CONSTRUCTION, AIRPORTS IMPROVEMENTS SUCH AS BETHEL'S $9.5 MILLION IN VARIOUS IMPROVEMENTS, ATMAUTLAUK'S $1.2 MILLION RUNWAY EXTENSION AND WIDENING, EEK'S RUNWAY RELOCATION AT $1.4 MILLION AND TUNTUTULIAK'S RUNWAY RELOCATION AT $3.5 MILLION. THERE IS OVER $4.5 MILLION IN VILLAGE SAFE WATER PROJECTS FOR DISTRICT 39. ANOTHER PRIORITY FOR THE A-Y-K AREA IS THE SALMON MARKETING GRANT TO ASSIST COMMERCIAL FISHERMEN IN FINDING A MARKET FOR THE AREA'S CHUM SALMON. THERE IS ALSO FUNDING FOR UNINCORPORATED AND MUNICIPAL CAPITAL MATCHING GRANT FUNDS WHICH WILL ASSIST DISTRICT 39 COMMUNITIES IN IMPROVING THEIR LIFESTYLES. ALL THESE PROJECTS WILL UPGRADE HEALTH, LIFE AND SAFETY PLUS BRING MUCH NEEDED EMPLOYMENT FOR OUR AREA. THERE ARE ALSO VARIOUS OTHER PROJECTS WITHIN DEPARTMENTAL BUDGETS FROM WHICH OUR DISTRICT SHOULD BENEFIT.

I HAVE ALSO WORKED CLOSELY WITH BETHEL CITY OFFICIALS TO EXPLORE ALL OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO THE CITY IN ORDER TO ADDRESS THEIR WATER AND SEWER NEEDS. D.E.C. OFFICIALS, BETHEL CITY ADMINSITRATION AND A COUNCIL MEMBER, BETHEL'S LOBBYIST, MY STAFF AND I HAVE MET HERE IN JUNEAU TO DISCUSS AND EXPLORE ANY AND ALL FUNDING OPTIONS TO ADDRESS THE CITY'S EXTENSIVE WATER AND SEWER NEEDS.

THE BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT IS THAT THERE IS VERY LITTLE FUNDING FOR SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE PROJECTS. OUR SCHOOLS ARE FALLING INTO DISREPAIR AND MANY ARE BECOMING TOO SMALL FOR THE GROWING NUMBER OF CHILDREN ENTERING OUR SCHOOL SYSTEMS. THERE ARE BILLS BEING ADDRESSED BY THE LEGISLATURE THAT WOULD AUTHORIZE THE STATE TO ISSUE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS TO MEET OUR SCHOOL NEEDS IF PASSED BY THE VOTERS OF THE STATE. I AM VERY SUPPORTIVE OF THESE MEASURES.