Op-Ed Article

Published in the Alaska Star 04-30-98

by Representative Fred Dyson

Last week the House passed a budget that made specific cuts to government spending and kept Alaska on course to balance our checkbook. With North Slope oil selling at around $11 per barrel it is certainly not a good time to spend more money on new programs. However, this budget does add nearly 30 investigators for crimes against children and also increases the Troopers and Village Public Safety Officers Budget. It adds some $7 million for prisons and some for existing social programs, but is still about $30 million less than the Governor requested.

For years the Republican Majority in the Legislature has been trying to eliminate State funding of elective abortions as the Federal Government and most other States. Each time Governor Knowles has found a way around the legislature's intention. This year the Legislature completely defunded the entire program, which means that some medical support for poor people is eliminated. I am somewhat uncomfortable with this approach and would have preferred HB 234 by Terry Martin. This bill set the priorities for elective medical support and placed elective abortions at the end of the list.

One of my bills, HB 203, unanimously passed the House last week and is now pending in the Senate. HB 203 makes it easier to obtain legal assistance for resolving small value fraud cases. This bill essentially addresses a need for consumer protection, not by funding a state agency, but by empowering individuals to deal with their own consumer issues. When we empower individuals to deal with unlawful trade practices, we not only make Alaska a harsher environment for scam artists, but protect honest businesses as well. I would appreciate interested citizens of Eagle River and Chugiak calling the Senators and letting them know that there is lots of support in our community. Call the Legislative Information Office @ 258-8111 to get copies of the bill and to send messages.

I was disappointed with the negative tone of some of the recent Assembly races. Our community has a long tradition of high quality candidates who stick to the positives of their vision and the qualities that they bring to public life. We have consistently rejected mud slinging candidates and big city slick campaigns. Letís hope we get back on track for the future.

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