January 17, 1997

Interior Delegation has Muscle in Juneau

The Interior Delegation earned significant posts in the new legislature giving Fairbanks more pull than ever before. Senator Mike Miller presides over the Senate. Senator Bert Sharp and Representative Gene Therriault Co-Chair their respective Finance Committees. Representative Pete Kelly, a member of the majority, serves on House Finance with Rep. Therriault and will chair two budget subcommittees. They are joined by Representative John Davies of the Minority. Fairbanks education interests are fortunate to have Senator Gary Wilken Chairing Senate HESS (Health, Education & Social Services). As Vice-Chair of both the Community and Regional Affairs and Transportation Committees, Sen. Wilken will keep Fairbanks in the forefront. In addition to their leadership responsibilities, Sen. Miller serves on Judiciary, Labor & Commerce, and State Affairs while Sen. Sharp serves on Resources. House State Affairs Committee reviews the bulk of statewide legislation and is chaired by Representative Jeanette James, with Representative Al Vezey serving as a member. As Chair of the Regulations Review Committee, Rep. James would like to hear about problems constituents are having with State regulations. In addition, Rep. James is on the Judiciary Committee that sets policy for law and order issues. Rep. Vezey and Representative Tom Brice will establish social policies on House HESS. Rep. Brice also serves on Oil & Gas while Rep. Vezey is on Rules. Rep. Therriault was selected to sit on Legislative Budget & Audit Committee.

Peeling the Onion Part II

Continuing his efforts to peel away old juvenile delinquency policies, Representative Pete Kelly has introduced legislation aimed at juvenile crime. These bills include:

HCR 4, Separate Records for Delinquents;
HB 6, Release of Information About Minors; and
HB 16, Juvenile Delinquency Procedures.

Other bills Rep. Kelly has introduced affect mining, permit streamlining, parental consent for minor's abortions, and child care by welfare recipients. You can obtain copies of these, and other bills, at the LIO located in the Denali State Bank building opposite the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner.

DOT Plan for FYs 97 & 98--Northern Region

The Northern Region plans and funding are broken into three sections. For the Interior they project:

National Highway Funding

FY 97 $3002.3 FY 98 $17,151.5

% total State 2.% 14%

Community Transportation Program Funding

FY 97 $11,750 FY 98 $8,975

12% 9%

Trails & Recreational Access Funding

FY 97 $1,475 FY 98 $2,075

8% 10%

Grand Totals

FY 97 $15,727.3 FY 98 $28,201.5

7% 12%

School Construction Money for Fairbanks

Two senate bills have been introduced that call for voter approval of general obligation bonds for school construction. SB 18 (Sen. Duncan) calls for $161,810,673 with $1,032,515 for Fairbanks for ADA compliance, physical plant maintenance, and plan/design/renovation for Nordale, Barnette, Denali and Hunter. SB 37 (Sen. Mackie) appropriates $170,882,000 and includes $30,709,500 for Fairbanks by deleting Denali and Hunter, but adding $30,000,000 for UA deferred maintenance (most would go to UAF).

What Do You Think?

Should the State increase its General Bond indebtedness?

Which bill do you prefer for Fairbanks?

Would you like to see matching fund requirements?

Or, should we not do anything about school improvements, maintenance and construction this year?

Let your legislators know what you think!

Keep in Touch

We need your ideas and supporting facts!

We want to hear from YOU!

Call us: (800) 336-7383

Fax us: (907) 465-5241

Write us:

State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801-1182

or use E-mail:

Representative_Pete_Kelly@legis.state.ak.us

Fairbanks LIO
119 N Cushman, Ste. 101
(907) 452-4448

Send a Public Opinion Message

Call or visit the Fairbanks Legislative Information Office and send an electronic message of up to 50 words.

Your Interior Delegation

Rep. Pete Kelly, Chair
phone: 465-2327 fax: 465-5241

Senator Mike Miller
phone: 465-4976 fax: 465-3883

Senator Bert Sharp
phone: 465-3004 fax: 465-2070

Senator Gary Wilken
phone: 465-3709 fax: 465-4714

Rep. Tom Brice
phone: 465-3466 fax: 465-3466

Rep. John Davies
phone: 465-4457 fax: 465-4457

Rep. Jeanette James
phone: 465-3743 fax: 465-2381

Rep. Gene Therriault
phone: 465-4797 fax: 465-3884

Rep. Al Vezey
phone: 465-3719 fax: 465-3258