= 79 KNews from the Senate Majority
Alaska State Legislature
Wendy Lindskoog, Senate Majority Press
Secretary
State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801-1182
Phone: 907/465-4582
http://www.akrepublicans.org
Broadcast Actualities: 800/478-6540
Senate Task Force Launches Efforts To Solve Transportation Challenges
For Immediate Release: May 13, 1997 Contact: Senator John Torgerson 907/465-2828
Juneau -- The Senate Department of Transportation (DOT) Task Force met Tuesday to get a jump start on interim work geared toward examining Alaska’s transportation needs and finding solutions to concerns raised during the session regarding the State Transportation Improvement Program, airports and harbors, the Marine Highway System, and the DOT budget.
Senator John Torgerson, task force chair, said members met with DOT Commissioner Joseph Perkins to establish an open line of communication regarding changes DOT will need to make to stay in compliance with federal regulations in order to receive federal funding, assistance and support.
"The re-authorization of the Federal Highway program, the restructuring of the Marine Highway System, and the threats from the Federal Aviation Administration to close some of our certified airports, created the need for an interim committee that will interact with the Knowles administration to achieve the maximum benefit for Alaskans," Torgerson said.
"The Federal Aviation Administration has threatened to close down several of our airports if Alaska fails to match current federal regulations," Torgerson said. We need to take a hard look at the federal concerns and offer solutions that will ensure our airports remain in operation. We also need to look at how we can restructure the Marine Highway System to make it more cost efficient and still provide services needed for Southeast and Southwest Alaska."
"I am looking forward to a cooperative and productive interim as we work with the administration to meet Alaska’s transportation challenges," Torgerson said.
Members of the committee include Senators John Torgerson, Sharp, Taylor and Hoffman.
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