News 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

For Immediate Release: March 14, 1997 Contact: Senator John Torgerson 907/465-2828

Alaska Seeks Authority to Control its Timber Resources

Resolution Passes House Asking to Keep Business at Home

Juneau -- Senate Joint Resolution 8 asking Congress to provide the State of Alaska with the authority to regulate, restrict or prohibit the export of unprocessed logs from state, municipal and University of Alaska lands, passed the House by a unanimous vote today.

Senator John Torgerson (R-Kasilof) who sponsored SJR 8, noted that when authorized by Congress, primary manufacturing of our timber resources will create value added jobs within the State.

"We could be using our raw materials to provide jobs for Alaskans," Senator Torgerson said. "We already take steps to encourage instate processing of our energy and mineral resources - and are working on encouragement of value added product in our fisheries."

"This will give our Congressional Delegation a clear message that Alaska wants to have the same authority given to eleven other contiguous western states - the authority to regulate our own resource."

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