By the time you read this in June, my staff and I will be back from Juneau. If you believe everything you will probably read in the newspapers, you will think that we accomplished nothing. That is far from the truth. As a member of the House Majority, I am proud that we:

1. Passed a Percent of Market Value (POMV) constitutional amendment and statutes to the Senate. This plan, if adopted by the Senate, would be presented to the voters at the November General Election - it would be up to you!
2. Passed early funding legislation for education (K-12 and University). This got bogged down in the Senate but I am confident that we will ultimately adopt provisions providing somewhere in the neighborhood of $80+ million in increased funding for the K-12 foundation formula and about $15 million in increased funding for the University system.
3. Adopted a crime package addressing such issues as unlawful exploitation of minors, notices to crime victims, illegally obtained evidence, crime victims' compensation for arson, restitution provisions, defense contacts with victims and witnesses, civil penalties involving minors and alcohol, therapeutic courts, and detention of minors.
4. Established a provisional/graduated driver's license for persons who are 16 but not yet 18. This involves a three-tiered licensing system calling for the issuing of a learner's permit at 16, parent certification of at least 40 hours of driving experience with at least 10 of those hours being in increasing difficult provisions, and no driving violations. During this time period, a young driver may not drive between the hours of 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. (unless a work permit is issued or have a license issued under a hardship permit), no passenger except those 21 years of age or older or siblings, parents/legal guardians. Six months after a provisional license is issued, and no violations have been incurred, the young Alaskan may apply for a full license.
5. Addressed many business-oriented issues including unfair trade practices, damages in construction claims, disclosure of wild or farmed fish on prepared food, direct marketing fisheries business and taxes, bad check charge, and attorney's license.
6. Considered legislation regarding genetic privacy, criminal background and records for home and respite care, length of school term, state title to submerged land, midwifery birth center licensing, and a myriad of other issues.

The above list contains just a few of the items we considered. At the time I am writing this (May 10th), we are still considering the state's operating and capital budget, worker's compensation issues, and many other items.

If you wish to contact me during the 2004 legislative session, please: write me at: State Capitol, Juneau, AK 99801-1182; telephone: 1-800-773-4968 or 907-465-4968; fax: (907) 465-2040; e-mail: Representative_Norman_Rokeberg ''at'' legis.state.ak.us; or call 269-0111 and send a public opinion message.

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