|
The Legislature heads into the Easter Break with the Fiscal Year 2004 Operating Budget on everybody's minds. The House has passed its version of the budget; among the $2.3 billion highlights are restoring much of Governor Murkowski's proposed cuts to the education budget and the Longevity Bonus for senior citizens funding. The Senate considers the budget next. I expect a vigorous debate on the budget as it goes through the Senate.
Education Funding
I have received much correspondence this year regarding state funding for education. During my time in the House and Senate, education has been one of my top priorities. In both the 2001 and 2002 sessions, the Legislature increased the state contribution to the base student allocation (currently at $4,010) and the Learning Opportunity Grants (LOGs). Among measures that would raise the education budget are my HB 26 and SB 90, which will increase the state's contributions to public education through the Foundation Formula by approximately $24 million. It is my hope that these bills will move through the Legislature this session, bringing much needed revenue to Alaska's 53 school districts.
While many lawmakers want to do more for education, please keep in mind a great number of Alaskans have called upon the Governor and the Legislature to cut the budget. Many are quite vocal about not instituting taxes of any kind, nor do they wish to tap into the Permanent Fund to pay for government, especially if it means a reduction in the Permanent Fund Dividend. With fluctuating oil prices leaving our revenue stream in doubt and new sources of revenue as yet untapped, we are left with few choices to find more money for education. We can take a larger draw on the $1.9 Million Constitutional Budget Reserve (CBR), depleting it quicker, or cut the budgets of other programs that are also of great importance to Alaskans. That is the dilemma we face in Juneau and around the district.
I am privileged to serve a Senate District that places a high value on quality schools and plenty of opportunities for young people to advance, but as we consider the financial difficulties our state faces, we must ask what we are willing to give up in order to achieve these goals. If you are a public education supporter, I encourage you to discuss the issue with your friends and neighbors to help them understand the constraints we are under. Hopefully, we can find acceptable solutions.
Bills on the Move
The Senate State Affairs Committee passed out SB 137. This bill would establish a $100 employment tax to be collected on the first two paychecks after July 1st each year. The bill will affect out-of-state workers, as well as in-state employees and self-employed people with the revenue intended to help pay for education.
The Senate Finance Committee held one hearing on SB 82. This bill will help Alaska's four small wineries continue to produce products that are competitive at the marketplace by exempting them from the alcohol tax for the first 100 gallons sold each month.
SB 83 passed out of the Senate and awaits a House Floor hearing. This bill names the state airport at Old Harbor in honor of Sven Haakanson Sr., who passed away in November, 2002. Old Harbor's mayor for 27 years, Sven's diligent lobbying in the Capitol was vital to the airport's construction.
SB 84 is currently in the Senate Finance Committee. This bill would establish the Alaska Teacher Recruitment Loan Repayment Program as a tool for school districts to use in recruitment and retention of teachers.
SJR 12 unanimously passed the Senate and awaits a hearing in the House Resources Committee. This resolution would encourage federal fisheries managers to work with the Alaska Food Coalition in setting up a program allowing Kodiak canneries to process by-catch halibut for use at food banks throughout the state.
HB 26 remains in the House Special Committee on Education. This bill would increase by $118 the state's contribution to the per-pupil Foundation Formula (currently at $4,010). I have also introduced a companion measure in the Senate, SB 90; it awaits a hearing in the Senate Health, Education and Social Services Committee.
To track the status of any of my bills, please contact my office at 1-800-821-4925, the LIO in your community, or online at: .
Constituent Teleconferences
On behalf of all the Legislators in the Kenai-Kodiak Caucus, I would like to thank those who participated in our Constituent Teleconferences this session. I encourage you to keep in touch with us on any issue.
Thanks also to the Legislative Information Offices and Off-Net moderators who have facilitated these gatherings.
Visiting with Constituents
I recently had the opportunity to visit Seward and Cooper Landing and tour many facilities. I am pleased to have had the chance to talk to many constituents in both communities. While each District R community is unique, I have found we share many concerns when it comes to education, fisheries and economic development. I look forward to meeting more of you throughout the session and the interim.
Capitol Visitors
Whether you would like to talk about a specific issue, or just want to say "Hi", please make it a point to stop by my office (room 417 of the Capitol Building) if you plan to be in Juneau before the end of session. If you would like to set up an appointment, please call me at 1-800-821-4925.
Recent Capitol visitors include Dave Jones, Naomi Kirkwood and Nancy Wells of Kodiak, Stu Clark, Willard Dunham, Kristin Erchinger and Tylan Schrock of Seward, and Dennis Niedermeyer, Finance Director for the Lake and Peninsula Borough School District.
Weatherization Help
The Alaska Community Development Corporation is a great program that helps state residents with a variety of housing and energy needs, including weatherization assistance. Please call them at 1-800-478-8080 to find out if you meet the income guidelines.
# # #
|
