Government Trust

This category covers many different important issues including open meetings, lobbyists, closed primaries, conflicts

of interest, and perceptions of trust.  Below are the questions asked, how many responded, and what the public said. 

Then see examples of what the legislature actually did.

When asked about open meetings the public was very clear on a solution to this problem.  They don't like closed

meetings and don't trust the legislature to make needed changes through statute.

(Q)  Are you in favor of a constitutional amendment that requires open meetings for ALL elected officials,

including legislators?  (795 responses)

 

(A)    Yes:  79%                No:  11%                Don’t Know:  10%

 

(Q)  In your opinion is the current legislative caucus system more about political power or public policy?  (679 responses) 

 

(A)    Political Power:  74%    Public Policy:  12%    Don’t Know:  14%

 

(Q)  Did State Representative Bob Lynn do the right thing when he voted contrary to his Republican Caucus on the Longevity Bonus Program because of a campaign promise to his constituents?  (662 responses)

 

(A)    Yes:  51%                No:  20%                Don’t Know:  29%

Now let's see what the legislature did (or didn't do) on this issue.

HJR 11, This constitutional amendment would end the legislature's policy of closed door meetings, and private caucus' when discussing the public's business.  Sponsored by Democrat Representatives Crawford, Croft, and Gara of Anchorage.  Referred to three committees in the House where it died in the first one without a hearing.  The House State Affairs Committee is chaired by Republican Representative Bruce Weyhrauch of Juneau.

By a wide margin the public indicated a lack of trust in the legislature.  See the question asked and results below. 

(Q)  Do you trust the legislature to do what’s right for the average Alaskan citizen?  (679 responses) 

 

(A)    Yes:  19%                No:  68%                Don’t Know:  13%

Here are examples of legislation that may have contributed to the lack of public trust expressed above.  Both legislation

passed and those NOT considered should be examined for a full picture.

HJR 5, This legislation will make state wide citizen initiatives and referendum petitions more difficult.  Good for a power hungry legislature, but bad public policy.  Another attempt to limit the ability of voters to petition their government!  Sponsored by Representatives Williams, Meyer, Kapsner, Wilson and cross sponsored by Senators Dyson, Stedman, Cowdery, Bunde, Wilken, Ogan, Green, Gary Stevens, Wagoner, Seekins, and Therriault.  PASSED the legislature and will be on the General Election ballot November 2004.  See how your legislator voted by going to the Watchdog page.  

 

HCR 15 Would allow legislation introduction by the governor and prohibit introduction "by committee".  This would cause ALL legislation to list the names of sponsors and would eliminate the "devious" introduction of controversial bills "by committee".  Sponsored by Democrat Representatives CROFT, Gara, and Crawford of Anchorage.  Referred to two committees in the House where it died in the first one without a hearing.  The House State Affairs Committee is chaired by Republican Representative Bruce Weyhrauch of Juneau.

 

SCR 8 This is the Senate version of HCR 15 above.  Sponsored by Democrat Senator Gretchen Guess of Anchorage.  Referred to two committees in the Senate where it died in the first one without a hearing.  The Senate State Affairs Committee is controlled by Republican Senator Gary Stevens of Kodiak, Chair and Vice-Chair Senator John Cowdery of Anchorage.  Why don't these people want to be named on legislation?  Not too proud of what they are doing?

 

HB 230, Allows political signs along side roads in direct opposition to measure 5 on the 1998 ballot.  The prohibition of road side advertising signs issue began as an citizen initiative, and was ultimately approved by 72.38% of voters.  Once again the legislature is attempting to overturn the will of the people!  Introduced by Republican Representative Jim Holm of Fairbanks.  Referred to two committees in the House and two in the Senate.  PASSED the House and died in the Senate.  See how your Representative voted by going to the Watchdog page.

 

HB 441  Would make modest changes to the severance tax paid by oil companies.  Was assigned to four committees by Republican Speaker of the House Pete Kott of Anchorage, and died in the first (W&M) committee of referral.  The House Ways & Means Committee is co-chaired by Republican Representative Mike Hawker of Anchorage and Republican Representative Bruce Weyhrauch of Juneau.  See the Statistics page for complete details on the Economic Limit Factor issue. 

 

HB 482  Would allow levying and collecting a tax on certain North Slope natural gas in place if certain requirements relating to its sale and delivery are not met.  Would cost oil companies 2% a year to sit on natural gas NOT being produced.  Sponsored by Democrat Representative Eric Croft on Anchorage.  Referred to three committees in the House where it died in the first one.  The House Special Committee on Oil & Gas is chaired by Republican Representative Vic Kohring of Wasilla.

 

SB 80,  Finally an election law that makes sense!  It's about time we started making it easier rather than harder to vote.  Maybe it will help increase voter turnout?  Sponsored by Democrat Senator Bettye Davis of Anchorage.  Referred to two committees in the House where it died in the first one without a hearing.  The House State Affairs Committee is chaired by Republican Representative Bruce Weyhrauch of Juneau.

 

SB 227  Would have negative impact on municipal initiatives and referendums by giving the governing body the OPTION of holding a special election.  Current laws REQUIRE special elections be held no sooner than 45 days after petitions are certified if the next regular election is more than 75 days away.  This measure is good for the government institution but BAD public policy!  Sponsored by Republican Senator Gary Stevens of Kodiak.  Referred to two committees in the Senate and two in the House.  PASSED the Senate but died in the House.  See how your legislator voted by going to the Watchdog page.     

 

SB 316 This bill will allow State Troopers to initiate a traffic stop WITHOUT probable cause under the guise of checking drivers for seat belt use. This is a citizen civil rights issue!  Introduced by Republican Senator Con Bunde of Anchorage.  Referred to two committees in the Senate and two in the House.  PASSED the Senate but died in the House.  See how your legislator voted by going to the Watchdog page.   

 

 SB 397  This measure will in effect place a “gag order” on anyone bringing an ethics violation charge against a legislator.  “Legislative ethics”, while a misnomer, are too loose already.  Unethical behavior should be advertised in newspapers around Alaska at state expense, not not swept behind caucus doors by the legislature!  Sponsored by Senate Rules Committee.  Referred to one committee where it died without a hearing.  The Senate Judiciary Committee is controlled by by chair Republican Senator Ralph Seekins of Fairbanks and vice chair Senator Scott Ogan of Palmer.

The Permanent Fund is an ongoing "hot topic".  What does the public thinks about legislative trust on this issue:

(Q)  Do you trust the current administration and legislature with control of our Permanent Fund?  (674 responses) 

 

(A)    Yes:  14%                No:  79%                Don’t Know:  7%

A whopping 79% of the public do NOT trust the legislature or administration with our Permanent Fund!  Could it be the fact that 87 bills/measures were introduced during the last 4 years that would make changes to the Permanent Fund?  For details see the Permanent Fund special section on the Statistics page.

The closed primary imposed by the legislature has created confusion, distrust, and greater voter apathy all for the benefit of political parties.  The public clearly favor returning to open primaries.

(Q)  The legislature refused to adopt an open primary law last session.  Should we return to the open primary?  (673 responses)

 

(A)    Yes:  69%                No:  17%                Don’t Know:  14%

 

When it came to lobbyist and conflicts of interest respondents said the following:

(Q)  How many hours a month should a person be able to spend attempting to influence the legislature as a paid employee before being required to register as a lobbyist? (660 responses) 

 

(A)    1:  26%                4:  34%                16:  23%                40:  17%

 

(Q)  Should a lobbyist be allowed to contribute toward candidates outside the district where the lobbyist lives?  (676 responses) 

 

(A)    Yes:  18%                No:  72%                Don’t Know:  10%

 

(Q)  Should a legislator working for a company that will benefit either directly or indirectly from a bill being considered, be allowed to vote on that particular issue?  (679 responses) 

 

(A)    Vote:  11%                Not Vote:  83%                Don’t Know:  6%

 

(Q)  Most private sector retirement plans are not protected against investment losses.  Should the retirement plans for state legislators, teachers and other public employees (PERS and TRS) continue to be protected against investment losses using our tax dollars? (666 responses)

 

(A)   Yes:  39%                No:  51%                Don’t Know:  10%

No let's see examples of what the legislature actually did on these issues:

SB 89, changed the definition of "Lobbyist" allows a person to spend more than 40 hours in a 30 day period attempting to influence the legislature.  This special interest legislation will gut the current laws requiring lobbyist register, declare who they work for, and how much they are paid.  Sponsored by Republican Senator Ralph Seekins of Fairbanks.  Referred to one committee in the Senate and one in the House.  PASSED by the legislature and signed into law.  See how your legislator voted by going to the Watchdog page.   See special HOT BUTTON page for complete details! 

 

SB 119, Allows for increased political contributions expanding influence of special interest groups.  Referred to two committees in the Senate and one in the House.  PASSED by the legislature and signed into law.  See how your legislator voted by going to the Watchdog page.  

 

HB 448  Would change definition of lobbyist to pre-Senate bill 89 levels.  Would reduce 

campaign contribution limits to levels more consistent with a previous citizens initiative.  This bill 

helps reduce the influence of special interest groups on our legislature.  Sponsored by Democrat 

Representatives Crawford, Croft, Guttenberg, and Gara of Anchorage.  Referred to two committees 

in the House where it died in the first one without a hearing.  The House State Affairs Committee is 

chaired by Republican Representative Bruce Weyhrauch of Juneau.  

Votes for these and other major bills that passed either the House or Senate are recorded on the Watchdog page for all to see. 

Why do candidates often say one thing to get elected and then vote the opposite when in Juneau?  A lot of this mystery can be

solved by visiting the APOC web site.  The Alaska Public Offices Commission post campaign finance records for each legislator that shows where the money comes from.  When comparing survey results, voting records, and campaign finance, with

legislation passed (or not passed), a vivid picture of the incumbent emerges for all to see.   

Incumbent legislators that went against the public's wishes will soon be asking for your vote.  The decision to retain them is entirely up to YOU!  Make an informed choice and do what's right for Alaska's future at each election!  A list of all legislators sorted by community and election schedules has been provided for Alaska Voters convenience.  

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