Longevity Bonus Program

Public opinion clearly disagrees with Governor Murkowski's elimination of the Longevity Bonus Program. 

(Q)  Did you agree with elimination of the Senior Citizens Longevity Bonus?  (672 responses)

 

(A)    Yes:  17%                No:  77%                Don’t Know:  6%

 

(Q)  Did you agree with elimination of the Senior Citizens Longevity Bonus Program to pay for oil company tax breaks?  (120 responses)

 

(A)    Yes:  12%                No:  82%                Don’t Know:  6%

 

(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%

 

(Q)  Would you prefer to reinstate the old Longevity Bonus Program, or continue to aid under-privileged senior citizens?  (668 responses) 

 

(A)    Longevity Bonus: 50%    Aid to Seniors:  36%    Don’t Know:  14%

Specific legislation to eliminate, phase out, or reinstate the Longevity Bonus Program are listed below.  Follow the hyperlink then click on journal pages to see what action was taken or how legislators voted. 

HB 158 is a bill to eliminate the Longevity Bonus Program.  Introduced by request of Governor Murkowski.  Was referred to two committees and died in the second one.

 

HB 352 would have funded the Longevity Bonus Program through June 2005.  Sponsored by Representatives Guttenberg, Berkowitz, Cissna, Crawford, Croft, Gara, Gruenberg, Joule, Kookesh, Kerttula, Kapsner, Lynn and Moses.  Referred to two committees and died in the first one without a hearing.  The House State Affairs Committee is chaired by Republican Representative Bruce Weyhrauch of Juneau.

 

HB 393 would have phased out Longevity Bonus Program payments by 20% a year.  Sponsored by Republican Representative Kelly Wolf of Kenai.  Was referred to three committees, and died in the House State Affairs Committee without a hearing.  The House State Affairs Committee is chaired by Republican Representative Bruce Weyhrauch of Juneau.

 

HB 462 would have phased out Longevity Bonus Program payments by 20% a year.  Sponsored by Republican Representative Vic Kohring of Wasilla.  Was referred to three committees but died in the House State Affairs Committee without a hearing.  The House State Affairs Committee is chaired by Republican Representative Bruce Weyhrauch of Juneau.

 

SB 117 would have phased out Longevity Bonus Program payments by 20% a year.  Introduced by request of Governor Murkowski.  Was referred to two committees in the Senate and one in the House.  It PASSED the Senate, but failed to pass the House.  See how your legislator voted by going to the Watchdog page.

 

SB 251 would have funded the Longevity Bonus Program through June 2005.  Sponsored by Democrat Senators French, Davis, and Elton.  Referred to two committees and died in the first one without a hearing.  The Senate Health, Education & Social Services Committee is chaired by Republican Senator Fred Dyson of Eagle River.

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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