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Spotlight on Juneau "An Informed Voter Is The Best Defense Against Bad Government"
"Spotlight on Juneau" January 31, 2004 _______________
KENAI AREA REPRESENTATIVE IS LATEST CO-SPONSOR OF HJR 3
Representative Kelly Wolf of Kenai became the latest co-sponsor of HJR 3. This legislation reflects the voters wishes expressed so loudly in the special 1999 election. Whereas the 1999 election was only advisory in nature, if HJR 3 passes the legislature it will become a question on the fall 2004 ballot that if approved by voters would then put Permanent Fund earnings into the state constitution along with fund principal. Both earnings and principal would then enjoy protection from legislative appropriation without a vote of the people.
Still not sure how the different legislation will affect the Permanent Fund? The AK Voters Permanent Fund Comparison Matrix (AKVPFCM) will help you sort it out. Letters or Email to the Governor and Legislature are a great way to express your opinion on this important subject. _______________
GROUP COLLECTING SIGNATURES TO RECALL ALASKA'S GOVERNOR AND LT. GOVERNOR
Efforts began Wednesday January 28, 2004 at 11:00 am to collect about 23,000 signatures from registered Alaskan voters. Completed petitions will be presented to Lt. Governor Leman for certification. Upon certification the group will collect about 58,000 signatures for the next step in this process. Anyone interested in signing this petition can download a copy by going to: http://recallmurkowski.com/pdfs/murkowski_leman_recall_petitions.pdf
The group called Alaskans to Recall Murkowski have put up a web site with information and related links. Go to: http://www.recallmurkowski.com/ for complete details.
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ALASKAN'S, JUST SAY NO! LAUNCH WEB SITE
The group formed last week to fight Governor Murkowski's raid of the Permanent Fund have put a web site on the internet. Their address is: http://www.justsayno.info/. While still under construction, the web site has lots of good information, and a place to register your support. For additional information about Alaskan's, Just Say NO! contact Eddie Burke at lakersalaska@aol.com _______________
PERMANENT FUND LEGISLATION TO BE HEARD THIS WEEK
Representative Holm from Fairbanks has introduced HJR 31 the latest Permanent Fund raid. HJR 31 will be heard in the House special committee on Ways & Means at 7:00 am Wednesday February 4. Everyone interested in saving the Permanent Fund for the generations to come should consider submitting written or oral testimony through your local Legislative Information Office (LIO).
HJR 31 is the only Permanent Fund legislation scheduled for hearings this week. This situation could change without notice so keep an eye open for special editions of "Spotlight on Juneau" during the week. Consider having some letters "in the can" ready to send on short notice.
Have you sent a letter to the legislature and governor to save the Permanent Fund? Send us a copy of your letter and maybe we will use it on the web site! Here is the latest letter for your consideration. Sign and send as is, or write your own. Its fast, easy, and helps remind the legislature how you feel about YOUR PERMANENT FUND!!! _______________
NEW GROUP FORMS TO PROMOTE OPEN AND HONEST GOVERNMENT
Tired of being left out while lobbyists and politicians make backroom deals??? As the newest of the 39 state chapters of Common Cause, Alaska Common Cause will track legislation through the 2004 Alaska legislative session, research potential conflicts of interest, and send out e-mail action alerts. Their January 27 press release encourages all concerned Alaskans to get involved. Their official web site has complete details including a link where you can join http://www.alaskacommoncause.org/ in this important and much needed effort aimed at government ethics reform. _______________
IN THE 1999 SPECIAL ELECTION 83% OF VOTERS SAID NO, AND THEY STILL DO!!!
It seems that many legislators and the governor feel results of the special 1999 election are no longer valid. However a series of public opinion surveys conducted over the past couple of summers by Alaska Voters Organization volunteers show just the opposite! Many of these surveys had questions about use of the Permanent Fund. You can review the questions asked, methodology, and results by going to: http://www.akvoters.org/statistics.htm and scroll to bottom of page.
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Please forward this message to everyone you know in Alaska, and ask them to do the same. Everyone is welcome and strongly encouraged to join AK Voters. It is absolutely FREE to join, and each member automatically receives future issues of the "Spotlight on Juneau ". Working together we CAN and WILL make a positive difference for Alaska's future! _______________
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