Spotlight on Juneau

February 2, 2002

HB 288 Limited Entry Permit Buy Back SPENDING bill

Sponsored by Representatives SCALZI, Stevens, Hudson, Fate, Dyson, and Wilson.  "An Act relating to commercial fisheries limited entry permit buy-back programs."  The cost to taxpayers is unknown, as no fiscal notes are attached.  Clearly special interest legislation beneficial to a few commercial fishermen, and paid for by taxpayers. 

HB 359 Tourism Marketing GRANT

Sponsored by the House Finance (Eldon Mulder/Bill Williams) Committee.  “An Act making a supplemental appropriation for tourism marketing efforts; and providing for an effective date."  Our total cost is: $6,000,000

SB 247 Appropriations and re-appropriations SPENDING bill

Sponsored by the House Rules (Pete Kott) Committee by request of the Governor.  "An Act making capital appropriations and re-appropriations, and capitalizing funds; making appropriations under art. IX, sec. 17(c), Constitution of the State of Alaska, from the constitutional budget reserve fund; and providing for an effective date."  This will cost taxpayers a whopping $954,811,973.  Take a look at the full bill, and pick out the lines you don’t want to pay for.  I’m sure you’ll find plenty of fat in there!  Kill this ONE BILL and the budget deficit goes away for this year! 

HB 366 17% rate increase SPENDING bill for assisted care facilities

Sponsored by Representatives COGHILL, James, and Dyson.  "An Act relating to assisted living homes; and providing for an effective date."  This bill gives assisted living facilities a 17% rate raise.  Can we really afford this cost increase, given the current state of the State? 

SB 272 Tourism Marketing GRANT

Sponsored by the Senate Finance (Dave Donley/Pete Kelly) Committee.  "An Act making a supplemental appropriation for tourism marketing efforts; and providing for an effective date." This bill is similar to HB 359, except the cost to taxpayers in this bill is $9,000,000! 

SB 153 Storage Tank Loan Fund SPENDING bill

Sponsored by Senator Leman.  "An Act replacing the storage tank assistance fund with the underground storage tank revolving loan fund and relating to that revolving loan fund; repealing the tank cleanup program and the tank upgrading and closure program; and providing for an effective date."  There are no fiscal notes attached to this legislation, making it a “blank check” clearly benefiting a few, at the expense of us ALL. 

SB 115 Extend Board of Storage Tank Assistance Fund SPENDING bill

Sponsored by the Senate Rules (Randy Phillips) committee by request of the Legislative Budget and Audit.  "An Act extending the termination date of the Board of Storage Tank Assistance."  This bill will cost taxpayers an additional $51,400

HJR 34 Resolution encouraging US Congress to SPEND more

Sponsored by Representative James.  Requesting the members of the Alaska delegation in the United States Senate to urge the Majority Leader of the United States Senate to allow President George W. Bush's economic security package to receive a vote.  This resolution encourages our National Congress to support another irresponsible spending bill.  In the past, our State Legislature has failed to show any fiscal constraint.  Now they are encouraging the National Congress to do the same (not that they need much encouragement!).

HJR 25 Constitutional amendment makes it MORE difficult to petition the government

Sponsored by Representative WILLIAMS, and Wilson.  “Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Alaska relating to initiative and referendum petitions.”  There are no fiscal notes attached to this legislation.  However, this bill if passed will make it much more difficult for citizens to petition our State Government.  This could seriously hinder future efforts to control the government by ordinary citizens.

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