Spotlight on Juneau

February 18, 2002

Hello Concerned Alaskans,

Our web site is finally on line thanks to lots of hard work from Dustin Aaronson and Brook Green.  Dustin did that great logo, and got us registered on the www.  Brook added the “bells & whistles” put in those big text files, and made it all magically work.  Now a drum roll please...... the new web site is located at: www.akvoters.org 

Now we need to have a look at activities in Juneau.  First it was BIG Spending Bills, then TAXES, and now MORE SPENDING bills!!!  Please take a few minutes and read the following “Alerts”.  Then submit your comments to the Legislature. 

Copies of the old bills still being debated in Juneau are located on the “Alerts” page of our web site.  Not sure how to communicate with Juneau?  Visit the “take action” page.  If you want to see how conservative your legislator votes, take a look at the “Watchdog” page. 

HB 413 Income TAX Bill

Introduced by House Rules (Pete Kott) Committee by request of Governor Knowles.  "An Act relating to the imposition of an income tax on individuals, estates, and trusts.  Our cost is between 5% and 20% depending on how thrifty the legislature is.  

SB 280 Public Utility GRANT program

Bill introduced by Senator Gene Therriault.  "An Act permitting grants to certain regulated public utilities for water quality enhancement projects and water, wastewater, and solid waste systems."   Our total cost: $

HB 324 Homeland “security” SPENDING bill

Introduced by House Rules (Pete Kott) Committee by request of Governor Knowles.  In the legislation it clearly states; “No community, state, or nation will ever have the wealth to meet all responsibilities of government while building a stand-alone system that focuses solely on protection from terrorism”.  There are already over 20,000 armed forces personnel, troopers, fish & wildlife protection officers, air guard, army guard, state guard, local police, village public safety officers, etc. protecting Alaska.  This means one well armed and equipped uniformed guard for every thirty citizens.  How much MORE do we really need?  Our total cost: $102,138,100.

SB 272  Marketing GRANT for tourism industry

Introduced by the Senate Finance (Dave Donley) Committee.  TOURISM MARKETING.  The sum of $9,000,000 is appropriated from the fund to the Department of Community and Economic Development for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2002, and June 30, 2003.  Our total cost: $9,000,000.

HB 359  Marketing GRANT for tourism industry

Introduced by the House Finance (Eldon Mulder) Committee.  The sum of $6,000,000 is appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Community and Economic Development for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2002, and June 30, 2003.  Our total cost: $6,000,000.

HB 335 Operating budget SPENDING bill

Introduced by House Rules (Pete Kott) Committee by request of Governor Knowles.  "An Act making appropriations for the operating and loan program expenses of state, for certain programs, and to capitalize 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."  Our total cost: $

HB 336 Mental Health Budget SPENDING bill

Introduced by House Rules (Pete Kott) Committee by request of Governor Knowles.  "An Act making appropriations for the operating and capital expenses of the state's integrated comprehensive mental health program; and providing for an effective date."  Our total cost: $

HB 337 Re-appropriations & Capital appropriations SPENDING bill

Introduced by House Rules (Pete Kott) Committee by request of Governor Knowles.  "An Act making capital appropriations and reappropriations, 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."  Our total cost: $

HB 403 Operating Budget SPENDING bill

Introduced by House Finance (Eldon Mulder/Bill Williams) Committee.  "An Act making appropriations for the operating and loan program expenses of state government, for certain programs, and to capitalize 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."  Our total cost: $

HB 404 Mental Health Budget SPENDING bill

Introduced by House Finance (Eldon Mulder/Bill Williams) Committee.  "An Act making appropriations for the operating and capital expenses of the state's integrated comprehensive mental health program; and providing for an effective date."  Our total cost: $

HB 414 Supplemental Appropriations: fast track” SPENDING bill

Introduced by House Rules (Pete Kott) Committee by request of Governor Knowles.  "An Act making supplemental and other appropriations; amending appropriations; and providing for an effective date."  Our total cost: $

HB 415 Supplemental Appropriations SPENDING bill

Introduced by House Rules (Pete Kott) Committee by request of Governor Knowles.  "An Act making supplemental and other appropriations; amending appropriations; making appropriations to capitalize funds; and providing for an effective date."  Our total cost: $ 

SB 289  Operating Budget SPENDING bill

Introduced by Senate Finance (Dave Donley) Committee.  "An Act making appropriations for the operating and loan program expenses of state government, for certain programs, and to capitalize 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."  Our total cost: $

SB 245 Operating Budget SPENDING bill

Introduced by Senate Rules (Randy Phillips) Committee by request of Governor Knowles.  "An Act making appropriations for the operating and loan program expenses of state government, for certain programs, and to capitalize 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."  Our total cost: $

SB 288 Mental Health budget SPENDING bill

Introduced by Senate Finance (Dave Donley/Pete Kelly) Committee.  "An Act making appropriations for the operating and capital expenses of the state's integrated comprehensive mental health program; and providing for an effective date."   Our total cost: $

SB 246 Mental Health budget SPENDING bill

Introduced by Senate Rules (Randy Phillips) Committee by request of Governor Knowles.  "An Act making appropriations for the operating and capital expenses of the state's integrated comprehensive mental health program; and providing for an effective date."  Our total cost: $

HB 213 Makes petitioning the government more DIFFICULT

Introduced by Representative Williams.  "An Act relating to initiative and referendum petitions; and providing for an effective date."  This bill make it more difficult for us to petition our government.  Who will benefit by this legislation?

HJR 25 Amend constitution making it more DIFFICULT to petition the government

Introduced by Representative Williams, and similar to HB 213.  Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Alaska relating to initiative and referendum petitions.  This bill make it more difficult for us to petition our government.  Who will benefit by this change to our constitution?

HB 20 Aid to Municipalities and Others SPENDING bill

Sponsored and co-sponsored by Representatives MOSES, Davies, Foster, Wilson, Hudson, Mulder, Bunde, Stevens, Joule, and Lancaster.  "An Act relating to state aid to municipalities and certain other recipients, and for the village public safety officer program; relating to municipal dividends; relating to the public safety foundation program; and providing for an effective date."  Increases funding from $51,000,000. to $89,000,000. and changes funding source from General Fund to Surplus of the Earnings Reserve Account of the Permanent Fund.

SB 273 Extend board of Governors of AK Bar Association SPENDING bill

Introduced by the Senate Labor and Commerce (Ben Stevens) Committee. "An Act extending the termination date of the Board of Governors of the Alaska Bar Association."  to June 30, 2006 (4 more years).  Our total cost: $ 

HB 333 Extend the Regulatory Commission of AK SPENDING bill

Introduced by House Finance (Eldon Mulder/Bill Williams) Committee.  "An Act extending the termination date of the Regulatory Commission of Alaska; to June 30, 2006.  Our total cost: $

HB 349 Requires agencies to prioritize services

Sponsored by Representative DYSON, Ogan, Foster, James, Meyer, Rokeberg.  "An Act relating to agency programs and financial plans."  The agencies shall assure the development of a statewide system of results-based government designed to increase efficiency and effectiveness of state programs and services.  This forces each agency to prioritize the service offered, and allows the legislature to review, and make cuts as dictated by the budget.  Definitely worthy of our SUPPORT! 

SJR 13 SPENDING from the account that funds Permanent Fund Dividends

Sponsored by the Senate Rules (Randy Phillips) Committee by request of Legislative Budget & Audit.  Proposing amendments to the Constitution of the State of Alaska relating to inflation-proofing the permanent fund.  This bill will limit ability of legislature to tap into the Permanent Fund earnings reserve account.  This account is where PFD’s and fund inflation proofing come from.

SB 291 Supplemental Appropriations: “fast track” SPENDING bill

Sponsored by the Senate Rules (Randy Phillips) Committee at request of Governor Knowles.  "An Act making supplemental and other appropriations; amending appropriations; and for an effective date."

SB 292 Supplemental Appropriations SPENDING bill

Sponsored by the Senate Rules (Randy Phillips) Committee at request of Governor Knowles.  "An Act making supplemental and other appropriations; amending appropriations; making appropriations to capitalize funds; and providing for an effective date."

HJR 36 Amend Constitution to cap new TAXES

Sponsored by Representatives CROFT, and Hayes.  Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Alaska relating to limiting the rate of state individual income taxes and sales taxes.  The rate of an individual income tax levied by the State may not exceed five percent of federal adjusted gross income, as that term is in federal tax law.  The rate of a sales tax levied by the State may not exceed five percent of the sale price.  This subsection does not limit the rate of a sales tax levied by a municipality. 

SB 293 AK Temporary Assistance WELFARE program

Sponsored by Health, Education & Social Services (Lyda Green).  "An Act relating to diversion payments, wage subsidies, cash assistance, and self- sufficiency services provided under the Alaska temporary assistance program; relating to the food stamp program; relating to child support cases that include persons who receive cash assistance or self-sufficiency services under the Alaska temporary assistance program; and providing for an effective date."

SB 248 Extend Council on Domestic Violence SPENDING bill

Sponsors are Senators AUSTERMAN, Halford, and Ellis.  "An Act extending the termination date of the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault; and providing for an effective date."  Extend to June 30, 2006.  Our total cost: $

SB 266 Fisheries Enhancement Loans SPENDING bill

Sponsored by Senators STEVENS, Lincoln, Elton, Austerman, Taylor, and Leman.  "An Act authorizing the commissioner of community and economic development to refinance and extend the term of a fishery enhancement loan."  More public money to private industry!  Our total cost: $

HB 35 Distribution of Permanent Fund Income for more government SPENDING

Sponsored by Representative HUDSON.  "An Act relating to the market value of the permanent fund and to distribution of income of the permanent fund; and providing for an effective date."

HB 304 Distribution of Permanent Fund Income for more government SPENDING

Sponsors are Representatives WHITAKER, and Fate.  "An Act relating to disposition of income of the permanent fund; and providing for an effective date."

HB 398 Distribution of Permanent Fund Income for more government SPENDING

Sponsors are representatives SCALZI, Mulder, and Stevens.  "An Act relating to disposition of income of the Alaska permanent fund; and providing for an effective date."

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