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Spotlight on Juneau "An Informed Voter Is The Best Defense Against Bad Government"
"Spotlight on Juneau" February 25, 2004 _______________
PERMANENT FUND LEGISLATION HEARD THIS WEEK
The House State Affairs Committee heard HJR 3 on Tuesday February 24. A vote was taken whether to move HJR 3 on to the next committee. The results are:
Voting AGAINST moving the bill:
Voting FOR moving the bill:
NOT voting Tuesday:
A notice of reconsideration was filed and HJR 3 will be heard again during the next regular session of the House State Affairs Committee. Representative Seaton will most likely be the swing vote. It should be noted that by voting FOR moving a bill on does not necessarily indicate in favor of the bill. It only means that discussion should be allowed to continue. By voting AGAINST moving a bill it means further public debate should not be allowed. Committee votes on Permanent Fund bills will be posted on the Watchdog page.
If HJR 3 is passed by the legislature it will put a question on the fall ballot whether to add Permanent Fund earnings protection (PFD and inflation proofing) to the constitution. If approved during the general election, both principal AND earning will be protected from legislative appropriation without a vote of the people.
Click here for the latest letter in support of the Permanent Fund. Sign and send as is, or write your own. Its fast, easy, and helps remind the legislature how you feel about YOUR PERMANENT FUND!!! _______________
PERMANENT FUND PUBLIC MEETINGS
The first in a series of public meetings was held in Soldotna on Saturday February 21 to discuss the Permanent Fund's future. At least 150 people attended and for over two hours many made presentations to the assembled crowd. An article published in the Peninsula Clarion describes what happened in detail.
The next meeting will be held in Anchorage
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LEGISLATION OF CONCERN BEING HEARD IN JUNEAU THIS WEEK
Thursday, February 26:
House Community & Regional Affairs Committee at 8:00 am:
HB 431 Municipal Dividend Program would give municipalities $250/citizen (minimum $40,000/community) to pay for local government. Funding source: PERMANENT FUND EARNINGS! Meeting will be teleconferenced.
Senate Finance Committee at 9:00 am:
SB 313 First supplemental appropriations bill. About $83 million public dollars for projects and activities that should be in the regular budget. Includes funding for a program to "advocate for" the Permanent Fund POMV distribution plan. Meeting will be teleconferenced.
SB 314 Second supplemental appropriations bill makes budget cuts and/or increases to programs, departments and agencies. Meeting will be teleconferenced.
Senate State Affairs Committee at 3:30 pm:
SB 316 Seat belt violation as a primary offense. If passed the police or troopers can stop a moving vehicle for no reason other than to see if occupants are wearing seat belts. Meeting will be teleconferenced.
SB 245 Would give harbor officers the PERS (public employee retirement system) benefit. Meeting will be teleconferenced.
Friday, February 27:
House Special Committee on Ways& Means at 7:00 am:
HB 470 Income TAX on individuals and fiduciaries. Meeting will be teleconferenced.
Senate Judiciary Committee at 8:00 am:
SJR 24 Constitutional Amendment would allow 50% of Permanent Fund earnings to be appropriated by the legislature for whatever purpose, and 50% of earnings would pay dividends to qualified Alaskans. There is no provision for inflation proofing and could potentially reduce PFD's each year. Also requires a spending cap constitutional amendment be passed at the same time for SJR 24 to take affect. Meeting will be teleconferenced.
SJR 32 Constitutional Amendment would take effect only if a POMV plan is adopted by voters in 2004 election. A Permanent Fund Dividend would be paid to Alaskans based on 80% of the 5 POMV plan. Meeting will be teleconferenced.
SJR 18 Constitutional Amendment using Permanent Fund earnings for state government. This POMV plan would eliminate the Earnings Reserve Account the statutory funding source for Permanent Fund inflation proofing and PFD's. Would allow legislative appropriation of Permanent Fund which under certain market conditions could erode principal value. Meeting will be teleconferenced.
SJR 19 Constitutional Amendment would put current Permanent Fund inflation proofing and dividend formula into the constitution, where it would be protected against legislative appropriation without a vote of the people. Meeting will be teleconferenced.
For a complete list of all legislation being heard this week go HERE. For "tools" to contact the legislature go to our Action page. Most of these meetings will be teleconferenced, and a list of LIO locations are provided HERE. To watch or listen to committee hearings online go HERE.
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"CONFERENCE OF ALASKANS"
The Governor's hand picked panel of 55 have had their say on the Permanent Fund, now you can too. The same four questions put to the group of 55 are now available on the AK Voters home page public opinion survey. Click HERE scroll down the page and cast your vote! _______________
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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