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Spotlight on Juneau "An Informed Voter Is The Best Defense Against Bad Government"
"Spotlight on Juneau" February 29, 2004 _______________
PEOPLE'S CONFERENCE ON ALASKA'S FUTURE MEETING IN FAIRBANKS TODAY
A newly formed coalition of concerned citizens from the Interior of Alaska are sponsoring a more balanced forum to consider a wider range of options for resolving Alaska's fiscal woes.
Unlike the Governor's initial 'Conference of 55' held at the University February 10th - 12th, this forum will be OPEN to public participation, for a discussion of ALL options to address our current financial dilemma. The conference schedule:
Sunday, February 29, 2004
2:00 P.M.- 4:00 P.M. at the Wood Center Ballroom - Former Legislator, and Chair Person of the Republican Moderate Party, Ray Metcalfe will give a presentation on Alaska's oil revenues and royalties, and their comparison to similar revenues and royalty structures around the world.
4:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M. at the Wood Center Ballroom- a presentation of Dr. Sharman Haley's research regarding the impacts to Alaskan families' finances and quality of life resulting from implementing either: a.) Income tax b.) Sales tax c.) use of Permanent Fund revenues.
5:00 P.M. - 6:00 P.M.- DINNER BREAK
6:00 P.M. - 7:30 P.M.- At the Davis Concert Hall - A panel of persons representing a variety of groups, will discuss a wider variety of options for addressing Alaska's current fiscal concerns. Panelists will have one or more areas of expertise or representation.
7:30 P.M. - 9:00 P.M.- Following the panel discussions, persons in the audience will be afforded approximately three minutes per person to express thoughts or ask questions of panelists or others.
The public was not given a chance to engage in the discussion at Governor Murkowski's 'Conference of 55'. Since the public will ultimately bear the brunt of any plan adopted, they should be afforded an opportunity for input. This conference will allow and encourage that much needed public participation. Citizens working together to solve Alaska's problems.
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PERMANENT FUND LEGISLATION BEING HEARD THIS WEEK
A notice of reconsideration was file in the House State Affairs Committee for another vote on HJR 3. This could be taken up at their next regular meeting Tuesday 8:00 am. A majority vote would move HJR 3 on to the next 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.
Other Permanent Fund legislation scheduled to be heard this week:
HJR 31 on March 4 at 8:00 in House State Affairs Committee. HJR 31 is Representative Holm's short sighted plan to divide up the Permanent Fund. It would give the legislature $15 billion of the Permanent Fund to spend as it pleases. The balance would be paid out to Alaskans in a final dividend. This is a short term "fix" for the legislatures failure to address their over spending habit, but fails miserably to provide any vision or hope for Alaska's future.
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 MEETING IN ANCHORAGE MARCH 6
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LEGISLATION OF CONCERN BEING HEARD IN JUNEAU THIS WEEK
Monday, March 1:
Senate Judiciary Committee at 8:00 am: HB 31 INITIATIVE/REFERENDUM PETITIONS TELECONFERENCED HJR 5 CONST AM: INITIATIVE/REFERENDUM PETITIONS TELECONFERENCED
Senate Health Education & Social Services Committee at 1:30 pm: SB 301 PIONEERS' HOMES/VETERANS' HOMES TELECONFERENCED SB 1 INCREASE AMT OF BASE STUDENT ALLOCATION TELECONFERENCED SB 14 EDUCATION FUNDING INCREASE TELECONFERENCED SB 91 INCREASE AMT OF BASE STUDENT ALLOCATION TELECONFERENCED
Tuesday, March 2:
House Community & Regional Affairs Committee at 8:00 am: HB 461 EMERGENCY SERVICES DISPATCH/911 SURCHARGE TELECONFERENCED HB 499 911 SYSTEMS TELECONFERENCED
Senate Finance Committee at 9:00 am: SB 257 CAPITAL PROJECTS TELECONFERENCED
House Economic Developement Special Committee at 10:00 am: HB 512 HYDROGEN ENERGY RESEARCH PROGRAM TELECONFERENCED HB 485 ENERGY PROGRAMS & FUNDS TELECONFERENCED HCR 32 AK INFO INFRASTRUCTURE POLICY TASK FORCE TELECONFERENCED HB 449 AIDEA BONDS FOR GAS PUBLIC UTILITIES TELECONFERENCED
House Health, Education & Social Services Committee at 3:00 pm: HB 471 INCREASE AMT OF BASE STUDENT ALLOCATION TELECONFERENCED
Wednesday, March 3:
House Ways & Means Special Committee at 7:00 am: HB 493 LONG TERM FISCAL PLAN
Senate Finance Committee at 9:00 am: SB 1 INCREASE AMT OF BASE STUDENT ALLOCATION TELECONFERENCED <Pending Referral> SB 257 CAPITAL PROJECTS TELECONFERENCED
House Finance Committee at 5:30 pm: HB 375 OPERATING BUDGET/LOANS/FUNDS TELECONFERENCED HB 377 MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET TELECONFERENCED
Thursday, March 4:
Senate Finance Committee at 9:00 am: SB 257 CAPITAL PROJECTS TELECONFERENCED
House Finance Committee at 1:30 pm: HB 296 NATURAL GAS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TELECONFERENCED HB 394 COMMISSION ON AGING TELECONFERENCED HB 494 ELECTRONIC PAYMENT FOR STATE BUSINESS TELECONFERENCED HB 509 ALASKA GAMING COMMISSION
House Finance Committee at 6:00 pm: HB 375 OPERATING BUDGET/LOANS/FUNDS TELECONFERENCED HB 377 MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET TELECONFERENCED
Friday, March 5:
House Ways & Means Special Committee at 7:00 am: HB 470 INCOME TAX ON INDIVIDUALS & FIDUCIARIES
Senate Finance Committee at 9:00 am: SB 257 CAPITAL PROJECTS TELECONFERENCED
House Finance Committee at 1:30 pm: HB 375 OPERATING BUDGET/LOANS/FUNDS TELECONFERENCED HB 377 MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET TELECONFERENCED Budget Public Testimony 1:30 - 4:00 PM Juneau
Saturday, March 6:
House Finance Committee at 10:00 am: HB 375 OPERATING BUDGET/LOANS/FUNDS TELECONFERENCED HB 377 HEALTH BUDGET TELECONFERENCED Budget Public Testimony Schedule: 10-11 AM Sitka, Wrangell, Petersburg, Homer 11-12 PM Bethel, Delta Junction, Tok, Glennallen, Cordova 12-1 PM Lunch 1-2 PM Valdez, Ketchikan, Kodiak, Seward, Kenai 2-3:30 PM MatSu, Kotzebue, Barrow, Nome Dillingham 3:30-5 PM Offnets
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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"ALASKA VOTERS PUBLIC OPINION SURVEY"
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! _______________
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