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"Spotlight on Juneau" "An Informed Voter Is The Best Defense Against Bad Government"
March 11, 2005 _______________
JUNEAU WANT NEW BUILDING TO ANCHOR LEGISLATURE FAR, FAR, FAR AWAY...FROM THE MAJORITY OF ALASKANS
The majority of Alaskans are NOT in, nor even near Juneau!
Anyone wishing to visit their representatives in Juneau must fly, swim, hike over an ice field, or ride a ferry boat. Of course, these are only recommended in good weather. Don't even think about trying in bad!
Getting to Juneau is only half the fun. The other half is finding a place to stay, transportation if you didn't bring a vehicle, and the other expenses associated with travel. It's handy if you live in Juneau, or are a legislator with a nice big per diem check dipped out of the public treasury.
Too bad more Alaskans do not live closer. Would the
legislature would be
Feeling pressure from the "move our capitol" forces, Juneau has offered to build a new office building, but want the state to pay for it. In other words, "they want their cake and eat it too!" Many in the legislature like the idea of a bigger office and meeting halls. Maybe it is time to "upgrade", but does it make sense to spend public money keeping the legislature in Juneau?
There are other options available. For example, several years ago the state bought a 20 story office building in downtown Anchorage. Located at 550 W 7th Avenue, the Robert Atwood building is right in the heart of Anchorage, within easy walking or commuting distance for the majority of Alaska's legislators AND constituents. (Robert Atwood State Office Building 550 W. 7th Ave.) _______________
LEGISLATION OF CONCERN BEING HEARD NEXT WEEK
Monday, March 14:
Senate Finance Committee at 9:30 am: SB 46 Capital Budget Spending Bill Dept of Administration -- Testimony by Invitation Only
House Finance Committee at 1:30 pm: SB 98 Fast Track Supplemental Spending Bill
Tuesday, March 15: House State Affairs Committee at 8:00 am: HB 94 Governor and Legislature "tinker" with elections and initiative process
House Education Committee at 11:00 am: HB 173 Education Cost Differential by School District
House Oil & Gas Committee at 5:00 pm: HB 71 Governor's tax break for oil company exploration on the AK Peninsula
Wednesday, March 16: House Rules Committee at 9:00 am: HB 121 Takes power to abolish or consolidate service areas in second class boroughs away from the voters and gives it to the local assembly
House Judiciary Committee at 1:00 pm: HB 103 Anyone filing claims against the state will no longer be allowed a trial by jury. HB 187 Governor Murkowski's attempt to transfer money from the Permanent Fund to pay for his "projects" HB 188 Creates financing mechanism for new capital projects, without public vote, using Permanent Fund money generated as a result of passing HB 187
Thursday, March 17: House Finance Committee (time TBA): HB 67 Operating Budget spending bill
House Community & Regional Affairs Committee at 8:00 am: HB 74 Removes limit for 911 tax charged by municipalities HB 160 Prohibits use of public funds to influence elections or ballot propositions
Senate Finance Committee at 9:00 am: SB 46 Capital Budget Spending Bill Government Agency Order To Be Announced. Testimony by Invitation Only
House Education Committee at 11:00 am: HB 173 Education Cost Differential by School District
Senate State Affairs Committee at 3:30 pm: SJR 8 Resolution for a vote to change Permanent Fund to POMV management plan and eliminate constitutional protection of fund's principal
Friday, March 18: House Ways & Means Committee at 8:30 am: HB 52 Bill to develop Permanent Fund spending plan HB 63 This modification to the "ELF" would change oil tax laws to allow a higher severance tax be paid when prices are above $20/barrel and lower tax paid when prices are below $16/barrel
Senate Finance Committee at 9:00 am: SB 46 Capital Budget Spending Bill. Government Agency Order To Be Announced. Testimony by Invitation Only
Senate Resources Committee at 3:30 pm: SB 50 This modification to the "ELF" would change oil tax laws to allow a higher severance tax be paid when prices are above $20/barrel and lower tax paid when prices are below $16/barrel
House Finance Committee (time TBA): HB 67 Operating Budget spending bill
Saturday, March 19: House State Affairs Committee at 9:30 am: SB 87 "Nanny law" allows police to stop vehicle without probable cause to check for seat belt use HB 23 Would begin the process to find willing "host" that will build a new legislative building to be leased by the state for $1/year
This is not a complete list of legislation being heard this week, only those considered by our research staff as the worst or best measures on the schedule. 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. _______________
EDITORIALS, LETTERS, & PUBLIC COMMENTS _______________
CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATOR, SEND LETTER TO THE EDITOR, OR COMMENTS TO LOCAL RADIO AND TV
The Alaska Voters web site Links Page contains a good list making it easy to contact your legislators, send a letter to the editor, or make comments to local radio or TV. Also listed are links to the state constitution, statutes, administration, and several helpful agencies.
Letters to the editor are already addressed and subject line filled in. All you need to add is a message and push the send button. If your issue is of statewide importance, consider sending to every newspaper in Alaska. It's fast, efficient and VERY effective! _______________
COMING NEXT WEEK... THE PERMANENT FUND RAID UPDATE _______________
THE ALASKA VOTERS ORGANIZATION NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT
Please consider a donation to help Alaska Voters make this important educational campaign become a reality. A grass roots effort is the only way to solve Alaska's fiscal problem and political disconnect. We know that the legislature will not get the job done without your input and encouragement. Help us "reconnect" Alaskans with our elected officials! Alaska Voters is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation and in most cases your donations of cash or in kind are tax deductible.
Secure electronic transfers from your bank account or credit card are available using the PayPal button above. If you prefer to send check, bank draft, or money order, please make them payable to the Alaska Voters Organization; and mail to PO Box 3293; Kenai, Alaska; 99611-3293. _______________
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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more responsive to the majority of Alaskans if they were NOT in
Juneau? 
Alaska Voters is a grass roots
organization without the benefit of deep pockets.
All of our services are provided free of charge to the public through the
generous support of donated staff time and monetary contributions.