Spotlight on Juneau

Archived Copies

"An Informed Voter Is The Best Defense Against Bad Government"

"Regular Edition"

March 16, 2003

Hello Fellow Voters,

As of this date, the 23rd. Alaska State Legislature has introduced a total of 391 bills and resolutions for consideration, and they still have about 2 month left!

Since Governor Murkowski's budget speech, our research committee has been working overtime sorting through the piles of tax and spend legislation he proposed.  Based on our established criteria, Alaska Voters have taken a position on 63 of the 391 bills and resolutions introduced.  Issues determined beneficial or detrimental to Alaska have been posted on the Alerts page, with hyperlinks to bill text.

"Hot Button Issues" will now be marked on the Alerts page in red, following a flaming icon.  There will be a hyper link on each hot button leading to a dedicated page with complete details on the issue, plus all contact information which makes it easy for all Voters to react according to your opinion.

Please consider using the tools provided on our Action to submit testimony before a committee hearing any bill(s) that concern you.  For a complete schedule of committee meetings click here, and the type appropriate dates in space provided. 

When you send letters or written testimony to the legislature remember to copy the media with your important message, because EVERYONE needs to know how you feel about the issues.  Also consider copying us with your letter for inclusion on AK Voters editorial page.

Because Governor Murkowski was gone from Alaska for such a long time, he may not remember THREE citizen initiatives that resulted in legislation creating the Alaska Public Offices Commission.  The APOC was created after President Nixon's involvement with the Watergate scandal, when the public demanded honest, open government accountable only to the people.  Registration of lobbyists, financial disclosure statements, and campaign contributions were all governed by the APOC.  By their proposed legislation, Governor Murkowski and the Legislative Majority are telling us, "it's alright for the fox to once again guard the hen house"!

At the March 4th Alaska Voters Organization Board of Directors meeting a formal resolution was drafted in opposition to HB-106.  HB 106 or SB 89 would gut the lobbyists registration requirements of the APOC.  Our resolution was submitted as written testimony before the House Judiciary Committee, with copies sent to all State Legislators, the Governor and media statewide.   One week later another formal resolution was drafted in objection to Governor Murkowski's proposed legislation (HB 157 & SB 119) that would completely eliminate the APOC.

A dedicated web page has been established with complete details and background information about the APOC issue.  This page will permanently record all actions taken, and provide a central point for testimony or public opinion messages.  This web page can be accessed from the "Hot Button Issues" section of the Alaska Voters Organization home page.  For your convenience this page has a list of email addresses and phone numbers for all legislators hearing this bill.

The Alaska Voters Board of Directors have proposed adding several new Regional Vice President positions to the current board, to more accurately reflect the true statewide nature of the organization.  Regional Vice Presidents will represent their area's interest on the Board of Directors.  Meetings will be conducted electronically on a regular basis during legislative session.  Anyone willing to volunteer for the Board should submit a letter of interest along with a short resume of related experience.

Survey Questions of the Week:

1.  Should the Longevity Bonus Program continue?

 

2.  Do you agree with Governor Murkowski's proposal to eliminate the Alaska Public Offices Commission?

 

3.  Do you agree with Governor Murkowski's proposed 150% increase in motor fuel tax?

 

4.  Did Governor Murkowski keep his campaign promise of no new taxes?

 

Click here to take the survey.  If you have suggestions for future survey questions, feel free to email them to us.

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!

If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, send an email with QUIT written in the message box.  Make sure the "reply to" address on your message is the one you want removed from our files.

 

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