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"Spotlight on Juneau" "An Informed Voter Is The Best Defense Against Bad Government"
March 21, 2004 _______________
ALASKA'S REDISTRIBUTION OF PUBLIC WEALTH - Editorial
Municipalities, school boards, the Alaska Municipal League (AML), labor unions, chambers of commerce, trade associations, and non profit grant recipients from around Alaska are now actively promoting use of the Permanent Fund, which would allow the “top down” model to continue for their exclusive benefit.
In contrast, a “bottom up” model is where the people of a community identify their needs and then work collectively to satisfy that need.
Before we can make necessary changes to our political landscape, we must first begin to understand the problems. This editorial explains how our state government works now, and how it could be changed to better address the current fiscal environment. _______________
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF HJR 3 - PERMANENT FUND
The Alaska Voters Organization, Board of Directors, urge passage of Sponsor Substitute for HJR 3 (SSHJR-3) as introduced on February 7, 2003, without amendment by the 23rd Alaska State Legislature and put on the fall 2004 ballot for a vote of the people.
"The legislature should prioritize spending and make necessary cuts required to obtain a government of the size and cost that Alaska can afford, without compromising the constitutional mandates of Education, Transportation, Public Health & Safety".
For complete details click HERE and read the entire resolution. _______________
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF HJR 11 - OPEN MEETINGS
The Alaska Voters Organization Board of Directors, support HJR 11, and recommend the 23rd. Alaska State Legislature put this important issue on the fall 2004 ballot for a vote of the people, and that all future meetings convened for the purpose of conducting the people’s business, be held in the open for all to see and hear.
For complete details click HERE and read the entire resolution.
Members attending political party caucuses and conventions are encouraged to introduce similar resolutions. Resolutions become "planks" in the party "platform" and would better define their position on these important Alaskan issues. _______________
LEGISLATION OF CONCERN BEING HEARD THIS WEEK
Monday, March 22: House Finance Committee at 1:30 pm: HB 236 EMPLOYMENT TAX FOR EDUCATION HB 298 DISTRIBUTIONS OF APPROPRIATIONS FROM PERM FUND HJR 9 CONST AM: APPROPRIATION/SPENDING LIMIT HJR 26 CONST. AM: Permanent Fund APPROPRIATIONS/INFLATION-PROOFING
House Labor & Commerce Committee at 3:15 pm: SB 291 UNSTAMPED CIGARETTES - TELECONFERENCED HB 490 EMPLOYMENT SECURITY ACT AMENDMENTS - TELECONFERENCED HB 449 AIDEA BONDS FOR GAS PUBLIC UTILITIES - TELECONFERENCED
Tuesday, March 23: House Transportation Committee at 1:30 pm: HB 392 SEAT BELT VIOLATION AS PRIMARY OFFENSE -TELECONFERENCED * Will allow traffic stops without probable cause!
Senate State Affairs Committee at 3:30 pm: SB 356 VOTERS/VOTING/POLITICAL PARTIES/ELECTIONS - TELECONFERENCED
Wednesday, March 24: House Ways & Means Committee at 7:00 am: HB 538 TOBACCO TAX; LICENSING; PENALTIES - TELECONFERENCED HB 537 TOURISM SALES AND USE TAXES - TELECONFERENCED
House State Affairs Committee at 8:00 am: HJR 31 CONST AM: PERMANENT FUND - TELECONFERENCED
Senate Judiciary Committee at 8:00 am: HB 414 U.S. SENATE VACANCY/DEF OF POLITICAL PARTY - TELECONFERENCED
Senate Finance Committee at 9:00 am: SB 366 STATE SALES TAX - TELECONFERENCED
Friday, March 26: Senate Finance Committee at 9:00 am: SB 256 APPROPRIATIONS: OPERATING BUDGET LOANS/FUNDS - TELECONFERENCED * Look for the fat!
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. _______________
LATEST PERMANENT FUND SAMPLE LETTER TO GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATURE
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!!! _______________
"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. Results of this survey will be sent to Governor Murkowski and the legislature next week! _______________
THE ALASKA VOTERS ORGANIZATION NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT
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.
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 2016; Kenai, Alaska; 99611-2016. _______________
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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