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"Spotlight on Juneau" "An Informed Voter Is The Best Defense Against Bad Government"
March 21, 2005 _______________ CAMEL'S NOSE UNDER THE PERMANENT FUND TENT...again!
Last week SB 98 passed the legislature. This is called a 'supplemental' budget bill, but looks more like a grab bag of spending. Click on the link above to see how much is being spent and where our money is going! SB 98 included $7,192,500 for pipeline related spending using earnings of the Permanent Fund.
An amendment was introduced to remove PFD money from SB 98. Amendment number 1 failed by a vote of 23 to 15. A 'Yea' vote would have removed PFD money from SB 98. Those voting 'Nay' were indicating there support of spending PFD money for pipeline projects. See how YOUR legislators voted on Amendment Number 1.
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LEGISLATORS HAD OPPORTUNITY TO FUND LONGEVITY BONUS FOR ONE MORE YEAR, BUT MAJORITY SAID NO!
During debate on SB 98 an amendment was introduced to fund longevity bonus for FY 2006. Amendment number 9 failed by a vote of 14 to 24. Legislators voting 'Yea' were indicating support for funding the longevity bonus program. See how YOUR legislators voted on Amendment Number 9. _______________
LEGISLATION OF CONCERN BEING HEARD THIS WEEK
Monday, March 21: House Judiciary Committee at 1:00 pm: HB 94 Governor and Legislature "tinker" with elections and initiative process
House Finance Committee 1:30 pm: HB 67 Operating Budget spending bill
Tuesday, March 22: House State Affairs Committee at 8:00 am: HB 191 A defined contribution retirement system for teachers of the state
House Education Committee at 11:00 am: HB 173 Education Cost Differential by School District
House Finance Committee 1:30 pm: HB 67 Operating Budget spending bill
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
House Economic Development Special Committee 5:00 pm: HB 163 Would allow three electrical co-ops to take over payments for state-owned electric power projects known as the Bradley Lake hydroelectric project, the Alaska intertie, and the Healy clean coal power project HB 164 Would GRANT $20,000,000 to Chugiak Electric for a WIND FARM ON FIRE ISLAND
Wednesday, March 23: Senate Finance Committee at 9:00 am: SB 46 Capital Budget Spending Bill Government Agency Testimony by Invitation Only
House Finance Committee 1:30 pm: HB 67 Operating Budget spending bill Getting Ready For Easter Holiday!
Thursday, March 24: Almost Off For Easter Holiday!
Friday, March 25: Off For Easter Holiday!
Saturday, March 26: Off For Easter Holiday!
Sunday, March 27: Off For Easter Holiday!
Monday, March 28: Off For Easter Holiday!
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! _______________
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