Spotlight on Juneau

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

Circulation: 4,261 members + unknown forward rate

 

As of this date, the 23rd. Alaska State Legislature

has introduced a total of 452 bills and resolutions

Hello Fellow Voters,

The Governor wants your PFD!  In the next few days you will begin hearing all kinds of reasons why the government needs your PFD more than you do.  Stay tuned for more on this subject coming real soon!

During the week of March 31 the following bills of concern WILL be heard by committee:

SB 89, This special interest legislation will gut the current laws requiring lobbyist register, declare who they work for, and how much they are paid.  Sponsored by Senator Seekins.  It will also allow lobbyist that are no longer classified as lobbyist to participate in fund raising activities for politicians and promotion of more special interest legislation.  See special HOT BUTTON page for complete details!  Will be heard by the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 31 (Monday), at 130 PM.  Recommend: OPPOSE

HB 60, This cleaver "MOVE THE LEGISLATURE" bill gives communities the opportunity to submit competing proposals for supplying the legislature a new office building with $1 a year lease.  Sponsored by Representative Rokeberg.  Legislature would select the successful proposal, which by default could move the legislature.  While this bill could ultimately move the legislature, it still falls way short of the brilliant suggestion detailed in "Thinking Outside the Political Box on the home page".  HB 60 will be heard by the House State Affairs Committee on Thursday April 3 at 8:00 AM.  Recommend:  Oppose

Click here and fill in the "date" window, for a complete list of bills being heard by committee.  Check with your local legislative information office for opportunities to testify before these committees.  If you are not able to testify in person, consider sending written testimony.  Blank forms and details for submitting written testimony are posted on the Action page.  Contact our office if you have any questions about using any of the tools listed on the Action or Links pages.

Bills the public REALLY WANT, that are NOT going to be heard AGAIN this week:

HB 19, This bill calls for a separate education budget and requires the legislature approve it by April 1 each year.  Sponsored by Representatives Stevens, and Wolf.  If passed, this would ensure  full education funding is provided, and eliminate it as an end of session bargaining chip!  Recommend: SUPPORT 

Held up by the House Special Committee on Education (GATTO [Chair], SEATON [Vice-Chair], Ogg, Wilson, Wolf, Gara, and Kapsner) since introduction on January 21, 2003!

HJR 3, Puts the question of whether the PERMANENT FUND DIVIDEND should be put on the ballot for a vote of the people.   Sponsored by Representatives Crawford and Croft.   If approved by voters the dividend would become part of the constitution, using formula currently in place.  Recommend: SUPPORT 

Held up by the House State Affairs Committee: (WEYHRAUCH [Chair], HOLM [Vice-Chair], Dahlstrom, Lynn, Seaton, Berkowitz, and Gruenberg) since introduction on February 7, 2003!

 HJR 4, Proposes amending the constitution to limit legislative sessions to 90 days.  Sponsored by Representatives Samuels and Rokeberg.  Recommend: SUPPORT 

Held up by the House State Affairs Committee: (WEYHRAUCH [Chair], HOLM [Vice-Chair], Dahlstrom, Lynn, Seaton, Berkowitz, and Gruenberg) since introduction on January 21, 2003!

HJR 11, This constitutional amendment will end the legislature's policy of closed door meetings, and private caucus' when discussing the public's business.  Sponsored by Representatives CRAWFORD and Croft.  This will force our government to be more transparent, honest, and worthy of trust once again.   Recommend: SUPPORT 

Held up by the House State Affairs Committee: (WEYHRAUCH [Chair], HOLM [Vice-Chair], Dahlstrom, Lynn, Seaton, Berkowitz, and Gruenberg) since introduction on February 21, 2003!

SB 80,  Finally an election law that makes sense!  Sponsored by Senator Davis.  It's about time we started making it easier rather than harder to vote.  Maybe it will help increase voter turnout?  Recommend: SUPPORT 

Held up by the Senate State Affairs Committee: (GARY STEVENS [Chair], COWDERY [Vice-Chair], Dyson, Guess, and Hoffman) since introduction on February 21, 2003!

SJR 6 This proposed constitutional amendment would reduce legislative sessions from 120 to 90 days.  Sponsored by Senator Guess.  This bill could save us $Billions!  Recommend: SUPPORT

Held up by the Senate State Affairs Committee: (GARY STEVENS [Chair], COWDERY [Vice-Chair], Dyson, Guess, and Hoffman) since introduction on January 31, 2003!

It is the RESPONSIBILITY and DUTY of the committee chairperson to bring these bills out of committee for public discussion and a vote.  If these bills are kept locked up until the end of session they die, and Alaskan voters are once again denied good public policy because of partisan politics. 

 Please take a few minutes and tell these legislators what you think!  Telephone numbers and email addresses for all legislatures are available on the Links page. 

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.

Survey Questions of the Week:

1.  If given the choice, would you give your PFD to the legislature or keep it?

 

2.  Do you think a committee chair person should be allowed to "lock up" legislation until it dies at the end of session without being heard?

 

3.  Would you favor reducing the legislative session from 120 to 90 days?

 

4.  Do you think the legislature is conducting the public's business behind "closed doors" and in party caucus?

 

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!

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