Spotlight on Juneau

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

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

has introduced a total of 520 bills and resolutions !!!

Hello Fellow Voters,

Here is the latest PFD update!  A few weeks ago Governor Murkowski threw out the idea of taking away the longevity bonus for seniors, and implementing a series of new "user fees" to pay for our ever expanding government.  Last week the governor sent members of his staff around the state to make presentations promoting their budget plan at chamber of commerce luncheons statewide.  They were "softening up the battlefield" for what's to come. This week the Permanent Fund Board will be on the same trap line attempting to sell Governor Murkowski's "endowment" plan. Their goal is to take away your PFD!

Their endowment plan was introduced by Anchorage Representative Rokeberg in the form of HJR 1. This legislation would make several important changes to the existing Permanent Fund program. It would place all revenues into the principle, where the legislature could spend up to 6% of the five year average value of the fund for state government. Because HJR 1 puts earnings directly into the principle, the earnings reserve account would by default, go away. The earnings reserve account is where guaranteed inflation proofing and the PFD program currently come from.

If you don't agree with this government promoted "endowment" plan, consider instead HJR 3, which will protect the PFD program and its inflation proofing provisions by amending the State Constitution.  This action will take the Permanent Fund earnings off the table and force the legislature to finally make real budget cuts. The legislature will not be able to touch the Permanent Fund without a 60% affirmative vote of the people.

In the past week our "Save the PFD" educational campaign has reached thousands of Alaskans. Many have already voiced their support of the PFD program by sending a strong message to the entire legislature. By our count there are still 586,831 people who received a PFD this year that have NOT sent a message, demanding a vote to protect the annual dividends! Click here to send your message now!

Representatives Chenault, Kapsner, and Kohring recently joined Representatives Crawford and Croft, as co-sponsors of HJR 3.  Several other legislators are considering doing the same.  A co-sponsor list has been established to record each legislators current position on this important issue.  Check back often to see if your legislature has signed on yet. 

The search is on for a Senator to introduce companion legislation in the Senate, which will help speed up the process. Have you asked your Senator to sponsor legislation to protect the PFD?  A complete list of telephone numbers and email addresses are available with a simple click of your mouse.

HJR 3 has been held hostage in the House State Affairs Committee by Chairman Representative Weyhrauch of Juneau, since its introduction in February. His actions indicate that he plans to hold it there until the end of session, without further discussion or any vote. This is in opposition to the will of the people!

Perhaps Representative Weyhrauch is not aware of the 1999 special election results, where 68% of his constituents and 83% of all Alaskans voted to save the PFD. His constituents, the good people of Juneau need to find out who he is really representing. A series of large display ads have been placed in the Juneau Empire to help educate residents there.  All Alaskans should call or email Representative Weyhrauch today!  Let’s find out why HJR 3 is still in his committee and why he is not supporting it!

A list of contributors to the 1999 campaign, which if passed would have already taken your dividend away, was added to the web site for your examination. While you review this list consider sending your contribution to this new "Save the Dividend" campaign. This effort will require a lot of money for us to educate all Alaskans about the danger of losing the PFD program. 

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Send your tax deductible donation by check or money order, made payable to the Alaska Voters Organization; P.O. Box 2016; Kenai, Alaska; 99611-2016. The Alaska Voters Organization is a 501 (c) 3 educational foundation.

Together, we can “Save the Dividend!”

GOOD legislation the public REALLY WANTS, that will NOT 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!

HCR 15, allows any member of the legislature and the governor to introduce legislation either as individuals or as a group of members for consideration.  Introduced by Representative Croft, and co-sponsored by Representative Gara.  This will eliminate the deceptive practice of introducing questionable legislation "by committee".  Recommend: SUPPORT 

Held up by the House State Affairs Committee: (WEYHRAUCH [Chair], HOLM [Vice-Chair], Dahlstrom, Lynn, Seaton, Berkowitz, and Gruenberg) since introduction on April 2, 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!

HJR 22, is a resolution in support of civil rights and civil liberties for all Americans, and questions certain provisions of the USA Patriot Act.  Introduced by Representative Guttenberg, and co-sponsored by Representative Crawford.  Urges the US Congress to correct provisions of the USA Patriot Act and other measures that unduly infringe on civil liberties and to oppose the Domestic Security Enhancement Act of 2003.  Recommend: SUPPORT

Held up by the House State Affairs Committee: (WEYHRAUCH [Chair], HOLM [Vice-Chair], Dahlstrom, Lynn, Seaton, Berkowitz, and Gruenberg) since introduction on April 2, 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!

SCR 8, allows any member of the legislature and the governor to introduce legislation either as individuals or as a group of members for consideration.  Introduced by Representative Croft, and co-sponsored by Representative Gara.  This will eliminate the deceptive practice of introducing questionable legislation "by committee".  Recommend: SUPPORT 

Held up by the Senate State Affairs Committee: (GARY STEVENS [Chair], COWDERY [Vice-Chair], Dyson, Guess, and Hoffman) since introduction on April 2, 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!

SJR 15, is a resolution in support of civil rights and civil liberties for all Americans, and questions certain provisions of the USA Patriot Act.  Introduced by Senator Ellis.  Urges the US Congress to correct provisions of the USA Patriot Act and other measures that unduly infringe on civil liberties and to oppose the Domestic Security Enhancement Act of 2003.  Recommend: SUPPORT

Held up by the Senate State Affairs Committee: (GARY STEVENS [Chair], COWDERY [Vice-Chair], Dyson, Guess, and Hoffman) since introduction on April 2, 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.  Should the people of House District 4 recall Representative Weyhrauch for failing to discuss HJR 3 in his committee?

 

2.  Would you re-elect a legislator that votes against HJR 3, which protects the PFD program for all Alaskans?

 

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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