"SAVE THE PFD"

CAMPAIGN UPDATE

HJR 3 is still laying dormant in committee, because not enough people have demanded it be heard!  By our count there are still 586,546 people who received a PFD this year that have NOT sent a message yet!  EVERYONE must get on line now and demand a vote to protect the annual dividends! Click here to send your message.  Get your friends and family to do the same!

On the other hand, HJR 26 which is Governor Murkowski's "endowment plan" was introduced April 17, and already heard three times in committee!  Just a reminder, the Republican legislation HJR 26, SJR 18, and HJR 1 would eliminate the PFD program!

If you want to get even more involved in this important campaign, click HERE, and complete details will be sent.

ONLY HJR 3 WILL PUT THE PFD INTO ALASKA'S CONSTITUTION

As you read the following information concerning legislation being heard (or NOT ) this week, remember you can easily contact the legislature and tell them what you think about their actions (or inaction).

Use the Action or Links page for easy to use "tools" phone numbers and addresses.

Refer to the Alerts page for details on legislation of concern.  Find out who introduced legislation, and what it will cost.

See how your legislator is voting by going to the Watchdog page.  You might be surprised with what you find!  After looking at the Watchdog page, many people have begun to wonder who their representatives are really representing!

A complete list of bills being heard is available on the State of Alaska web site.  For a list of hearing locations where you can testify in person, see the Legislative Information Office web site. 

LEGISLATION BEING HEARD IN COMMITTEE THIS WEEK

Monday April 28, 2003

HB 11 would reduce certain royalties and bonuses paid to the Permanent Fund from 50% to 25%.  The remaining 75% will go directly to the legislature!  Fiscal notes attached to HB 11 clearly understate potential loss to the Permanent Fund at between $40 and $55 million dollars a year.  Those estimates are based on projected revenues from existing oil royalties and do not reflect potential revenue from other sources such as ANWR, NPR, North Slope gas production, new mineral development, timber sales, or other new resource development, any of which could make impact to the Permanent Fund considerably more than the suggested $55 million dollars a year.  Recommend: OPPOSE

Click HERE for a copy of the Alaska Voters formal resolution in opposition to HB 11.

HB 11 will be heard by the Senate Finance Committee at 9:00

Tuesday April 29, 2003

HJR 4 Proposes amending the constitution to limit legislative sessions to 90 days.  Recommend:  SUPPORT

HJR 4 will be heard by the House State Affairs Committee at 8:00

GOOD LEGISLATION NOT BEING HEARD 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 Rep. Stevens, and Wolf.  If passed, this would ensure  full education funding is provided, and eliminate it as an end of session bargaining chip! 

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

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

Held up in the House State Affairs Committee: (WEYHRAUCH [Chair], HOLM [Vice-Chair], Dahlstrom, Lynn, Seaton, Berkowitz, and Gruenberg) since introduction on April 2, 2003!  Recommend: SUPPORT

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 Rep. Crawford and Croft.   If approved by voters the dividend would become part of the constitution, using formula currently in place. 

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

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.

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 Rep. Guttenberg, and co-sponsored by Rep. 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. 

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!  Recommend: SUPPORT

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? 

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

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". 

Held up by the Senate State Affairs Committee: (GARY STEVENS [Chair], COWDERY [Vice-Chair], Dyson, Guess, and Hoffman) since introduction on April 2, 2003!  Recommend: SUPPORT 

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! 

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

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. 

Held up by the Senate State Affairs Committee: (GARY STEVENS [Chair], COWDERY [Vice-Chair], Dyson, Guess, and Hoffman) since introduction on April 2, 2003!  Recommend: SUPPORT

It is the RESPONSIBILITY and DUTY of a committee chairperson to present GOOD LEGISLATION 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.

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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