"SAVE THE PFD" CAMPAIGN UPDATE

End of session negotiations have begun.  The governor and majority members of the legislature appear determined to maintain control of the permanent fund's earnings, no matter what the public wants.  Their position will be well advertised in future elections, as this is a major campaign issue.  A quick review of the Watchdog page will show voters which incumbents honored previous campaign promises, and which lied like a snake oil salesman.

Now is the time to keep pressure on those keeping HJR 3 and SJR 19 locked up behind their closed doors.  It's easy to send one of those little 50 word or less public opinion message.  Click here, and tell every legislator how you feel about the permanent fund.

Republican Representative Kelly Wolf of Kenai/Soldotna has withdrawn his sponsorship of HJR 3 citing possible tax problems.  A quick call to the main sponsors of HJR 3 would have revealed a waiting amendment that would cause the permanent fund to automatically revert back to current statutes in the unlikely event the IRS prevailed in tax court.  This is similar to the provision currently in SJR 19 the senate companion to HJR 3.  Representative Wolf's constituents that know the truth are not happy with his flip flop on this issue.  Many have vowed to vigorously campaign AGAINST him should he actually survive the 23rd. legislature.

If you have not sent the form letter provided on our PFD page, please click here now.  Encourage your friends and family to do the same, because the opposition is fighting this issue with everything they have.  The good news is, there are only 60 of them and 600,000 of us!  Do the math, we are going to win!!!

REMEMBER, ONLY HJR 3 or SJR 19 WILL PUT THE PFD

INTO ALASKA'S CONSTITUTION !!!

IS THE PUBLIC GETTING WHAT IT REALLY WANTS

FROM THE 23rd. LEGISLATURE ???

ALASKA PUBLIC OFFICES COMMISSION

Campaign finance reform, lobbyist reporting, and Public Official Financial Disclosure laws came about due to pressure from the public demanding open and honest government.  The legislature is pushing SB 89 through with a minimum of committee exposure.  The Watchdog page will show which senators favor relaxing restrictions on lobbyist.  Will soon be up for a vote in the house.  Send your messages in opposition to SB 89 right away!

HB 157, which would increase political contribution limits which is once again contrary to the will of the people.  Twenty five years of campaign finance and lobbyist disclosure issues demanded by the people up in smoke just because they can.  This is not about freedom of speech, this is about legislation and legislators for sale to the highest bidder!  Why else would this change even be considered?  It is clearly NOT in the best interest of the public.  Who are your politicians actually representing while in Juneau?

The legislature still has time to do the "right thing" before this session ends.  Send your message now in opposition to SB 89 and HB 157, plus companion bills HB 106 and SB 119.

Click here for SB 89 Current Status

Click here for HB 157 Current Status

Click here for complete details on the APOC "Hot Button Issue" Page

The Watchdog page will record how legislators finally vote on these important issues.  This information will make it easy for the public to decide who should represent us in the future!

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

(Click HERE for complete schedule)

Tuesday May 13, 2003

Senate State Affairs Committee at 3:30 PM

SJR 15 PATRIOT ACT AND DEFENDING CIVIL LIBERTIES

SJR 19 CONST. AM: PERMANENT FUND INCOME

Senate Finance Committee at 5:00 PM

SB 185 ROYALTY REDUCTION ON CERTAIN OIL TELECONFERENCED

SB 117 ELIMINATING LONGEVITY BONUS PROGRAM

Click HERE for complete schedule

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!  Recommend: SUPPORT 

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! 

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".  Recommend: SUPPORT 

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! 

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.  Recommend: SUPPORT 

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! 

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 

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! 

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!

If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, send an email with QUIT written in the message box.  Make sure the "reply to" address on your message is the one you want removed from our files.