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"Spotlight on Juneau" "An Informed Voter Is The Best Defense Against Bad Government"
May 12, 2005 _______________
GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATURE IGNORE CONSTITUTIONAL SESSION LIMIT ESTABLISHED BY ALASKAN VOTERS!!!
A constitutional amendment set legislative session limits at 120 days for a good reason. The public wanted their business done in a timely and cost effective manner. This year the legislature has clearly failed to get the public's business done.
Budgets and other spending bills are stalled waiting for the "deals" to be struck among the legislative factions. The state public employee retirement fiscal disaster is waiting for a solution. The high cost of worker's compensation, which is driving many small business into failure is also waiting for leadership to fix the problem, but none of these issues have been solved. The situation just keeps getting worse as time goes on.
Failure is written all over this first session of the 24th legislature. Spending additional time and money on these issues will only cost Alaskans more lost opportunities and a dimmer future. This gang that can't shoot straight needs to get out of Juneau NOW and try to be better organized next year!
The following issues are on the "menu" for this extra special session:
SB 141 teachers’ and public employees’ retirement systems. SB 130 workers’ compensation. HB 1 Increase funding for student base allocation. Sponsored by Representatives GATTO, Chenault, Wilson, Lynn, Neuman, Thomas and Senator Wilken HB 130 University Lands. HB147/SB108 Insurance Regulation. SB 73 A new state virology laboratory would be one of very few in the nation. HB 94 Governor and Legislature "tinker" with elections and initiative process. Introduced by the House Rules Committee by request of Governor Murkowski. SB 46 Capital Budget Spending Bill. Introduced by the Senate Rules Committee by request of Governor Murkowski. Look for $BILLIONS being spent in this proposed budget! SB 97 Slow Track Supplemental Spending Bill. This is in addition to the $1 BILLION spent already through the "fast track" version SB 98. Introduced by the Senate Rules Committee by request of Governor Murkowski. HB 66 Mental health budget spending bill. Introduced by the House Rules Committee by request of Governor Murkowski. HB 67 Operating Budget spending bill. Introduced by the House Rules Committee by request of Governor Murkowski.
If this batch of legislators and governor continue to fail in their appointed tasks, then maybe it's time to clean house. While we're at it, perhaps we should change the location of our legislature to a more central location. Then at least we could all go and keep an eye on these people while they make the sausage they are so proud of! _______________
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! _______________
GROUP FORMS TO PUT ELF QUESTION ON THE BALLOT IN 2006 AND RECALL SENATOR BEN STEVENS NOW!!!
"If enough Alaskan's do nothing while Ben Stevens raids the Permanent Fund, Alaska's Dividend distribution program will soon be history," said Ray Metcalfe, a group organizer. Metcalfe went on to say, "Ben Stevens wants to take your dividend to make up for the money this state doesn't have because our legislators gave too many tax breaks to the oil companies that pay for their campaigns. Our tax on North Slope oil has been cut in half and will be cut in half again over the next five years if we don't do something to stop it." An organizational meeting has been set to begin the recall of Ben Stevens and kick off the statewide initiative for the repeal of ELF tax breaks. This meeting begins at 7:00 PM Thursday, May 12, in the Wilda Marston Theater at the Loussac Library. For additional information contact: Alaskans Rolling Back Tax Breaks for Oil; PO Box 233809; Anchorage, AK 99523, 907-344-4514; or http://www.repmod.info/recall.html _______________
THE ALASKA VOTERS ORGANIZATION NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT
Please consider a donation to help Alaska Voters make this important educational campaign become a reality. A grass roots effort is the only way to solve Alaska's fiscal problem and political disconnect. We know that the legislature will not get the job done without your input and encouragement. Help us "reconnect" Alaskans with our elected officials! Alaska Voters is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation and in most cases your donations of cash or in kind are tax deductible.
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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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