From the Desk of
Senator Johnny Ellis
Representing the neighborhoods of Campbell Park, College Village, Downtown, Fairview, Geneva Woods, Government Hill, Midtown, Rogers Park, Spenard, South Addition, Tudor and Waldron

e-mail: Senator_Johnny_Ellis@legis.state.ak.us
On the web at ellis.akdemocrats.org
Toll free: 1-888-330-3704

Dear Neighbor,

      I want to begin by thanking all the folks who attended the Town Hall meeting with Anchorage Legislators on March 15. I was pleased by the great turn out and I took a lot of notes. The hot topics were Governor Murkowski's proposals to make cuts in education as well as his elimination of the Human Services Block Grant to Anchorage charitable organizations. Bad ideas, in my opinion.

      I also heard strong public support for the campaign watchdog, the Alaska Public Offices Commission and for the current law regulating lobbyists. I strongly agree. We also heard comments on the Murkowski proposal to end the Longevity Bonus and to impose new taxes or increase many existing taxes.

      A Personal Note - Some of you may have received my invite to the meeting after the event. The reason was beyond my control. Damage to the roof of the post office during the amazing windstorm delayed mail delivery. Sorry it turned out that way.

      Government Hill - Recently I was given an excellent personal tour of the Government Hill neighborhood. My appreciation goes to community council members Stu Hall and Thomas Pease for a great run down on the land use, transportation, safety and the historic preservation issues facing one of Anchorage's first and most unique neighborhoods. Thanks, guys.

      PFD Deadline - Please help me spread the word that Monday, March 31 is the application deadline for the 2003 Permanent Fund dividend. Every year over 2,000 Alaskans fail to apply on time.

Best regards,

Senator Johnny Ellis

P.S. Please feel free to forward this message to others in Senate District L.