Berta’s Briefings from Rep. Gardner: What the Heck Happened?

Shortly before the start of floor session on the 90th day, House Majority leadership notified the Democratic caucus that it was their intention to pass a resolution asking the Governor to adjourn the legislature and call us into special session immediately. A special session was needed because the legislature had not completed the statutory mandate of passing the operating budget.

Legislature Requests TSA Hearings in Alaska

Air travel, airport procedures of upmost importance to Alaskans

JUNEAU – Today, fifty-nine of sixty members of the Alaska Legislature sent a letter to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs requesting hearings be held in Alaska on the often invasive procedures used by the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA).

“Alaskans depend on air travel more than most other Americans,” said Rep. Max Gruenberg (D-Anchorage) who drafted the letter and gathered signatures from his colleagues in the State House. “The committee needs to hear from Alaskans about our unique concerns.”

Who’s Keeping Your Fingerprints? Bill Would Make Sure You Know

Bipartisan bill introduced to protect Alaskans’ privacy from new biometric technology

JUNEAU – Today, Representative Berta Gardner (D-Anchorage) introduced bi-partisan legislation to protect Alaskans’ privacy from the increasing number of organizations collecting, requiring and selling citizens’ fingerprints, retinal or voice patterns, and other biometric information. Republican Representatives Neuman, Dick, Millett and Keller co-sponsored the bill (HB 233) along with Democratic Representatives Kerttula, Gara and Tuck.

Berta’s Briefings from Rep. Gardner: Unnaccountable and Unnaccountable Billions

It looks as though the Governor’s oil tax reduction proposal, HB110, will pass the House later this evening. I have to say that I’m still shocked that legislators will support legislation with a price tag of uncountable billions, and with a complete lack of accountability or any “pay for performance” from the oil industry - who steadfastly refuse to guarantee any new production or any new jobs. The bill will move to the Senate for consideration.

Berta’s Briefings from Rep. Gardner: Here’s Your Chance to Weigh-In on the Governor’s Oil Tax Bill, HB110, known by some as “Fixing ACES”, and by others as “Giving $2 Billion per year Back to the Oil Industry”.

The House Finance Committee will be holding its first public hearings on the Governor’s oil tax bill, HB110 this coming Thursday and Friday. You can testify from the Anchorage Legislative Information Office (LIO) at 716 W 4th Avenue, Suite 220 at the following times:
Thursday, March 24 5:00pm – 8:00pm
Friday, March 25 3:00pm – 7:00pm

Berta’s Briefings from Rep. Gardner: Taking Charge of our Coastal Destiny

Consider the following:

Alaska has a longer coastline than all other U.S. States combined. Two of our largest industries, oil and fishing, are centered near our coastal areas. In many ways, Alaska’s future is closely tied to the rights we hold to coastal resources– as well as to the responsibilities we accept to manage these resources wisely.

Berta’s Briefings from Rep. Gardner: The $2 Billion (a Year) Question

Our airwaves are filled with stark commercials threatening the end of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline (TAPS) unless we cut Alaska’s share of oil taxes. In the State Legislature, the discussion is all about Governor Parnell’s proposal (HB 110) to cut oil taxes by more than $2 billion per year in a bid to get more oil in the pipeline.

Berta’s Briefings from Rep. Gardner: Reflections on my Kensington Mine Visit

One of the things I enjoy very much about being a legislator is the opportunity it gives me to go out and see firsthand what’s going on around our beautiful state. Last week several of us visited the Kensington Gold Mine located near Juneau. We set out early in the morning driving toward the end of the road; then taking a boat through the clear water of the Lynn Canal to the mining site.

Governor’s Oil Tax Giveaway Moves Despite Many Unanswered Questions

JUNEAU – Last night, the House Resources Committee passed Governor Parnell’s bill to give away around $2 billion of Alaska’s oil wealth each year despite many unanswered questions by committee members. The committee’s expedited timeline for moving the bill left only one day to hear the details of the actual bill language and two days for proposing and discussing amendments.

Alaska Democrats Push Federal Bureaucrats to Allow NPR-A Oil Development

JUNEAU – Today, fourteen Democratic members of the Alaska Legislature called on the Obama Administration to resolve permit issues that are delaying ConocoPhillips’ efforts to develop a new oil field in the National Petroleum Reserve – Alaska (NPR-A). Last year, the Army Corps of Engineers rejected Conoco’s permit application to build a bridge across the Coleville River that the company needs to access the new field just west of its Alpine oil field, the third largest in Alaska.