Rep. Petersen’s Report from the Capitol: East Anchorage Projects included in Draft Metropolitan Transportation Plan; Should Alaska Stop Investing In Companies that Do Business in Iran?

Draft Transportation Plan Include Eastside Projects

Last month I told you about how the Anchorage Metropolitan Transportation Plan is being revised. This plan covers major road, sidewalk, and transit construction projects expected to be built before 2035, and projects identified as short (expected to be built by 2023) or long term (expected to be built between 2023 and 2035) priorities become eligible to be funded through the federal matching funds program. The public comment period on the current draft just closed, and a new draft will be released and public hearings will be held after that draft is available.

Rep. Petersen’s Report from the Capitol: Important Highway Safety Hearing this Week; Anchorage Transportation Plan Under Review; How to Get Local Park Info on Your Smartphone

One the most dangerous pieces of Alaska’s highway infrastructure is the Glenn Highway/ Muldoon overpass right here in East Anchorage. The opening of the Tikahtnu Commons mall has made this already dangerous intersection even worse, and Senator Bill Wielechowski and I worked hard to secure the funding to start the process to fix this intersection. Unfortunately Governor Parnell vetoed this funding. While I agree that budget vetoes had to be made, I found this one to be baffling since this is a state owned intersection that clearly needs to be fixed.

Rep. Petersen’s Report from the Capitol: Important Chance to Make Your Voice Heard on Alaskan Jobs; Increasing Vo/Tech Opportunities

Important Hearing on Alaskan Oil Jobs

This week the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee will be holding important public hearings about Alaskan hire in Alaska’s oil and gas industry. Oil and gas is a major component of our economy, and the good news is North Slope jobs are at near record highs and we are seeing increased development in the North Slope and Cook Inlet, especially by smaller independent producers. In fact, Petroleum News anticipates that this current drilling season will be “one of the busiest exploration seasons since 1969.”

Op-Ed from Rep. Pete Petersen: School funding should be inflation-adjusted

As students go back to school, it is a good time to reflect on what we expect from our education system and how to meet those expectations. As technology, globalization and a changing economy create new challenges and opportunities for Alaskans, it is important that our schools provide all students with the education they need to succeed in the 21st century world.

Rep. Petersen’s Report from the Capitol: Governor Signs Important Crime Bills; Neighborhood Park Fix-Its Coming Up

Crime Bills Signed Into Law

Today Governor Sean Parnell signed two important crime bills into law today. House Bill 127 is an omnibus crime bill that contains many provisions updating Alaska’s laws about stalking and crimes against children and vulnerable adults. This bill includes my proposal to update Alaska’s computer privacy laws to make it illegal to use a keystroke logger to steal information as it is being entered into a computer. Previously, it was only illegal to hack into a computer or network to steal the information.

CRIME BILL UPDATES COMPUTER PRIVACY PROTECTIONS

Common hacking method, keystroke logging, becomes illegal July 1

Today Governor Sean Parnell made keystroke logging, a common computer hacking method, illegal when he signed HB 127, the omnibus crime bill, into law. This language, which was originally proposed by Reps. Pete Petersen and Lindsey Holmes (both D-Anchorage), updates Alaska’s computer hacking laws to make it illegal to use a keystroke logger to steal information as it is being entered into a computer.

Ground Broken for New Northeast Anchorage Fire Station

Legislative funding leads to new station, increased safety for Northeast neighborhoods

Today, the Northeast Anchorage legislative delegation attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Fire Station #6 in East Anchorage. This project is funded by a $6 million legislative grant secured last year by Sen. Bill Wielechowski and Reps. Max Gruenberg and Pete Petersen. Fire Station #6 is one of Anchorage’s oldest and busiest fire stations, and replacing the outdated building has long been a top priority for the Northeast Anchorage area.

Rep. Petersen’s Report from the Capitol: Special Session Continues - Budget Puts $1 Billion into Savings; Energy Projects Scrutinized; Fighting for Neighborhood Needs

The special session is continuing and there is still no agreement over the capital budget, but I am happy to report that we reached an agreement on and passed the operating budget.

$1 Billion for the State Savings Account

The operating budget funds the day to day operations of the state, while the capital budget funds construction projects and other mostly one-time items. I am particularly glad that as part of this budget, we deposited $1 billion dollars straight to the state savings account. While Alaska is in a better financial situation than most states, I strongly believe that we need to be fiscally responsible and put savings away for the future.

Rep. Petersen’s Report from the Capitol: Special Session Continues - A Call for Compromise; Working for Lower Gas Prices

The special session is heading in to its third week, and the House and Senate Finance Committees are still at an impasse over the capital budget. The main point of contention is language the Senate has proposed linking millions of dollars worth of energy projects together in order to prevent the governor from vetoing some of those projects.

Democrats to U.S. Attorney General: Investigate Alaska Gas Prices

JUNEAU - Today, Alaska Representatives Pete Petersen and Chris Tuck (both D-Anchorage), and Representative Scott Kawasaki (D-Fairbanks) sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder asking that he investigate Alaskan fuel prices as part of his investigation of nationwide gasoline prices.

“Alaska produces more oil than most countries, but Alaskans still pay more at the pump than anyone else in the U.S. Something’s not right,” said Rep. Petersen. “Any investigation into high fuel prices should certainly include a hard look at the situation in Alaska.”