Greetings! We are three-quarters of the way through the legislative session and the pace in the capitol just keeps increasing. We have made headway on many issues and are on schedule with the budget-writing process, but there is still a lot of work to get done in the final month of the session. I appreciate the valuable input I am receiving from all of you and urge you to continue to keep me informed of your views and concerns. I am also very grateful for all your thoughtful "thank you's" and "atta-girl's" -- they keep me energized and help me know I'm on the right track! Updates on a Few Key Issues Currently Before the Legislature Senior Care / Senior Assistance/ Longevity Bonus / Denali Kid Care As you've been reading in the news, there has been a lot of legislative debate and action on various measures pertaining to programs for seniors. I have always been a supporter of the Longevity Bonus, but doubt there will be enough votes to reinstate funding for that program this year. Fortunately, there is significant legislative support for enacting and funding an alternative program to provide benefits to seniors. I am also very glad that both the House and Senate have agreed to include in whatever senior bill passes a provision to revise the eligibility standards for medical assistance for children (Denali Kid Care) and for pregnant women to make those programs available to more Alaskans and to avoid the possible loss of some of the federal funding for those programs. "AGIA" – the Governor's Alaska Gasline Inducement Act As expected, the gasline has become a primary focus of several legislative committees. The way the legislature handles this issue will have significant ramifications for Alaska for many decades to come. Key provisions of Governor Palin's proposal are drawing opposition in both the House and Senate and speculation is growing that it may not be possible to resolve this issue within the time constraints of the regular legislative session. It is certainly possible that consideration of the gasline may end up requiring yet another special session. Information about AGIA can be found at http://www.gov.state.ak.us/agia/.
Update on Legislation I've Sponsored For a comprehensive look at all of the bills I've sponsored and co-sponsored this session, please go to my website www.akdemocrats.org/doll and click on "legislation." From there you can access individual bills for complete information about committee actions, current status, text of the bill, and so on. HB 213 Crimes at Domestic Violence Shelters I introduced this bill to give our justice system the tools it needs to impose stiffer penalties on those who commit felony crimes at shelters for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Alaska has the grim distinction of having one of the highest rates of domestic violence in the nation. We need to do everything we can to provide a truly safe refuge for the victims of this violence. I am pleased that my bill has garnered broad bi-partisan support. It was heard and passed this week by the Health, Education, and Social Services Committee and is scheduled for a hearing in the House Judiciary Committee on April 17. I am optimistic that this bill will make it through the legislature and become law. HB 230 Plastic Bag Fee Earth day is April 22 this year. In keeping with the theme of "think globally, act locally" I have sponsored a bill that takes on a worldwide environmental challenge by proposing a step that will make a difference here in Alaska. My bill, HB230, is the House companion bill to Sen. Elton's SB118. It aims at reducing excessive use of plastic bags, a feature of modern life that has become a scourge for fish and wildlife, landfills, tourism, fisheries, landfills, tourism, and human health and quality of life. The bill would require a 15-cent fee to consumers for certain disposable plastic bags received when purchasing consumer goods and, with the money generated from that fee, establish and fund the "Alaska Litter and Marine Debris Reduction and Recycling Fund." Establishing such a fee on bags has been extremely effective in reducing the number of these toxic, non-biodegradable plastic bags entering the environment in the various places around the world where it has been enacted. By encouraging the use of tote bags, daypacks and other means of carrying purchased goods, instead of throw-away bags, we can reduce our solid waste management burden, protect our lands and waterways, save fish and wildlife, and protect human health. I believe this bill will be heard by the House Labor & Commerce Committee within the next two weeks. Please let me know if you'd like to help with supporting this bill. Our Community Out and About in Juneau It's been fun for me to find time to get out and meet with groups and individuals in the community. I've enjoyed speaking recently at he UAS Spring Forum, AWARE's Women of Distinction Dinner, the Native Issues Forum, the Juneau Chapter of the Alaska Miners Association, the Juneau Raptor Center's 20 th Anniversary event, and the Egan Forum. I've also enjoyed attending and participating in many other local gatherings, receptions, and meetings. Thank you for inviting me to participate in your local events. Juneau Access / The Road / Marine Highways I have had several meetings with various officials from Department of Transportation (DOT&PF) to discuss transportation issues important to Juneau. I've been assured that the SE region staff is actively working with the Corps of Engineers to provide updated information pertaining to the road project and to help resolve outstanding issues related to needed permits. The department tells me no other activity is planned for the road project until permits are in hand. The departments of Law and DOT&PF are also working on issues pertaining to the lawsuit asserting violations of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and challenging the final environmental impact statement. While Governor Palin canceled the $11 million contract let by the previous Administration for girders when she cancelled the "pioneer road" project, the $9 worth of pilings and culverts originally purchased for that project will be used for other projects as appropriate. I enjoyed meeting last week with the new head of Marine Highways, Dennis Hardy, about Marine Transportation budgets, ferry scheduling, and other issues of concern. I look forward to working with him and his division on these issues that play such a vital part in Juneau's transportation network. Valley Indoor Recreation Center Update As we formulate capital budget priorities and funding submissions for the upcoming fiscal year, I'd like to bring you up to date on an item that was funded in the state's capital budget for the current fiscal year, the Valley Indoor Recreation Center. It will be a year round, multi-use, indoor turf field available to a variety of youth sports organizations. The Juneau Community Foundation is doing an excellent job of developing this one-of-a-kind facility. The CBJ Assembly recently approved the conceptual operating plan for the project, the city attorney is drafting up the paperwork, and the CBJ Planning Commission has issued a conditional use permit. The city has offered property at Diamond Park for the site, which will be a great location near our new high school. The next step will be a contract to have plans drawn up. If all goes well, construction contracts can be awarded this summer and it is possible the facility could be open by the first of the year. This project is a fine example of what can be accomplished when the state, CBJ, and dedicated community volunteers and organizations come together for the good of our community.
Keeping in Touch If you'd like to have your email address added to the distribution list for my periodic email newsletters, please contact my office. If you've received this newsletter at an email address where you'd prefer to not receive future newsletters, please hit "reply" and simply type "no" in the subject line. My contact information is listed below and I welcome and encourage you to contact me or visit my office anytime. Here's to the joys of springtime!
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![[SIGNED] Andrea Doll](../../doll/2007_signature_blue.gif)