Summer is drawing to a close and I hope that all of you have made the most of Juneau’s warm days.  We are so fortunate to live in a community blessed with such beauty.

Our most important issue is keeping Alaska's capital in Juneau.  Many state jobs have already moved north and it seems more are moving every year. 

How do we make sure Juneau remains the capital?  We must have the support of our Governor.  Governor Palin has made it very clear that she wants special sessions as well as regular legislative sessions to be on a “road system”.  We have a road system, the Marine Highway. But like all road systems, this system needs the financial backing of the state.  It is my opinion that we also must work closely with all of our southeast neighbors. 

Alaska is more than just Anchorage.  Let us support diversification and the strength of all areas of the state.  I can assure you that I will do everything in my power to keep the capital here and flourishing.

One fringe benefit of this office, is that during the summer I have been fortunate to attend many informative conferences and would like to share some of my thoughts.

Pacific Northwest Economic Region

This conference was held in Anchorage and attended by delegates from Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Alaska, British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan to discuss issues of common concern. It is very clear to me that our prosperity in Southeast will be largely determined by our cooperative efforts with the larger region.  The 2010 Winter Olympics are coming with visitors from all over the world coming to the Northwest.  We need to address border issues and optimize the ability of attendees to travel easily between our countries. 

Forums at the conference discussed transportation issues including rail, ferries, and roads; trade issues, expanding ports, infrastructure needs, and labor issues including attracting, keeping and training skilled workers. Of course, a lot of the conference was about energy. Alberta, Canada has 1.7 trillion gallons of oil.  How does this effect Alaska?  In summary, our future is best planned in conjunction with our neighbors.  Together we can grow our region, attract jobs and be prosperous for generations to come.

National Conference of State Legislators

This conference held in Boston attracted some 7,000 people.  I attended meetings on transportation, early childhood education and prison reform. 

 Transportation:  The U.S. ports are close to capacity, with limited available capacity and congested road and rail access. The panel recommended that our nation look at an “American Marine Highway System” that would incorporates more barge traffic. 

Early Childhood Education:  Documentation has shown that investment in high quality early childhood education pays off huge dividends. This is a critically important issue and I will work to increase funding. I invite your help.

Corrections:  There is something drastically wrong when some states spend more on prisons than on higher education.  There is something drastically wrong when inmates return to society with communicable diseases that have been untreated, putting our communities at risk.  You can surmise that I pay a great deal of attention to this issue.

Prudhoe Bay, Ft Greely, Excursion Inlet

This summer I visited the North Slope, where most of the oil that fuels our state government is produced. I also had the opportunity to tour the Ocean Beauty fish processing operation in Excursion Inlet and attended the dedication ceremony at the new Lena Point NOAA building.  Juneau is very fortunate to have this major research facility as well as the UAF School of Fisheries on the same site.  Scientists and students from around the world will be coming to our community for years to come.

With Mayor Botelho at the NOAA Dedication Ceremony

Missile Defense Test

As you may have heard, the Department of Defense will be tracking a launch from Lena Point. Next spring, the Missile Defense Agency will launch a test missile in Kodiak, and try to destroy it with a missile launched in California. The Agency is building a temporary radar installation on the Federal land at Lena Point, to track the test. Although the MDA claims there is no risk to us from the radar. However, I am asking a lot of questions.

My most important concern is to keep the public informed. On August 21, Colonel Besch from MDA met with Lena Point residents after the institute dedication. I have asked MDA to hold a larger community meeting, and this has been scheduled for September 13 at 6:00 pm at the National Guard Armory. We will make sure that this important meeting is widely publicized.

With Colonel Besch of the Missile Defense Agency and Assemblyman Bob Doll

Oil Tax Special Session

Governor Palin has officially made her proclamation for a special session on October 18. Despite the governor’s obvious desire to hold it up north, the session will be based at the capitol right here in Juneau. It is important that we revisit Alaska’s oil tax structure for three essential reasons:

• The net profits tax structure is impossible to administer and leaves it wide open for the oil companies to “game” the system. The administration’s own analysis shows that the tax will bring in $800 million / year less than anticipated. A tax that is based on the gross value of the oil does a much better job of protecting our interests.
• Even if the tax worked as designed, it brings in much less than the average government take for oil producing regions around the world. Alaska’s oil belongs to the Alaskan people, and our constitution demands we obtain the maximum benefit from the production of our resources.
• The tax was “approved” under a cloud of corruption. So far, three representatives who were serving in 2006 have been indicted, for selling their vote to keep tax rates down. Even if the end result is exactly the same, we absolutely must revisit this issue

Vocational Education / Jobs

I am particularly glad that we were able to provide funding ($500,000) for a Southeast Construction Academy. Based on a successful pilot project in Anchorage last year, the Academy will provide much needed additional vocational education opportunities at the high school level, as well as hands-on career exploration classes for adults and out-of-school youth interested in careers in our local construction and homebuilding industries. The money was requested by the Southeast Alaska Building Association.

Transitions

I want to take a moment to say goodbye and thank you to Terry Harvey, who served in my office from the day I was sworn in. And, welcome to Ken Alper. Ken most recently worked for Rep. Mike Doogan and was with former Rep. Eric Croft before him. Callers and visitors to my office should please say “hi” to Ken.

Please contact my office anytime.  I always look forward to hearing from you.  I will see you all soon, in our neighborhoods, at our schools and community meetings.

Sincerely yours,