E-News No. 11
April 22, 2013

As your representative,
I am here to listen and to help. Please don't  hesitate to contact me.

Rep.Harriet.Drummond
@akleg.gov

IN JUNEAU
Mid-January to mid-April
(907) 465-3875
State Capitol Rm  112
Juneau, AK 99801

IN ANCHORAGE
May to December
(907) 269-0190
716 W. 4^th Avenue
Anchorage, AK 99501

Voice your opinions!
Here are some way to make sure your voice is heard:

Write a Letter to the Editor
It's the most read section of the newspaper. Submit up to 175 words to the Anchorage Daily News at www.adn.com

Contact the Governor
Governor Parnell's Office may be reached at 907-465-3500, or you can email him at sean.parnell@alaska.gov

You can also visit the state website at www.state.ak.us

Contact your
Congressional Delegation

Senator Mark Begich
www.begich.senate.gov
Anchorage Office
(907) 271-5915

Senator Lisa Murkowski www.murkowski.senate.gov
Anchorage Office
(907) 271-3735

Congressman Don Young
www.donyoung.house.gov
Anchorage Office
(907) 271-5978

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2013 Final Notes from Juneau

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

The House Democratic Caucus preparing for one of the last floor sessions.

Sunday, April 15 marked the final day of the 2013 legislative session, and there’s no doubt about it: This was a rough session.

The Giveaway Gang

The House Majority used their superior numbers to push through terrible legislation that could have a devastating impact on the lives of everyday Alaskans. SB21, the oil wealth giveaway bill, is going to remove about $1 billion a year from Alaska’s economy. That’s money that should be spent on schools, public safety, and state infrastructure. Instead that money is headed straight out of Alaska and into lands unknown.

Alaska managed to mostly avoid the economic downturn the rest of the world experienced after the housing market collapsed in 2008, and we had the ACES oil tax structure to thank for that. While ACES wasn’t perfect, it made sure that Alaska received its fair share for the use of its most valuable natural resource. Now that it’s gone we can expect less funding for already financially struggling schools, fewer construction jobs, and untold other negative effects.

The Good

There were a few bright points this session. My fellow Democrats and I managed to put a stop to several other devastating bills that came our way:

HB 77, presented as a bill to “streamline” certain administrative procedures, was actually an attempt to remove the ability for individual Alaskans to prevent industry damage to our streams and rivers. For now these rights are still protected.

SB49 would have allowed politicians to define what “medically necessary” abortions are. This unnecessary intrusion into women’s lives will likely rear its ugly head next year, but for now it’s been stopped.

Local Projects

This session we unanimously passed a modest but fiscally smart capital budget to provide funds for various projects in the neighborhood and around Anchorage. I want to thank everyone who took the time to write, call, and visit my office here in Juneau to tell me their priorities for Alaska.

School projects include:

• Money for an improved library collection at Aquarian Charter School.
• A new school sign with reader board for North Star Elementary.
• Traffic flow improvements for the West High parking lot.
• A much needed cooling system for Romig’s data closet.
• A rock climbing wall system and mats for Steller High School.

Education and Youth Projects:

• University of Alaska Engineering Buildings, $30,000,000
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Alaska, Mentoring for Educational Success, $1,000,000
• Alaska Youth Obesity Program, $1,000,000
• Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage, Equipment Upgrades and the Jr. Nordic program, $950,000

Neighborhood Projects:

• Residential pavement rehabilitation, $640,000
• 27th Avenue pedestrian safety – Minnesota Drive to Blueberry Street, $500,000

I’m looking forward to getting back to Anchorage and talking to the people in our district to prepare for next year’s session. Please don’t hesitate to Contact me at my Anchorage office with any of your questions, comments, or concerns:

716 West Fourth Ave
Anchorage, AK 99501
907-269-0190
rep.harriet.drummond@akleg.gov

Thank you,

Harriet Drummond

All boxed up and ready to go!