Senate Democratic Leader Johnny Ellis (D-Anchorage) and Representative Eric Croft (D-Anchorage), with the support of several other Democratic legislators, introduced a package of bills on Monday aimed at making right on the long overdue "thank you" Alaska's veterans deserve. The package includes bills to build a stand-alone Veterans Home, a bill to name November 11 Alaska Veterans Appreciation Day, and a resolution in support of the 2006 National Veterans Wheelchair Games being held in Anchorage, Alaska.

"Governor Knowles named last year the 'Year of the Veteran' and most lawmakers signaled their support," said Senator Ellis. "However, some Republicans fought against the Governor's proposals and so now this year we are again introducing bills to give Alaska's veterans the support they need and deserve. Alaska is the only state in the nation without a Veterans Home. The time to change this is now."

"Each of the bills in this package show our appreciation for thousands of Alaska veterans who dedicated their lives to defending our state and our nation," said Representative Croft. "Especially now, as our country prepares for the likelihood of war, we owe a debt of gratitude to the men and women of our armed services."

The bills to build the much needed, stand-alone Veterans Home are Senate Bills 133 and 134, and House Bills 181 and 182. The bills to name November 11 Alaska Veterans Appreciation Day are Senate Bill 135 and House Bill 180. The resolutions in support of the 2006 National Veterans Wheelchair Games being held in Anchorage, Alaska, are Senate Joint Resolution 11 and House Joint Resolution 14. The resolution was introduced at the request of the Paralyzed Veterans of America.

Senator Elton and Representative Gara Introduce
Resolution to Protect Habitat

Senator Kim Elton (D-Juneau) and Representative Les Gara (D-Anchorage) filed Senate and House Resolutions Monday to protect Alaska's prized fishing populations. The resolutions, SSCR1 and HSCR1, would override the Governor's Executive Order 107, which removes the authority of the Department of Fish & Game's Habitat Division to protect Alaska's world-renowned fishing waters.

Elton and Gara are calling on their majority colleagues in the House and Senate to permit a vote on this issue. Without the support of Republican majority members, the Democratic sponsors cannot bring this issue to a vote. If a vote is not allowed before April 20, the Governor's Executive Order will automatically take effect.

Both Elton and Gara share a passion for protecting Alaska's prized fish populations. Elton is a former commercial fisherman while Gara, an avid fisherman, has written on Alaska fishing for Alaska Magazine, fly fishing magazines, and Alaska newspapers.

According to Elton, "Most states have let their guard down and lost their great fisheries. Alaska is an example of how to do things right, and we should be proud of the work done by the Habitat Division."

Gara and Elton disagree with those who point to states like Oregon - where government foresters have a large say in fisheries management - as examples Alaska should follow. "In Oregon, and all along the Pacific Coast, whole runs of salmon and steelhead have been lost while others are listed on the Federal Endangered Species Act," says Gara. "Oregon and California are great examples of why we shouldn't weaken the Habitat Division."

Contrary to a few vocal complaints by some logging and other industry members, it has been shown the Habitat Division issues permits quickly. In 2002, for example, the division granted permits on average within 15 days.

Gara and Elton contend that if the governor has concerns about management at the Habitat Division, the effective course would be to implement change through the public bill-review process, or through changes within the Department of Fish and Game.

The list of Alaskans who oppose this move is long and growing. Every Fish & Game Commissioner for the past 30 years has opposed the Governor's move, as have fishing groups such as the Alaska Chapter of Trout Unlimited; The Anchorage Fish & Game Advisory Committee; Alaska Fly Fishers Association; The Cooper Landing Fish & Game Advisory Committee; the Paxson Fish & Game Advisory Committee; Alaska Village Council Presidents; The Alaska Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, and the Kenai River Special Management Advisory Board (KRSMA).

To Learn More About Governor Murkowski's Budget Proposals visit:
http://www.gov.state.ak.us/omb/akomb.htm

To read an analysis of the Governor's budget visit the Legislative Finance Division:
http://www.legfin.state.ak.us

(The Legislative Finance Division serves the interim Legislative Budget and Audit Committee and two standing finance committees with a nonpartisan staff. Each fiscal analyst is assigned specific areas of responsibility.)

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