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Alaska State Legislature House and Senate Democrats |
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http://www.akdemocrats.org Jordan Marshall, Press Secretary (907) 269-0133 or 321-3682 (907) 269-0132 press@akdemocrats.org |
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE · July 10, 2003 |
Democrats Continue Fight for Alaska’s Families & Senior Citizens
Law requires official vote on Longevity Bonus special session
JUNEAU – Citing Alaska statute (AS 24.05.100), House and Senate Democrats formally petitioned Senate President Gene Therriault (R-North Pole) and Speaker of the House Pete Kott (R-Eagle River) to poll all members of the Alaska State Legislature regarding a Longevity Bonus special session to override Governor Frank Murkowski’s budget veto of the program.
“We asked politely,” said House Democratic Leader Ethan Berkowitz (D-Anchorage), “and now we state firmly: do right by Alaska’s pioneers, protect the Longevity Bonus program. Keep the promise and honor the commitment to Alaska’s seniors.”
Democratic Legislators were joined this session by Republican counterparts in rejecting legislation sponsored by Governor Frank Murkowski to eliminate this promise of modest support to Alaska’s elders. The House of Representatives rejected Murkowski’s proposal and the Senate created a five-year phase-out plan. In response, Governor Murkowski ignored the Legislature and simply vetoed the program.
“The Legislature made its priorities known. But Frank Murkowski has declared war on seniors. No one should hide behind the governor’s veto on this one,” said Representative David Guttenberg (D-Fairbanks). “Alaska’s seniors deserve to know how their representatives stand on the issue.”
Democrats said the Republican caucuses have the opportunity to decide whether to defend their budget, which included the Longevity Bonus, or to simply acquiesce to this breach of trust with Alaska’s seniors.
“We are expecting that each legislator will be called and that their ‘yeah’ or ‘nay’ vote will be recorded and made public,” said Representative Beth Kerttula (D-Juneau). “I’m outraged that he cut this program.”
Democratic Legislators and many Republicans argued during regular session that the Longevity Bonus program was "a promise made to Alaska's senior citizens," a promise that should not be broken.
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