Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Less than a month remains in the regular Legislative session. About this time of year, I start to miss home and all the signs of spring that start to pop up in the Interior.

The last few weeks will be focused on getting ready for the last days of session. What bills need to get where in order to pass, budget items that the House and Senate will quarrel over into the wee hours and communicating agendas with the Governor.

I have received hundreds of e-mails, phone calls and visits this session on everything from Medicaid to daylight saving. Keep ‘em coming!

Representative Guttenberg introducing guest page and West Valley High School Senior Grant Ackerman. Grant recently represented Alaska as one of two delegates in DC during the U.S. Senate Youth Program. We are proud of you Grant!

Not to Miss Presentation: Alaska’s Fiscal Situation

The House Finance Committee will be hosting a presentation on Alaska’s fiscal situation titled, “Fiscal Reality- Exploring Scenarios to Reclaim Budget Solvency”. The presentation will be given by David Teal, Legislative Finance Director, and will include interactive graph and modeling to show how different revenue streams impact the budget.

Gavel to Gavel will be broadcasting this presentation on 360 North and online. It will be archived online for future viewing at http://www.360north.org/gavel-archives/.

Date: Thursday, March 26th
Time: 11:30am to 1:00pm
Where: 360 North (check local listings for channel) or online at http://www.360north.org/watch-360-north-live/ 

This is a great way to understand the implications of taxes and different revenue streams on the budget and what exactly the state is facing over these next few years with a deficit.

Alaska Independent and Democratic Caucus meeting with Governor Walker on our priorities

Summer Constructions Projects

Now that the ground is beginning to thaw, it will soon be road construction season. I hope to soon have informational mailers out to neighborhoods that may be affected by construction this summer.

Most of the projects in our area are still in the planning phase, which is good because it’s the place where you can make the most difference.

Here are just a few of the projects on the books with open comment periods or construction this summer. For a full list visit http://dot.alaska.gov/nreg/projects/index.shtml

McGrath Road Upgrade

McGrath Road is a relatively high-volume collector route serving numerous neighborhoods and residential properties.   Fairbanks Metropolitan Area Transportation System (FMATS) nominated this road for project improvements based on the population density it serves and because the road hasn’t had major improvements since 1982. DOT is looking for your feedback on this road.

DOT will be hosting an open house for this project on Wednesday, March 31st from 5-7pm at the Dog Musher’s Hall, 925 Farmers Loop Road.

To comment on McGrath Road contact Sarah Schacher, Engineering Manager, at sarah.schacher@alaska.gov or 907-451-5361. Comments are due by April, 21, 2015.

Old Nenana/Ester Hill Rehabilitation

The Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (ADOT&PF), in cooperation with the Alaska Division of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), is proposing to rehabilitate the Old Nenana Highway in Ester, AK between the western Parks Highway intersection (mile point 0.000) and the Ester Community Park approach (mile point 9.368).

To comment on Old Nenana/Ester Rehabilitation contact Lauren Little at lauren.little@alaska.gov or 907-451-5371. Comments are due by April, 18, 2014.

Old Steese Highway Upgrade Project

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (ADOT&PF) is proposing to design and construct upgrades to the Old Steese Highway between Trainor Gate Road and the Johansen Expressway. The primary objectives of this state-funded project are to improve safety and capacity for both motorized and non-motorized users.

Thank you for reading and please feel free to call my office and share your ideas.