Representative
David Guttenberg

My staff:
Meredith Cameron
Ron Clarke

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Rep.David.Guttenberg
@akleg.gov

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Proud to serve
District 38:
Alakanuk; Anderson; Cantwell; Chevak; Clear; Denali Park; Emmonak; Ester; Ferry; Four Mile Road; Goldstream; Grayling; Healy; Hooper Bay; Kotlik; Lake Minchumina; Manley Hot Springs; Marshall; McGrath; Minto; Mountain Village; Nenana; Nikolai; Nunam Iqua; Pilot Station; Pitkas Point; Ruby; Scammon Bay; St. Mary’s; Takotna; Tanana

April 8th, 2013

Friends and Neighbors,

Thank you to everyone that has called, written, or sent an e-mail to my office. It is very important to hear from you.

As we rapidly reach the end of session, we often receive lots of communication about budget items, bills, and other issues – sometimes orchestrated by one interest group or another. As I’ve said in the past, I don’t work for corporations. I don’t work for a political party. I work for YOU. I want to hear from constituents, not put-up campaigns. If you’re a District 38 resident, I want to hear from you!

Life always gets a little crazy at the end of a legislative session. There are more meetings to manage than there are hours in the day to fit them all in. Many thanks for your patience as we sprint to the finish.

This summer I will send out a printed newsletter to the entire district with an overview of the session’s accomplishments, as well as a summary of the work still in front of the Legislature. Be on the lookout for that in your mailbox.

I’m planning to hold as many interim constituent meetings as I can in the months ahead, in as many parts of our district as possible. If you have events going on in your community you think I should attend, please let me know.

Public Testimony on Oil Taxes

The House Finance Committee will be hearing public testimony on SB 21 the oil tax bill. This could be the last opportunity for formal public testimony, as it is the last committee of referral for the bill.

Date: Tuesday, April 9th, 2013

Time: 5:00pm to 8:00pm (you must be signed in before 8pm)

Location: Fairbanks Legislative Information Office, 1292 Sadler Way, 3rd floor of the Alaska USA building

If you do not live near an LIO, please call Representative Stoltze’s office for a call in number at 866-465-4958 before the start of the meeting.

If you cannot testify, please consider submitting written testimony for the record to rep.bill.stoltze@akleg.gov.

Statewide Oil Rallies

Last week at Veteran’s Memorial Park in Fairbanks, I attended a rally against the oil tax giveaway being rushed through the Legislature. Similar rallies took place across the state. As the oil tax debate continues, it becomes clearer we are moving away from an owner state model. We cannot afford to let Outside corporations treat Alaska like an economic colony.

In the early morning hours last Thursday, the House Resources Committee passed an oil tax bill with numerous amendments. Not all of them improved the tax scheme; one lowered the state’s base tax rate on a barrel of oil from 35% to 33%. The 35% rate was one of the key features that allowed the bill to pass the Senate by the narrowest possible margin: 11-9. Lowering that rate not only means less revenue to support state services to Alaskans, but now it creates uncertainty as to whether the Senate and the House will agree on a final bill before our scheduled adjournment on April 14th.

Capital Budget

The Senate has passed the much-anticipated Fiscal Year 2014 Capital Budget. This is the spending plan for roads, water and sewer systems, schools, and other infrastructure. Every year, we put forward far more projects – needed, worthwhile infrastructure improvements – than we have money to fund them. We expect some of our requests will go unheeded.

But this year is different. In a word, this year’s budget is grim. We expected a smaller capital budget, what with declining revenue from the drop in oil prices and oil production and all. What I did not plan on was so little money for education. Education is the backbone of this state. Good schools insure that as one generation of Alaskans retires, the next is smart, capable, and ready to contribute to Alaska as workers, consumers, and thinking citizens. Short-changing education is a huge mistake.

We should be creating the best and the brightest, from pre-Kindergarten through higher education and workforce development. The state cannot do that without funding school district needs, whether through technology, transportation, energy assistance, fixing leaking roofs, or updating campus security.

With respect to our district and its people – spread 500 miles from one end to the other – I was very disappointed that not only did the Senate not fund education, it ignored many other basic life, health, and safety needs. They simply did not listen to Alaskans.

This fight is not over. The House has the opportunity to amend the capital budget bill. No one can predict what the end product will look like, but right now, many organizations, schools, and communities are working to persuade House members to add more funding to support numerous projects across the state. I’m doing everything I can to fund critical needs in District 38.

Protecting Those That Serve

The tragic death of Village Public Safety Officers (VPSO) Thomas O. Madole in Manokotak has led we members of the Bush Caucus to sponsor legislation to allow VPSO’s to defend themselves. I know all too well what it means to a family, a community, and an entire state to lose a law enforcement officer in this way. My Uncle David was a police officer killed in the line of duty. I am a co-sponsor of HB 199 “VPSO Firearms,” that would allow VPSOs to carry weapons and be trained in their proper use.

We ask our VPSO’s to deal with some of the most challenging situations and we want to make sure they have the ability to defend themselves when necessary. Presently, VPSO’s are trained in alternative measures to subdue individuals or protect themselves. This bill simply allows the Department of Public Safety to create the necessary regulations to allow VPSO’s to carry firearms.

Arming VPSO’s is an unfortunate, but necessary action. But there is more the legislature can do. We need a stronger focus on increasing mental health professionals in rural areas, substance abuse treatments, economic development, and educational opportunities. Until we address these root issues, we’ll surely see continuing violence and abuse all over Alaska.

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

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