Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Due to Legislative Ethics laws, this will be the last mass communication you receive from my office until after the November 4th election. However, we are still here to help you!

Please call our office, send an e-mail or stop by 1292 Sadler Way at any time!

Reaching out on the Arctic

On Saturday, I was invited to speak at the 2014 Arctic American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Conference at UAF on behalf of the Alaska Arctic Policy Commission (AAPC). 

Given Alaskan’s expertise and history, living in the Arctic, it is important that we lead the way in national efforts with regard to Arctic policy. 

Rep David Guttenberg speaking at the 2014 Arctic Science Conference

Several people had questions at the end of my presentation regarding how they can inform on Arctic policy.  I was happy to remind and assure audience members that their work as scientific researchers is crucial to help inform policy and decision makers, and that it is important for the two parties to come together to have discussions, often.  Fairbanks is a unique place in that it is common you might run into your legislator at the post office or grocery store given our small community. 

Again, thank you to the scientific community for their dedication and I applaud them for the important work they do. Your research helps navigate legislative routes we take.  I encourage all scientists and students to continue asking the tough questions, study hard, and keep the conversations, especially with non-scientists, alive and well.

Debunking a Rumor

There is has been misinformation going around that the Federal Government can garnish your PFD to pay off any penalties for not having health care. This is simply not true.

The IRS cannot place liens against penalties for lack of health care coverage. They can take the money owed out of any tax refund you may be eligible to receive, as well as other measures to try and recover the tax due, but rest assured they cannot take your PFD.

For more information on this please visit: http://www.irs.gov/uac/Questions-and-Answers-on-the-Individual-Shared-Responsibility-Provision 

Upcoming Election Information

Multiple elections are right around the corner.

Fairbanks North Star Borough Municipal Election: October 7th, 2014
Polls open from 7AM to 8PM.

The 2014 FNSB ballot features two ballot measures: the Citizens Revenue Tax Cap Initiative and the Citizens Home Heating Protection Initiative.

You can find out more information on these initiatives by going online to: http://www.co.fairbanks.ak.us/elections/default.html

You can also call the FNSB at 1-888-383-8683 for more information.

Denali Borough Regular Election:
November 4th, 2014
Polls open from 7AM to 8PM

You can call the Denali Borough at (907) 683-1330 for more information, or you can go online to: http://bit.ly/1xHVRTO

Statewide General Election:
November 4th, 2014
Polls open from 7AM to 8PM

The 2014 State of Alaska ballot features three ballot measures:

• Ballot Measure #2 – An Act to Tax and Regulate the Production, Sale and Use of Marijuana.
• Ballot Measure #3 – An Act to Increase Alaska’s Minimum Wage.
• Ballot Measure #4 – An Act Providing for the Protection of Bristol Bay Wild Salmon and Waters Within or Flowing Into the Existing 1972 Bristol Bay Fisheries Reserve.

You can learn more about these initiatives by visiting:
http://www.elections.alaska.gov/ei_general_bm.php

Additionally, you can contact your Regional Elections Offices for more information by calling:

• 907-451-2835 (Fairbanks and the Interior)
• 907-443-5285 (Northern, Western, and Southwest Alaska)

As it has been another redistricting year, your voting location may have changed. Please visit the Division of Elections website by clicking here, to check your voting location. You may also call toll free (866) 952-8683 for more information.

For Yup’ik language assistance, please call toll free (866) 954-8683.

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