Rep. Andy Josephson - I answer to you!

We are packing up the Juneau office, and Meghan (my aide) and I are very excited to be back in Anchorage. On Monday I will be boarding the ferry to Haines and then driving the 800 miles to Anchorage.

Feel free to contact the office in Anchorage at 269-0265 – I would be happy to discuss events from the end of session or just catch up and talk face-to-face.

The last bill heard on the House Floor Sunday night was the Capital Budget. The legislature spent $2.3 billion on roads, schools, public safety and other projects throughout the state. This year our local neighborhoods will be receiving:

• Campbell Creek trail improvements and storm-water management ($500,000)

• Sidewalk construction on Little Tree Drive from 53rd to 56th Avenue, and back up Trena Street ($600,000)

• Zarvis Place streetlamp to protect kids walking to Rogers Park Elementary School ($56,000)

• YMCA expansion to add a new swimming pool, gym and walking track ($6 million)

• UAA Engineering Building funds to move forward on construction ($15 million)

• Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center patient transportation ($90,000)

• Clare House Emergency Shelter for Women and Children roof replacement ($450,000)

• Blood Bank of Alaska new laboratory and central collection facility ($7 million)

• Nordic Skiing Association Anchorage trail upgrades and trail maintenance equipment ($950,000)

• East High School classroom technology and musical instruments ($172,000)

• Alaska Native Medical Center state bonding for patient housing was approved through other legislation ($35 million)

Support for Local Elementary and Middle Schools ($100,900)

• Lake Otis Elementary School computer lab upgrade

• Tudor Elementary School playground equipment

• Rogers Park Elementary School interactive technology

• Wendler Middle School intercom system and computer cooling

• Russian Jack Elementary School safety equipment

• Airport Heights Elementary School computer cooling

* All capital projects can be vetoed by the governor. Please contact Governor.Sean.Parnell@alaska.gov and ask him not to veto community improvements you support.

Included in the Capital budget was $20 million for the Northern UMed Access Road, also known as the Bragaw Bypass Extension.

I know that our local Community Councils and many other members of our community are in opposition to this road. I do not support the project and I offered an amendment on the House Floor to remove funding, but it failed.

Another amendment was offered that included intent language, stating the city of Anchorage and the various divisions must work and communicate with the public throughout the construction of the project. The amendment was successful and will hopefully make sure this is the best road possible for our community.

If you feel strongly about the construction of the road, please contact Governor Parnell and ask him to veto the project.

There were many other important subjects discussed and voted on this legislative session. The oil tax giveaway was a priority for the Governor and majority members in both the Senate and House. Saturday night, shortly after 2 a.m., the House made the disastrous decision to give away a massive share of Alaska’s oil wealth to the most powerful and profitable corporations in the world – with no promise or guarantee of increased production or more oil in the pipeline.

Under this legislation, Alaska will descend into deficit spending for the known future and quickly begin burning through the savings we have been able to put away under our current revenue structure (ACES). This will result in cuts to schools, public safety, road construction and repairs, and other essential services. Our property taxes will rise due to the loss of state revenue sharing, and the Permanent Fund Dividend will be under threat. There were many attempts to amend the bill for Alaskans to receive our fair share, but they were all rejected.

Currently, a ballot initiative to repeal the legislation is being organized – we will be gathering signatures across the state. I will keep you updated as this effort progresses. Please let me know if you would like to be involved or have any further questions.

I can’t wait to be home and meet and talk with you. Let me know if I can be of help to you and your family.