A Time to Learn:
Committees and Conferences

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

While the legislature is out of session, bills cannot be passed by the House or Senate to become law; however, committees do meet for informational hearings on specific issues or pieces of legislation.

I have spent the past couple of weeks (with the exception of several wonderful hikes around town in the gorgeous weather!) attending committee hearings and conferences to become a better informed representative. Please contact me if you would like to know more about any of the issues I discuss below.

Don’t forget! The third U-Med Visioning Meeting is tomorrow from 5:30-7:30 at 4700 Elmore Road

Corrections Reform

Most recently, both the House and Senate Judiciary Committees met to discuss Senate Bill 64, an omnibus correctional reform bill. Although I do not serve on the House Judiciary Committee, I attended the meeting in order to have more knowledge about the bill before next session.

Graphic detailing Florida’s recidivism rates and treatment programs

As a former prosecutor, I believe strongly in punishment as a deterrent, however I am also aware that Alaska’s prison populations are increasing at a rapid rate which costs taxpayers millions of dollars each year. The corrections reform issue has bi-partisan support and looks to balance public safety with reducing prison costs through alternatives to traditional forms of incarceration like rehabilitation programs. I look forward to learning more about the issue and examining all of the possible ramifications.   While I will seriously considering reforms for non-violent crimes, I will be loath to make any changes (other than sentence increases) to crimes like driving while intoxicated or violent crimes.

New Standards and Assessments for Alaska’s Public Schools

The House Finance Subcommittee on Education and Early Development also met recently. The committee, of which I am a member, met to discuss new standards and assessments for Alaska’s public schools, since Alaska’s recent exemption from the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). 

Learning about new standards and assessments for Alaska’s public schools after the recent No Child Left Behind Act exemption

The state has adopted new standards which we will expect our children to meet, and is in the process of determining new assessments that will align with those standards. I will be monitoring this process throughout the fall and into next session. The department will need to have the new assessment measures in place by the Spring of 2015.

USAEE: Long name, informative conference

I spent the majority of last week at a conference hosted by the United States Association of Energy Economics (USAEE). Since I am a member of the House Special Committee on Energy, I found sessions on natural gas development and exploration, energy development in the Arctic, and renewable energies to be very informative.

Touring the Kuparuk oil field on the North Slope

As part of the conference, I was able to take a trip to the Kuparuk Oilfield on the North Slope. I toured the central processing facility and the salt water treatment plant. I was astonished by the pure man power and development that has taken place there since the 1970s. The trip also made clear that industry has done a good job in taking care of the environment on the North Slope, which encourages my belief in oil development for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

I was honored to throw out the first pitch at the American Legion Tournament Championships and present awards to two former East High School graduates and minor league baseball players, Corey Madden and Chad Nading (father, Curt accepted on his behalf)

Upcoming Events

People Mover Schedule Changes: A service change will occur on Monday, August 19th. The major changes include Route 8, and an increase in service to Route 45.

Download the 2013 People Mover Ride Guide here

ACE Academy Aviation Camp: Registration for Anchorage Parks and Recreation’s Aviation Camp is now open. The camp is from August 12-16th at Russian Jack Springs Park. To register call 343-4217 or 343-6992.

The ACE Academy Aviation Camp is right around the corner, register now!

As always, please contact me if I can be of service to you or your family.

I Answer to You!

Sincerely,

Representative Andy Josephson
716 4th Ave, Room 390
Phone: 907-269-0265
Rep.Andy.Josephson@akleg.gov