NOVEMBER 26, 2014

Representing District 15:
Midtown, University, and East Anchorage

I Answer to You!

Contact my office:
733 4th Ave
Anchorage, AK 99501
(907) 269-0265
(800) 465-4939
 
Click here to write me an email
 
Click here to visit my website
 
  

Write a Letter to the Editor
submit your 175 word letter to the Alaska Dispatch News via e-mail letter@adn.com, or fax them to 258-2157, attn: letters to the editor.

Contact other elected officials

Governor Sean Parnell
907-269-7450
EMAIL: Gov. Sean Parnell

Senator Mark Begich
907-271-5915
EMAIL: Sen. Mark Begich

Senator Lisa Murkowski
907-271-3735
EMAIL: Sen. Lisa Murkowski

Congressman Don Young
907-271-5978
EMAIL: Rep. Don Young

Out & About
The countdown to Juneau

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I have been fortunate all year to attend many community events, meeting with friends, new and old, from our Midtown district as well as other areas of our great state.  As we prepare for the next legislative session I wanted to take the time to inform you about events that I have attended, as well as fill you in on some exciting caucus news!

Minority Caucus News

I am pleased to report that the minority caucus has finalized its membership and I would like to welcome new members Adam Wool (D-Fairbanks), Dan Ortiz (I-Ketchikan), and Matt Claman (D-Anchorage)!  My committee assignments have also changed since last session.  As many of you know I sat on the Legislative Budget & Audit (LB&A), Labor & Commerce, Ethics, and Energy committees.  This next session I will be sitting on the Natural Resources, and Labor & Commerce committees, while acting as an alternate on LB&A and Ethics.

I would also like to congratulate the new members of the majority on their victories:  Dave Talerico (R-Healy), Jim Colver (R-Hatcher Pass), Cathy Tilton (R-Palmer), Liz Vazquez (R-Anchorage), and Louise Stutes (R-Kodiak).

U-Med Road Meetings

On Saturday, November 15th I attended a meeting to discuss the U-Med road extension, also known as the Bragaw By-Pass.  On Tuesday, November 18th I also attended a presentation by a class from UAA about the road.  I was very happy to see these young students taking the time and making the effort to be involved in the planning process.  The road itself is still in the planning stages and DOWL HKM is expected to present a design for the road that is 60 percent complete within the next couple of weeks.  The project team still has to submit a permit application to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, but when that will be submitted is unknown.  There will likely be another public comment period to accompany that permitting process.  I will be sure to let you all know when it will be open and how to submit a comment!

Susitna River Tour

As many of you are aware there is a proposed dam that would be located above Devils Canyon on the Susitna River (Susitna-Watana Dam).  I am very concerned about the impacts that a dam of this size would have on the river and the wildlife that inhabit the area.  That is why on October 1st I took a tour of the river to view the areas that would be most affected by the dam.  River Guide Mike Wood took myself and a few other passengers from Talkeetna up towards Curry.  I have included a map for reference.  It was a beautiful day on the river and I cannot thank Mike enough for the tour!  I am opposed to the dam because of the potential impacts it will have on the salmon that spawn in the river, as well as the wildlife that live in the area that would be flooded by the dam.  Combine those concerns with an impending budget deficit (and this dam has a projected cost of $6 billion) and I believe it is easy to see that this is a project that we just cannot afford.

Rep. Josephson and the rest of the crew on the river.

Rep. Josephson with guide Mike Wood

 As always, please call or email with any thoughts, ideas, or concerns.

I Answer to You!

Sincerely,

Representative Andy Josephson
733 W. 4th Ave
Phone: 907-269-0265