March 28, 2012

Dear Neigbors,

Simply put, there are a lot of bills moving and very few weeks left of session. Through extended committee meetings and late night floor sessions, bills are flying through committees, sometimes taking on an ever-so-different look than when they were originally introduced. Here are a few of the more prevalent bills gaining attention around the building and throughout communities statewide to keep you up-to-date. These are important bills that align with the priorities I have worked on this session: Education, Energy, and the Economy.

Education

HB272 - Policy making for education continues to run into roadblocks during this legislative session. Fellow Representative Les Gara’s bill, aimed at alleviating the exorbitant cost of student loans for Alaskans who chose to bring their skill set back to Alaska, is currently stuck in the House Education committee. The ‘brain drain’ in Alaska is continuing to negatively impact our workforce and economy, and this bill would help strengthen our community intellectually and financially.

Energy

HB9 – Last night (and into the morning) we heard HB9, the Republican leadership’s small gasline. Ultimately, the bill did pass the House, 27 – 12. I was one of the 12 votes against the bill, mainly because it does nothing to help lessen the energy burden on Fairbanks families and other Interior communities. Under HB9, the pipeline would miss Fairbanks by 37 miles. I am also opposed to HB 9 because it would take away powers from ANGDA, which was a voter-mandated initiative that passed by 62% in 2002 to bring gas to Fairbanks. We should continue to strive for an all-Alaskan pipeline that will benefit those with the greatest need for energy relief.

VIDEO: Rep. David Guttenberg talks about the benefits of a
large diameter pipeline vs. a small pipeline as HB9 proposes.

SB192 – OIL AND GAS PRODUCTION TAX RATES - This piece of legislation has taken center stage in the Senate this session. Tackling a contentious issue with passion on each side, oil tax reform needs the time and focus to ensure Alaskans get a fair deal and have confidence that our resources will benefit more than just the oil companies. Senate Finance continues to discuss this legislation daily in committee, hearing in-depth testimony on the issue. Last year I voted against HB 110, the Governor’s bill to give tax breaks for big oil corporations, and I am eager to study the senate’s counter-offer when this bill comes over to the House. I can assure you that I will be focused on supporting oil tax legislation that will bring the greatest benefit to my constituents and all Alaskans.

HB 276- Introduced by Fairbanks Rep. Steve Thompson, the intent of this bill is to encourage and incentivize gas exploration in the under-explored Nenana Basin, allowing direct state subsidy to the first three oil and gas exploration projects that show strong potential for resource discovery. If exploration results in sustained production, 50% of the credits awarded would be repaid to the state. With energy costs soaring for Interior residents, this type of program can attract investors to the “Frontier Basin,” only 50 miles from Fairbanks. I am encouraged by this bill because of its proactive attempt to find solutions to our energy needs.

Economy

SB74– A bill to include autism in state health insurance coverage is stalled in the Health and Human Services Committee, despite 74 legislative sponsors, 25 of them cross-sponsors from the House, and five of the seven HSS committee members. While there is overwhelming public support, it still has not been heard once in the House. Please thank Representatives Herron, Seaton, Miller, Kerttula and Millett for their support and encourage them to keep pushing hard for passage of this bill.

SB3- Similarly held up in the House Finance Committee, Senate Bill 3 will provide a state match for schools participating in the federal Free and Reduced Price School Breakfast and Lunch Program. Currently in Alaska 20% of schools participating in the school lunch program do not offer school breakfast, impacting 22,253 Alaskan children, 6,850 of whom are children from low income families who qualify for free or reduced price meals. For many children, these are the only meals they get on a regular basis, and Alaska is one of the only states that does not help supplement the program. I am appalled to think of students, who stand to benefit from educational funding and programs, cannot function at full capacity because they are hungry, and strongly support the passage of this bill.

Your Voice is Being Heard

Last week we sent out an Action Alert advising our constituents to call in and testify for two public hearings on the Capital Budget and HB 9. The response was impressive. From the Fairbanks office, over 65 people signed up to testify. Over three hearings, Finance members from the House and Senate heard from close to 200 people across the state. In fact, there was such a response for call-ins on the capital budget that the phone lines were at full capacity!

I bring this up because it demonstrates the power in numbers to strengthen the voice of the public. Regardless of supporting or opposing particular projects or arguments, a public voice was present, loud and clear. I hope to keep you informed on ways to stay, or become, engaged in the democratic process, which we have done well this year.

And finally, I was fortunate enough to visit with many of you during my trip back to Fairbanks last weekend. Thank you for attending and sharing your thoughts- I am always humbled to hear from you in person. If you were not able to make it last weekend, my office is available for you to use as a resource.

Working Hard for Fairbanks Families,