Dear Neighbor,

EOS? Maybe Not So…

As you may have already heard, the end of session is scheduled for Sunday at midnight. Right now, at 8pm, it looks very unlikely that the Legislature will finish the work that we need to do to adjourn. The budget, Susitna Dam energy issues, college scholarships and coastal environmental policy remain in play tonight. With so much work left to be done, it wouldn’t be right to adjourn without finishing our work.

The Constitution gives the Legislature 120 days with which to finish the work of the people. My neighbor in downtown Juneau told me that he remembered when lawmakers were here well into June?! I am hopeful that we can finish the job in a few more days and get it done right. As long as the Legislature is convened in Juneau, I will continue to do my job and work hard for Fairbanks families.

Though I personally wish I could be at home tomorrow night, we may go into overtime according to House Republican leadership. It is not the ideal situation, especially because I only have enough laundry to last me another few days.

Why Does it Take So Long?

German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck famously stated “laws are like sausages, it is better not to see them being made.” Every legislator would have to agree tonight on the 90th day of session with the way we are slowly moving. In the end, I am hopeful that we will pass a budget and the operations of our state can continue - schools will continue to teach our next generation; police and firefighters will continue to preserve public safety and communities will continue to grow and flourish economically. The Legislature must remain here in Juneau for as long as the job takes under the 120 days set by the Constitution. I will not leave without finishing the job.

Permanent Fund Tops $40-Billion!

The Alaska Permanent Fund is worth over $40 billion dollars today. The Permanent Fund, which is created by depositing oil revenues, was created in 1976 by bold leaders who dreamed that our limited natural resource of oil would become a permanent source of government revenues for the future. The Permanent Fund has paid out more money in PFD’s than legislators have ever put into the state savings. Other states with permanent funds include other energy-producing states like Wyoming, West Virginia and Colorado. Wyoming recorded a mineral permanent fund of $4.7 billion; West Virginia at $2.1 billion and Colorado had a puny $16 million fund in 2007.

Alaskans have recently been attacked on local television, radio and in the paper by a record-spending political campaign that uses fear and pessimism. While 47 other states are recording deficits in the 100’s of billions, the State of Alaska continues to be in good shape economically. Alaska will continue to that trend into the future with strong, bold leadership.

Working Hard for Fairbanks Families,

Scott Kawasaki
Alaska State Representative