Legislative Update

Dear Neighbors,

I hope everyone is weathering the recent stormy weather safely – strong winds have kept some flights in the district grounded (Juneau and Haines), and ferries in port. 

The first 18 days of session have gone by at a clip, and the remaining 72 promise to continue that way.  We have heard from departments about their operations and budgets, discussed and taken testimony on marijuana and its regulation, and responded to the recent news on ANWR.  Our offices have moved back in to room 422 on the fourth floor of the Capitol building.  Please come by to visit with me and my staff – Tally Teal, Bianca Carpeneti, and our First Alaskans Fellow Johnny Stickman from Nulato.

Left: Rep. Kito signs his oath of office with Lt. Governor Byron Mallott with family and staff in attendance.     Right: Rep. Kito with Jasmine Stanturf, high school intern. Thanks, Jasmine, for all your hard work!

Budget
As I mentioned in my last newsletter, our looming $3.5 billion shortfall is front and center. Already, we’ve begun reviewing the Capital and Operating budgets. I’m particularly focused on issues in Transportation, Education, and Commerce since I sit on the House Finance subcommittees for those departments. On Thursday, Governor Walker released his budget, which you can see here (LINK). Take a look and please get in touch with any questions you have. I’m tracking a number of projects of interest for our district and the region, and I welcome hearing from you on issues you care about.

President Obama and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
On January 25, 2015, the US Department of Interior announced plans to ask Congress to designate parts of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, including its coastal plain, as “wilderness.” This would confer additional protections for these areas. In response, the House this week passed a joint resolution urging the US Congress to, among other things, pass legislation to open the coastal plain of ANWR to oil and gas development.

Rep. Kito presents Nora Dauenhauer with a citation recognizing Richard Dauenhauer, her late husband, for his contributions to the State of Alaska, particularly in the preservation of the Tlingit language. Also pictured: Rep. Cathy Muñoz and Sen. Dennis Egan.

The Juneau legislative delegation meets with representatives of Family Voice, a group which advocates on behalf of individuals and families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.

Co-sponsored bills
Last newsletter I let you know the legislation that I introduced. Here’s a look at the bills I’ve signed on to support as a co-sponsor with a brief description of each. As always, feel free to get in touch if you’d like more information.

• HB 3  Extends health insurance coverage to the survivors of peace officers, firefighters and emergency medical technicians, who die from work-related injuries.
• HB 7 Aims to increase driver awareness of pedestrians and bicyclists through enhanced penalties for reckless driving.
• HB 19 Protects citizens from discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, financing or credit based upon sexual orientation and gender identity.
• HB 26 Extend the direct-entry midwives board.
• HB 47 Addresses smaller municipalities’ PERS contributions.
• HB 48 Establishes May 31 as Katie John Day, in recognition of her contributions to Alaska and Alaska Native subsistence fishing rights.
• HB 58 Gives nonprofit organizations and federally-recognized tribes the power to apply for loans from the Alaska Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund.
• HB 63 Reduces student loan interest rates.
• 5HB 77 Introduces training requirements for public safety officers and voluntary designations on licenses for individuals with disabilities.
• HB 91 Introduces penalties for improper use of the left lane of traffic.
• HCR 1 A proclamation of tribal sovereignty.
• HJR 1 A constitutional amendment that would remove the definition of marriage from the Alaska Constitution.
• HJR 6 Urges Congress to introduce federal laws to identify and clean up pollutants in lands from the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act.
• HJR 11 Campaign finance reform: urges Congress to amend the US Constitution to prohibit unlimited independent expenditures in campaigns.

With Regards,

Sam Kito III