New Oil Drilling Rigs, High Profits and New Developers Undermine Parnell Demand for Oil Tax Giveaway

This week pictures surfaced of two new $100 million drilling rigs being sent from the Portland shipyard to Alaska’s North Slope. The owner of the rigs, Parker Drilling, has indicated that this delivery is part of British Petroleum’s land-based drilling program. The rigs made news in Portland when they required a shutdown of interstate traffic during rush hour as they were transported down the Willamette River.

“A picture is worth a thousand words,” said Senator Hollis French, D-Anchorage, who took the photos during a recent tour of the port of Portland. “The governor is acting like the sky is falling, but these two rigs tell a very different story.”

Rep. Kerttula’s Juneau Newsletter: In-State Gasline Report Released Plus New State Office Building Location Blog

This month, the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation released their report on the proposed in-state gasline. While I am concerned for the residents of Anchorage and Fairbanks in their search for affordable energy, I don’t think this will bring them what they’re looking for, and could hurt our chances of getting the large gasline. In this newsletter, I’ll tell you why I’m so concerned.

I’ll also provide information about how to make comments on where the new state office building should be located.

Thank you for reading my newsletter. I enjoy hearing from you, so please stop by the office, call, write or email.

Note from Rep. Gara: In-State Gas: Expensive and Not Yet Time to Pull Plug on Potentially Cheaper, Better Options

Do you want to be bound, by contract, to pay natural gas prices that are double what is paid in the Lower 48 – for the next 20 or 30 years? How’s that for attracting business to Alaska? How’s that for your pocketbook? The folks who held the press conference on Tuesday didn’t mention any of that, did they? Unfortunately, the gasline debate has devolved into competing sound bites. Those pushing the project want you to think the lights will go out tomorrow if you don’t do what they propose. It’s bad policy to scare people into ill-advised projects. Frankly, the sound bites on all sides are pretty trite – because this issue is too difficult to discuss in accurate sound bites.

Rep. Guttenberg’s Legislative Report: Alaska Coastal Zone Management Sunsets; Governor Budget Vetoes Released;

Thank you to everyone that attended our constituent meeting. We heard from many residents on numerous important issues. I apperciate all the feedback and if you weren’t able to make it to the meeting I welcome you to call, write, or visit my office at anytime.

We heard a variety of different issues and concerns from energy projects to air quality. The Govenor had just realeased his vetoes so we were able to have a discussion on what that means for Fairbanks. U.S. Senator Mark Begich called into the meeting to take questions on federal budget action and costal zone management.

Last Wednesday’s meeting was just the first of many we will have. If you live in the Denali Borough we will be headed your way soon.

Rep. Kerttula’s Juneau Newsletter: Coastal Management Program Ended, Plus: Juneau Fares Well in Budget Vetoes

At the end of an eventful week, there’s bad news and good news. First, the bad news. The special session that started on Monday this week ended with the House failing to pass an extension for the Alaska Coastal Management Program. The good news is that Juneau escaped relatively unscathed in the capital budget vetoes announced by the governor on Wednesday. More about both are discussed below.

Thanks for reading my newsletter. I enjoy hearing from you, so please stop by the office, call, write or email.

Note from Rep. Gara: Special Edition: Goods and Bads of Yesterday’s Budget Vetoes

I hate writing letters two days in a row. But important things have happened two days in a row.

I thought you’d like a rundown of the Governor’s veto decisions. First, let me say that I saw unjustified pork in some of the projects, and thought the budget was too big, so I voted against it. I voted against a $3.2 billion budget, because we have priority services and a need for savings. On the other hand, I can’t fault many of those who voted for the budget. It included some important energy projects to reduce energy costs – projects I defended publicly. It included home energy efficiency upgrade funds (which I voted for as an amendment), and some other priorities I helped get in the budget. So I’d say this: The budget, in my mind, was too big. I agree with the Governor there. But I would have chosen different projects to veto.

Note from Rep. Gara: Lucy & The Football, Again: Special Session Failure Will Hurt Alaskans.

I’m not a big fan of failure, and not a big fan of spending money on wasted Special Sessions. I’ve now voted three times, including yesterday, to pass the Coastal Zone Management bill that passed the Bi-Partisan Senate Monday, but surprisingly failed by three votes in the House yesterday. Failure to pass the bill gave away a big piece of state sovereignty to the federal government.

Democrats Disappointed by Failure to Extend Alaska Coastal Management Program

Program’s demise threatens jobs, development, local control

House Democrats are disappointed today by the unraveling of the special session to retain the Alaska Coastal Management Program (ACMP). Democrats said abandoning the ACMP will directly affect Alaskans by killing jobs, impeding development and decreasing state and local control in Alaska.

Rep. Tuck’s Community Connection: Constituent Meeting & Free BBQ / Fixing Roads and Schools

My office, along with Senator Kevin Meyer and Representative Charisse Millett will hold a Constituent Meeting and free BBQ tomorrow evening. I look forward to hearing from you, since you are the eyes and ears in our neighborhoods.

We will have information on road construction projects in our district, legislative news and answers to all your questions.

Rep. Mike Doogan Unable to Participate in Special Session

Health concerns prevent attendance

Rep. Mike Doogan (D-Anchorage) will be unable to participate in the special session due to health concerns. Rep. Doogan is at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle receiving treatment related to his surgery last year to remove a benign brain tumor. Doogan entered Harborview on Saturday June 25; duration of his treatment is unknown but the prognosis for his recovery is good.