Ground Broken for New Northeast Anchorage Fire Station

Legislative funding leads to new station, increased safety for Northeast neighborhoods

Today, the Northeast Anchorage legislative delegation attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Fire Station #6 in East Anchorage. This project is funded by a $6 million legislative grant secured last year by Sen. Bill Wielechowski and Reps. Max Gruenberg and Pete Petersen. Fire Station #6 is one of Anchorage’s oldest and busiest fire stations, and replacing the outdated building has long been a top priority for the Northeast Anchorage area.

Alaska House Approves Free Death Certificates for Families of Deceased Veterans

JUNEAU – Today the Alaska House of Representatives passed legislation to allow families of deceased veterans to receive up to four official death certificates from the state for free. Currently, death certificates cost $25 each.

“These veterans served our country,” said Rep. Max Gruenberg (D-Anchorage), sponsor of the legislation. “We share their families’ grief. Removing the charge for death certificates will make it easier for family members to get benefits, like social security, veterans’ death benefits, and life insurance death benefits to which they are entitled on behalf of the deceased veteran. It’s the least we can do.”

Legislature Requests TSA Hearings in Alaska

Air travel, airport procedures of upmost importance to Alaskans

JUNEAU – Today, fifty-nine of sixty members of the Alaska Legislature sent a letter to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs requesting hearings be held in Alaska on the often invasive procedures used by the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA).

“Alaskans depend on air travel more than most other Americans,” said Rep. Max Gruenberg (D-Anchorage) who drafted the letter and gathered signatures from his colleagues in the State House. “The committee needs to hear from Alaskans about our unique concerns.”

Alaska House Gives University Regents Process to Remove Members for Cause

Bill protects Board of Regents from adverse actions of individual members

JUNEAU – Today the Alaska House of Representatives passed legislation creating a process for the University of Alaska Board of Regents to remove a regent for cause. The bill is a carefully crafted response to the unfortunate situation in 2007 where a regent refused to step down while being prosecuted for fraud.

Alaska Democrats Push Federal Bureaucrats to Allow NPR-A Oil Development

JUNEAU – Today, fourteen Democratic members of the Alaska Legislature called on the Obama Administration to resolve permit issues that are delaying ConocoPhillips’ efforts to develop a new oil field in the National Petroleum Reserve – Alaska (NPR-A). Last year, the Army Corps of Engineers rejected Conoco’s permit application to build a bridge across the Coleville River that the company needs to access the new field just west of its Alpine oil field, the third largest in Alaska.

[BILL] HB129: Death Certificates for Deceased Veterans

House Bill 129 provides a death certificate, without cost, to a surviving spouse, next of kin, or other relative of a deceased veteran. The bill is modeled after an Arizona statute and will provide one copy to the eligible recipient.

[BILL] HB72: Antitrust Actions and Penalties

The purpose of HB 72 is threefold:
1. Increase the penalties for antitrust violations
2. Allow recovery for parties injured indirectly, as well as directly, by antitrust violations
3. Allow the attorney general to bring an antitrust action for additional equitable and monetary relief.

[BILL] HB56: Include Arson in Crimes of Conspiracy

House Bill 56 adds first and second degree arson to Alaska’s conspiracy statute, which will provide strong deterrents to committing arson and close a loophole in current law. HB 56 was drafted after it became apparent during a committee hearing last session that arson is not currently included in Alaska’s conspiracy statute.

[BILL] HB14: Executive Ethics: Legal Fees/Family Travel

House Bill 14 sets forth in statute the substance of the Attorney General’s recently-enacted regulations establishing standards for (1) reimbursement of legal fees and costs for any executive branch employees accused of ethical violations, and (2) payment of travel expenses for the families of only the governor and lieutenant governor.