The annual Anchorage Caucus public hearing is tomorrow (Saturday) from 10 to noon at the Assembly Chambers in the Loussac Library. Also, I will be holding a neighborhood pizza party at the Boys and Girls Club Northeast Community Center from 2:30 to 4 pm on Saturday as well. I hope to see you at one (or both!) of these events.

The House just passed a bill to allow veterans to have their veteran status noted on their drivers license, and at the same time have the option to share their contact information with the Deparment of Military and Veterans Affairs. Veterans groups have been pushing really hard for this bill, since it will help get news about veterans issues out to veterans across the state.

The House passed a resolution today to make sure that make sure Alaskan sport and subsistence fishermen have a voice on the North Pacific Fishery Management Council. They brought it up for a reconsideration vote, so I got to vote for it twice!

The House Energy Committee just unanimously passed my resolution encouraging the development of waste-to-energy technology in Alaska.

On Tuesday the House Energy Committee will be hearing my resolution to encourage the use of waste-to-energy technology in Alaska. WTE is an exciting group of technologies that use municipal garbage to generate electricity and heat. The technology has gotten so advanced, that there are actually fewer emissions from burning the garbage than would be caused if it was allowed to decompose in a landfill.

Today the House State Affairs Committee passed legislation to help more people vote by allowing people to sign up for absentee ballots for future elections. Rep. Max Gruenberg and I have been working together on this bill to make sure everyone has a chance to make their vote count.

I have just learned that Canadian company AltaGas has purchased Enstar Natural Gas from its parent company for $1.1 billion. I will be investigating this deal to make sure that it is in the best interests of Alaskan consumers.

We just passed HB 250, which continues the renewable energy grant fund, out of the House Energy Committee. I am proud to cosponsor this bill, becauese this program has been a great success at developing renewable energy projects, lowering heating and electric bills, and creating jobs across Alaska.

More coverage of my efforts to make sure local schools don't face cuts from inflation.

The House just passed HB 247 making July 30 "Alaska National Guard Day." This will be a good time for Alaskans to take time to thank our guard members for all the great work they do for our state.

The Associated Press wrote about my bill to protect local schools from inflation, and about other great education bills.

I introduced legislation today to make sure that neighborhood schools are not forced to take cuts due to inflation. Our students should not have to bear the burden of inflation with fewer educational opportunities.

I just met with members of the Governor's Council on Disabilities and Special Education. We're working together on legislation to ensure that children with autism can get the treatment they need. Currently, most insurance companies in Alaska arbitrarily refuse to cover treatment for autism, and to me it is just wrong that parent's can pay their premiums every month and then be denied coverage when their children really need it.

The Anchorage Caucus, which I co-chair, has scheduled our annual public hearing for Saturday February 18 from 10am to noon at the Loussac Library. This will be a great chance for you to make your voice heard to all of the Anchorage area legislators. Sen. Wielechowski and I will also be holding a neighborhood event in East Anchorage that weekend, and I'll let you know when the details are worked out.

Talking with Channel 11's Bill McCallister about Cook Inlet natural gas development. We've worked really hard to increase natural gas exploration in Cook Inlet, and it has paid off with several new companies exploring in Cook Inlet. This is great news for Anchorage natural gas users, and all of Southcentral Alaska!

My enews is online, where I discuss my top priorities for the session: Lower energy costs, Safer neighborhoods, and Improving our neighborhood schools. If you don't get my my email newsletters, send me an email at rep.pete.petersen@legis.state.ak.us and I'll add you to the list.

The Petersen Report: NEWS from the CAPITOL

www.akdemocrats.org

Contact my office:State Capitol Bldg. 4th Floor, Room 422 Juneau, AK 99801 (907) 465-4939

Speaking on the House floor on the first day of session.