Hello and thank you for tuning in. I appreciate this opportunity to speak to you with a message from Juneau. Today I will speak about fiscal responsibilities, the Exit Exam and Veterans Homes. Next week I'll talk about education funding.

As you know, I'm currently Co-Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, and Vice Chair of the Senate Health Education and Social Services Committee. As we continue the discussion on taxes, the Permanent Fund, and resource development and exploration we will recommend more budget and procurement reforms, fiscal discipline, improved revenue collection, and prevention of fraud and corruption to streamline government productivity. The duty of the Legislature is to balance the budget, pare down government spending and provide essential services. I receive conflicting correspondence and comments:

1. demanding a new sales tax; or
2. demanding an income tax; or
3. demanding use of the Permanent Fund earnings;
4. demanding that we not even think about taxes; or
5. saying keep your hands off the PFD.

One thing becomes abundantly clear: there is a tremendous lack of agreement in the capitol and throughout the state as to how to balance the budget.

The good news is we are moving closer to sound fiscal management and prudent spending, forcing ourselves to live within our means. This has been accomplished through reorganizing departments and mandating accountability. Each Department has brought to the Senate Finance Committee an accounting of what they have done to implement fiscal responsibility and cut waste from their programs.

Many of you may have recently seen some press regarding the debate over private versus state prisons.

I support the expansion of the public prison system in Alaska-specifically at the already developed location just north of Palmer. For four years I have been working on public prison legislation. Our prison system is currently at more than 100 percent capacity. With additional prosecutors, law enforcement personnel, and "get tough on crime" agendas, the number of inmates will continue to increase. Alaska has been trying to address the need for expansion of the prison system for more than 10 years. This state has wasted time and money on private prison legislation and we have no additional prison beds to show for it. I am committed to seeing this issue addressed and resolved so that we can move forward on implementing solutions.

The Exit Exam is an issue close to my heart.

I have been involved in this legislation from its inception with an eye towards protecting the needs of the learning disabled student. We are under a federal mandate to provide special education services to address the needs of the learning disabled and to measure the success of these programs. The legislative intent and the language in the Exit Exam bill clearly addressed testing of students who have an Individual Education Plan. I am very disappointed with the regulations enacted because they do not contain the same accommodations and plans for alternative testing mechanisms to address the needs of these students. It is possible that some learning disabled students will not receive a diploma for the simple reason that the bureaucratic educational community has not implemented regulations correctly. I will continue to insist that changes be made systematically so that our exit exam system properly assesses the educational accomplishments of all students.

Speaking of accomplishment, changes to the Palmer Pioneer Home are moving along smoothly.

I spoke about the Palmer Pioneer Home conversion to a combined Pioneer and Veterans Home at a press conference last week while the Alaska Veterans Advisory Commission was in town. I have been following this matter for more than a year. This conversion will result in upgrades to the existing Pioneer Home in Palmer and allow the State of Alaska to access Veterans Benefits, Medicaid, and other sources to fund the Alaska Pioneer Home System. Thus, Veterans will have access to the federal benefits to which they are entitled and the Alaska Pioneer Home system will be sustainable long term through payments from federal sources. Of particular importance is the fact that no current residents of the Palmer Pioneer Home will be asked to move, and no Veterans will be forced to move into the home. This is a strictly voluntary program. I am pleased to see it moving forward.

I would love to hear from you on any of these topics or anything else we are working on in the capitol.

For information on legislation I am working on, to read district updates, or to send me an email, please find my office on the internet at www.akrepublicans.org
You can also call the office directly, 907-465-6600 or toll free in state 1-877-465-6601. Please let me know if you would like to be included on my email distribution list for updates from the office.

Thank you for listening. Next week I plan to speak about education funding and some of the bills that are quickly moving through the Legislature. Have a wonderful week.

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