(ANCHORAGE) - Members from the House Special Committee on Ways and Means will be conducting a statewide teleconference to conclude the committee's public hearing schedule and expound on the emerging public consensus regarding fiscal policy for Alaska. The meeting will be held at the Anchorage LIO on December 18th from 9 a.m. - 12:00 noon and teleconferenced to locations throughout the state.

This meeting is designed to promote and validate the accord presented by organizations throughout Alaska in coming together to support a responsible and committed effort in addressing Alaska's fiscal dilemma. Organizations representing a broad sector of private and public interests have been invited to testify and participate in the debate to help resolve this issue. Committee members will also be given the opportunity to present their individual conclusions, vision and agenda as a wrap-up to the interim Ways & Means Committee hearings.

This hearing follows an intensive series of meetings held during the interim to promote a dialog between the legislature, community representatives, and the public at-large. The public meetings offered an overview of Alaska's fiscal dilemma, including a broader discussion of alternatives to protect permanent fund dividends and balance the state budget.

For more information please contact Paulyn Swanson, Assistant to the Ways and Means Committee, at (907) 465-6820.

# # #