There's no place like home. While the end of session felt a bit like The Wizard of Oz, during the interim it is wonderful to wake up in my own home and see familiar faces about town. I have been walking the district in Kodiak, Ouzinkie, Akhiok, Port Alsworth, Iliamna, Pedro Bay, Newhalen, Kokhanok, Igiugig and Levelock. When I am in Juneau, people who have a deep interest in certain legislation get in touch with me to express their opinions. But when I visit people and walk the neighborhoods, I find the issues that concern the man and woman on the street are not necessarily what I've been hearing in Juneau. This is the main reason that I go to the people rather than wait until they come to me.

If I've missed you at home, my office in Kodiak is located in the Legislative Information Office, 112 Mill Bay Road. The phone number is 486-8872. My Legislative Aide, Christine Marasigan is available during regular business hours and can schedule an appointment or help you if your problem is with a state agency or department. If you feel the government isn't working for you, let me assure you that I am.

Legislation That Affects You

There were many highlights of the session for me and my favorite part of being a legislator is the committee process. I did my homework and was ready to ask questions and work to improve legislation or slow down legislation that needed more work. My philosophy is that having no law is better than passing a bad law and I was willing to put in the work to try to improve or de-rail bad legislation.

One such bill was the University Lands Bill. I got Narrow Cape out of the bill because that recreational property is important to our community. I opposed the TERS and PERS legislation because it will negatively impact new State employees and is a deterrent for hiring qualified teachers and biologists for Fish and Game as well as other vital employees. Through the committee process, I worked diligently to improve the Workers' Compensation bill. This budget cycle brought needed funds to Kodiak for both operating and capital expenditures. Funding for education increased substantially and I worked hard with Senator Gary Stevens to obtain funds for the Marine Travel Lift and the Near Island Research Facility.

Since I have been back I have met with fishermen, processors, members of the Board of Fish, members of the Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission and others all anxious to give their perspectives on SB 113. This bill was held in the House Special Fisheries Committee of which I am the co-chair. I want to make sure that all points of view are heard about this bill. I am trying to arrange for Board of Fish and Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission representatives to be here in Kodiak towards the end of September to answer questions from the community.

Our Hard Working Community

This is a busy time of year for the fishing industry. I have been visiting processing plants when both salmon and rockfish were hitting the docks. At the Alaska Pacific Seafoods plant I observed the plant in action during this pulse fishery. Students from Poland were among the workers as more employees than were locally available were needed to handle the multiple species and tasks. I walked along the line and saw all aspects from delivery to the ikura (salmon eggs) going into the brine.

It's not only adults who keep busy during the summer season. I had an opportunity to observe the KANA Spirit Camp in Akhiok and was very impressed with how industrious our youth are.

Earlier in August I attended an awards ceremony in the village of Pedro Bay with Senator Gary Stevens. Representatives of the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA) as well as members of the Pedro Bay community commemorated the successful completion of bulk fuel storage facilities and powerhouse upgrade projects. These facilities were transferred from the State of Alaska to Pedro Bay Village operators.

Both Senator Stevens and I also had the opportunity to tour the Pebble Mine project near Iliamna. While there is much speculation about this mine producing vast amounts of gold and copper, it is just as important to consider the environmental impacts of this project as well as the will of the local communities.

While I was in the Lake and Peninsula area, I was able to attend funeral services for our late Governor Jay Hammond. I was impressed and touched by the many Alaskans from all walks of life who had a story to tell about our "Bush Rat" Governor.

Seismic Hazards Safety Commission

Governor Murkowski has appointed three Kodiak residents to the Seismic Hazards Safety Commission. I introduced legislation moving through the Senate that will extend the life of that commission. Their first meeting will tentatively be held in September.

The appointees all bring great skills to the nine-person commission. Linda Freed, Dr. Gary Carver and Laura Kelly of Kodiak are Kodiak's three representatives. I know they will do a great job.

Immigration Assistance

The State of Alaska's Office of Citizenship Assistance will be in Kodiak Tuesday and Wednesday, September 13th and 14th from 8:00am to 5:00pm at the Kodiak Job Center, 309 Center Street. They will provide free assistance in helping you to navigate through the citizenship process. For further information you can contact Donene Tweten at 486-3105.

Citizenship and Immigration Services, which was formerly part of INS will be in Kodiak Friday, September 30. If you have issues that need to be handled by an immigration officer, there will be someone here to assist you.

Contact Us

I've enjoyed catching up with you at picnics and other community gatherings. Don't hesitate to visit or ask a question if you see me about town. I can also be reached at the following e-mail address: representative_gabrielle_ledoux@legis.state.ak.us. Christine Marasigan in my office is always happy to assist you. If you would like to make an appointment, contact us at 486-8872.

Thank you for reading your Representative's Report.

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