"JUNEAU UPDATE"
Kodiak Daily Mirror publication date of February 4, 1998
While this session continues to get off the ground, I wanted to quickly list the accomplishments of the legislature in 1997. We implemented the second year of our five-year fiscal plan by reducing state spending by another $60 million, for a combined total of $130 million towards closing the fiscal gap. Like you and I, the State of Alaska must be committed to living within its means. We will continue to prioritize necessary government functions and reward what works. All areas of state government will come under review to ascertain if maybe the private sector can do the job more efficient and cost effective.
In education reform, the legislature provided for the expansion of boarding schools; guaranteed the right of parents to home school their children; prohibited discrimination against part-time students; and established measurable standards for both teachers and students. We will build on those accomplishments by introducing greater parental control, choice and involvement into the system and giving Alaska’s children an equal opportunity to learn and succeed.
The safe neighborhood crime package we passed last session, put teeth in the juvenile crime laws; promoted the rights of victims over criminals; established truth in sentencing; and took the frills out of prisons. Part of our commitment this year is to take a hard look at child safety issues. The Division of Family and Youth Services has had their share of problems as highlighted in several stories you may have seen in the newspapers. This agency will be under intense scrutiny by this legislature. We intend on giving the Governor additional tools to develop programs within that division that really work.
I encourage all of you to share your thoughts on any of the above topics. I am committed to developing a sensible revenue plan and budget process that meets the present needs of the people while looking towards future generations of Alaskan’s. My toll free number in Juneau is 1-800-865-2487.
Congrats
The Association of Alaska School Boards (AASB) recently announced Norm Wooten as Outstanding Board Member of the Year at their annual conference. Norm was praised for his years of service and his practical approach to handling school board matters. Norm also served as president of AASB in 1996. He currently sits on the Kodiak Island Borough School District Board of Education.
INS
I have requested Senator Ted Stevens look at the possibility of establishing an Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) office in Kodiak. My office along with Senator Mackie’s and the Legislative Information Office have been inundated with several requests for assistance. Most of these requests come from legal immigrants of our growing Hispanic community. It has been very frustrating in trying to communicate with INS offices in Anchorage or Seattle. As you may or may not be aware, Kodiak is in the top 4 percent of counties nationwide as an immigration "hot spot," according to the Center for Immigration Studies. A recent Department of Labor predicts that if present trends continue, more than half of Kodiak’s population will be composed of minority racial and ethnic groups by the turn of the century. A local INS office would provide the full spectrum of immigration services required for enforcement, naturalization and other adjustments to their status.
Log on to the DMV
Registering your vehicle or getting personalized license plates is now as easy as picking up the phone or dialing up the Internet. The Department of Motor Vehicles recently announced the new system to give Alaskans faster and more efficient service. In the electronic registration system, computers handle the bulk of the work, saving money and allowing "back room" employees to come to the counter and work more with customers. To renew a vehicle registration or order personalized license plates by phone, call (888) DMV-KWIK. The Internet address is www.state.ak.us/dmv/. All you need is your renewal form and a credit card.
Fisheries Update
Two resolutions relating to fisheries were introduced this week in the House. HJR 54 by Representative Al Vezey speaks to the absence of maritime boundaries with Canada and urges negotiation of establishing these through a federal process with Alaskan participation. I introduced HJR 55, which supports an allocative rollover in the Gulf of Alaska and increasing the pollock quota in the Bering Sea for the inshore sector. While I appreciate recent employment outreach efforts on the part of the offshore sector and their development of new competitive markets, I favor the inshore infrastructure as a greater long-term partner in our communities.
Rep. Ivan Ivan’s HB 285, which would attach points to limited entry permits when violations occur, had a hearing in the House Resources Committee last week. The points would carry forward with the permits and it would also affect the permit’s market value. This bill will next be heard in the House Judiciary Committee after being passed out of Resources.
HB 310, which I sponsored, relates to waste in groundfish processing. It passed out of the Fisheries Committee on January 28th and is tentatively scheduled for a Resources Committee hearing on February 12th. Thanks to Chris Blackburn and Jeff Stephan for participating in the teleconference and providing expert testimony.
We heard HJR 38 in Fisheries Committee on January 26 and 28th. Representative Joe Green of Anchorage introduced HJR 38. It is a resolution to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot allowing limited entry for sport fish guides. Primary due to the uncertainty of the issues surrounding a potential limitation on guides, this bill has been tabled in my committee.
The House Community and Regional Affairs committee has recently held several hearings on the Bristol Bay and Kuskokwim River economic disaster areas. As a consequence of these meetings, the House C&RA committee introduced HB 370, which seeks an appropriation of $1.9 million in order to match $7 million from the federal government. The grants, loans and research provided, are specifically addressed in the text of the bill.
On February 11th at 5:00 p.m. the House Special Committee on Fisheries will hear Rep. Ivan’s HB 318 relating to the wanton waste of salmon. I expect to have quite a bit of hatchery involvement in the discussion surrounding HB 318 as the purpose of this bill would be to eliminate the ADFG commissioner’s authority to allow any roe stripping.
Chilean Salmon Dumping
It is interesting to follow what is going on world wide with the salmon industry. The Chilean’s were accused of dumping fish into the U.S. salmon market, but the U.S. Department of Commerce found that its; "Preliminary investigation showed only minimal dumping of farmed salmon by Chilean producers". A final ruling on this case is expected in late May. In the mean time, the world market has started hurting the Chilean’s as well as other producers.
Chilean’s are currently offering some of their farmed fish on a "consignment basis" rather that cash up front. This makes their fish more attractive to Japanese buyers. Chileans are also getting rid of some of their fish that is not moving, by selling dark-skinned Chilean coho’s to some East Coast salmon smokers for just $1.10 per pound. All of this fish from Chile, that is landing in Japan and the U.S., is driving the price of Alaska fish lower all the time. For example: Alaska troll caught coho’s that were selling for $2.50/pound are being quoted at $1.30/pound in Seattle this January.
The only bright side to all of this is that the Chileans are now selling their fish at prices below their production cost. They can not continue to do this with out a few of them going out of business.
Presidential Award Deadline
This award for excellence in mathematics and science teaching recognizes 216 teachers including a $7,500 NSF grant to the awardee’s school, educational gifts, and recognition events in Washington, DC. The deadline is February 27, 1998. For an application, write: NSF/PAEMST, Room 885, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA. 22230.
Alaskan Volunteers
First Lady Susan Knowles is seeking nominations for the First Lady's Volunteer Awards, in which Alaskans who volunteer to help other Alaskans will be recognized this spring. The awards honor unpaid volunteers whose efforts have significantly benefited their community or the state. Nominations can be submitted by individuals or by organizations and will be judged by a statewide, nonpartisan panel of judges. Last year, the First Lady presented awards to 20 volunteers. Call the governor's offices for more information: Anchorage: 269-7450; Fairbanks: 451-2920; Juneau: 465-3500.
Visitors
Quite a few folks from Kodiak were in Juneau on business these past two weeks. Those stopping by the office were Linda Kozak, John Iani, Butch Tucker, Mayor Carolyn Floyd, as well as Mayor Jerome Selby. Other officials stopping by to confer were Tom Quick and Paul Panamarioff of Ouzinkie, Jim Nestic of Old Harbor and Bob Wagner of Port Lions.
Remember – My door is always open.