"JUNEAU UPDATE"

Kodiak Daily Mirror Publication Date of March 18, 1998

PFD Deadline

The deadline for applying for a 1998 Permanent Fund Dividend is Tuesday, March 31^st. Each year, at least 1,600 Alaskans miss the deadline and are denied a dividend. If you need a form, contact the PFD Division immediately. Their number in Anchorage is (907) 273-2600.

More New Ferries?

Alaska is poised to receive at least $142 million over the next six years for the building of 2-3 new state ferries by the year 2005. Senator Ted Stevens has informed us that the current transportation bill amended in the Senate, will also bring Alaska as much as $312 million a year toward highway projects. The House and Senate versions still have to be worked out in committee, but it looks like Alaska can expect as much as $100 million more a year when the final deal is hammered out. As a side note, the new ferry being constructed in Moss Point, Mississippi is slated to begin sea trials later this month. The first official sailing of the Kennicott is scheduled out of Bellingham, Washington on June 2^nd.

EVOS Hearings

The Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council has informed me of the following meeting schedule to take public testimony throughout the spill region, to discuss possible uses for the Restoration Reserves. Kodiak – March 28, 7:00 p.m., in the borough assembly chambers. Ouzinkie – March 30, 1:00 p.m., Port Lions – March 31, 1:00 p.m., Larsen Bay – March 31, 7:00 p.m., these three preceding sites have yet to determine a meeting place. Old Harbor - April 1, 2:00 p.m., in the city offices. The communities of Karluk and Akhiok have tentative dates of between March 29-April 2, with a meeting place to still be determined. The deadline for written comments is April 30, 1998, addressed to EVOS 645 G St., Suite 401, Anchorage, AK. 99501-3451.

Recommended Appointments

Governor Knowles has recommended the reappointment of Kevin O’Leary to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council. Alaska tribal leaders have named Margaret Roberts as one of four nominees to a new state task force on rural governance.

Results-Based Budgeting

The House and Senate Finance Committees are tinkering with a "results-based" budgeting procedure that will be used, on an experimental basis, in the FY 99 budgets of three state agencies. The Alcohol Beverage Control Board, the state marine highway system and the state day-care assistance program will all participate in this new budgeting procedure. The emphasis is on the purpose of the agency and its objectives, not the dollars that are being spent. The initial step is the preparation of a one-page, goals statement and a list of measurable outcomes which can be used to gauge performance. My staff has been actively involved in several workshops on this budgeting concept. This same concept was utilized to overhaul New York City’s police department, and is credited with helping refocus resources leading to a dramatic reduction in crime. The entire state of Oregon has adopted this program. The overall effectiveness of this new results-based tool will be evaluated next year.

United Way Web Site

Looking for help? Chances are you can find the answer in minutes with your computer or your phone. United Way of Anchorage is developing a statewide clearinghouse of services and resources available from all levels of government, community groups and nonprofit organizations. There’s information about grants, scholarships, statistics, job training, transportation, and volunteer opportunities. Listings include groups and agencies that provide shelter, food, clothing, help for drug and alcohol abuse, as well as info for victims of rape and domestic violence. For those who have Internet access, the address is www.ak.org. If you want to use the phone, the number is 1-800-478-2221. This hot-line will go to a 24 hour, 7 days a week service by the end of March.

Kodiak LIO

As this session heats up, an invaluable resource is just a phone call away. Lorna and Mary down at the legislative offices are available to answer your questions and provide timely information about legislation, budget items and ongoing committee hearings. To utilize their expertise, please call 486-8116. The LIO is located across from Subway at 112 Mill Bay Road.

Fisheries Issues

HB 310, my bill on utilization of groundfish, passed the House without opposition on March 9^th. It has since received two Senate committee referrals: Resources and Judiciary, of which, I have requested a hearing in the Senate Resources Committee. As you may recall, this bill enables the Board of Fisheries to require onshore processor’s utilization of pacific cod and other groundfish in the future.

HB 392, my bill which modifies exvessel value reporting and wholesale price reporting to the state, is waiting for House Floor scheduling. A floor vote on this legislation is hopeful for next week.

On March 11^th, the House Special Committee on Fisheries took testimony for the second time on HJR 55, my resolution supporting a majority of the pollock allocation in the Bering Sea be delivered to the inshore sector. I’d like to thank the Kodiak folks who attended this teleconference and spoke out on this matter.

I anticipate moving HJR 55 out of committee at our next meeting this Wednesday, March 18, 1998.

Also at our next meeting, the committee will take up Senator Jerry Mackie’s SJR 33, on the Americanization of the offshore fleet. Other bills to be heard are: HB 423, Rep. Eldon Mulder’s bill concerning a limited entry permit buyback mechanism. HB 318 is Rep. Ivan Ivan’s bill relating to wanton waste. The sponsor has provided two amendments to this bill allowing roe stripping for brood stock only and that excessive brood stock egg sale dollars would be shared with ADFG’s Division of Commercial Fisheries Management and Development.

I plan on scheduling Senator Loren Leman’s resolution, SJR 40, which opposes the fisheries management fee proposed by President Clinton, for our committee meeting of Wednesday, March 25^th. Any legislation on our schedule this week, which does not move out, will be brought up again at that meeting as well.

HB 394, by Rep. Bill Williams, regarding direct marketing vessels, is awaiting a hearing in the House Finance Committee. Rep. Ivan’s HB 285 is in the Rules Committee awaiting for a House Floor vote. HB 285 will attach points to limited entry permit holders when citations and violations occur.

HB 406, Rep. Ogan’s version of the subsistence bill, has two more hearings scheduled for the 18^th and 20^th of March at 1:00 p.m. in the House Judiciary Committee. This bill is receiving considerable examination and thought by the members of this committee, as well as members of the Legislature. I urge you to familiarize yourself with what may be the Legislature’s subsistence proposal.

Senator Mackie and I will have a booth at the Kodiak COMFISH’98 show. Please stop by and visit with us. You might also want to plan to attend our Legislative Forum scheduled for March 27^th at the FITC on Near Island from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. We have invited Senator Leman, Senator Jim Duncan, Representative Jeannette James and ADF&G Commissioner Frank Rue to join us to help answer any questions you may have and listen to your concerns.

Visitors

These past two weeks slowed down somewhat with visitors from Kodiak. Those stopping by were: Tish Raub, Christine Marasigan, Terry Stone, Bruce Schactler and Jim Carmichael. Remember, my door is always open. My staff and I will go out of our way to ensure you have been listened to and you have made the right contacts while in Juneau.