"JUNEAU UPDATE"
Kodiak Daily Mirror Publication Date of April 16, 1998
With a full moon behind its shoulder, Easter was ushered in by nice sunny skies in Kodiak. I had the opportunity to be in town sharing this day with my family. I hope everyone had a very nice weekend with his or her own family and friends. Spring is in the air, the days are getting warmer and this legislative session is starting to heat up. As I write this, there are only 27 more days until the end of the 20th Alaska Legislature, barring a special session. If the subsistence issue isn’t resolved, then a special session is almost a certainty. I agree with the response I’m hearing from Kodiak; the people should be allowed to vote on this important decision.
Education Formula
Senate Bill 36 is presently in House Finance. It has taken a back seat for this week, while the House struggles with the state budget. Public testimony should be scheduled for next week at the latest. Call the Kodiak LIO next week to find out when this bill will be taken up by that committee. SB 36 deals with the restructuring of the education formula. All of Alaska’s children deserve the best education possible. SB 36 would deny that right to many children located in the many rural districts around this state. In its present form, I believe many rural schools will have to be closed or operate on a part time basis. Shortsighted legislators have already compromised education in this state by years of inadequate funding. Some reallocation may be necessary, but let’s not do it on the backs of the rural areas. The bottom line is, our schools need adequate funding from the state. I feel this bill is discriminatory and will vote against it, if it comes to the floor in its present form.
Speaking of the budget, the House Finance Sub-Committees have closed out their respective budgets. Their recommendations now go to the full Finance Committee for consideration. The operating budget will be discussed all this week and is scheduled for listen-only teleconferences through the weekend. You may also catch the action on cable channel 53 in Kodiak.
Budget reports, including subcommittee closeouts, are available through the Legislature’s Finance Division’s home page: www.legfin.state.ak.us/. Information about bills is available at: www.legis.state.ak.us/basis20.htm.
On Fisheries
The Fish and Game budget looks good this year. The House subcommittee only reduced $200,000 in General Funds (GF) and the Senate subcommittee recommended a reduction of only $400,000 in GF money. Overall the department will gain over $7 million above the FY 98 authorized spending level, primarily due to an increase in federal funds, test fisheries receipts and sport fish license receipts.
The House Special Committee of Fisheries heard HB 483 on Wednesday the 15th. HB 483 requires nonresident alien sport fishermen; except those of Canada and Mexico, be guided by registered sport fish guides. It also requires that processors of sport caught fish, maintain some records of the fish they process. Due to the lateness of this bill’s introduction, it is highly unlikely this legislation will pass this year.
HB 392, my bill, which modifies exvessel value reporting and wholesale price reporting to the state, was heard in Senate Resources last week. It did not pass out of committee due to concerns voiced by several members on sharing harvest information with the Department of Environmental Conservation. The committee is drafting an amendment, so that the bill can move out without a title change.
HB 310, my bill on utilization of groundfish, was heard in and passed out of Senate Judiciary Friday, April 3. The final and next step is the Senate Floor. 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.
HJR 55, my resolution, supporting a majority of the pollock allocation in the Bering Sea, be delivered to the inshore sector, has not yet been scheduled by the Rules Committee for a floor vote.
HB 318 is Rep. Ivan Ivan’s bill relating to wanton waste, now includes language allowing roe stripping for brood stock and splitting the proceeds of excessive brood stock egg sales with ADFG’s Division of Commercial Fisheries Management and Development. This bill is sitting in House Resources and remains unscheduled to date.
Rep. Ivan’s HB 285, appears to be moving rapidly. It moved out of Senate Resources on Monday, March 30 with no other committee referrals in the Senate. HB 285 will attach points to limited entry permit holders when citations and violations occur.
HB 406, Rep. Joe Green’s subsistence bill, moved out of the House Finance Committee and is now in House Rules waiting to be calendared for a floor debate. The bill has received an amended title, which substantially restricts the Senate’s ability to modify the content of the bill. As amended by the Finance Committee there is not a constitutional amendment attached to this bill. Without allowing a vote of the people, I will not support this bill.
HB 394, by Rep. Bill Williams, regarding direct marketing vessels, has been awaiting a hearing in House Finance since March 11 and remains unscheduled to date.
‘People First’
More than 1,000 participants from around the world are expected to attend the 4th International People First Conference to be held in Anchorage, April 23rd through the 25th. People First is a civil rights movement by and for people with developmental disabilities who are seeking to attain their human, civil and legal rights.
Surveys-Still Time
Please return your constituent survey as soon as possible. Results will be announced in the next ‘update.’ This survey has been invaluable to me. As I vote on issues important to Kodiak, I will have a clear message as to how you are thinking. Thanks again for the response.
Visitors
I conferred with Betty Walters, Superintendent of Schools and Dave Jones of the Kodiak Island Borough School District. Several Kodiak City and Borough officials overwhelmed us this past week in conjunction with the Alaska Municipal League. In town for the various meetings were: City Mayor Carolyn Floyd, Borough Mayor Jerome Selby, City Manager Bill Jones, Donna Smith, Mary Monroe, Tom Abel, Scott Arndt, Tuck Bonney, Robin Heinrichs, Jesse Vizcocho, Tom Walters and Tom Quick of Ouzinkie. Also stopping by was Walter Sapp, who is the newest member of the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Panel on Power Cost Equalization. Also visiting were former residents, Jim Balamaci, Bruce Johnson, John Sevier, and John’s two kids, Jenny and J.J.
Several of Kodiak’s seafood processors provided a tremendous amount of seafood for the annual Kodiak reception honoring the 20th Legislature. Thanks to all of the processors, city and borough and individuals that were responsible for this year’s reception.
Remember that my door is always open. If you would like to talk, schedule an appointment or get a message to me, please call toll free at 1-800-865-2487. The office fax number is (907) 465-4956. If you’re calling for another legislator or a state agency with the same prefix, we will be happy to transfer your call.