"JUNEAU UPDATE"
Kodiak Daily Mirror Publication Date of April 2, 1998
Wow! This year’s Kodiak COMFISH’98 show was a big success thanks to Wayne Stevens and the hundreds of folks who attended. Our Legislative Forum at the FITC on March 27th had a record attendance and went longer than the 2 hours allotted. We are all better educated from this experience and nourished too, because of the refreshments baked by FITC’s Maggie Zabinko.
Senator Jerry Mackie and I met with the Kodiak Sport Fishing Association and have since sent a strongly worded letter to Board of Fish Chairman, John White and Vice-chair Dan Coffey about the recent board actions limiting the resident harvest of king salmon. We voiced the concern many Kodiak residents expressed to us about the Board’s lack of deliberation on the Kodiak Advisory Committee’s revised proposal 313. It is important that the Board supports the voice of our community and upholds the process when dealing with Kodiak fisheries.
As most of you know by now, the governor appointed Russell Nelson of Dillingham and reappointed Dr. John White of Bethel to the Board of Fisheries. Many Kodiak residents have expressed frustration with the governor’s appointments these past four years and particularly with the absence of a Kodiak member on the Board. The good news is, I believe the gubernatorial candidates heard the message loud and clear at the debate that Kodiak should be represented on the Board.
Surveys
The response to the constituent survey I mailed out a little over a month ago has been outstanding. The returns are just now starting to slow down. You still have time to mail off your survey before the final results are tabulated. As a sample, the vote is running 2 to 1 in favor of the death penalty and almost 6 to 1 in favor of a constitutional amendment to prevent a federal takeover of our fisheries. I will give you a run down of the results in a future "Update." The survey can also be found on the following web page: http://www.akrepublicans.org/pastlegs/austermansurvey03101998.htm
School Funding
Senate Bill 36 is now being heard in the House Health, Education and Social Services (HESS) Committee. This is the proposal that overhauls Alaska’s school formula foundation funding to communities around the state. According to one analysis, Anchorage would gain over $6 million next year, but state support would be eliminated for the North Slope Borough. The bill’s view is quite myopic at this stage and will no doubt go through some changes on the House side. I feel that this legislation drives a wedge further between urban and rural communities. The bottom line is: Our schools need more money! This bill contains no new money, it just redistributes how that money is handed out. I will be following the debate on this very closely. Please let me know how you feel.
"Taking Action:
A Village Response." The villages of Larsen Bay, Ouzinkie and Akhiok will receive intensive outreach, education and information programs as well as the opportunity to participate in developing a localized media campaign promoting cultural traditions and healing practices to combat child abuse and neglect. The Kodiak Area Native Association received $14,946 towards the project.
Wineries
My House Bill 411 has passed out of both the House Labor & Commerce and Finance. It’s presently in Rules awaiting Floor action. This bill would add a winery licensee to the existing statutes. By adding this language, an individual could seek a local-option election in any city to allow the sale of wine on a wholesale level. This small change will create many business opportunities, while preserving the integrity of alcohol control. A copy of the bill and sponsor statement is available at the Kodiak LIO.
VocEd
HB 429, my bill on Vocational Education has had one committee hearing so far in the House Health, Education and Social Services (HESS) Committee. This bill would require a minimum of two credit hours of vocational education instruction before graduation from high school. This bill should have another hearing in House HESS sometime next week. This bill and sponsor statement can also be acquired by calling the Kodiak LIO.
Acts of Kindness
One Alaskan Senior who is making a difference is Alice Scholes. The children who attend Kodiak’s Head Start Center look forward to seeing Grandma Alice every day. As a Foster Grandparent she assists staff with art projects, takes trips to the park, reads stories, and gives hugs. Alice spends time with all the students, but focuses on two children who need a little extra attention by reading, playing with them, and giving them love and support. Thanks Alice for giving of yourself to our youth!
More on Fisheries
HB 392, my bill which modifies exvessel value reporting and wholesale price reporting to the state, passed the House last Friday and was referred to the Senate Resources Committee. On the House Floor, the sections of the bill, which relate to wholesale price were amended to sunset in 5 years.
HB 310, my bill on utilization of groundfish, was heard in and passed out of Senate Resources on Wednesday, March 25th. This bill has already been scheduled for its next hearing in Senate Judiciary on Friday, April 3, at 1:30. 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, passed out of the Fisheries Committee on March 18. Thanks to the many Kodiak folks who have supported this resolution. I anticipate a floor vote on this resolution shortly.
I cosponsored HJR 48, which is the companion legislation to Senator Mackie’s SJR 33 on the Americanization of the fleet and speaks in support of S.1221. SJR 33 passed the House on Wednesday, March 25th and was immediately signed by the Governor for transmittal to Senator Steven’s office.
Senator Loren Leman’s Resolution, SJR 40, which opposes the fisheries management fee proposed by President Clinton, was passed by House Fisheries Committee on Wednesday, March 25th. If imposed, this fee would tax all fish harvested by commercial fishermen up to one percent.
HB 423, Rep. Eldon Mulder’s bill on a limited entry permit buyback, is still in House Fisheries Committee while we research various possible scenarios to make this a fair and workable product.
HB 318, is Rep. Ivan Ivan’s bill relating to wanton waste. The sponsor incorporated two amendments into this bill allowing roe stripping for brood stock and splitting the proceeds of excessive brood stock egg sale dollars with ADFG’s Division of Commercial Fisheries Management and Development.
HB 394, by Rep. Bill Williams, regarding direct marketing vessels, is awaiting a hearing in House Finance Committee.
Rep. Ivan’s HB 285 appears to be moving rapidly. It moved out of Senate Resources on Monday, March 30th, 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, is scheduled and continuously being heard and revised in the Judiciary Committee. This bill is receiving considerable examination and thought by the members of the Judiciary Committee. If you would like to familiarize yourself with what may be the legislature’s subsistence proposal, please see Lorna at the LIO for the latest committee substitute on HB 406 and HJR 66, the constitutional amendment resolution.
Juneau Office Numbers
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.
Visitors
Both Margie Dixon and Gwen Sargent were in the office to visit. I also participated in some of the Key Campaign activities with Ginny Sargent. Ginny has been associated with the developmentally disabled for many years. Former residents Linda Sharratt, Jim Berg and Bridget Milligan also stopped in to say hello. Remember - my door is always open.