Dear Neighbors:

Election day is almost upon us and soon many familiar faces, and some new ones, will convene in Juneau to begin the 22nd Alaska State Legislature. I would like to take the opportunity to discuss some important issues we will face that will shape the lives of all Alaskans.

On October 30th, the DUI Task Force submitted its recommendations to Mayor Weurch and the Anchorage Assembly. The Task Force was created to advise the Mayor and the Assembly on appropriate legislative action necessary to deter drunk driving in Anchorage.

I would like to express my thanks to the Task Force's Co-Chairs, Bob Bailey and Joe Murdy, and to all the members of the Task Force and its subcommittees. These people volunteered many hours of their time in an effort to make Anchorage's streets safer.

The Task Force's full recommendation is over 50 pages but I would like to take the opportunity to highlight several suggestions made by the Task Force.

One recommendation involves changing the current Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) standard from .10 to .08. Recently, the President signed legislation to implement this new standard at the federal level. Because future federal highway funding will be contingent on states adopting this same BAC standard, it is almost certain that Alaska will move in this direction.

Other recommendations that deserve serious consideration involve subjecting repeat offenders to felony prosecution for third offenses and requiring a valid driver's license and proof of insurance to register vehicles. The Task Force suggested changes in alcohol assessment, screening and treatment for DUI offenders. These suggestions range from mandatory alcohol awareness training as a prerequisite for obtaining a driver's license to offering screening and mandatory alcohol education and assessments for DUI incarcerations.

One significant legal change is the recommendation to make possession, control or consumption by persons under the age of 21 a misdemeanor and provide for alcohol treatment or counseling, peer options such as Youth Court, and parental/guardian notification for offenders.

Another recommendation involves the creation and funding of a DUI Court. This concept provides a legal environment that can specifically focus on the DUI concerns ranging from enforcement, prosecution, education and screening.

Commercialization of Alaska's North Slope natural gas will be a hot topic in 2001. Recently, we have seen a fundamental shift in the supply and demand for natural gas delivered to the Lower 48, the world's largest gas market. Experts forecast an increasing demand for gas in the United States.

The demand for arctic gas and the technology to bring this gas to market exists today. Alaska legislators and business leaders already held meetings with our counterparts in Canada to initiate an international dialogue on a Trans-North American gas pipeline system. Formalizing development strategies with our Canadian counterparts on matters such as cooperative permitting agreements is the next logical step in this process.

There are currently a variety of gas pipeline routes under consideration. A thorough cost analysis of each proposed route is being undertaken by petroleum producers led by PHILLIPS Alaska and BP. We expect the companies to request financial concessions. The debate will be lively! I hope you become involved. I will make sure to keep you informed of the issues surrounding the construction of a gas line via these community council letters and on my legislative website located at: http://www.akrepublicans.org/pastlegs/Pearce.htm. A decision on the selected route is expected before we go to Juneau in January 2001.

In closing I would like to remind you that next Tuesday, November 7, 2000, is Election Day. It's your opportunity to choose the people you want to represent you at the state and federal level. There are also several important ballot measures that will have an important impact on our Alaska lifestyle. Please take the time to go out and vote!

Sincerely,

Drue Pearce