February 12, 1997
Agency Budget Work Begins
By the end of last week, the finalized lists of budget subcommittee assignments had been released. The detailed budget work is done by subcommittees which review each agency on a line-by-line basis. Once the subcommittees complete their work the agency budgets return to the full Finance Committee. From there they progress to the respective house floors for consideration. If changes are made between the House and Senate a conference committee will meet to work out the differences. The Interior Delegation has a lot of responsibility with the new subcommittee assignments and therefore a lot of opportunity.
The subcommittees will begin meeting the week of February 17 generally aiming for close-outs to occur within one month. This schedule will enable passage of the budget from the House to the Senate before Easter. That will allow for orderly completion in the Senate so the budget may return for concurrence.
To do a good job on the crucial issues of the budget it is important that Legislators hear from you. Share with us what you think should be reduced or eliminated, and which programs you believe are particularly important for a better Alaska.
Finance Subcommittee Assignments
Subcommittee |
Chair of Committee |
Member of Committee |
| Courts | Rep. Therriault | |
| Dept. of Education | Rep. Kelly | |
| Dept. of Environmental Conservation | Rep. Davies | |
| Governor | Rep. Therriault (co-chair) | |
| Dept. of Health & Social Services | Reps. Therriault, Brice | |
| Dept. of Labor | Rep. Therriault | Reps. Vezey, Brice |
| Dept. of Law | Reps. James, Brice | |
| Legislature | Rep. Therriault (co-chair) | |
| Dept. of Transportation | Rep. Vezey | |
| Dept. of Natural Resources | Rep. Kelly | Rep. Davies |
| Dept. of Public Safety | Rep. James | |
| Dept. of Revenue | Rep. Vezey | |
| University | Reps. James, Davies | |
| Dept. of Education | Sen. Wilken | |
| Dept. of Fish & Game | Sen. Sharp | |
| Governor | Sen. Miller | |
| Dept. of Health & Social Services | Sen. Sharp | |
| Dept. of Law | Sen. Sharp | |
| Legislature | Sen. Sharp | Sen. Miller |
| Management Information Systems | Sen. Sharp | |
| Dept. of Revenue | Sen. Sharp | Sen. Wilken |
| University | Sen. Wilken |
Who and What: Senators and Their Bills
Senator Mike Miller is co-sponsoring the following bills:
SB 12 Partial Birth Abortions
SB 24 Parental Consent before Minor's Abortion
SJR 9 Endorsing ANWR Leasing
Senator Bert Sharp has introduced the following:
SB 5 Excise Fee on Passenger Ship Travelers
SB 13 Increase Tobacco Taxes
SB 19 Fish & Game Commissioner not to Enforce Federal Law
SB 22 Board of Game Qualifications
SB 23 Excise Taxes on Transient Lodging
Sen. Sharp has cosponsored these bills:
SB 7 Hunting Sport Fish Trapping Fees/Licenses
SB 30 Mandatory Incorporation of Certain Boroughs
SB 84 Assets of the University of Alaska
SJR 9 Endorsing ANWR Leasing
SJR 10 Election of Attorney General
Senator Gary Wilken is sponsoring:
SB 84 Assets of the University of Alaska
Sen. Wilken has signed on to co-sponsor these pieces of legislation:
SB 68 Task Force on Privatization
SB 76 State Long-term Planning
Senate Happenings
The Interior's senators are all hard at work on various issues and committees as well as sponsoring several bills each. If you are interested in their legislation you may contact the sponsoring senator or the Legislative Information Office in Fairbanks. They will be happy to answer any questions you may have, tell you where the bills are in the legislative process, and inform you of upcoming hearings. We appreciate your participation!
Brown Bag Lunches
Brown bag lunches for the Interior Delegation to meet with constituents visiting the capitol are scheduled for the following Thursdays:
Please come join us if you will be in Juneau. We are happy to schedule lunches for an off Thursday. Just let us know!
Teleconferences
Legislative Teleconferences with the Interior Delegation are scheduled for the following alternate Tuesdays from 7-8pm:
These meetings are broadcast over KUAC and we welcome you to participate. You may go to the LIO on Cushman St. or call 1-800-478-7612. We hope to hear from you!
We're on the Internet
Come see our web pages! The members of the Interior Delegation are accessible via the Internet! You will find legislation, speeches, sponsor statements, photos, profiles and more! Please come visit majority members at:
All members at: