This will be the last update I will be able to give you. I am truly sorry no more space was provided for your legislators. Unfortunately, this paper decided that a weekly column from a minority staff member in Juneau is more important than weekly columns from the individuals you have elected to represent you.

I'm going to give you the most current update on my bills - recognize that by the time you read this, there will probably be changes in the status of many of them.

SB 4: The Department's fiscal note for this bill did not assign a reduction of costs to the general fund. I had hoped, and expected, that there would be a savings to the State. Without that, it is unlikely the bill will move out of the Senate State Affairs Committee.

SB 28: This bill will help out the smaller, unorganized communities on the Peninsula. It would provide for capital funding for projects which are supported in the community and by the Borough Assembly. I am hopeful there will be enough time to have it pass this session.

SB 29: This bill has passed the Senate and is currently in the House Finance Committee. I have worked very hard on this legislation, which will help out all of Alaska's municipalities. The bill is named the "Safe Communities" bill - and clearly reflects one of my priorities - safe communities.

SB 34: At this time, the bill is in Senate Finance Committee. It would provide for $4.5 million to construct a new DOT shop in Soldotna, so the old shop can be removed. As I noted before, the current site is along the Kenai River and has a much higher and better use than as a site for a state maintenance shop.

SB 124: This bill establishes two "Classics" for the Senate District. One is for a salmon classic for the Seward Chamber and the other is for a salmon classic for the Sterling Senior Citizens. Our civic organizations need operating funds to keep providing their valuable services. This is one more "tool" for them to provide revenue.

SB 139: This bill will help out the volunteer fire and emergency medical service organizations through out the Kenai Peninsula. Basically, it would provide funding for the small volunteer groups who serve a population of 2,500 or under. They would receive operating funds every year, based on the number of people in their service area. The bill is in the Senate Finance Committee.

SB 142: This bill would require a local tax effort for education from the residents of the unorganized borough. Right now people living in incorporated areas (borough and city districts) are required to contribute for education, but residents in the Rural Education Attendance Areas (REAAs) are not.

The facts are very clear: 92% of Alaska's population live in boroughs and are required to pay a local contribution - yet they only receive 79% of the State's foundation formula. Conversely, 8% of the population pay no taxes and receive 21% of the state's foundation formula. This bill will remedy that inequity, by requiring a local contribution from the REAAs.

SB 148: At the present time, there is no statutory definition of what a public library is; how it is established, organized, administered, or what services it should provide. SB 148 addresses those matters.

Tort Reform: The bill which passed the Senate is substantially different from the original version. It changed the punitive damages awards, raised the statute of repose from 8 years to 10, and adopted many recommendations of the task force on tort reform.

In Senate Finance, I offered the amendment that made sure this legislation would not be retroactive and clearly stated, "that this act not apply to or in any way have an effect on the Exxon Valdez, A89-009 Civ.(D.Alaska), or any other federal admiralty action now or in the future." The amendment was adopted, and is now a part of the Bill.

I also offered an amendment which limited the amount to be received by the State total punitive damages - to either 100% of court costs, or 50% of the punitive damages, which ever is less. This would allow us to recoup court costs, but in case of larger settlements, it would limit the award to just court costs. Unfortunately, this amendment was not adopted.

I want to close by thanking all of you for responding to my survey - I read all of them as they came in, and I appreciate your taking the time to give your opinion.