Dear Neighbor,

The 24th Alaska Legislature gaveled in on Monday, January 10th and I was proudly sworn in as your Representative for District 29. It is a true honor to be your voice in the House.

We have many important issues before us this session including education funding, criminal sentencing and natural resource development. The most important issue before us this year is the gas pipeline. As Vice-Chair of the Legislative Budget and Audit Committee, I will continue my efforts to see that Alaska gets the direct benefit from ownership in the pipeline that will sustain our economy for years to come.

I have included information in this e-newsletter regarding meetings in the community and suggestions on how to stay up to date on legislative issues.

I appreciate your support and I look forward to serving you again.

Sincerely,

Ralph Samuels

Community Council Meetings

Abbott Loop: Meets the last Thursday each month at 7 p.m.
Abbott Loop Christian Center
2626 Abbott Road
atamagni ''@'' alaska.net

Taku/Campbell: Meets the second Thursday each month at 7 p.m.
Taku Elementary School Library
701 East 72nd Ave
349-4453

Legislative Hearings

Anchorage Caucus: Saturday, February 12, 2005, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.,
Anchorage Legislative Information Office
716 West Fourth Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska.

Agenda

1:00-1:30 pm: Mayor Mark Begich
1:30-2:00 pm: Assemblyman Dick Traini
2:00-2:30 pm: Anchorage School District
2:30-2:45 pm: Campfire Girls
2:45-3:00 pm: Caucus discussion on election of new Anchorage caucus officers

Boards and Commissions: If you are interested in serving on a state board or commission, please visit the Governor's website http://www.gov.state.ak.us and select on Boards and Commission bullet. The Current Vacancy List section will show you a list of vacancies (there are approximately 300 positions that will need to be filled in the next six months). You can then look at information on a board or commission that you might want to consider. There are instructions on how to apply for a Board, and the Board Application.

Gavel to Gavel: Gavel to Gavel is the service that provides audio and video coverage of the Alaska Legislature's sessions, committee meetings, press conferences and briefings. You may watch on television channel GCI 18 in Anchorage You may also access audio and video coverage through the Internet by visiting: http://www.ktoo.org/gavel/

Follow the Issues: If you have a particular issue or bill that you would like to follow, Alaska’s BASIS (Bill Action and Status Inquiry System) can help you track it. Committee schedules and past legislation are also posted. Available online, you can search the current legislative activity at: www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/start.asp

Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation Internships: If you know a young Alaskan attending college, either Outside or here in Alaska, they may be interested in the APFC internship program. It’s a great opportunity for students of business, economics and occasionally the information technology field.

Minimum qualifications

• Attend an Alaska college or have graduated within the last 6 months -or-
• Be an Alaskan resident attending college out of state or who have graduated within the last 6 months, have coursework relevant to the field of the internship, have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 and a major GPA of 3.0 and have completed at least 60 credits.

Applicants must meet any additional qualifications cited in the recruitment bulletins for the specific positions for which they are applying. For more information, visit the APFC site: www.apfc.org/internships/internindex.cfm

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All e-mail addresses are kept "blind" for your privacy. A strict "no spam" policy is observed. If you do not wish to receive my e-mail updates, please let me know. If you know a friend or neighbor in District 29 who has not received my e-mails but would like to be included, I will be glad to include them if they contact me. Your replies, comments, questions, and/or suggestions are welcome. Constituent comments on legislation and policy issues may be tabulated, shared with other legislators, or quoted in speeches. Names, however, will be kept private.