(Anchorage) - The first meeting of the Advisory Commission on Local Government will be held on September 1, 2005 at the Anchorage LIO.

The Advisory Commission on Local Government (SCR 14) was authorized during the last legislative session. Senate Majority Leader Gary Stevens (R - Kodiak) will chair the nine-member commission. Its mission is to examine the root causes behind the economic instability in some rural communities and propose both short and long term solutions to sustaining local governments and the potential for borough formation in some regions of the state.

"The past few years have seen a number of local communities struggle to provide even basic services. We will dedicate the next four months to examining legislative options to help communities become more sustainable," said Sen. Stevens.

Vice-Chair Rep. Bill Thomas (R - Haines) says the time has come for the state to step in and help local communities help themselves. "With this new commission we can bring together all the stakeholders and start crafting solutions to the problems in unorganized areas of the state. I am confident by next January we will have some worthy ideas to present to our colleagues and the Murkowski administration."

House Speaker John Harris and Senate President Ben Stevens chose the six lawmakers and three public members to serve on the commission.

Advisory Commission on Local Government members:

Sen. Gary Stevens, Chair
Rep. Bill Thomas, Vice-Chair
Rep. John Coghill
Rep. Woodie Salmon
Sen. Bert Stedman
Sen. Tom Wagoner
Scott Brandt-Erichsen, Public Member
Lisa Von Bargen, Public Member
Marvin Yoder, Public Member

WHO:   Advisory Commission on Local Government
WHAT:   First meeting
WHEN:   Thursday, September 1, 2005 @ 11:00 am - 4:30 pm
WHERE:   Anchorage LIO, #220

For more information, contact Melanie Lesh (907) 465-4925 or visit http://www.akaclg.com

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