Legislation

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Operating Budget Passes the House

The operating budget, HB108, has passed the House. It is now on the way to the Senate for further consideration. The $8.9 billion dollar budget was guided by a sense of fiscal responsibility and prioritized essential state service and commitments to education, health and public safety.

K-12 education is a major portion of the FY12 budget. The foundation and pupil transportation programs total $1.14 billion in general funds (20% of the general funds). The University of Alaska general fund totals $663.2 million (11.6 % of general funds).

Large portions of the budget are consumed by the Department of Health and Social Services with nearly $2.5 billion, or 27% of the entire state operating budget. Department of Transportation & Public Facilities is nearly 6% of the general fund budget and Department of Corrections with nearly 5%.

Domestic violence and sexual assault initiative of $3 million in the Governor’s Office was moved into the base budget to reflect the consensus that on-going work is needed to address the epidemic in our communities.

Power Cost Equalization is funded at $34.3 million and the Energy Assistance Program is funded at $21.1 million. The budget also includes $400 million for the oil and gas tax credit fund and $60 million for community revenue sharing.

The price of oil needed to balance our budget stands at $83 a barrel. If the Governor’s oil tax proposal takes effect, we will need oil at $95 a barrel to cover current costs.

I commend the House Finance Committee and Subcommittees for their hard work. I enjoyed hearing from residents who came to testify to the Finance Committee and appreciate the time you took to put your comments on the record.

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HB 36 Initiative Disclosure 

HB 36 passed the House on a 35 to 5 vote. If adopted, the measure will strengthen disclosure requirements for voter initiatives, similar to the requirements placed on individual candidates. It will also require the Lt. Governor’s office to hold two public hearings in each of the four judicial districts, with an opportunity given for pro and con viewpoints to be presented.

The legislation is the result of several highly publicized state-wide campaigns that led to APOC violations due to problems with financial reporting. One example is ballot measure 4, the mining initiative, which was well funded on both sides of the issue. At the time, it was difficult knowing who was backing the campaigns. The ballot language was general and less precise than language found in current federal and state law.

Strengthened public disclosure and better public education will improve the initiative process and benefit Alaskans with a more open public process, improving the checks and balances which are inherent in our representative government.

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HCR 22 Establishment of Northern Waters Task Force 

Community and Regional Affairs Co-Chairs Bob Herron (Bethel) and Cathy Munoz have collaborated with Representatives Alan Austerman (Kodiak) and Reggie Joule (Kotzebue) to create a Northern Waters Task Force. HCR 22 passed out of the CRA committee today.

Alaska has a unique role and interest in the development of U.S. Arctic policy on navigation routes, resource development, military activity and commerce. With the rapid recession of the Arctic icepack, nations are actively promoting and defending their interests. The Task Force will assess and facilitate the creation of a joint state and federal entity to coordinate United States and Alaska interests.

Trans-arctic shipping, commercial transportation, fishing rights, wildlife protection, emergency response, and port development are a few of the many issues that will be addressed by the Northern Water Task Force.

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University Land Bill

House Bill 295 passed out of the House Community and Regional Affairs committee today with four amendments. The bill includes approximately 200,000 acres of state owned land located throughout Alaska for proposed transfer to the University of Alaska. As a land grant school, the university has yet to receive its’ constitutional land allotment. Proposed revenues generated through the sale of home site parcels, leases, and in certain cases, mineral development will be used to generate revenue for university programs. The bill includes approximately 30,000 acres of land in southeast Alaska. In the Juneau area, a small parcel near Auke Lake and a large tract near Lena on the hillside above the new Glacier highway bypass are included.

The four amendments deleted 3 parcels in the Haines borough for potential borough allotment selections, 40 acres surrounding the Tenakee boat harbor, and the Mite Cove parcel at Pelican. The committee also approved historical covenant language on a 5 acre parcel at Sumdum in Endicott Arm.

Over the past 10 years, several legislative attempts resulted in a lawsuit filed by SEACC to stop the sale of any of the lands. SEACC successfully challenged the university on the constitutional dedication of funds clause, which disallows dedicated revenues for a specific purpose. Current legislation requires legislative annual appropriation of university receipts, thus addressing the constitutional problem identified in the lawsuit.

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The highlight of the session was a special presentation made in honor of Lu Young, wife of Congressman Don Young. Congressman Young, accompanied by his daughter, received an Alaska State flag presented in a glass encased box as a special recognition of the many years of service that Mrs. Young has given to Alaska. The flag had flown in her honor at the State Capitol. It was a very emotional moment, and the Congressman received a standing ovation.

The votes went quickly. The stimulus money was accepted with a 45 to 14 vote. 45 votes were necessary to override the Governor’s veto.

House passes resolution to support Kensington Mine

The Alaska State House unanimously passed a resolution, HR12, sponsored by Rep. Cathy Muñoz which re-affirms the House’s long term commitment to the Kensington Gold Mine.

The Kensington Mine is a vital project to the community of Juneau. Couer Alaska has spent more than $30 million on studies to develop the mine in an environmentally responsible fashion, and $33 million on preliminary construction.

Due to the August 2006 injunction imposed by the 9 circuit court, some of the 70-plus permits authorizing the mine that were in place are now in jeopardy. Decision of the U.S. Supreme Court is imminent, and should the Court rule in favor of the mine, the federal and state agencies need to be ready to assist Couer in seeking continuations and reinstatement of these important operational permits.

Review letter from COEUR:  COEUR Ltr.pdf (27.83 kb)

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House Bill 35: Notice & Consent of Minor's Abortions

HB 35 recently passed the House of Representatives 22 to 14. The proposed law would require parental consent for an abortion for girls aged 16 and younger. There are flexible provisions to allow exemptions to the consent requirement in cases of violent home life, rape and incest by allowing for a notarized statement by another adult of the known abuse. This can be provided by a legal aged sibling, neighbor, grandparent or other involved adult.

I voted in favor of this legislation and am comfortable that the language in the bill provides important parental involvement while also protecting our most vulnerable citizens with straightforward provisions that allow a teenager to avoid involving abusive parents in the decision.

The bill is now on its’ way to the Senate where it is expected to face difficult passage. Already, there is an effort on the Senate side to amend the intent to parental notification with the hope that the less restrictive designation would build greater support for its’ ultimate passage.

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