Thanks to everybody who came to the constituent meeting on Saturday. We received a lot of feedback and will be working specifically on several issues that were brought to our attention.

It is a great pleasure to welcome returning legislators to Juneau and begin work on the second half of the 26th Alaska State Legislature. I am enclosing a brief overview of the Governor's and Legislature’s priorities, as well as specific issues that we are working on for Juneau and Southeast Alaska. Please let me know if there is anything that I can do to assist you, or if you would like more detailed information on any of the subjects covered in this communication.

Sincerely, Cathy Muñoz

Governor's Program 

Education

Merit High School Scholarship Program

College prep program with four years English, Math, Science and three years Social Studies

Scholarship amount based on achievement: C+ = 50% funding, B = 75%, A = 100%

 

Domestic Violence

More VPSOs and Police Officers

Tougher Sentencing and Prosecution

 

Resource Development

In-State Gas-Line

Trans-Canada/Exxon Mobil Gasline Proposal

Mining

Outer Continental Shelf Development

ACES – evaluation of current tax policies

Tourism Marketing and Support

University Lands Bill

 

State’s Rights Over Federal Intrusion

Outer Continental Shelf Development

Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Listing

Tourism Ocean Zones

　

Legislature’s Program

Capital and Operating Budgets for Juneau

Johnson Youth Center Remodel

Auke Bay Intersection

Extension of Glacier Highway to Cascade Point

Alaska Class Ferry

AMHS Rehabilitation Funds

Terminal Upgrades

Egan Drive Improvements

Riverside Drive Improvements

 

Education

Forward fund public K-12

Needs based scholarships

Strategies to reduce Alaska’s drop-out rate

 

Southeast Intertie Development

Kake to Petersburg Intertie

Thayer Creek, Angoon

AK/BC Project

HB 161 (Subport building legislation)

In Senate Finance Committee

Working with Senate Leadership and Juneau Delegation

Working with mental health managers and trustees on cost estimates

Preparing for hearing

A lot of work but still favorable for success

 

HB 30 (Public Employee Retirement System)

A return to a defined benefit retirement system

In House Labor and Commerce Committee

On Senate Side (SB 23) – In Senate Finance

Looking at a longer range strategy to fix retirement system

Gaining bi-partisan support

Limited opposition but in powerful positions

 

HB 270 Senior In-Home Care and Nursing Home Care

Medicaid reimbursement rates set via income eligibility

Income eligibility set at 2003 rates (equal to $1,656 per month)

Bill would bring income eligibility to 2010 rates (or $2,022 per month)

HB 235 (WICHE Loan Forgiveness Program)

Partial loan forgiveness for students entering health care career training not offered in Alaska