Good morning,

Well, it is officially the third week of the 2010 legislative session.  I just returned home from the “Throw the Breaker” party in celebration of the Swan-Tyee hydroelectric line.  It was a great way to celebrate our long-awaited intertie.  There were quite a few lawmakers attending this event, and it was good to show off our town.

Last week I met many people, but the folks from Ketchikan always get special treatment when they stop by my office.  Patti Mackey from the Ketchikan Visitor’s Bureau stopped by to discuss Alaska Travel Industry Alliance’s (ATIA) priorities.  Taylor Gregg from the Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Education, David Mitchel from OceansAlaska, and Brien Salazar from the Alaska Air Carrier Association also came by for a visit.  I enjoy having people from the District in the office, and my door is always open.

I introduced a bill earlier this week, which I mentioned in my last blog post, to allow the State Council on the Arts to adopt their own regulations.  This bill also has a Senate companion, SB 209.  I plan to have hearings on this bill within the next couple of weeks.

The House Finance budget subcommittees are beginning their work.  I am on Revenue, Commerce, Community & Economic Development (DCCED), Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Labor & Workforce Development, Governor, and Legislature committees.  These are the committees that review the operating budget and closely examine the expenses, duties, and purposes of programs.  Positions on these committees allow me to have an in-depth understanding of state department operations.  Although this work is tedious, it is an experience that I value and it is an integral part of the legislative budget process.

The House Special Committee on Energy met twice this week.  We are reviewing and amending the statewide energy policy bill, HB 306.  This bill is the product of endless hours of hard work by the Energy Committee and various stakeholders.  This innovative piece of legislation worked from bottom to top and included people on the frontlines of Alaska’s energy issues.  This group of stakeholders was diverse and comprehensive; including members from regional economic development agencies to alternative energy organizations, and electric co-op representatives to native organizations.  These groups assisted the Energy Committee in understanding and developing an energy policy for the State of Alaska that works for the best interests of our land and our people.  If you’re interested in reviewing the list of stakeholders and/or any of the committee hearings, documents, and information, please visit http://www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/get_bill.asp?bill=HB%20306&session=26.  I applaud the work of the Co-Chairs of the House Special Committee on Energy, Reps. Millet (R-Anchorage) and Edgmon (D-Dillingham) and the hard-working stakeholder group.

Today marks my first constituent teleconference.  I hold these meetings with Sen. Stedman and Rep. Wilson to ensure that our constituents have an opportunity to voice their concerns, talk about the issues, and provide input.  These meetings are held once a month during session, so please attend if you are able.  The Ketchikan LIO will have the teleconference set up, so all you have to do is show up.  Again, this meeting will be held on Monday, February 1^st from 6-7pm.  If you are unable to attend in person, please call 1-877-763-5073 and the operator will connect you to the meeting. 

If you are unable to attend the teleconference this evening, feel free to contact my office at any time.  Our phone number is (907) 465-3424 or toll free (800) 303-2455, and our mailing address is:

Representative Johansen

Alaska State Capitol, Room 204

Juneau, Alaska  99801

I look forward to speaking with you and working to make our District a better place to live.

Regards,

Greetings from Juneau,

The second session of the 26^th Alaska State Legislature commenced this week in Juneau.  It’s been a busy week, but not short on excitement.  The Legislature welcomed two new members to the body, Representative Neal Foster of Nome and Representative Tammie Wilson of North Pole.  Governor Sean Parnell addressed the Legislature in the annual State of the State address last night.  We are gearing up for another productive session.

A number of bills were introduced this week, and they are available on the Legislature’s website at www.legis.state.ak.us, or they are always available in hard copy at your local Legislative Information Office. 

I am continuing to push HB 36, which addresses the many problems with the current initiative process.  I will be the first person to admit how important the initiative process is to Alaskans.  However, the loopholes in the process are big enough to drive the Matanuska or the Malaspina through.  HB 36 requires more information to be given to the public before an initiative is placed on the ballot, and HB 36 also brings the financial disclosure requirements up to par with candidate requirements.  It is very important to me that Alaskans know the source of money when it comes to influencing public policy.

Today I introduced HB 311, which allows the Alaska State Council on the Arts to adopt their own regulations.  The Council has previously been adopting their own regulations, but according to the Department of Law, they do not have the authority to do so under the Administrative Procedure Act.  I am happy to introduce this bill at the request of the Alaska State Council on the Arts because of District One’s strong arts community.  This bill will empower our arts community, and arts communities around our state, to ensure that they are able to carry out their message and mission.

I plan on posting to my blog often during session, so please check back often.  I will keep you updated on the issues affecting District One and our great state.

Regards,

Well it’s that time of the year again, its dividend time. While we enjoy our yearly checks from the State we must not forget where that money comes from: oil production.

 I joined around thirty business and community leaders this week to hear a presentation by former Governor and U.S. Senator Frank Murkowski. His analysis of our State fiscal situation was spot on. Our oil production volume is decreasing by an average of six-percent per year. Regardless of the price of oil, its multiplier is decreasing each year and that, coupled with not knowing when the state coffers will see a steady revenue stream from our vast natural gas reserves, means tough fiscal decisions are right around the corner. This is the same message many of you have heard from my predecessor as Majority Leader, Ralph Samuels.

Over the past few years the Legislature has paid back the billions of dollars we borrowed to balance the budget in the 1990’s. We may be in a deficit again this year and we can borrow (again), reduce spending, use permanent fund earnings or implement state income and property taxes.

 We can also do something radical like make Alaska an attractive place to conduct business. A stable and fair taxation structure, capital and investment credits, a logical, streamlined state regulatory process, and reliable, consistent transportation and energy infrastructure systems are just a few pieces to the puzzle.

I enjoy my tax-free, dividend rich lifestyle here in Alaska and I am willing to bet that you do as well. It did not happen by accident and it will not stay that way without hard work. I welcome your suggestions and support.

Thanks for your attention,