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 1st 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,
