We have been busy this last week with the closing of the finance subcommittees this week.  The subcommittee reports will be forwarded to the full finance committee for their consideration.  I proposed several amendments to slow the growth of our operating budget.  Unfortunately, none of those reductions were accepted.  I am committed to making sure every dollar we spend of the public’s money is scrutinized and accounted.  I also introduced the concept of “short funding” or “Freemanizing” (after our own late Representative Oral Freeman) the operating budget.  Simply put, we would appropriate money to last 9 months and then next session ask them what they did with that before we gave them the final 3 months worth of funding.  We need to ask what are we getting for our money now before we blindly give government more.

I introduced a resolution, on the behalf of local business, to urge federal agencies to amend regulations regarding small vessels that are crucial to the economy of coastal Alaska.  Federal law currently prohibits small vessels in Alaska to carry fuel, cargo and passengers simultaneously and also forbids vessels that carry fuel be constructed with aluminum.  There are settlements, homes, and businesses in Alaska that cannot be served by the large barge companies and we must allow them to be serviced by smaller vessels.  These federal restrictions impede the economy and the must be amended. 

I also introduced a bill that would tighten up the mandatory insurance laws we have here in Alaska.  HB 380 would create an online, up-to-date database that would allow the DMV and law enforcement to check on the validity of a driver’s insurance.  We have laws that require automobile insurance, but these laws are difficult to enforce because of the loopholes in the system.  Drivers can obtain insurance, receive their insurance card, then turn around and cancel their insurance.  The current system does not allow licensing agencies and law enforcement to verify insurance.  HB 380 enables the State of Alaska to enforce laws that are already on the books.

The Arts Council bill, HB 311, was passed out of the Education Committee on Monday.  Its Senate companion, SB 209, is going to be heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday of next week.  I look forward to an easy passage that allows the State Council on the Arts to continue their good work with our local communities.

The Transportation Committee is very busy.  We’ve heard various bills such as the banning of cell phone use while driving, winter tire requirements, and the creation of a transportation permanent fund.  The latter has taken up a lot of the committee’s time.  It is an interesting idea but I do have some reservations.  I will monitor the plan closely and work with my colleagues to provide safe and reliable transportation infrastructure for Alaska. 

Doug Ward from Alaska Ship & Drydock came to Juneau this week to make a presentation to the Economic Development, Trade, and Tourism committee.   It was a great forum for Ketchikan and I’ve received many compliments from around the state about our operation and support of our State-owned shipyard.  We have worked hard to create a manufacturing industry in Southeast Alaska.

Southeast Conference’s Mid-Session Summit is this week, and I look forward to meeting with folks from the region.  I am also heading to Washington DC for the annual Energy Council meeting.  The Energy Council is made up of 11 energy-producing states, five Canadian provinces, and Venezuela.  I will take the opportunity to meet with all three of our Federal Delegation as well as various administration officials.    

Feel free to contact my office at any time.

Regards,

Senator Lisa Murkowski was in the Capitol on Thursday to give her annual address to the Legislature.  Her message was clear: Alaskans need to be concerned about our economy.  I agree whole heartedly with the Senator.   Alaska is plagued by many Outside threats.   From our own Federal Government in the form of over-reaching EPA regulations that are closing down sectors of our economy to highly-funded radical environmental groups that file lawsuit after lawsuit to stop any sort of development, we are challenged.  I was encouraged by Senator Murkowski’s comments and her efforts to keep Alaskan families prosperous.

This week I had numerous operating budget meetings, as I sit on six finance subcommittees that are preparing to propose their recommendations to the full House Finance committee.  The operating budget, unlike the capital budget which fuels the economy with construction appropriations, is the recurring cost of government operations.   The growth of government concerns me greatly, so I’ve directed my staff to work on amendments to hold down government  growth and spending.  I look forward to the conversation those amendments are sure to start.  We must get back to scrutinizing each and every operating budget appropriation.

This week I met with Margaret McCloy from the Ketchikan Youth Court and the Randall Family from Ketchikan as they work to end Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.  It is always good to have folks from home come and visit my office in the Capitol.

HB 311 passed the House Education Committee this week.  As I mentioned previously on the blog, HB 311 is a bill I sponsored to allow the Alaska State Council on the Arts to adopt their own regulations.  The arts are an important part of the community in District One as well as the economy, so I am happy to sponsor this bill.

I met with folks from Metlakatla this week about the Metlakatla-Ketchikan intertie and the proposed terminal out South for the Lituya.  I strongly support this project and look forward to working with our neighbors in District 5 towards its completion. 

The House Transportation Committee met with its Senate counterpart this week to hear a report on the Alaska Marine Highway System.  I’m impressed with the operations and professionalism of the ferry system.  That doesn’t mean I won’t continue to ask pointed questions and demand accountability.  We have come a long way in a couple of years and we will continue to push for replacement vessels built in our shipyard.

Judy, Sonia and Dave are always here to serve your needs.  You can be assured that when you are talking to them you are talking to me.  I have the best staff in the building.

Stay tuned for the a new post next Friday!

Last week the House Energy Committee heard HB 306, which is the State Energy Policy bill.  As I have mentioned before on my blog, the State Energy Policy was created with a variety of interests from the bottom up.  HB 306 is an innovative piece of legislation because it involved a number of different stakeholder groups and agencies, most of who have experience providing energy to Alaskans.  I proposed an amendment to HB 306 to ensure that Alaskan’s energy needs are met before exporting power for profit.  It is important that we provide affordable energy to our own people first before fulfilling the energy needs of other outside interests.  I am not opposed to export projects, but I believe we can revisit that idea once the needs of our communities are met and there is an energy surplus.  This amendment was added to HB 306 and the bill was passed out of committee.  It was referred to the House Resources committee, which Alaska’s public lawmaking process will continue.

Speaking of our public lawmaking process, HB 36 was heard in the House Finance Committee on Monday.  This bill focuses on ballot initiative reform so that Alaska’s laws, whether made by the legislature or made by the people through the citizen’s initiative, are made with integrity and transparency.  Alaskan’s deserve this.  I hope that HB 36 will be heard in House Finance next week, but I will keep you posted.

Last Friday I introduced legislation to strengthen Alaska’s anti-drug laws.  HB 327 would classify “salvia divinorum” a schedule II-A drug.  Salvia is drug similar to mescaline, peyote, and LSD and can be purchased legally in Alaska – it is my feeling that this cannot continue.  This proposed legislation would also require those who buy products containing dextromethorphan (DXM) to be at least 18 years old or have a prescription from a doctor to do so.   DXM is a common ingredient in over-the-counter cough suppressants that teens take in large doses (20 to 30 times the recommended dosage) to get high.  Severe health risks occur because of other ingredients in the cough suppressants such as acetaminophen.   I was approached by constituents in Ketchikan regarding these two substances and was convinced that our anti-drug laws had to be updated to reflect today’s issues and drug abuse trends. 

Best,

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,

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,

 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,

Just thought I would drop you a line and let you know that I will be in the office this week, Monday thru Thursday.  I have been out of town for legislative business for the past few weeks, but I am back in town this week and ready to meet with you about your concerns.

I just returned from Haines for the annual meeting of Southeast Conference.  It was a great conference with informational speakers.  The House Special Committee on Energy held a joint meeting with the Senate Special Committee on Energy during the annual conference.  This allowed groups, representatives, and individuals to address the committee about their energy concerns.  It was also an opportunity for legislators from other parts of the state to come down and meet with people face-to-face to discuss issues facing Southeast Alaska.  I think that the House Energy Field Hearings, which have taken the committee to all of the regions of the state, have been a valuable and collaborative tool to help craft the upcoming statewide energy policy.

The Ketchikan Legislative Liaison has been holding their meetings for the past few weeks, and the final draft is ready to print today.  This group of elected leaders from the City of Ketchikan, Ketchikan Gateway Borough, and the City of Saxman has worked hard to publish this book earlier than it is usually available.  I look forward to reviewing these projects and submitting them to the Co-Chairs of Finance during the capital budget process this upcoming session.  The online copy is available at www.borough.ketchikan.ak.us.   

I had the pleasure of attending the dedication ceremonies for the new Saxman Community Center on Saturday.  The Community Center will be a great gathering place for people of all ages and interests, and I am happy to see it finally finished. 

Feel free to send me an e-mail or phone my office to make an appointment.

Regards,

I don’t know about you, but I have been enjoying this sunshine!  What a nice summer it has been.  I thought I would drop a line on my blog and let everyone know that I will be out of the office tomorrow, Friday, and Monday of next week.  I will be back in the office on Tuesday, so feel free to call or stop by and schedule an appointment.

The shocking news of Governor Palin resigning last week and now the questions of the line of succession for Lt. Gov. has created a haze of confusion.  I read a legal opinion from Tam Cook from Legislation Affairs Agency (she works as the Legislature’s head attorney that provides non-partisan opinions and she heads the legal department that drafts legislation for us), which gave a variety of different options.  However, the way I read her opinion says that the Legislature must confirm a new appointment  for the Lt. Gov.’s position if the Governor resigns.  The House Judiciary Committee is having a Confirmation Hearing on 20 July in Fairbanks, which is a venue for members of the Judiciary Committee (and any other members who wish to participate) to ask questions to the nominee.  I plan on participating in the hearing.  I’m sure that you can get all of this information from the newspaper, but if there are new developments within the day, I will do my best to keep you in the loop via my blog.

I understand that the work on the Swan-Tyee Hydro line is well on its way to be completed this fall.  I’m appreciative of the weather we have been enjoying so that the workers out there can take advantage of the long days.  My staff went on a jet boat ride to Neet’s Bay to see the helicopter, Elvis, set the towers.  They said it was amazing to see the final steps of the project arrive.  The residents of Ketchikan, Petersburg, and Wrangell have been waiting a long, long time to flip the switch on this project, and that point is almost here.

As I mentioned on my last blog post, the summer commercial crab fishery opening near Ketchikan and the east side of POW has caused much concern for sport fisherman in the area.  I wrote a letter with Representative Bill Thomas (R-Haines) to the Department of Fish and Game about opening this fishery to commercial interests without having the proper science available.  I received a response from the Commissioner of Fish and Game, Denby Lloyd, and he said that he understood my concerns and saw where we were coming from.  However, due to a prior legal case, the Department was required by law to carry out decisions of the Board of Fish.  The Commissioner committed to manage the fishery with a close eye and he recognized the importance of incorporating science when making management decisions about fisheries.  I plan on watching this issue very closely and I will keep this issue in mind when returning to session next year.

I went to the shipyard earlier this week and took a tour of the M/V Susitna.  I have watched the construction of this ship closely, and with the passenger compartment now attached, the ship is taking shape.  It will be exciting to see this ship in its final stages.  This is a prototype ship building project, and it is exciting that it is happening here in our hometown.  Also, the Ketchikan Shipyard is working on a Marine Fueling Station for the Canadians.  Since Canada is hosting the next Winter Olympics, they wanted to add a marine fueling station for the increased population.  This project is also progressing along and it will be exciting to see a project constructed in Ketchikan present at the Winter Olympics.

My staff is planning on taking a tour of the OceansAlaska site tomorrow afternoon.  John Sund spoke a Chamber Lunch a few weeks back, and it will be interesting to see this project develop.  Mariculture is a developing industry that has the potential to provide many, many jobs.  Here is a recent article published in the Ketchikan Daily News about the growing mariculture industry and the innovations that are occurring in our state already.

The House Energy Committee was planning on coming to Ketchikan to hold a hearing this fall, but it looks like plans have changed just slightly.  They are going to hold a hearing in Haines in September in conjunction with Southeast Conference’s annual meeting.  This was the best way to get as many people involved in the process as possible.

Last month I hosted a Labor Summit and invited the Deputy Commissioner of Labor, David Stone, and the Executive Director of the Alaska Workforce Investment Board, Greg Cashen, down to our neck of the woods.  This was an opportunity for the folks from the Department of Labor to listen to the employers here in Ketchikan and understand what their needs were in the way of training programs.  There is alot of money available for training programs, and having the Department of Labor in Ketchikan to hear and see what our needs are was a valuable opportunity. There were a series of different subjects covered and they even got to take a few tours of different worksites around town.  I’ve been hearing great feedback from these meetings, and I look forward to the development of workforce training programs that take our special circumstances and needs into account.

I hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July holiday.  I enjoyed a great day with my family, and those fireworks were amazing!!  I thank all of the people who have fought hard and served their country well to ensure our freedom.  We can live our lives how we choose to because of them and their service.

As I mentioned before, please come by Tuesday or set up an appointment.  I look forward to meeting with you.

Best,

Thanks to all of you who stopped into the office this week and last.  I am working on a letter with Representative Thomas from Haines addressing the numerous concerns about the recent Board of Fish decision to open the crab fishery for the summer season.  I don’t believe that the necessary scientific information is availiable to open that fishery during the summer season, and I am urging the Department of Fish and Game to manage this fishery in the most conservative manner possible.  I will keep you posted on the ADF&G’s response.

I am leaving Ketchikan tomorrow and heading to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho to attend a conference for the Council on State Governments (CSG).  This conference is an opportunity to work with legislators in other states, collaborate with colleagues, and attend learning seminars.  I feel that these conferences help me be a better lawmaker and provide networking opportunities that will be of help in the future.

Tonight I am speaking at the Ketchikan Construction Academy’s graduation ceremony.  They are holding a “Meet & Greet” at 6pm at the UAS Technical Center.  I am proud of these graduates, and I wish them the best for their future.  I hope that they choose to stay in Ketchikan and help promote the healthy economy.  As we heard from economist Elliot Eisenberg on Monday at the SSABIA luncheon, the homebuilding business has a direct impact upon the health of our local economy.

I return from Coeur d’Alene on the 19th of May, and I plan on being in the office the following day.  Please feel free to stop by and chat, or call and make an appointment.  Also, please excuse the mess in my office - we are still moving back into the Ketchikan office from the Juneau office.

Best,

I’m returning to Ketchikan and will be in my office on Thursday and Friday of this week.  Please stop by or set up an appointment anytime.  Look in the “Contact” section of the blog for the location and phone number of my office if you do not already know it.  I will be in the office thru the 13th of May, so feel free to stop in or call anytime.

I will be returning from Fairbanks, where I attended a Geothermal Conference.  It has been a great learning experience.  Being a member of the House Special Committee on Energy, it is important that I be up to speed on all of the emerging technology that could be involved in the Statewide Energy Plan. 

Also, I would like to extend warm congrats to all of the grads at UAS-Ketchikan and of the Ketchikan Construction Academy - you did it!!

Best,