Archive for February, 2009

Bit by bit, we are getting more information on the stimulus plan.  Yesterday, I posted a summary of the transportation plan as written by Larry Persily from Representative Hawker’s office.  Today, Mr. Persily offers this explanation of the unemployment benefits and programs portion of the federal economic stimulus bill.

Unemployment benefits and programs
The economic stimulus bill provides funding for additional unemployment benefits to individuals ($25 per week) and the option of additional funding to the state (about $16 million total) to use in any of several operating categories, such as Jobs Service offices. No change in state law is required for the additional $25 per week for individuals, but a change or changes in statute will be required for Alaska to receive all or part of the $16 million in incentive funds.

There have been many questions regarding the federal economic stimulus bill.  The Legislature and the administration are starting to get a clearer picture of what all the pieces are and what they mean to the state.  This summary of the transportation federal stimulus economic package was provided by Larry Persily from Representative Mike Hawker’s staff and I thought it may help you get a clearer picture of the impacts the bill has for Alaska.

State ferry system

The newest news item is that the Alaska state ferry system is eligible for funding under the Federal Transit Administration’s $750 million New Starts and Small Starts grant program. The program is limited to projects already under construction or nearly ready to begin construction. DOT&PF has ferry terminal and ferry work projects that could qualify and the department expects to apply for the competitive grants. There is a separate $60 million pot of money for ferry systems nationwide in the economic stimulus bill, which provides another opportunity for Alaska to try its luck at competitive grants.

It could be a few months before the Federal Transit Administration develops and releases grant applications and scoring criteria for the $750 million, but it is expected that grant awards will go quickly after the process is established.

This is an opinion piece I submitted late last week for distribution to statewide media. 

Next week, the House Judiciary Committee will begin hearing legislation I have proposed to reinstate the death penalty in the State of Alaska.  As we in the Legislature enter into what I suspect will be a lively and controversial debate, I want to take the opportunity to share my views on the matter with Alaskans who might not have a chance to listen to the hearings.

 The impetus for HB 9 really comes from what I view as society’s inability to reform or rehabilitate certain criminals.  People who commit the most monstrous of crimes will not have the opportunity to reoffend if a death sentence is imposed.  36 states currently have a death penalty on their books, whether they use it or not, and while I don’t believe it’s a deterrent to crime, I believe it should be an option for the justice system to brandish against the most heinous unremorseful criminals in our society.

The Legislature has finally received the majority of amendments necessary to make final changes to the FY09 budget and approve the FY10 Budget.

The decline in oil prices from last summer has dramatically changed the Alaska budget landscape.  Coupled with the current national economic crisis, we Legislators have a very difficult job ahead of us.

House Bill 93, which I sponsored, passed the House unanimously yesterday.  The bill adds cellular or mobile telephones to the definition of telephone solicitation. The state statute does not recognize cell or mobile phones under the definition of prohibited activity as it relates to telephone solicitation.  House Bill 93 revises the definition to put our statutes more in line with federal guidelines and make it clear that Alaskan consumers have protection from unwanted telemarketing calls – even on their cell phones.  Although cell phone numbers are not public information as of yet, this bill is pro-active and ensures Alaskans are protected, if they so desire, from telemarketers should cell numbers be publically listed in the future.

Tom Wright of my staff sent an email this morning to the state’s Washington D.C. office inquiring about the federal stimulus package. His email sparked a flurry of responses but little information.  It appears no one can quite get a grasp on what the passage of the stimulus package means for Alaska except the state estimates we will receive around $817 million.  For a bill that is supposed to be signed by the President today, there sure are a lot of unknowns.  Here are the emails that our office received.

DOTPF has been working hard on the highway/aviation pieces and the projects that would meet the timelines – I know they are trying to final that list so we can put together an approp bill for legislative consideration. We may incorporate some of the items in the budget amendments we put forward tomorrow but I am not certain if I will have the information in time.  There is a lot of work being done on this and more to do!  KJR

**************************************
Karen J. Rehfeld, Director
Office of Management & Budget
465-3568

Last Friday afternoon, I was asked to speak with the state Republican Central Committee about issues that were before the Legislature this session.  I spoke about the budget, the stimulus package, redistricting and the House Majority organization which includes four rural Democrats this session. 

We then went to a question and answer session and the first question had to do with the 1% for arts program.  Under state statute, state funded facilities must program into their costs, a one per cent for art figure.  This can be for statues, artwork or whatever else may be considered as art.  The example expressed to me was the art for the new $200 million prison in the Mat-Su, will cost about $2.2 million.  I replied that amount would buy a nice, shiny brass electric chair.  Of course, this drew a few laughs but a few folks were wondering if I was serious or not.  (Of course I wasn’t, but as the sponsor of capital punishment I thought I would lighten the moment.)

This has been an extremely busy week in the capital.  I don’t expect the pace to slow down much until the House operating budget is passed to the Senate.  Even after that, the pace will still remain somewhat hectic due to committee meetings and other meetings that our leadership must undertake.

The House and Senate leadership had our bi-weekly meeting with the Governor on Wednesday.  We received a presentation from John Katz, Director of State/Federal Relations and Special Counsel, on the federal economic stimulus package.  All of us are still trying to figure out the effects on Alaska and how much the state will receive.  We should have a clearer picture by next week and what impacts the package will have on state and local governments.  The Governor was asked about the new revenue forecast and when it was going to be released and possible operating budget amendments.  The amendments are due to the House Finance Committee by February 18th.  We did not receive a definitive answer except they are working on another forecast and amendments.   There was nothing new to report on in-state gasoline legislation.  We requested that a bill be introduced as soon as possible to try and avoid being in special session over that issue.

I was somewhat shocked by the resignation of Attorney General Talis Colberg yesterday.  Mr. Colberg has been nothing but a gentleman in the dealings I’ve had with him who did his best to represent the State of Alaska. 

Now there is a blog on the net that is asserting that Senate President Gary Stevens and I have cut a deal with the Governor.  The alleged deal is that we will sweep Troopergate and the firing of Walt Monegan under the rug in exchange for the Governor’s promise not to veto capital projects within our districts.  Where do people come up with this stuff?

8:15AM – Leave the Driftwood Apartments to drive to work.
8:20AM – Turn around and head back to the Driftwood.  The 139 inches of snow we’ve received this year in Juneau have made travel treacherous at best.  I decided walking to work might be the better choice.
8:35AM – Arrive at Capitol, Room 208 to begin my official work day.
9:00AM – House Majority Press Availability begins.  This is a weekly event where we allow the members of the Capitol Press Corp to ask us questions on matters of their choosing.  This week’s topics ranged from the federal stimulus package, to the fuel or food issues facing western Alaska and retirement benefits for teachers.