Archive for March, 2009

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                         PRESS RELEASE

  CHENAULT INTRO’S OIL EXPORT SURCHARGE LEGISLATION

HB 209 filed in response to Washington State fuel tax legislation

Monday, March 30, 2009, Juneau, Alaska – House Speaker Mike Chenault, R-Nikiski, today filed legislation to counter-act a bill floated by Washington State’s Legislature that targets Alaska’s motor fuel imports from their state. House Bill (HB) 209 would levy a $15.70 surcharge per barrel of oil produced in Alaska that is delivered to a state that taxes Alaska for refined fuels.

The March 31st deadline to apply for the 2009 PFD is rapidly approaching. If you are one of the Alaskans who have not yet filed a 2009 PFD application – don’t delay, apply today!

The following press release was issued today to announce the Alaskan clearinghouse which is designed to assist communities and non-profits in researching possible grants available through the federal economic stimulus legislation.

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                      PRESS RELEASE         

LEGISLATURE & DENALI COMM. OPEN “ALASKAN CLEARINGHOUSE”

Groups partner to provide stimulus information to Alaskan communities

Thursday, March 26, 2009, Juneau, Alaska - Leadership of the Alaska State Legislature and the Denali Commission, in partnership with the Federal Executive Association, have announced the opening of the “Alaskan Clearinghouse,” an office dedicated to helping Alaskan communities and non-profit groups navigate the grant opportunities available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

As promised this is a recap of my recent trip to Washington, D.C. where I took part in the National Conference of State Legislature’s Leadership Summit, held March 18^th through the 20^th.  There were between 50 and 75 House and Senate leaders from around the country in attendance.  One thing I did learn is that most, if not all, are as befuddled by the stimulus bill as we in the Alaska Legislature.  It is comforting to know that we are all muddling through this together.  What is even more amazing is the federal Office of Management and Budget did not have many answers to our questions about the stimulus bill since they’re still in process of writing the rules and regulations on the use of the funds.  It may take up to a year before any of the states know the consequences of accepting stimulus funds.  It was suggested if some of the funds were not used properly, the states may have to repay the federal government plus interest. 

I am back in Juneau, after one of the most horrendous sets of comical circumstances that I have encountered in my many years of travel.   My staff member Tom Wright and I were scheduled to fly into Washington, D.C. last week.  To start off the day, Wednesday, March 18^th, the crew scheduled for our flight had exceeded their flight hours the day before so we had to wait for a crew to arrive from Seattle and of course, that plane was late.  The flight schedule had us stopping in Ketchikan.  We landed in somewhat heavy snow.  There was a plane that arrived before us and after our plane was deboarded and new passengers loaded, our plane needed to be de-iced.  However, the plane before us also needed de-icing.  After the first plane was de-iced, the truck with the de-icing material needed to be refilled.  This took about a half hour.  Finally, we were able to undergo de-icing but only after being informed we would have to wait another twenty minutes until a plane on approach into Ketchikan had to land before we could take off.  By the time we left Ketchikan, we were already behind schedule by over an hour and a half.  It only took four and a half hours to get from Juneau to Seattle.  Our flight to Washington D.C. fortunately was delayed and we barely made the connection after having taken the train from one gate to another. 

On March 13, the House of Representatives passed out the Operating Budget and Mental Health budget bills (HB 81 and HB 83).   The operating budget is conservative and yet responsible in a time when the price of oil threatens to deplete the State’s savings accounts.  This budget reflects a will of the majority to continue to fund necessary State services and programs with the hope that the price of oil will rise in the next two years.  With the state of the current US economy, keeping Alaska’s economy balanced is extremely important.

Today, I am en route to Washington, D.C to participate in the Legislative Leadership Summit sponsored by the National Conference of State Legislatures.  Senate President Gary Stevens, Senate Majority Leader Johnny Ellis and I will be the Alaska representatives at this two day conference. 

I am beginning to hear from my constituents and others from around the state, about the need to hear and pass this session the Administration’s legislation on an instate gasline, House Bill 164, and legislation to expand the duties and scope of the Alaska Natural Gas Development Authority, House Bill 163.  First and foremost, I consider the in-state gas line a very high priority for my district and the state.  To this end, I introduced House Bill 44, which would give Alaska Natural Gas Development Authority (ANGDA) pre-authorization to bond in order to assist in getting an in-state gas line moved forward.  Here is a portion of my sponsor statement for House Bill 44:

This is the latest in a series of analysis of the federal economic stimulus bill as provided by Larry Persily from Representative Hawker’s office.  This segment focuses on the energy aspects of the bill.

I just received this notice from the Economic Development Association within the Department of Commerce.  This application process may be of interest within our area.  If you or anyone you know has an interest in submitting an application through the EDA, the website provides the information needed to apply.