Archive for February, 2010

House Speaker Mike Chenault, R-Nikiski, sits down to answer questions, some submitted by Alaskans, in this week’s debut episode of “Ask the Speaker.

Viewers who wish to submit a question or questions for Rep. Mike Chenault to answer during his “Ask the Speaker” video segments can follow this link:

                     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                               PRESS RELEASE

BILL PROPOSES IN-STATE GASLINE BE BROUGHT ON-LINE BY 2015

Speaker’s HB 369 unifies effort with Joint In-State Gasline Development Team

Tuesday, February 23, 2010, Juneau, Alaska – House Speaker Mike Chenault, R-Nikiski, today introduced House Bill 369, legislation unifying state agencies and proposing to create the Joint In-State Gasline Development Team within the Office of the Governor to ensure that construction of an in-state gasline is ready to begin by July 2011, with gas flowing by 2015.

I got the opportunity to involuntarily tour Southeast Alaska on Monday.  Due to low lying fog over the Juneau airport for most of the day Monday, my flight was diverted to Sitka where I got to spend the day.  I had the chance to catch up with my colleagues who were likewise stranded and talk on my cell with my staff while waiting for the fog to clear and the resuming of flights back to our capital city.   After leaving Kenai at 5:10AM, I reached my final destination at about 7:30PM the same evening.  I usually like to head back on Sunday nights, however the flight was full and the only seats available were Monday morning.  All in all, it made for a long day.

This report regarding rural fuel prices was just released from the Attorney General’s office.  I thought you may find it of interest.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                            

February 18, 2010

 Attorney General and Institute of Social and Economic Research Release Reports on Rural Fuel Prices

Anchorage, Alaska – Independent reports on the pricing of fuel in rural Alaska were released today by the Alaska Department of Law and the Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER) at the University of Alaska Anchorage.

It has been an extremely busy day.  In to visit this morning were two young Peninsula residents, Kayleen Hansen of Nikiski and Cody Warfield from Soldotna.  Both were in Juneau with 4-H Club members to discuss their program and also to express their appreciation for my efforts in ensuring the Peninsula organization received state funding.  At the end of our meeting, Kayleen and Cody presented me with a 4-H mug.

4H Students, Kayleen Hansen, Nikiski & Cody Warfield, Soldotna

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, Senate President Stevens, Speaker Chenault

I hope to see many of you Saturday at our town hall meeting from 10AM to 1PM at the Borough Building in Soldotna.  The meeting will be held in the Borough Assembly Chambers.

Monday, I will discuss a bill I am sponsoring that should move forward our efforts for an in-state gasline.

Murkowski 2010 Address to the Alaska Legislature

Yesterday, I presented House Bill 312: Advisory Vote on an In State Gasline to the House Finance Committee.  We got into a lengthy discussion regarding the advisory vote which eventually drifted into a discussion about an in-state gasline.  The committee decided they wanted to further clarify the ballot language which I did not oppose.  I respect the committee process and have no pride in authorship as it pertains to legislation.  I hope the Finance Committee develops language that will assist in the passage of the bill and hopefully, assist its passage if it appears on the primary ballot.

I also want to remind everyone that Senator Wagoner, Representative Olson and I will be holding a town hall meeting on Saturday, February 20^th, at the Borough building in the Assembly Chambers from 10 AM to 1 PM.  Hope to see you there.

As promised in an earlier post, I am attaching the website where the State of the Judiciary may be found.  The link is http://www.courts.alaska.gov/state10.htm.

We will be watching for the Governor’s  FY 2011 Budget Amendments  which are due on Wednesday.   House Finance Subcommittees are working to close out their budgets in the next two weeks and will consider these amendments during the process.  Chairmen will be watching for amendments that coincide with increases requested in the FY 2010 supplemental bill that might more accurately reflect what Departments are spending but aren’t currently listed in the FY 2011 budget.

Last Wednesday, the Legislature met in joint session to hear the State of the Judiciary from Chief Justice Walter Carpeneti. The focus of his address centered on recidivism and the need for the judicial branch’s involvement before young people get into trouble.  The Chief Justice’s plan is to start early to prevent repeat offenders from becoming more of a problem which in turn becomes a problem for the state in building new prison space to accommodate these offenders. 

State of the Judiciary, Chief Justice Walter Carpeneti, Senate President Gary Stevens and House Speaker Mike Chenault

Justice Carpeneti outlined programs in which the court system has already implemented to reach out to our youth.  He believes these programs have been somewhat successful.  The Court System is also undergoing a complete review to find ways it can change to address the repeat offender problem.

Mr. Carpeneti stated that cooperation among all branches of government is a key to curbing crime, recidivism and inefficiencies in the criminal justice system.

Once I receive a copy of his State of the Judiciary it will be attached to a future post.