Halfway through our second week of session, it’s apparent that our process is moving along into a regular routine.  Committees are scheduling and hearing bills, the Finance Committee is meeting with departments and getting updates on the important issues that face Alaska, and constituents from around the state are meeting with legislators to discuss their particular issues.    My office is no exception.  Although I am a member of only two committees, the Labor and Commerce Committee and the Special Committee on Economic Development, Trade and Development, my schedule is loading up on a daily basis.   It amazes me sometimes how truly diverse our state is with each community and region having special needs or concerns. 

Speaker Chenault - 1/27/10

My bill to use Permanent Fund earnings, after dividends are paid and the fund is inflation proofed, to help offset costs of an in-state gasline, will probably be heard in House Resources next Wednesday, February 3^rd.     Although this bill was recently introduced, it has received a lot of media attention and has created some controversy.  As I have stated on numerous occasions, I do not view this as a raid on the dividend nor a raid on the Permanent Fund itself.  It simply is an effort to draw attention to the need for an in-state gasline and a possible solution on how to fund it, should the state decide to undertake the project.  I am somewhat frustrated that we may love an in-state line to death and when the time and need arises, we will still be conducting studies with little or nothing to show.  If progress isn’t made shortly, there will undoubtedly be stronger efforts made by myself and other legislators to bring us closer to an in-state gasline.

I am appreciative of all the comments many of you have made regarding House Bill 312.  It is a work in progress and it will be interesting to hear the public’s comments as we progress through the committee process.