By Senator Gary Stevens
For The Cordova Times
Hello again from Juneau. The first session of the 30th Alaska State Legislature began Jan. 17th. That afternoon, 45 returning legislators and 15 new legislators took the oath of office and work began on the 90-day session. As is the case every year, the early weeks of this year’s session were highlighted by numerous overviews by officials from the state’s various departments and divisions on their operations, as well as presentations from economists, and the private sector. Several committees have been holding hearings on bills and resolutions, with the rest to do so soon.
Budget Issues
The major issue this session is the development of the fiscal year 2018 budget. With oil prices still low, Alaska is looking at a $3 billion gap this year, and the Legislature will need to find a way to balance the budget. In the weeks ahead, legislators will be considering various proposals to reduce the budget deficit, including additional budget cuts, revamping of the state’s oil production tax credits, some use of Permanent Fund earnings, an increase in the motor fuel tax, and a broad-based tax such as an income or sales tax.
With 60 lawmakers representing diverse constituencies with divergent opinions on what they support to solve Alaska’s fiscal problems, reaching a consensus will not be easy. However, this is a critical time for Alaska, and I assure you the Legislature takes this issue seriously and is committed to finding solutions.
As always, I appreciate your questions and comments on the budget, and other issues coming before us in the Capitol. Please keep in touch.
Committee Assignments
This year and next, I am chairing the joint Senate and House Legislative Budget and Audit Committee (LB&A). The committee is made up of five members from each body, as well as one alternate from each body. LB&A is responsible for providing the legislature with fiscal analysis, budget reviews, audits and performance reviews of state government agencies, and contracts with consultants on oil and gas issues. The committee also approves requests from the governor for budget revisions.
Also this term, I will also chair the Senate World Trade Committee, and will serve on the Senate Education and Senate Labor and Commerce Committees. I am also an alternate member of the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics.
Personal Legislation for the 30th Legislature
I have introduced SB 7 to establish a matching grant program within the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development for museum construction, expansion and major renovation projects subject to legislative appropriation. The bill has been referred to the Senate Community and Regional Affairs Committee for consideration.
SB 8 will give Alaska’s federally recognized tribal governments the ability to take part in the Permanent Fund Dividend’s popular Pick.Click.Give. program should they choose. The bill has been referred to the Senate State Affairs Committee for consideration.
SB 15 is intended to ban sales of electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes, and similar products to minors. The bill has been referred to the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee for consideration.
Senate District P Staff
Again this session, my Capitol office is staffed with familiar faces.
Nona Dimond is now in her 7th year with the office. Among her many tasks are coordinating my schedule and assisting constituents.
Tim Lamkin is back for an 11th year with the office. He will be working on personal legislation, and track the Senate Education Committee, as well as other duties.
Doug Letch returns for his 17th year in the office. He will continue to work on constituent concerns and communications, track the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee and work on personal legislation.
Katrina Matheny is also in her 17th year in the office. She will staff LB&A and the World Trade committees, and will continue to follow the operating and capital budgets.
Please do not hesitate to contact me or my staff if we can be of assistance to you with matters involving state agencies.
Legislative Information Offices
The Legislative Information Offices are a great source for following bills, participating in teleconferences, offering testimony on legislation and contacting lawmakers throughout the session. You can also pick up a Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) application at the LIO.
- The Cordova LIO can be reached at (907) 424-5461
- The Homer LIO can be reached at (907) 235-7878.
- The Kenai LIO can be reached at (907) 283-2030.
- The Kodiak LIO can be reached at (907) 486-8116.
Contact Information
You can reach me by phone at 1-800-821-4925 and in Juneau at 465-4925. My fax number is 465-3517.
My mailing address is: 120 4th Street, State Capitol, Room 3, Juneau, AK 99801.
You can e-mail me at: sen.gary.stevens@akleg.gov
Tracking the Alaska Legislature
You can follow the work of the Senate on the Internet at: www.alaskasenate.org/2016/. The site provides a wealth of information on our efforts and our membership.
Alaska’s public television system produces Gavel Alaska, which broadcasts live and recorded coverage of floor sessions and committee hearings. The programming is also on the Internet at: http://www.360north.org/.
AlaskaLegislature.tv offers live coverage of meetings from all of the Capitol’s committee rooms. This service is provided by the legislature.
You can also access information on any bills and resolutions introduced during the 30th Alaska Legislature through the Bill Action and Status Inquiry System (BASIS) on the Internet at: www.akleg.gov/basis.
PFD Application Period Underway
The 2017 Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) continues through March 31. The easiest way to apply is via the PFD Division’s website at www.pfd.alaska.gov. If you are applying by mail, I highly recommend you send your application by certified mail and request a return receipt.
Pick.Click.Give.
Numerous nonprofit organizations are participating in the PFD’s Pick.Click.Give. program again this year. The program offers you the opportunity to donate all, or part of your PFD in $25 increments to the nonprofit organization of your choice. You can get more information on the program through Permanent Fund Division’s website.
