 |
About
Us |
 |
Advertising |
 |
Archive |
 |
Art & Literature |
 |
Classifieds |
 |
Commentary |
 |
Consumer News |
 |
Contact
Us |
 |
Guestbook |
 |
Guest Forum |
 |
Headline News |
 |
Letters to the Editor |
 |
Opinion Poll |
 |
Our Links |
 |
Quotations |
 |
Trading Post |
 |
Home |
ALASKA LINKS
Note: Links to other sites will open in a new window.
|
THE 24TH ALASKA STATE LEGISLATIVE 2ND SESSION
House Majority Newsletter
Issue 3
Feb. 28, 2006
It is day 80 of the second session of the 24th Alaska State
Legislature, and lawmakers are busy trying to get a budget passed and a
new oil tax agreed upon, in addition to all of their other legislation.
The legislature has been working diligently on producing a sustainable
budget, while also maintaining programs and saving a substantial
portion of the surplus. The House Finance Committee has produced an
Operating Budget that the members believe achieve this in the best way
possible.
The House Resources Committee spent the better part of March examining
the Governor's proposed Petroleum Production Tax plan, House Bill 488.
A committee substitute was drafted and passed out of committee Friday,
March 17th. HB 488 is currently being heard in the House Finance
Committee.
The Resources Committee Co-chairs, Representative Ralph Samuels
(R-Anchorage) and Representative Jay Ramras (R-Fairbanks), worked hard
to achieve a balanced and progressive plan to benefit all Alaskans.
Representative Samuels has written an Opinion Editorial that may offer
new insight into the process and goal of this new oil tax system.
With the link between a natural gasline and new oil tax system still
unclear, the House Republican Majority has continued their campaign to
educate all Alaskans about the opportunities that face the state. The
Majority hosted an open Caucus on March 2nd, featuring representatives
from TransCanada. Another open caucus of this nature was held on
Thursday, March 23rd, with Harold Heinze, CEO of Alaska Natural Gas
Development Authority.
Despite the busy legislative session, a few members were able to
attend the Federal Energy and Environmental Matters Conference in
Washington, D.C., in early March. Representative Norman Rokeberg
(R-Anchorage), a member of the Energy Council's Executive Committee,
was one of the Alaskan lawmakers to make the trip. The council focuses
on the issues surrounding oil production, providing insight for the
decisions our lawmakers are facing.
In their time off, a few legislators have helped raise money for
charities, while others have welcomed new additions. Representative
Gatto (R-Palmer) raised more than $2,500 for children's cancer research
by shaving his head at a fundraiser known as St. Baldrick's. Several
legislative staff joined the Representative in going bald for a good
cause, at the March 17th event, held at Juneau's Hanger on the Wharf.
Last week, however, the attention of the Majority has been on another
bald man, Grayson David McGuire Anderson. Grayson, son of
Representatives Tom Anderson (R-Anchorage) and Lesil McGuire
(R-Anchorage) was welcomed to Juneau on March 21st.
Family issues seem to be a recurring theme this session. House Bill
408, The Family Rights Act 2006, sponsored by Representative Coghill
(R-North Pole) passed the House last week; the Senate is now
considering it.
Top
Previous Page
|