|
||||||||
LEAD Partners Click here to view Leaders Effecting Alaska's Development |
Legislative Updates :: Capital Notes 03/14/08 Capital Notes 03/14/08 Half way through The Legislature is well into the second half of the session, already eclipsing the half way mark a week back. Both sides are feverishly attempting to put a wrap on the state's operating budget. The operating budget, which covers the operating costs for all state functions such as funding for state troopers, Medicaid programs, road maintenance, airports etc., will likely be the largest operating budget in state history. As passed by the House last week, the operating budget exceeded 10 billion in total funding, close to a 10% increase from the previous year's budget. With action by the Senate expected this week, final action on the state operating budget could be completed by both sides as early as next week. Funding Measures and Surpluses A supplemental funding bill is also going through both sides of the legislature. This is a normal operating procedure for the administration and the legislature as unforeseen costs are annually adjusted in a supplemental funding bill to the previous year's enacted operating budget. However, this year things are a little different. As you may recall from last year, the legislature passed a rather large capital budget with many Legislators projects vetoed by the Governor. Well, strangely many of the projects deleted by the Governor have been added into the supplemental budget requested by the administration. As one legislator put it, "this is our way to let the Governor know who is the appropriating body." Under the Constitution only the legislature can appropriate money, while the Governor holds the veto power. The new approach at funding capital projects in the state's supplemental operating budget will likely create a few fireworks as the session draws to a close next month. Save a Buck Campaign Additionally, revenue forecasts have suggested the state may have an additional 3.5 to 4 billion dollars this year. The supplemental bill also carried a provision inserted by the Senate to dump 2.6 billion into the constitutional budget reserve (CBR). As Rep. Mike Hawker astutely pointed out at the Chamber of Commerce annual legislative fly-in, any measure to put money into the CBR is simply political posturing. So do legislators need to make appropriations to the CBR? No, all they need to do is not appropriate the money and it automatically rolls into the CBR as Rep Hawker explained to attending folks. Look for members of the House to jump on the bandwagon to see who can save the most money. Regardless of bragging rights, the state chamber has made it a top priority to encourage our legislators to save as much as is feasibly possible. With a gasline potentially many years away, oil production is dwindling fast. Even with the high price of oil, it is expected the state budget will be busted in 10 years or less. Less if the legislature continues to spend without looking to the future. State Chamber Legislative Fly-In Last week, the Alaska State Chamber of Commerce held its annual fly-in with business folks coming to Juneau from all over the state to participate and learn about issues affecting Alaskans. The first day's session took attendees through an in-depth look at the political, logistical and competitive issues surrounding Alaska's gas pipeline. Analysis and interpretations on gas issues were presented by Rep. Ralph Samuels, Dan Fauske (administrations AGIA team), Tony Palmer for TransCanada, and Brian Wenzel for Conoco-Phillips. The gasline presentations brought together a mix of perspectives on a very complex issue surrounding the future of Alaska's gas pipeline. Some folks were optimistic after the presentation and discussions, while some folks felt much work is yet to be done to get the project moving. We also heard from legislators on other issues including Rep. Mike Hawker on the budget surplus and a fiscal plan and Sen. Johnny Ellis on unemployment insurance. Dan Barr presented information on the potential to develop an Alaskan business plan. Later in the event, a seminar was held in the Senate Finance Room with legislators stopping by to discuss a variety of personal and business issues. Those folks included: Senator Hollis French on health insurance, Senator Gary Wilken on financial issues and uses of the permanent fund, Rep. Beth Kerttula on growing up in the Capitol and what it means to be a legislator, and Rep. John Coghill who covered a variety of issues. Senate President Lyda Green, and Speaker of the House John Harris, each made individual appearances, and were both able and knowledgeable presenters to the Alaskan business community. The two day event was topped off by a formal board meeting with a casual reception held for legislators and staff at the mid-way point in the two day process. The reception sponsored by Wal-Mart and the Alaskan Brewery Company drew more than 100 plus business and legislative participants. More than half of the elected members from the Senate and the House made an appearance to mix with Alaska's best in business. In the midst of a 90-day session, we at the State Chamber found it particularly rewarding that so many members of our Alaska Legislature were able to juggle very tight schedules to participate with us. It was truly a generous gesture to give us so much of their time. State Chamber of Commerce As always we are working on many different bills. HB 103-Bond Requirement on Appeal, SB 122-Municipal Property Tax exemption and SB 120-Unemployment insurance, are just a few of the many different bills being looked after this week. While there are a number of issues the State Chamber is working on, if there is an issue that is important to you and your business, please let the folks at the Alaska State Chamber of Commerce know of your concerns. Following Legislation? Any person can follow the legislative process and access new bills, committee substitutes or determine which legislator is on a particular committee in the Legislative Bill Action and Status Inquiry System (BASIS). You can see what committee a bill is in, when it will be heard, how committee members voted, and much more. You can also view all bills relating to your specific areas of interest by selecting "Subject Summary" from the menu on the right. Just click on the link below and bookmark it for later use. http://www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/start.asp Back to top Juneau Headquarters: 217 Second Street, Suite 201, Juneau, AK 99801 Phone: 907.586.2323, Fax: 907.463.5515, Email: info@alaskachamber.com Anchorage Office: 601 W. 5th Avenue, Suite 700, Anchorage, AK 99501 Phone: 907.278.2722, Fax: 907.278.6643 Copyright © 2003 - Present, The Alaska State Chamber of Commerce, all rights reserved. Designed by WebWeavers Technology Group LLC™ |
|||||||
