REPORT FROM JUNEAU: Week 10
by Senator Loren Leman
March 16, 2001

COMPASS OPINION PIECE IN DAILY NEWS: An article expressing my views on education appears in today's Anchorage Daily News. You can read it online.

KEYED UP: This week representatives of the Key Campaign were in Juneau for their annual legislative visit. The Key Campaign is a statewide coalition of supporters and advocates for developmentally disabled adults and their families. I met with a group on Thursday that included Travis and John, both of whom have overcome disabilities to lead productive, successful lives. I have included a photo of our meeting.

BUDGET DISCIPLINE IN ACTION: We made substantial progress on the State budget this week. We closed the Department of Revenue budget in my subcommittee and by working closely with department personnel we were able to reduce spending for next year without hurting their ability to do their job. On Wednesday the Senate passed HB 117, the “fast-track” supplemental spending bill. The House will concur with our minor changes. Also on Wednesday the House passed its version of the State operating budget (HB103 and 104). While the Senate version will differ in some details, the House budget is the basic outline of State spending for FY 2002. It provides $671 million to fully fund the state foundation formula for K-12 education and increases University of Alaska funding. At the same time it holds other programs to last year’s levels. Compared to the Governor’s budget it saves more than $60 million in State General Funds.

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS: Last week I mentioned that the Senate HESS Committee had unveiled an approach to dealing with the challenges of implementing the high school competency examination. That approach is now SB 133, which incorporates the features of my SB 128 and provides alternatives for students with learning disabilities. We reported this bill today. Next stop is the Finance Committee. My Senate Bill 121, which clarifies the Alaska Right-of-Way Leasing Act and could help expedite development of North Slope gas, is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Resources Committee on Friday. And on Monday SJR 8, the resolution on polling places at military installations, passed the House, completing its journey through the Legislature. To track legislation go here.

ANCHORAGE CAUCUS TALKS TRANSPORTATION: The Anchorage Caucus met this week to in a work session to discuss AMATS, the Anchorage Municipal Area Transportation Study. We hosted Mayor Wuerch and Assembly members Dick Tremaine and Anna Fairclough. We discussed the challenges of working with the AMATS process
and improving the transportation network in Anchorage.

INSIDE THE BELTWAY: For timely, detailed coverage of the United States Congress and national political issues see Roll Call, the daily newspaper of Capitol Hill. Go to www.rollcall.com.

ABOVE: Meeting with the Key Coalition Thursday, March 15, 2001

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