LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S REPORT

Loren Leman Lieutenant Governor
Juneau, AK
Feb. 21, 2003

SECREATRY POWELL VISITS ALASKA:
I was very pleased to represent Alaska and greet Secretary of State Colin Powell during a refueling stop at Elmendorf Air Force Base this afternoon. We chatted about his visit to the Far East and the situation in Iraq, as well as Alaska issues like ANWR, gas commercialization and volunteerism.

MY DAY IN BETHEL:
On February 7 I was in Bethel , where I was briefed on challenges facing the community and the Yukon/Kuskokwim region. The Yukon Kuskowkim Health Corporation hopes to add a learning center for coordinated K-12 to University training for careers, including health care fields. I also met with Superintendent Bill Ferguson, staff, Board members and students of the Lower Kuskowkim School District, which has implemented distance education and video conferencing as a way to meet U.S. Dept. of Education "No Child Left Behind" goals. I also enjoyed a visit with students and staff at the University of Alaska Bethel campus and a secondary boarding school in Bethel.

One of the challenges rural Alaska faces is a high level of inhalant abuse by young people. In large part because of Governor Murkowski's and Senator Stevens’ interest and leadership an Inhalant Abuse Facility, only the second of its kind in the United States, has been opened in Bethel. Its success is impressive. It is my hope that the facility will help reduce the scourge of chemical abuse that has harmed far too many young Alaskans. My follow-on trip to Nightmute to dedicate a Denali Commission - funded health care facility was canceled because of weather.

AT OUR NATION'S CAPITAL:
On February 13 & 14 I attended the National Lieutenant Governor's Association meetings in Washington DC, and discussed federal issues with my colleagues from across the nation. I carried the Alaska message of exploring the coastal plain of ANWR in the context of energy independence and financial opportunity for America. We received security briefings from Vice President Dick Cheney and Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge, as well as a budget briefing from Mitch Daniels, the President's Director of the Office of Management & Budget. We were also briefed on health care, education and faith-based initiatives issues by Administration staff. I met with John Katz, Director of the Governor's Washington, D.C. Office, to go over ANWR strategy, gas commercialization, Tongass timber supply and other federal issues.

HELPING ALASKA VOTE:
Under the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA), Alaska has the potential to receive more than $15 million in the next three years to improve our elections system. Section 301 of the Act requires at least one "voting system equipped for individuals with disabilities at each polling place." Last year I sponsored SB 258 to ensure that when the Division bought new voting equipment, it would also purchase voting machines that "allow people with disabilities to vote private, independent and verifiable ballots." Similar legislation, sponsored by Representative Joe Green, passed both bodies and became law. As a result, Alaska is once again ahead of other states in improving elections.

A State Plan is required to receive the federal funds, and on January 30 I announced members of the committee who will help develop Alaska's plan. For more information, including committee members, see my announcement.

SCOPING OUT FAITH-BASED INITIATIVES:
I was encouraged by the response of people in the faith and volunteer communities to my invitation to a "scoping" meeting on faith-based initiatives on Thursday, February 20 in Anchorage. More than 100 people attended. I gave a "keynote" address and we also heard from White House staff; Department of Health & Social Services Commissioner Joel Gilbertson; Department of Corrections Chaplaincy Coordinator Mike Ensch; Mayor George Wuerch; and Director of the Anchorage Department of Health & Human Services, Jewel Jones. Five very successful faith-based programs were featured. I plan to have similar forums in Juneau and Fairbanks.

UPCOMING EVENTS:
Join me if you are in the neighborhood this next week -- Saturday, February 22 I will address the Engineer of the Year awards banquet in Anchorage. Its theme is "Building Alaska." On Sunday, February 23 at 2pm I will be at VFW Post 2509's Grand Opening in Palmer at 1920 Glenn Highway. And on February 26 I will address the Alaska Air Carriers Association's Conference and Trade Show at the Anchorage Sheraton Hotel at noon on "Crossroads to Leadership." On Friday and Saturday I will be in Kotzebue and Selawik.

I’ll appear with host Tom Biss on Monday, February 24 on the radio program "Soap Box" on KJNO in Juneau.