LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR’S REPORT

Loren Leman Lieutenant Governor
Juneau, AK
Feb. 5, 2003

WELCOME … to the first edition of my Report as Lieutenant Governor.

WHAT WE DO:
As Lieutenant Governor my statutory duties include: Elections policies and oversight of the Division of Elections, signing and filing of Administrative Regulations, supervision of the Online Public Notice System, Notary Public registration and administration, as well as serving as chairman of the Alaska Historical Commission. I am a member of the Alaska Work Force Investment Board, and I have also been asked by Governor Murkowski to serve as the State Co-chairman of the Denali Commission, which is now responsible for more than $100 million in projects each year, primarily in rural Alaska. Governor Murkowski has also asked me to assist the Administration with rural outreach, coordination of services between the State and faith communities and liaison assistance with the Legislature. You can link to my homepage at the Alaska State website.

HURRAY FOR HELICOPTERS:
Inauguration day for Governor Frank Murkowski and me, December 2, 2002, dawned bright and clear--everywhere except the Juneau airport, which was blanketed by fog. Having spent all day and the night before in Sitka with my wife Carolyn and daughters Rachel and Nicole, it appeared for awhile that I would have to take the oath for my new office by telephone in Alaska’s old capital city. Thanks to the generous help of many people and organizations we were transported at literally the last hour by helicopter and arrived in fog-shrouded Juneau in time for me to be sworn in at noon as Alaska’s Lieutenant Governor. Our son Joseph came all the way from Russia for this event, but made it only to Sitka. It was also my birthday, and one I won’t forget. Here’s how it looked from the audience.

CANNABIS INITIATIVE IMPROPERLY FILED:
On January 14, on the advice of Laura Glaiser, the Director of the Division of Elections, and the Department of Law, I denied a petition for an initiative "An Act to decriminalize and regulate cannabis (hemp including marijuana)" due to insufficient signatures. Under the provisions of law governing the filing of initiatives, sponsors will have to start over if they wish to pursue their proposal. If you are interested in the initiative process and would like learn more see the Division of Elections website.

PERMANENT FUND INITIATIVE REJECTED:
I also determined, and notified the sponsors on January 29, that a petition for an initiative regarding Permanent Fund earnings and dividend distribution was being rejected. The Department of Law advised that the initiative would have, in effect, changed the Alaska Constitution and interfered with the power of the Legislature to appropriate funds, neither of which is allowed by initiative.

THE WHEELS OF JUSTICE … do sometimes grind very slowly. On January 6 a suit by Planned Parenthood, the largest abortion provider in the U.S., against the law that I sponsored on parental consent for abortion six years ago was once again being argued in Anchorage Superior Court before Judge Sen Tan, this time at an evidentiary hearing ordered by the Alaska Supreme Court. When this case first came to Judge Tan’s courtroom in 1997 he ruled the legislation unconstitutional and stated there was no need for an evidentiary hearing. The case then went to the Supreme Court, which a year ago ordered this month’s hearing. The hearing ended January 24, and Judge Tan will make his ruling. I encourage you to pray that Judge Tan will use his keen intellect for good instead of for destruction.

THE LEGISLATURE RESUMES:
I presided over the start of the sessions for both the House and Senate on January 21, and then welcomed legislators to my office in the State Capitol for signing of their oaths of office. I was pleased that Alaska’s Miss Junior National Teen-ager, home-schooled Kristin Hamerski from Anchorage, was able to sing the national anthem and the Alaska Flag Song. Governor Murkowski and I have met several times with the new legislators and welcome them as they begin their deliberations.

A TRADITION CONTINUES:
Wednesday, January 22 marked the 30th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton decisions that legalized abortion-on-demand throughout all nine months of pregnancy. I was honored to be a speaker at the traditional rally on the Capitol steps, and shared the good news that although still too high, the number of abortions performed in the U.S. is at its lowest level since 1974, and that according to a recent opinion poll support for the right to life for the unborn is at an all-time high. Governor Murkowski also spoke, marking the first time an Alaska Governor has addressed a pro-life rally in many years. We were joined on the Capitol steps by many legislators and community leaders.

THE STATE OF OUR STATE:
On Thursday, January 23, Governor Murkowski addressed a joint session of the Legislature as well as a packed gallery and a statewide television and radio audience. He highlighted important themes from public safety to education to homeland security. He was interrupted by applause countless times as he outlined constructive approaches to make our State government more accountable, less costly and more efficient. If you would like to read the text of his message, it is available here.

HAVING A BALL:
During the last month Carolyn and I joined Frank and Nancy Murkowski for Inaugural events in Anchorage, Nome, Palmer, Juneau, Ketchikan, Soldotna and Fairbanks. Meeting so many Alaskans on these festive occasions was a great pleasure for us.