LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S REPORT

Lt. Governor Loren Leman
Juneau, AK
June 17, 2004

A HOME FOR VETERANS:
On Tuesday Governor Murkowski signed SB 301, designating the Palmer Pioneers Home as a State Veterans Home. I am very pleased to finally have a workable solution for a Veterans Home in Alaska, after numerous legislative attempts to solve this issue. The Alaska Pioneers’ and Veterans’ Home occupancy will eventually be 75 percent veterans and 25 percent other seniors from the Pioneers Home waiting list. No current residents will be moved from the Palmer facility to accommodate the additional veterans.

FILLING SENATE VACANCIES:
I have determined that House Bill 414, which provides for a special election to fill U.S. Senate vacancies, is substantially similar to an initiative submitted in September 2003. Because the bill, which became law on June 5, is essentially equivalent, the initiative will not appear on the general election ballot in November.

THIS PEBBLE IS HUGE:
The fine folks in Kenai welcomed visiting officials from Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. with a reception Monday at the beautiful Kenai Visitors and Cultural Center. Northern Dynasty plans on developing a world-class gold and copper mine at their Pebble deposit near Iliamna. If developed, this $750 million project could result in 2,000 construction jobs and hundreds of operations and service jobs during a mine life that is projected to exceed 20 years. I was asked to provide welcoming remarks.

BREAKING BREAD WITH THE GOVERNOR:
On Tuesday Governor Murkowski spoke to a community luncheon hosted by the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce about his plan for the upcoming special session of the Legislature. I was able to join him at this function. It was good to be back on the Kenai Peninsula with many longtime friends. Governor Murkowski also used the occasion to sign HB 233, a bill that increases the foundation formula for funding K-12 education support by $407 per student, nearly a 10 percent increase.

CORRESPONDENCE SCHOOL REGULATIONS:
The State Board of Education has adopted new regulations regarding statewide correspondence schools. Many concerned parents and educators contacted me about the regulations as originally proposed. I discussed these concerns with members of the Board and Commissioner Sampson. The Board listened and revised the proposed regulations, however they still place additional requirements on a fine educational delivery system. As a longtime supporter of homeschooling, I want full opportunities for parents and students who choose this approach, yet require accountability for money spent. Unfortunately, a few well-publicized excesses led to more regulations on thousands of conscientious homeschooling families.

A STERLING WINNER:
Congratulations to Christina Reasner of Sterling, who was crowned as the new Miss Alaska last Saturday. Christina is a 2000 graduate of Soldotna High School and recently graduated valedictorian from Northwest College in Kirkland, Washington.. She will represent Alaska in the national pageant in Atlantic City, New Jersey in September. Following her one-year reign as Alaska’s official hostess, Christina plans to attend law school and eventually serve in the political arena.

THESE OLYMPIANS ARE SPECIAL:
On Saturday I assisted Chairman and CEO Jim Balamaci, staff and volunteers of Special Olympics Alaska with the Summer Games at West High School. I enjoyed watching athletes from the heart of Alaska compete and exult when we placed medals around their necks. I am thankful for the many sponsors, supporters, volunteers and special guests who helped make these games possible.

THE ART OF NINILCHIK:
On display in my Capitol office through August are Ninilchik homeschool student oil paintings. The student art is high quality, and I am happy to display it. Thank you to the students and their art instructor for the fine artwork.

1978 WAS A VERY GOOD YEAR:
Twenty-six years ago today Carolyn and I said “I do” to each other at Chapel by the Sea in Anchorage. Carolyn is a great wife, trusted friend, helper, and mother and I thank her. We have been blessed with three children. We are also grateful for our good friend, Don Stump, who officiated at our wedding. Don, a longtime contributor to ministries in Alaska, is currently in nursing care in Anchorage.

UPCOMING EVENTS:
Tomorrow I will address a class of students at the summer institute of Project GRAD in Homer. These sophomores are taking a course to help them succeed in high school and eventually earn college scholarships. On Saturday I will meet with Boys State participants in Wasilla and help inaugurate them into office. Next Monday I am in Barrow for Nalukataq, the whaling festival, and then head to Juneau on Tuesday for the start of the special session.