Entries in Capital Focus for March, 2009
Palin popularity
A new poll shows Alaskans are not as positive about Gov. Sarah Palin as they were before her campaign for the vice presidency.
Strings might be thin as threads
House Finance Chairman Rep. Mike Hawker, R-Anchorage, said this morning that what he took to be "strings" attached to federal stimulus money are, on closer inspection, not much for Alaska to worry about.
Senate supports right to bear arms
The Senate unanimously passed a resolution urging the U.S. Congress to adopt an act respecting state rights to make rules on carrying firearms. The resolution was sponsored by Sen. Joe Thomas, D-Fairbanks.
Gas taxes under consideration
It might be hard to get past today's headlines — Gov. Sarah Palin's attorney general appointment and a widening divide between her and legislative leaders — but the Senate Resources and Finance committees are jointly hearing two presentations on natural gas taxes this afternoon.
More questions, or some answers?
Legislative leadership is holding a 1 p.m. press conference to discuss the federal stimulus package and ways to increase public access to the money.
House will take stimulus comments Thursday
This just in — the House Finance Committee will take public comment on House Bill 199, federal stimulus funding, at 1:30 p.m. March 26.
Stimulus confusion
Confusion is widespread in the Capitol halls over which branch of government holds the ultimate responsibility for Alaska's share of federal stimulus money.
House Finance OK's stimulus resolution
House Finance Committee has passed a resolution saying the Legislature will accept all federal stimulus money available to Alaska.
The resolution now goes before the Rules Committee, chaired by Rep. John Coghill, R-North Pole.
Redoubt grounds flights
Mt. Redoubt grounded a number of lawmakers planning to catch flights from Anchorage to Alaska's Capital city Monday morning.
Parental consent bill moving along
A bill that would require parental consent for minors seeking abortions is moving from House Judiciary to the Finance Committee. Sponsored by Rep. John Coghill, R-North Pole, and endorsed by Gov. Sarah Palin, the bill has generated impassioned testimony from people for and against.
Palin responds to protestors
Around 75 people crowded the Capitol steps at noon today, hoisting signs protesting Gov. Sarah Palin's rejection of some federal stimulus money yesterday.
The governor heard about the protesters and stepped outside, coatless in a surprise spring snow, and had a brief, candid conversation with the Alaskans.
Palin only wants half available stimulus
Protesting federal "strings," attached to stimulus funding, Gov. Sarah Palin said she doesn't want nearly half the estimated $930 million Alaska is eligible for.
Palin expected to say no thanks to millions
Gov. Sarah Palin is expected to leave "substantial" money on the table this morning as she announces her administration's plans to accept or turn away some federal stimulus package funding.
Affirming AGIA
Gov. Sarah Palin brought her gasline team along for an hour and a half -long press conference reinforcing her commitment to the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act license issued to TransCanada.
The conference was largely a response to a resolution filed by Rep. Jay Ramras, R-Fairbanks, calling on the governor to re-evaluate the state's $500 million investment under AGIA in light of changing economic and natural gas market dynamics.
From Palin to Mackey, at the finish line
Gov. Sarah Palin closed down a lengthy gas pipeline press conference Wednesday as Iditarod champ Lance Mackey neared the finish line ahead of the crowd in Nome. By tradition, Anchorage TV Channel 2 links the winner of Alaska's most popular sporting contest with the governor for finish-line congratulations.
Filling Elton's shoes
Although possibly not of as much concern to people living in the Interior, plenty of talk in Juneau is centered on who Gov. Sarah Palin will appoint to replace Sen. Kim Elton.
Dalai Lama rep to address lawmakers
The Dalai Lama's representative to the U.S. and Canada will address legislators at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday morning in the House Finance Committee room.
Pay raises and politics
Pay raises for legislators is a politically charged issue that will come up this week in Juneau.
Flint Hills shuts down one unit
Decreased demand for jet fuel in Anchorage prompted Flint Hills to shut down one of its three refining units in North Pole on Saturday.
Dividends could plummet
Pay-outs from the Alaska Permanent Fund could plummet to as low as double-digits in the next few years without changes that stabilize the dividend stream.
On the move
Bills are moving in Juneau this week as committees kick into gear. The House will convene in a floor session later today to begin deliberations on the fiscal year 2010 operating budget.
Focus on the budget
The House will turn its full focus this week on amending and passing a state operating budget.
Short week in Juneau
Around 20 legislators are planning to fly across the country later this week for Energy Council meetings.
