Senator Huggins - Newsletter

Hello from the Capital City on the 37th Legislative Day.

It is my great honor and privilege to serve Alaskans as Senate President for the 28th Legislature. My colleagues and I in the Senate Majority have set three top priorities for this session:

Increasing Oil Production
Addressing In-State Energy Needs
Controlling State Spending.

We feel the time to act on is now!

To that end, we created the Senate TAPS Through-Put Committee to discuss and investigate solutions for increasing oil production. Oil revenue pays for over 90-percent of our state’s general fund. Unless we address declining productions – and, therefore, declining revenue – we will be forced to reduce spending on roads, schools, and other services vital to the health of our state.

We are also addressing in-state energy needs through the Special Committee on In-State Energy, chaired by Senators Coghill and Bishop. That group is thoroughly investigating what’s causing skyrocketing energy prices and pursuing opportunities to develop local energy sources that will benefit all Alaskans.

Finally, we resolve to sustain Alaska’s finances into the future by recognizing that state spending should reflect the reality of our declining revenue. Alaskans' money should be spent efficiently and effectively, while maintaining important public services. Our fiscal decisions must be guided by what is best for the future and our solutions must provide results that will benefit Alaskans in 10 years, 20 years, and even 100 years.

I can’t do this job well without hearing from you. Please stay in touch. Your questions, concerns, and comments are important to me, as always, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards,

UPCOMING TOWN HALL MEETING:

Saturday, February 23, 10AM to Noon, Wasilla LIO, 600 East Railroad Avenue, Wasilla. Sens. Huggins and Dunleavy and Reps. Gattis and Hughes.

STAY CONNECTED!
Want to participate in the public process?

As a constituent, you may want to stay informed of committee hearings on issues that are of interest to you. You can watch on TV (Gavel-to-Gavel is broadcast throughout Alaska) and the Internet at http://akl.tv/ , participate in the public process by testifying through the Legislative Information Offices (LIO) in Wasilla or Anchorage through teleconferencing, or visit the Alaska State Capitol in Juneau.

Another good website for up-to-date information is http://www.alaskasenate.org/

To obtain information on the Internet about legislative committee hearings, go to http://w3.legis.state.ak.us/index.php. If you want information on bills, click on BASIS, the Bill Action and Status Inquiry System, to find a menu of choices to fit your needs. If you are interested in testifying at a particular hearing, contact the Wasilla or Anchorage LIOs and they will direct you further:
Wasilla LIO (907) 376-3704 MatSu.LIO@akleg.gov
Anchorage LIO (907) 269-0111 Anchorage.LIO@akleg.gov

ALASKA AIRLINES 2012 Constituent Fare
Connecting Alaskans With Alaska's Capital City.

The Constituent Fare offers Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members convenient and affordable access to Alaska state legislators and government agencies. Constituent Fare rates offer a 30% discount off the 7-day and 3-day advance purchase fares during each legislative season. The 2012 Constituent Fare Discount Codes were distributed via email in mid-to-late December, 2011.

While in Juneau, be sure to take advantage of the great dining, shopping, and outdoors! Visit http://www.traveljuneau.com/to plan your trip to Juneau.

Governor Sean Parnell stopped by to sign a special birthday message for Hallie Huggins, who is stationed with the US Army in Afghanistan. Hallie shares a January 27 birthday with her father.