Senate Opposes Listing Polar Bear as Threatened
Senate passes resolution urging other States to join

Juneau - The Senate passed a resolution today opposing a proposal by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to list the polar bear as “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.

“It is important that we prevent listing the polar bear as threatened, not only because the designation is not clearly supported by science, but because it will be used as leverage to stop development projects across the country, including our own natural gas pipeline,” said Sen. Gary Wilken, R-Fairbanks.

Senate Resolution 6 was introduced by Sen. Gene Therriault, R-North Pole, on behalf of the five members of the Senate Republican Caucus. The full Senate approved the measure today by a vote of 12 to five. Because it is expressing a position of the Senate, the resolution does not need to go to the House for consideration.

University of Alaska Fairbanks Research Associate Professor Matt Cronin, Ph.D, agrees that an endangered species listing is inappropriate.

“Recent declines in sea ice and indications that polar bears in some areas may be negatively impacted are cause for concern, but in my opinion do not warrant designation of the species as threatened with extinction,” Cronin said. “I believe that consideration of multiple hypotheses regarding the future of sea ice and polar bear populations would provide better science than reliance on one extreme case hypothesis of loss of sea ice and associated drastic declines in polar bear populations.”

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed listing polar bears as “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act in the Federal Register on Jan. 9, 2007. Comments in the federal process must be submitted by April 9, 2007.

Alaska Recognized for Innovation in Education
Sen. Con Bunde to accept award on State’s behalf

Juneau - The State of Alaska has been selected to receive the 2007 Frank Newman Award for State Innovation for demonstrated excellence in shaping education policy.

“I will be honored to accept this award on behalf of the State of Alaska from Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius at the National Forum on Education Policy in Philadelphia in July,” said Sen. Con Bunde, R-Anchorage. “I’m extremely pleased Alaska is being recognized for addressing the many challenges we have with education.”

The Education Commission of the States (ECS) created the award in 2005 in honor of the late Frank Newman, who served as ECS president for 14 years. Criteria for the award include: policies that are bold, courageous and nonpartisan, including new policies with the potential for large-scale impact, existing policies with evidence of continued support, and education improvement efforts that are replicable and hold valuable lessons for other states.

Alaska was recognized for innovative programs such as the statewide mentor project, the public school performance incentive program and the Alaska reading course.

Roderick G. W. Chu, Interim President of the Education Commission of the States, notified Gov. Sarah Palin that Alaska had been chosen for the award by letter March 26, 2007. Palin asked Sen. Bunde to accept the award in Philadelphia July 11, 2007. Kansas Gov. Sebelius is Chair of the Education Commission of the States.

Sen. Bunde is a life-long educator, was chairman of the House Special Committee on Education in 2001-2002, currently serves on the ECS steering committee, and was formerly ECS national vice president.

Resolution Opposes Listing Polar Bear as Threatened
Caucus Measure Asks All States to Join

Juneau - The Senate Republican Caucus will introduce a resolution tomorrow stating the Senate’s opposition to listing the polar bear as a threatened species, and encouraging the other 49 states to do so as well.

“We think listing the polar bear as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act has serious consequences for the State of Alaska long-term. It potentially opens the State to numerous lawsuits from across the nation that could claim an activity increases green house gases, therefore impacting sea ice, therefore impacting polar bears, and result in a bottleneck for all kinds of projects,”  said Senate Minority Leader Gene Therriault, R-North Pole.

“We believe the statement in this resolution dovetails well with the position of the previous and current administration,” Therriault said, citing letters from both administrations and written testimony of Tina Cunning, special assistant to the commissioner, Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

According to University of Alaska Fairbanks Research Associate Professor Matt Cronin, the proposed rule to list the polar bear as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act is based on model predictions of loss of most of the summer Arctic sea ice in the next 45 years.  This in turn is used to predict negative impacts on polar bears to the point where they decline in numbers enough to be considered threatened worldwide.  However these are selective, worst-case predictions and other scenarios are possible, Cronin said.

“We don’t know what the future ice conditions will be, as there is apparently considerable uncertainty in the sea ice models regarding the timing and extent of sea ice loss.  Also, polar bear populations are generally healthy and have increased worldwide over the last few decades.  Recent declines in sea ice and indications that polar bears in some areas may be negatively impacted are cause for concern, but in my opinion do not warrant designation of the species as threatened with extinction,” Cronin said.

“I believe that consideration of multiple hypotheses regarding the future of sea ice and polar bear populations would provide better science than reliance on one extreme case hypothesis of loss of sea ice and associated drastic declines in polar bear populations,” Cronin said.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed listing polar bears as “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act in the Federal Register on Jan. 9, 2007. Comments in the federal process must be submitted by April 9, 2007. The Senate Resolution, which has not yet been assigned a number, could be passed by a simple majority vote of the Senate, with no committee referrals.

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Sound Actualities can be downloaded from the following links:
http://www.aksenateminority.com/media/25/therriault2007032901a.mp3
http://www.aksenateminority.com/media/25/therriault2007032902a.mp3

Background documents can be downloaded from the following links:

Senate Resolution (number to be assigned)
http://www.aksenateminority.com/pdfs/25/senate_resolution_20070329.pdf
March 28, 2007 letter from Gov. Palin to Fort Yukon Mayor Jerry Carroll
http://www.aksenateminority.com/pdfs/25/letter_palin_to_carroll.pdf
Nov. 17, 2006 letter from Gov. Murkowski to Dale Hall, Director of the U.S.F&WS
http://www.aksenateminority.com/pdfs/25/letter_murkowski_to_hall.pdf
March 1, 2007 by Tina Cunning, special assistant to the Commissioner of Fish & Game
http://www.aksenateminority.com/pdfs/
25/tcunning_statement_to_f&gcommissioner.pdf
Dec. 18, 2006 letter from Gov. Palin to Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne
http://www.aksenateminority.com/pdfs/25/letter_palin_to_kempthorne.pdf

Committee Moves Bill to Increase K-12 Funding
Special Committee on Education moves Wilken’s SB 1

Juneau - A bill to increase K-12 education funding by $88.9 million moved from the Senate Special Committee on Education today.

“We’re getting to the point where we need to decide on a K-12 number. The governor’s number, while fully funding the formula, isn’t going to be sufficient. So, to whatever extent possible, I’d like to move the conversation, try to fund K-12 adequately, and get it done before we start getting into really big issues of gas line and closing out the budgets,” said Sen. Gary Wilken, R-Fairbanks.

The bill now goes to the Senate Community and Regional Affairs Committee.

A Fact Sheet for SB 1 is attached.
http://www.aksenateminority.com/pdfs/25/sb0001.pdf
A sound actuality can be downloaded from the following link:
http://www.aksenateminority.com/media/25/wilken2007032801a.mp3

Senate Majority Defeats Amendment to SCR 4
Language supported tax-free contributions to health plans

Juneau - The Senate Majority defeated an amendment to a resolution today that would have encouraged Alaskans to take responsibility for their own health care, supported their ability to make tax-free contributions to a health plan, and recognized that insurance companies should be allowed to offer healthy lifestyle discounts.

“All this amendment does is add to this resolution what I consider to be classic Alaskan values and things that we would want to be considered, as folks come together for this very important discussion about where are we going individually and as a State with our health care,” said amendment sponsor Sen. Fred Dyson, R-Eagle River, during debate on the Senate floor today.

Sen. Dyson offered the amendment to Senate Concurrent Resolution 4, which invites Alaskans to join the Alaska Health Compact. The amendment failed 14 to five, along strict caucus lines.

“Members of the Senate Republican minority were disappointed today that the majority coalition swept aside suggested language that offered support for the continuation of tax-free health savings accounts,” said Senate Minority Leader Gene Therriault, R-North Pole. “We’re at a loss to explain why the coalition members would not encourage citizens to pursue healthy lifestyles in the State and voluntarily plan for health emergencies.”

“I want to make sure that we underscore that it is the responsibility of each individual to take responsibility for their health and/or paying for it. Each individual should be able to choose how they plan to pay for their health care,” Sen. Dyson said on the floor.

A Sound Actuality can be downloaded from the following link:
http://www.aksenateminority.com/media/25/therriault2007032801a.mp3

Wilken to Present Fiscal Plan Tuesday, March 27
A Bridge to a Gasline: “Fill the Gap”

Juneau - Sen. Gary Wilken, R-Fairbanks, will give a PowerPoint presentation on Senate Bill 134, a long-term plan to fill future revenue gaps, on Tuesday, March 27, from noon to 1 p.m. in the State Capitol Butrovich Room.

Following the presentation, Sen. Wilken will take questions from the press first, then from the public as time permits.

Reporters who are outside of Juneau or unable to participate at a Legislative Information Office may call 1.888.295.4546. In Juneau call 463-5073. Members of the public are encouraged to attend the presentation by teleconference at local Legislative Information Offices.

Who: Sen. Gary Wilken
What: Presentation on SB 134
When: Tuesday, March 27, 2007 from Noon - 1 pm
Where: State Capitol, Butrovich Room #205

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The presentation can be downloaded from the link below:
http://www.aksenateminority.com/pdfs/25/sb0134_attachment_002.pdf

Senators Report on Washington D.C. Trip
Oil & Gas Team meets with FERC chairman and pipeline coordinator

Juneau - The Senate Republican Caucus Oil & Gas Team returned recently from a five-day trip to our nation’s capital, where they met with federal and other officials on energy issues vital to Alaska.

“We wanted to seize every opportunity possible during the simultaneous meetings of the Energy Council and Pacific NorthWest Economic Region to distribute information regarding Gov. Palin’s gas line proposal, to answer questions, and to address misinformation that may be circulating among the other states,” said Senate Minority Leader Gene Therriault, R-North Pole. “We made every effort to coordinate with our colleagues from the House and Senate to put forward a unified statement of Alaska’s position.”

During their trip March 7 to March 11, Sen. Therriault focused on meeting with federal officials and regulators, while Sen. Fred Dyson took advantage of contacts he has made over the years with PNWER participants. Sen. Tom Wagoner, who is a member of the Center for Legislative Energy and Environmental Research, concentrated on Energy Council issues.

The Energy Council is a legislative organization of ten energy-producing states ranging from the Gulf of Mexico to the Arctic Ocean, with three international affiliates: the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, the province of Alberta and the nation of Venezuela. Its purpose is to promote a balanced national energy strategy and related environmental policies; to foster an understanding of energy and its role in the global economy and environment; to provide resources to assist member legislators in leading their states’ policymaking efforts on energy and related environmental issues; and to initiate dialogues with policymakers, at all levels, on energy and related environmental matters.

PNWER is a Partnership of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, Alberta, and Yukon aimed at creating beneficial public policy to promote the region.

The attached report covers the highlights of the trip, and is not meant to be exhaustive.
http://www.aksenateminority.com/pdfs/25/energy_council_report.pdf

Wilken Offers Bill to Bridge Future Revenue Gaps
SB 134 provides a guideline to deal with shortfalls

Juneau - Future legislatures would have a guide for how to fill general fund revenue shortfalls under a bill introduced Wednesday by Sen. Gary Wilken, R-Fairbanks.

“We have an impending shortfall and we need to be prepared for it,” Sen. Wilken said. “Everyone talks about a long-term fiscal plan. SB 134 outlines a responsible way to bridge the gap until the day when a gas pipeline begins to fill State coffers.”

Senate Bill 134 adds a policy statement to the Executive Budget Act that money needed to cover projected shortfalls in general funds be appropriated equally from the constitutional budget reserve fund and the permanent fund earnings reserve account.

Although the state is currently enjoying a budget surplus, the State’s Legislative Finance division estimates the State could be back in a deficit by 2009. Under SB 134, half the deficit would be appropriated from the permanent fund earnings reserve account, estimated at $4.7 billion as of January 31, 2007, and half would come from the $2.6 billion constitutional budget reserve.

It is important to note that the permanent fund earnings reserve fund, which can be accessed with a simple majority vote of the legislature, is separate and distinct from the principal of the permanent fund, which stands at $32.1 billion and is constitutionally protected. Using the earnings reserve fund would allow all Alaskan residents to share in the “power of earnings” from a fund that grows every minute, every hour of every day.

Permanent fund corporation officials estimate that a draw of $250 million from the earnings reserve account every year for 10 years would reduce the permanent fund dividend by only $20 per person in 2011 and $89 per person in 2016, an impact that could be far less than a sales or income tax.

A Fact Sheet for SB 134 is attached.
http://www.aksenateminority.com/pdfs/25/sb0134.pdf
A sound actuality can be downloaded from the following link:
http://www.aksenateminority.com/media/25/wilken2007032201a.mp3
A slide show presentation can be downloaded from the following link:
http://www.aksenateminority.com/pdfs/25/sb0134_attachment_002.pdf

Courts Could Impose Lifetime Alcohol Ban
“Jekyll and Hyde” Bill Moves Out of Senate Judiciary

Juneau - A bill giving courts the option to impose up to a lifetime ban on alcohol for perpetrators of certain crimes committed while under the influence moved from the Senate Judiciary Committee Monday.

“While I do not pretend that Senate Bill 36 is a magic bullet that will cure the alcohol problems in our state, it will give the state courts one more tool to deal with individuals who have proven they are unable to control themselves when they drink,” said bill sponsor Sen. Gene Therriault, R-North Pole. “Some people have labeled this the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde bill because it could apply to individuals whose behavior radically changes to destructive when they drink.”

Senate Bill 36 allows a court to order a defendant convicted of certain crimes while under the influence of alcohol to refrain from consuming alcohol up to the lifetime of the defendant, if the court finds that the defendant’s conduct constituting the offense was substantially influenced by the consumption of alcohol, and there is reason to believe that imposing the ban is necessary to protect the public.

SB 36 now goes to the Senate Finance Committee. A letter of intent accompanying the bill directs the courts to use the Therapeutic Court in lieu of a standard sentencing for first time violators if openings are available.

A sound actuality can be downloaded from the following link:
http://www.aksenateminority.com/media/25/therriault2007032001a.mp3

Bill Would Illegalize Risky Hallucinogen
Sen Therriault’s SB 38 Bill Moves from Senate HESS

Juneau - A substance known to cause erratic and potentially dangerous behavior would be illegal under a bill that moved from the Senate Health, Education and Social Services Committee on Monday.

“Salvia is just starting to show up in Alaska, and I believe it is appropriate to determine if it should be added to our controlled substances list,” said bill sponsor Gene Therriault, R-North Pole.

Senate Bill 38 classifies Salvia divinorum as a Schedule IIA controlled substance, the same category as LSD. Known as Sally D on the street, Salvia divinorum can cause unpredictable physiological and psychological effects and erratic behavior in the user.

Salvia Divinorum is part of the Lamiaceae family of plants and grown primarily in Mexico. Delaware took action on what is being called Brett’s Law after a promising young man who used the drug committed suicide. The drug is outlawed in at least ten countries and four other states.

SB 38 now goes to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

A Fact Sheet for SB 38 is attached.
http://www.aksenateminority.com/pdfs/25/sb0038.pdf
A sound actuality can be downloaded from the following link:
http://www.aksenateminority.com/media/25/therriault2007032002a.mp3