by Senator Cathy Giessel

With session coming to a close here in Juneau, we will be moving our office to the Anchorage Legislative Information Office. My office will be up and running soon. I look forward to seeing you back in the district.

SB 123 – “An Act establishing May 10 of each year as Alaska Mining Day”

I introduced legislation this month to commemorate a piece of Alaska’s “bedrock” history and industry. May 10, 1872, will mark the 140th anniversary of the General Mining Law of the United States which governs prospecting and mining for minerals on federal public lands. Mining was an extremely important component in Alaska’s early development and economy. Many cities such as Fairbanks, Juneau, and Nome were founded as mining communities. Today the industry continues to provide hundreds of good paying jobs and substantial revenue to the state. With our globally significant resources of gold, silver, lead, zinc, copper, coal and rare earth elements, mining in Alaska has a bright future. Read the rest of this entry »

In the latest edition of her newsletter to constituents, Senator Cathy Giessel provides a summary of the major energy issues under consideration by the Legislature. These include: Dropping production on the North Slope; New oil exploration; Natural gas issues; Propane; Cook Inlet natural gas storage; LNG import option; Cook Inlet gas; Hydro power; Geothermal power; Nuclear power; Tidal power; Coal gasification; Wind power; Biomass; and the Cost of power in Rural Alaska.

To read the entire newsletter, please go here:
http://www.aksenateminority.com/wp-content/uploads/Newsletter-6.pdf

For Immediate Release: Friday, April 8, 2011

Sen. Giessel Makes Motion to Move HB 110, Governor’s ACES Tax Revision, from Senate L&C Committee

(Juneau) Sen. Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, today made a motion in the Senate Labor and Commerce committee to move out HB 110, Gov. Sean Parnell’s revisions of the state’s oil profit’s tax, to the next committee of referral, the Senate Resources committee, which has already held a number of hearings on the Senate version of the bill.

“The Legislature has had HB 110 under consideration since the first day of session, and I have personally sat in on dozens of committee hearings on the bill,” Giessel said. “I am very comfortable with the bill in the form in which we received it from the House, so it is logical to me that we should move it forward.

“The ACES tax, Alaska’s Clear and Equitable Share, needs to be modified this session, to reduce the damage it is doing to our oil and gas sector. Everyone acknowledges we are dependent for 90 percent of our unrestricted general fund revenue on what flows through the Trans Alaska Pipeline System, which is dropping by more than six percent every year. We believe the three elements of the Governor’s bill, especially the reduction in the rate of progressivity in ACES, will provide the incentives the producers need to increase through-put.

“I was heartened by the comments made by ConocoPhillips CEO Jim Mulva that his company would be increasing its investments in Alaska if the tax is reduced. This is the kind of assurance the Legislators have said they wanted to hear, so I see no reason for the Labor and Commerce committee to hold onto the bill.”

Sen. Linda Menard, R-Wasilla, moved to recess the committee until Saturday, so that work could continue on HB 110. After that motion failed, a vote was taken on Sen. Giessel’s motion to move the bill out of committee, which also failed, 2-3.

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For more information, please contact Sen. Giessel at 907-465-4843.

For Immediate Release: Friday, April 8, 2011

Sen. Giessel Introduces Bill to Name May 10 Each Year as Alaska Mining Day

(Juneau) Sen. Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, today introduced legislation to name May 10 each year as “Alaska Mining Day.”

“I believe it is important for us to recognize and salute mining in Alaska, as an industry that had such an important role in helping to settle our state,” Giessel said. “The rugged individual prospectors, followed by entrepreneurs willing to put up the capital needed to develop the mines, followed by railroad builders, tradesmen, businessmen and women, and others who make a community, all built a solid foundation for much of Alaska.

“We are blessed to be directly connected to those early mining pioneers, with a vibrant mining sector that continues to this day. In recognizing past and present contributions on one spring day each year, we can draw attention to an industry that provides thousands of high-paying jobs, that produces a solid, tangible product needed in industrial applications worldwide, and it is all accomplished with an acute awareness of the beautiful environment around us.”

Giessel’s bill, SB 123, suggests mining should be commemorated with educational and celebratory events and activities aimed at increasing the public’s awareness and appreciation for Alaska’s miners and the mining industry. SB 123 was referred to the Resources Committee.

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In this issue of her periodic newsletter to constituents in South Anchorage, Turnagain Arm, and  Eagle River, Senator Cathy Giessel discusses the Governor’s bill to revise oil taxes – HB 110 – and two bills she has co-sponsored. These are SB 98 – relating to how the state flag should be treated, and SB 105 – designating the pre-1964 Winchester Model 70 .30-06 as the official state firearm. Sen. Giessel also spotlights community service performed by South Anchorage HS students, and that three South students will be participating in the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Seminar.

For view a PDF of the newsletter, please go here:

http://www.aksenateminority.com/wp-content/uploads/Newsletter-5.pdf