Legislature finds time for three budgets, supporting film industry

MARY NELSON

April 28, 2008 at 9:29AM AKST

For The Tundra Drums

Camai. The state of Alaska’s first 90-day legislative session is over.

Although I preferred the 120-day session, which allowed time for greater public input and the opportunity to better craft legislation, I must admit things went pretty well this session and have to commend most of my colleges for that.

On a personal note, this year was bittersweet since it’s my last regular session. While I have been honored to serve the constituents of my district, I feel I owe my concentration to my family.

As a group, the Legislature is constitutionally mandated approve the state’s budgets. These budgets come in three forms: capital, operating and supplemental.

The capital budget is typically for infrastructure projects, the operating budget is for the day-to-day operations of the state and the supplemental budget usually for unforeseen costs and emergency spending.

Capital budget

On Sunday, April 13, the last day of session, a $2.9 billion capital budget was moved through the Legislature.

While most of the approved projects where specifically requested by Gov. Sarah Palin, about a third of the project requests came directly from communities through legislative offices. I’m hopeful the importance of the projects we have supported and our positive working relationship with the governor will make it less likely she will veto them.

Some community project highlights in our area currently in the capital budget include:

• Tundra Women’s Coalition, $1.5 million towards new facility construction.

• Chaninik Wind Group, wind energy-generation systems purchase and installation for Kwigillingok, Kipnuk and Tuntutuliak, $4.8 million.

• Bethel Aquatic Training Safety Center – at long last, a pool and multipurpose recreation center for Bethel and the Y-K Delta, $2 million.

• Bethel Search and Rescue, $75,530 for equipment such as radios and trail marking supplies.

• Yupiit School District Library, $60,000 for books and resources.

Operating budget

The Legislature sent an operating budget to the governor with more than $11 billion in proposed spending of state and federal funds. Additions to this year’s operating budget include funding for a community service patrol in Bethel to help combat the public inebriate problem, consideration for Head Start pre-schooling and money for an Alaska Legal Services attorney in Bethel to provide legal representation for low-income individuals facing civil suit.

Supplemental budget

The supplemental budget bill included $3.6 billion in savings, $180 million for three years of revenue sharing, $200 million for Alaska Housing Finance Corp.’s weatherization program, another $100 million for AHFC’s energy rebate program, and $18.5 million to completely fund senior care for the rest of the year.

HB 314, Transportation bond package

A $315 million bond package passed the Legislature. The package includes $2.5 million for Bethel road repairs and upgrades. Before implementation, it must survive a governor’s veto and be approved by statewide vote on the general election ballot Nov. 4.

Home Heating Assistance

Until now, the state’s Low Income Home Heating Assistance program was funded entirely with federal dollars and issued grants averaging $780 per winter to about 10,500 households with annual incomes below 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines.

On April 9, the Senate Finance Committee added my LIHEAP bill, House Bill 308, into another related bill increasing eligibility from 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines to 225 percent – from $26,250 to $39,375 annual income for a two-person household.

This will allow an estimated 3,800 additional homes to be served statewide.

The amendment also allows for the state LIHEAP office to send lump-sum retroactive payments to the new group of eligible households to assist with heating costs incurred during the winter of 2007-08.

> To provide additional state funds for heating assistance, $10 million was put in the capital budget.

Senate Bill 230: Film Production Tax Credit

Although Alaska is among the most beautiful places in the world, it’s often not on the radar for the film and television industries because it is one of only five states without an incentive program.

Senate Bill 230, sponsored by Anchorage Sen. Johnny Ellis and awaiting signature by the governor, would create the Alaska Film Incentive Program and re-establish the Alaska Film Office. The bill aims to attract millions of dollars in investments and create high-paying local jobs while promoting tourism and improving Alaska’s image outside.

A correction

Last week in our article about citations, we regret making an error on the Bethel Search and Rescue summary. Peter Atchak did not help start Bethel Search and Rescue but joined the effort later in the 1980s. Atchak wanted to give credit to everyone working with Bethel Search and Rescue and to say he is honored to serve with them.

Rep. Mary Nelson, D-Bethel, represents District 38 in the Alaska House of Representatives.