SENATOR
DENNIS EGAN

       State Capitol, Room 510
       Juneau, AK 99801-1182
       (907) 465-4947
       (907) 465-2108 Fax
 
       Visit my Website
       Write me an email
       Subscribe
       Unsubscribe

STAFF:
Alida Bus
Alida.Bus@legis.state.ak.us

Dana Owen
Dana.Owen@legis.state.ak.us

Jesse Kiehl
Jesse.Kiehl@legis.state.ak.us

January 28th, 2010

Dear Neighbor,

My staff Jesse Kiehl chats with Gene Therriault, senior advisor to the Governor on in-state energy policy, at the Governor’s open house yesterday.

We’re into the second week of the Legislative session.  Things are heating up in my office—the schedule is packed, and both the Judiciary and Finance Committees (I’m a member of both) have started meeting regularly. 

Representative Beth Kerttula is back in the building after missing the first week of session getting treatment on a compressed nerve.

Senate Finance Kicks Off
I had my first meeting of Senate Finance Committee this week.  Pat Galvin, who heads the Department of Revenue, briefed us on the outlook for the state’s income for the next decade or so. Generally speaking, oil prices will probably stay where they are, but we’re pumping less of it each year.  We have a healthy savings account that, with responsible spending, will keep us economically stable for several years.  But we still have some big decisions ahead about how our state works in the long term.

State of the State
Governor Sean Parnell delivered his State of the State address last week.  He mentioned the boost Juneau’s Kensington and Greens Creek mines give the state’s economy.  He cited sexual assault and domestic violence as priority problem areas.  Shortly thereafter, I had the opportunity to review the first of the administration’s several bills addressing these issues—SB 222—in the Senate Judiciary Committee.  I’ll have more to say after the committee has heard more testimony and seen the other bills.

Municipal Energy Improvements Bill
I have my first bill scheduled in Senate Community and Regional Affairs this week.  Senate Bill 212 changes Alaska law to let municipalities finance energy retrofit projects.  Using an innovative financing approach already proven successful in sixteen other states, the program would help home and business owners reduce their energy use and add small renewable energy projects.  The bill helps create jobs, retrofit our built environment and create more sustainable communities.

Governor’s Office Open House
The Governor’s Office hosted legislators and staff this week in the 3rd floor conference room for dessert and coffee.  I really appreciate this warm outreach by the Executive Branch.  I’m glad Governor Parnell is making the effort to communicate.  He was formerly a legislator and knows the nature and value of the work.  The goodies were homemade by staff and were delicious!

Juneau Business Resource Expo
I encourage you to attend the Juneau Business Resource Expo on February 3, 2010, 1 pm to 6 pm at Centennial Hall. The Expo, organized by Juneau Economic Development Council, will include a line-up of free workshops geared to starting or operating a small business and one-on-one time with local resource and service providers.

Thanks for reading Legislative Corner.  I hope you’ll always feel welcome to contact my office, just call, write, or use one of the links at the top of this newsletter.  

Sincerely,

Dennis Egan
Alaska State Senator
District B - Juneau

Web Site: http://egan.aksenate.org/
Email: Sen.Dennis.Egan@legis.state.ak.us