Eugene: Thanks for calling in Amy to let us know how your trip to Juneau is going. It’s valuable to be where the decisions are being crafted out. I trust your input will be considered by the decision-makers down there. I heard you went at your own expense, too, not paid by the city, as other lobbyists you’ve seen there.
Amy: Yes, that’s right. I landed in Juneau just before 10 AM.
Eugene: So, tell me about it. What’s your agenda?
Amy: I dropped my bag in Rep. Saddler’s office and had the chance to speak with him for about 10 minutes, before launching my day with my scheduled appointments. First up: Senator Bill Stoltze, my State Senator and fellow Chugiak Alum. Followed by 3 members of the Senate Finance Committee, co-chair of House Finance, and three additional members of the House.
Eugene: Are you sensing that more budget cutting knives are on the table, or have they been put away already?
Amy: Across the board, legislators are agreeing with the idea that many Alaskans have voiced: no new taxes before cuts. However, some legislators are more willing to step up and say it, while at least one legislator, was eerily silent on where we are heading, or where we will end up. The soundbite pushed early “we can’t get there with cuts alone” has not been uttered to me once today. Rather, many agree that fundamental changes need to be made to funding formulas in education and Medicaid spending, and Medicaid reform is a must.
Eugene: What key bills do you see in need of support?
Amy: I suggest people look at Senator Pete Kelly’s Medicaid reform bill and a welfare reform bill from Representative Tammy Wilson. The Kelly bill looks like a no brainer, and will likely have a huge impact to get us on the right track. And in typical Wilson form, she is tackling an issue that most politicians would likely rather not take on; nonetheless, this bill needs to be debated. What can I say? If Kelly and Wilson are any indication, they grow ’em fearless in Fairbanks.
Eugene: They sure do; Coghill is from there, too. Okay. Where are you going next?
Amy: I’m ending the night in the Senate State Affairs Committee; they are taking public testimony on using the PFD earnings for government spending. SB114 – McGuire bill is being discussed. People are calling for less spending. Some are asking for cuts. And the minority of testifiers are asking for using the PFD.
Eugene: Am so glad you’re doing what you’re doing and giving us a briefing. I look forward to hearing from you tomorrow, too. Thanks.
Amy: Tomorrow, will be a little slower paced because Senator Murkowski will be here to address the legislature. And I have three legislators on my schedule: a Valley legislator, one from Fairbanks, and the House Minority Leader.
Eugene Harnett is editor of APEonline.org and Amy Demboski is a member of the Anchorage Assembly.
