Representative Berta Gardner Write Me: State
Capitol Bldg., Room 422 What the Legislature is about: A View from Berta Many people have asked me about being a legislator and how I make decisions. My usual answer is that I love the work because it is varied, interesting and because I spend all day with smart, articulate people who are passionate about what they are doing. As I work through the process, I try to remember two things: 1) Every bill is important to someone, and 2) I can change my mind with new information. In fact, I try to avoid making a commitment until I have as much information as I can find.
Here are some recent examples. HB 316 creates a state prescription database for controlled substances. During my initial review of the bill I was opposed to it, considering it an example of state violation of privacy. Law enforcement (with a warrant), doctors and pharmacists could check the database to see if the patient was getting controlled substances from multiple sources, re-using or forging prescriptions. During the committee hearing, I learned the data is already available in paper form but is costly and inconvenient to use, the database is supported by law enforcement and is an effective tool in states where it has been implemented, and there is federal funding to pay for creation of the database. I voted to move the bill from committee.
The following day a constituent with some expertise in the issue made suggestions about limiting access to a few designated people, preventing the possibility of casual perusal of the data. At this point, if the bill comes to the House floor with those safeguards, I will likely support it only with those safeguards. HB 288 establishes “net metering” allowing folks who capture renewable energy to feed excess back into the utility system for power credit. Constituents had raised this issue a couple of times and after talking it over with utility companies, learning that they objected to the interconnection costs, I had decided against pursuing it. This time around, hearing the testimony, I was persuaded that the time for action had come. This is a small step in promoting the use of renewable energy. I am now a co-sponsor of the bill. I provide these explanations to demonstrate how the committee process and individual testimony really does make a difference. If you’d like more information about how to participate, please feel free to call the office (1-800-331-4930) or consider attending our constituent pizza party:
Curious about gas pipeline status? You can attend the Anchorage
AGIA Town Hall Meeting I'm Berta, and I'm listening.
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