Representative
David Guttenberg

My staff:
Meredith Cameron
Ron Clarke

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@akleg.gov

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Proud to serve
District 38:
Alakanuk; Anderson; Cantwell; Chevak; Clear; Denali Park; Emmonak; Ester; Ferry; Four Mile Road; Goldstream; Grayling; Healy; Hooper Bay; Kotlik; Lake Minchumina; Manley Hot Springs; Marshall; McGrath; Minto; Mountain Village; Nenana; Nikolai; Nunam Iqua; Pilot Station; Pitkas Point; Ruby; Scammon Bay; St. Mary’s; Takotna; Tanana

March 8th, 2013

Friends and Neighbors,

The Legislature is well over the half way mark and we are in a sprint to the finish. There is still a lot to do before we adjourn April 14th. Oil taxes, a gas line, LNG trucking and the capital budget will probably steal the show at the end.

The Operating Budget will be on the House Floor this next week and I am preparing amendments that focus on education and health and social services.

Thank you to everyone that has contacted my office on the numerous important issues. I will be hosting constituent meetings around the district during the interim so please keep your eyes out for announcements.

Budget Time

One of the most important tasks (some say the only real requirement) of the legislature is preparing the annual budget. There are lots of pieces to the total budget, but the two main parts are the operating budget and the capital budget. The operating budget contains the money spent by state departments to deliver programs and services to Alaskans statewide. The capital budget appropriates money to build infrastructure such as roads, harbors, airports, buildings, sewer and water systems, and smaller but long-lived assets such as bulldozers and trucks.

All the state departments are busy presenting their budgets for the upcoming Fiscal Year 2014 to House and Senate Finance Committees. In each body, individual subcommittees are tackling the details of each department’s budget. I’m working with the communities of District 38 to make sure my constituents’ needs are met as best as possible. Money is tight this year, especially capital money, but we’ll do everything we can to steer our fair share into need programs and projects. We haven’t yet heard how big the capital budget is likely to be, but as usual, the need will far outstrip the available funds!

I appreciate hearing from constituents about budget items. Please let me know what’s important to you.

Stampede Recreation Area

Again, this session I have introduced House Bill 148 “Stampede State Recreation Area”. This long awaited project will legislatively designate a wilderness area in Healy as a state recreation area. Used by hunters, fishers, campers, hikers, ATVers, boaters, wildlife viewers, the area is a special place to many. Residents in the Denali Borough would like to see the area open permanently to all those who use the land.

House Bill 148 creates a unique management system with input from users of the area. Surrounded by Denali National Park on three sides, area users want to make sure that the Stampede Recreation Area remains open for traditional Alaskan activities.

Guests and Visitors

Among our many visitors recently, Nile Aguchak, Sr., David Kasayuli, and Larson Hunter from Scammon Bay were in the Alaska State Capitol to talk with lawmakers about life in their village and their capital project priorities for the year. The trio battled weather-caused flight delays, but they persevered and made it to Juneau – and I’m glad they did. They even brought salmon strips – what a treat!

From Left to Right: Ron Clarke (staff), Vicky Stronghart (Numan Iqua),
Larson Hunter, Nile Aguchak, David Kasayuli, of Scammon Bay

Allen Joseph and David Cottrell stopped by from Hooper Bay and shared recent news of their many projects. They have a lot of irons in the fire, to say the least. As with so many rural villages, they have many important infrastructure needs.

2013 Close Up Students: Anthony Prince Jr., Jonah Evan, Vicky Stronghart,
Maggie Heckman, Olympia Westlock, Angilyn George.

We were pleased to host Victoria Strongheart of Nunam Iqua as an “intern for the week.” Check out her report in Senator Lyman Hoffman’s weekly e-mail message. Vicky was in Juneau with the Close Up program, along with students from several Western Alaska villages. They brought welcome energy and fresh faces to the legislative process. As I always say, it’s important for real Alaskans to be present in the Capitol during session. Legislators need to see and hear from the people!

Thank you for reading and please feel free to call my office and share your ideas.

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