Friends and Neighbors,

With one day left the race is on. The main focus will be passing the capitol budget and any final pieces of legislation that have made it through the process. A possible adjournment Sunday may not be realistic as of today. Right now it is my impression that we will be in Juneau as long as it takes to get the work done.

In late May you should be receiving my paper newsletter which will give a more detailed look at projects in the budget and the overall impressions of the session. We also will be working to put together constituent meetings around the district.

It’s Time To Take Up the Budget

The FY 2012 capital budget has been stuck in the Senate Finance Committee. We have seen a draft version that contains over $40 million in projects for Senate District D.

The budget needs to move from Senate Finance, pass the Senate floor and then be transmitted to the House where then we will have an opportunity to add, delete and change projects.

No matter what, these funds are still subject to Governor veto and I will be working with the Administration to make sure these projects are funded.

Final Hour Legislation

Much of this session was dedicated to the discussion of the Governor’s oil tax plan. This was an emotional and complicated issue. There was not one among us who did not want to increase production and put more Alaskans to work. I spent most of my working life in the Alaska oil fields and I understand the value of a good job with a pension and health benefits. Alaska needs to make sure that we can fund schools, infrastructure and growth is vital to our future as well. We must also live up the Constitution. When the industry and administration can come back with a plan that shows results the legislature will be more inclined.

In a very unusual move, Senate President Gary Stevens stepped down from his podium to give a speech on the oil tax situation. His message: Do nothing to harm Alaskans.

Please take a moment to watch the historic speech here (it begins around 35 minutes). Copies of transcripts are also available by contacting my office.

Above photo: Rep Guttenberg in House Finance Committee

Thank You University of Alaska Intern!

This year my office was extremely lucky to pick up an intern from the University Legislative Internship Program. Miles Green, a political science major at UAA, was instrumental in keeping our office running. Not only did he do an excellent job with his staff duties he completed a rigorous class as well. Miles worked on constituent relations and handled our broadband legislation.

The UA Legislative Internship program is a great opportunity for college students who want to gain valuable work experience and get to see the legislature up close. If you know a college student who may benefit from this please encourage them to contact their campus political science department for more information. Interns are usually a junior, have any major and come to us from all over the state.

Thank you Miles for all your hard work!

The Alaska Redistricting Board

The Alaska Redistricting Board has come up with their draft plans. You can view their maps by going to http://www.akredistricting.org/ . As you will see my district may be significantly different. Public comment period is now open and the Fairbanks area meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 19, 2pm – 6pm at

Fairbanks City Hall (map). Please visit the web site or call (907) 269-7402 for more information.

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