Friends and Neighbors,

Thank you to everyone that attended our constituent meeting. We heard from many residents on numerous important issues. I apperciate all the feedback and if you weren’t able to make it to the meeting I welcome you to call, write, or visit my office at anytime.

We heard a variety of different issues and concerns from energy projects to air quality. The Govenor had just realeased his vetoes so we were able to have a discussion on what that means for Fairbanks. U.S. Senator Mark Begich called into the meeting to take questions on federal budget action and costal zone management.

Last Wednesday’s meeting was just the first of many we will have. If you live in the Denali Borough we will be headed your way soon.

Alaska Coastal Zone Management Sunsets

This week members of the Legislature came together in a last attempt to save the Costal Zone Mangement Program. The morning we were scheduled to meet the Governor came out suddenly in opposition to the draft bill.

Without a coastal mangement program, local and state government loses the ability to have input in the Federal permit process. At the last minute, halftruths were spread in order to shake the fraglie compromise that we had been working on for months. While this is very unfortunate we will continue to work to make sure that development in Alaska is in our best interest.

Governor Budget Vetoes Released

On Wednesday, the Governor signed Alaska’s budget bills, and released his line item vetoes. I was disappointed in many of his choices. He cut major maintenance for schools in rural Alaska, $33 million in deferred maintenance funding for UAF, $5 million in Fairbanks transportation projects, and $6 million to replace the leaking roof on the Noel Wien Library just to name a few.

Alaska has always had the foresight to save for economic hard times and I am proud that we have paid back money that we borrowed and created stable savings accounts, however we must remember that we have to continue to grow our state by investing in infrastructure, jobs and education.

Rep Guttenberg, Senator Joe Thomas and Rep Bob Miller address a crowd at a constituent meeting

High Speed Internet Access and Affordability Across Alaska

This week, while I was in special session, my staff attended a task force meeting charged with tackling the issue of broadband in Alaska. Alaska for too long has been lacking in quality, price and accessibility of internet. Many leaders have failed to see how increasing Alaska’s broadband access will have profound effects on distance education, health care and business.

A recent study by the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development in partnership with Connect Alaska found some disturbing statistics:

· Nearly 6,000 Alaska business remain unconnected

· Those businesses with access report having median annual revenues of $100,000 greater than those without

· Alaska businesses pay a median of $74.62 a month for internet

We need to make a change. While this study was aimed at commerce in Alaska, I am sure the statistics for personal use would be just as alarming if not more. Reducing the costs, increasing the speed and connecting more areas of our state will benefit everyone and I look forward to working leaders, industry and consumers to make this happen.

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