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Voice your opinions!
Here are some ways to let your voice be heard regarding issues important to you.

Write a Letter to the Editor
submit your 225 word letter to the Anchorage Daily News via e-mail letter@adn.com, or fax them to 258-2157, attn: letters to the editor.

Contact the Governor
Governor Parnell's Anchorage office may be reached at 269-7450, or e-mail him at sean.parnell@alaska.gov
You can also visit the state website at www.state.ak.us

Contact your
Congressional Delegation
Senator Lisa Murkowski,
Anchorage Office:
907-271-3735,
EMAIL: Sen. Lisa Murkowski

Senator Mark Begich,
Anchorage Office:
907-271-5915
EMAIL: Sen. Mark Begich

Congressman Don Young,
Anchorage Office:
907-271-5978
EMAIL: Rep. Don Young

March 12, 2010

Keeping the Wheels of Government Turning

Yesterday the House passed the operating budget, House Bill 300, on a vote of 34-6 and sent it on to the Senate. The operating budget is the portion of the budget that funds the ongoing operations of state government. The Senate will get its chance starting next week to leave its mark on the bill, and assuming this year is like every other year, we won’t know what the final product looks like until the final hours of the session.

The budget isn’t perfect. It never is. It’s bigger than I think any one of us would prefer. There are things in there I don’t like, and other things I do like were left out. But on the House side the whole process of crafting the budget was remarkably civil this year, and yesterday’s floor debate reflected that. It was nice to see more cooperation this year. I think the public appreciates it, and I know I do.

Justice Dana Fabe of the Alaska Supreme Court and me at the Iditarod start

Oil and Gas

On my way to Juneau in January I told people I thought the session was going to be all about energy, in all its many forms. That is turning out to be very true. The number of energy bills floating around the building is staggering. There are bills to reduce oil taxes, to increase oil production tax credits, to decouple the natural gas tax from the oil tax, to create a statewide energy plan, to create a railbelt energy cooperative, to require an in-state (bullet) gasline, to incentivize Cook Inlet natural gas storage, to outlaw price gouging on gasoline, to eliminate the gasoline tax…. You get my point—the list goes on and on. How many of these will pass, and which ones and in what form, is still very much up in the air. Stay tuned as the session wraps up and the winners start to become clear.

[CANCELLED - POOR WEATHER]
Anchorage Caucus this Saturday

This Saturday Anchorage legislators will be in town to hear from you! With a little more than a month left to go in the legislative session, we want to hear your thoughts and priorities for the rest of the session. From 10 am to noon on Saturday morning, March 13, Representative Nancy Dahlstrom and I will be co-chairing the Anchorage Caucus meeting in the Assembly Chambers at the Z.J. Loussac Library. After some brief opening comments, we’ll be taking public testimony. Come on by and tell us what’s on your mind!

Constituent Pizza Party this Sunday

Can’t make it to Anchorage Caucus on Saturday? Or do you prefer an informal one-on-one conversation rather than public speaking? If so, you have a second option. Senator Hollis French, Representative Mike Doogan and I will be holding our annual pizza party for all of our West Anchorage constituents this Sunday, March 14, from 1-3 pm at Romig Middle School. Bring the kids—as always there will be a clown to amuse the children, and all three of us will be available to talk to constituents about whatever is on your mind.  Come join us for some pizza and make sure we return to Juneau with a good understanding of your priorities as we finish session.

Constituent Mark Hansen came to visit me in my Juneau office

Medicare Information

As we age it is important that we get adequate help with navigating the tricky trail that is Medicare.  The Department of Health and Social Services Division of Senior and Disabilities Services is here to help us along this journey.  They can answer questions about Medicare, hospitals, outpatient medical services, drugs, Medicare supplements and extra help plans to pay for premiums.  They also engage in outreach and education by staffing health fair tables and do public seminars around the state.   Their toll free number is 1-888-478-6065 and their Anchorage number is 269-3680.  Don’t hesitate to give them a call if you have questions about your Medicare coverage.  We appreciate the great job that they do.  

Constituent Ryan Buchholdt and his colleague Nicole came to Juneau to advocate for the University

Keep In Touch!

As always, I am eager to hear your concerns. Please contact my office when you have questions, concerns or comments.  It’s located in Juneau at State Capitol, Room 405. My e-mail address is Rep.Lindsey.Holmes@legis.state.ak.us and our toll-free phone number here in Juneau is (888) 465-4919. Thank you for your interest, I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Lindsey Holmes
Alaska State Representative
District 26 - Anchorage

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