Dear Neighbor,

Advice Time for the Budget!

The House passed an $8.9-billion operating budget last week. The Senate Finance Committee will hear the budget next and will be taking public testimony next week. It is important that you have your say! The Senate will hear from thousands of Alaskans on every budget item and use the information to amend the current budget as necessary. The budget that passed the House lacked funds for the early education and the Pre-K pilot program, money available for critical jobs needed to train Alaska’s workforce and support for renewable and alternative energy research through the Alaska Center for Energy and Power. Testifying is your way to give advice on the budget. Please consider testifying during the Senate Finance Committee meeting on:

Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Public Testimony 2 minute limit. (Testifiers should be signed in no later than 15 minutes prior to the end of their allotted time period.)

8:30 – 9:45 a.m. Juneau
9:45 – 10:45 a.m. Kenai, Valdez, Kodiak, Seward, Matsu, Glennallen , Tok,
1:00 – 2:15 p.m. Anchorage
2:15 – 3:15 p.m. Fairbanks
3:30 – 4:30 p.m. Ketchikan, Sitka, Wrangell, Petersburg, Homer, Dillingham, Cordova
4:45 – 5:45 p.m. Bethel, Kotzebue, Barrow, Nome, Delta Junction, Unalaska, Offnets

• Sending an email to me at rep.scott.kawasaki@legis.state.ak.us and I will make sure it is submitted TOMORROW.

• OR fax my office at 907.465.2937

• Visiting the Legislative Information Office at the AlaskaUSA Building and send a Public Opinion Message.

Energy Solutions for Fairbanks

I would encourage you to attend a rally this Sunday. The rally is hosted by Fairbanks Economic Development Council in support of affordable energy in Fairbanks. There will be information and presentations provided on some of the recent ideas that have been discussed to bridge the energy gap from trucking LNG to constructing a small diameter gas pipeline.

Energy NOW! Rally
This Sunday, March 20th
2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Carlson Center

Hope to See You There!

Mark Your calendar
Constituent Meeting is coming up.
March 26th
From noon until 2:00 PM
At the Noel Wien Public Library

I will send out additional information and reminders. I look forward to seeing you there!

Working Hard for Fairbanks Families,

Scott Kawasaki
Alaska State Representative