Dear Neighbor,

The Budget and Fairbanks

The governor signed the state operating and capital budgets today after line item vetoes of over $350 million. This year, the Interior Delegation was able to provide Fairbanks with the most capital projects in history, including money for school construction, road maintenance and energy projects. Fairbanks also varied better than Anchorage with the Governor cutting only $23 million from Fairbanks projects. I was disappointed to see the governor make cuts to Denali KidCare which provides a basic level of health access to pregnant women and children in poverty. The budget signed today reflects some of the real fiscal constraints, yet I hope future budgets will better prepare Alaskans for the future.

Here We Smoke Again!

Last year the Interior Delegation brought Commissioner of Natural  Resources, Tom Irwin and the key Fire Management Team officials to Fairbanks to discuss the wildland fire fighting practices. The success of the Interior Delegation meeting with the Wildland Fire Management Team opened doors of communication between the Legislature and the wildland fire fighting agencies and the community. This year they have been proactive in disseminating information in regards to the many fires that the Interior has faced over the last few weeks. I have provided a couple of links below that will take you to information online along with a couple of phone numbers you can call as well.

Fire Information * Div. of Forestry, Alaska Dept. of Natural Resources

Alaska Fire Service Newsroom

Maps of Current Fires

Or call

Alaska Fire Service * 907-356-5511

Department of Natural Resources Fairbanks Office * 907-451-2770

Come & Visit

I hope to see many you around town at meetings and events or when I am in your neighborhood. I also would like to invite you over to my office.

Office hours are from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday through Friday, or by appointment on weekends. I am located in Suite 306 on the 3rd floor of the AlaskaUSA Financial Building at 1292 Sadler Way (across from Home Depot). As always, please contact me if I can be of service in any way.

Working Hard for Fairbanks Families,

Scott Kawasaki
Alaska State Representative
Interior Delegation Chairman