Wednesday, January 28, 1998
Governor's
subsistence package dies
House Democrats are attacking Republican House Resources co-chairman Scott Ogan for
killing Governor Tony Knowles' package of subsistence legislation. Representative
Irene Nicholia (nichol-eye) says Ogan's move made her so angry she couldn't sleep, and she
has compared his tactics to those used in Nazi Germany. Ogan says he killed the
package because he opposes a plan to amend the state constitution to allow a rural
priority for subsistence hunting and fishing.
Knowles
speaks out on "Capital Creep" problem
Governor Tony Knowles says he believes a Capital Move bill will come up every Legislative
Session, but that Mayor Dennis Egan and the community as a whole have done an outstanding
job in improving access through Gavel to Gavel coverage, teleconferencing and e-mail.
As for the so-called "Capital Creep," where department heads move their
offices to Anchorage, Knowles says decisions like these must not be made politically, but
rather by looking at how services are delivered, and where the needs are. As for the
fate of the state ferry Malispina, Knowles says the state is on the verge of a wonderful
opportunity for growth in the tourism market, and using the Malispina as a day boat would
benefit the entire state, not just Southeast.
Salmon
treaty back in court Friday
Attorney General Bruce Botelho says oral arguments in the lawsuit brought by British
Columbia over the Pacific Salmon Treaty are scheduled for this Friday. Botelho says
Alaska, Oregon, Washington, Indian tribes and the U.S. government all agree that the
courtroom is not where the differences should be worked out. As for the pending
agreement in the lawsuit over the blockade of the Malispina, Botelho says Prince Rupert
fishermen have until February 6 to reach consensus on the agreement, and if none is
reached then both sides will be in court on February 16 for a full day's worth of
arguments.
Visitor
industry goes after post-war generation
Baby boomers in their 40s are the latest target by the state Tourism Marketing Council.
The council has sent out over 3-million letters signed by Governor Knowles,
inviting them to send for more information on what is called soft adventures, such as
hiking around Seward, rather than climbing Mount McKinley. So far the Council has
received 400-thousand requests for information in the first half of this fiscal year, that
is the same number of requests as were received in all of the prior year.
Innkeepers
may offer housing to Session visitors
Local bed and breakfast owner Judy Crondahl is asking other B and B owners to come
together and offer housing for people from around the state who want to come to Juneau to
lobby their legislators. Crondahl says one reason people think Juneau is
inaccessible is because of the cost of staying in a hotel, and this could be one way of
alleviating that conception. Anyone interested in more information is welcome to
contact Crondahl by calling 586-1464, or e-mail her at jcrondah@ptialaska.net
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