Juneau Daily News Online

Friday,  February 1, 2002

Judge issues ruling in redistricting trial
Superior Court Judge Mark Rindner ruled Friday largely in favor of the Alaska Redistricting Board in a trial challenging the state's new district voting map.

However, Rindner ruled that House Districts 12, and 16 violate the principles of the Alaska Constitution and declared them unconstitutional.

Rindner found that House District 12, which encompasses part of Matanuska-Susitna Borough and includes the entire Denali Borough - was not socially and economically integrated enough. Rindner previously found that House District 16 covering Chugiak and Eagle River -  violated the state constitution because it was not compact enough.

In one of the more controversial redrawing of voting lines-- House District 32, Rindner found the Board's decision to link Anchorage to Valdez was constitutional.

Rindner rejected all other claims that the way the Board created the plan was unconstitutional or that the plan violates either state or federal equal protection requirements.

Judge Rindner stayed his decision pending review by the Alaska Supreme Court. The case will almost certainly be appealed. A decision by the state's highest court could come as early as April.

The new 40-district map - approved by the five-member Alaska Redistricting Board last June - faced nine legal challenges. Critics complained that the map was blatantly bipartisan because it pit 20 G-O-P Republicans against each other in the 2002 election, but no Democrats.

Juneau Icefield landing EIS delayed for two months
The Forest Service is still working on the Draft of the Environmental Impact Statement for helicopter flightseeing landings on the Juneau Icefield.

Juneau District Ranger Pete Griffin says they're fine tuning and drafting the final record of decision. He says its now expected to be released in early April. The document was orginally scheduled for release by the end of January.

The seven alternatives range from keeping the cap at the current level of 19,039 to an increase of 10 percent annually. The study covers the five year period from 2002 through 2006.

ANWR lobbying funds clear Senate without monies for tourism and fishing 
An attempt to broaden a bill that calls for expending just over a million dollars for lobbying Congress on opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge failed in the Senate today.

Juneau Senator Kim Elton offered a title change resolution so the measure could also address $24.5 Million for tourism and salmon marketing. It was defeated on an 11 to 6 vote.

House Bill 334 now goes to the Governor, In addition to the ANWR lobbying money, Knowles had proposed funds for tourism and fishing promotion in his fast track supplemental bill.

Four Dam Pool sale completed
The Alaska Energy Authority has completed the sale of the Four Dam Pool hydroelectric projects.

The sale to the newly formed Four Dam Pool Power Agency was completed Thursday, according to Energy Authority Executive Director Bob Poe, who says the transaction puts those projects in the control of the communities they serve.

The pool consists of Solomon Gulch in Valdez, Swan Lake in Ketchikan, Kodiak's Terror Lake, and Tyee near Wrangell. They provide electricity to six communities: Valdez, Glennallen, Ketchikan, Kodiak, Petersburg and Wrangell.

The sale price was $68 Million. That amount, combined with $12 Million insurance fund, will be deposited in to the Power Cost Equalization Endowment Fund. Poe says that brings the fund to a little over $180 Million to help rural Alaskans pay the cost of power which can be three to five times higher than in urban areas.

A $77 Million loan to finance the sale was approved by the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Board in December.

House approves resolution on repealing federal estate tax
Members of the State House conducted what they called the "first" debate on the floor so far this year. The subject today was a resolution urging Congress to repeal the estate tax.

North Pole Representative Jeannette James, an accountant by trade, says she's seen families lose their farms because of the tax on inherited property.

Minority Leader Ethan Berkowitz criticized the measure saying the federal matter was no concern of the Legislature's.

The resolution passed 24 to 10 and goes to the Senate before it can be sent to Congress.

Tax limit constitutional amendment introduced in House
Some members of the State House are hoping that a proposed constitutional amendment will build public support for an income tax. Anchorage Representative Eric Croft introduced the amendment today.

HJR 36 would limit an income tax to no more than five percent of one's federal tax liability. It also would put a five percent cap on any statewide sales tax.

Croft compares it to a constitutional amendment which passed the Senate last year which would cap future spending, except Croft says his is better. He says it's also like the cap on property taxes implemented by many local governments.

While House leaders have spoken in favor of some form of taxes, Senate leaders want to see the spending cap amendment approved first. That amendment gets its first hearing in the House next week. Croft's amendment has put on a similar track.

Budget discussions held behind closed doors in another state
The Alaska House of Representatives isn't the only ones meeting privately to resolve state budget problems.

In Tennessee, the Governor and legislative leaders met behind closed doors over two days last week and came up with a list of budget proposals. The meeting was open to reporters, but the leaders insisted that they not be quoted.

Lawmakers in both states say they need the privacy as they try untraditional methods to solve problems. But government watchdogs says the meetings leave voters out of the loop.

Airport Board working on budget plan
The Airport Board Finance Committee is meeting today to discuss a draft of Juneau Airport's budget for Fiscal Years 03 and 04.

The next two year budget stands at about $3.5 to $3.7 Million, according to Patty DeLaPruere of the Airport Manager's Office. She says the budget represents a little bit of an increase, but just about what they had expected.

The committee will send the budget to the full board for their approval. From there the budget is sent to the Assembly for final approval.

State leaders voice concerns over B-C decision to expand fish farms
Governor Knowles is urging the government of British Columbia to reconsider its decision to lift a six-year moratorium on new fish farms.

The province announced Thursday that it will begin accepting applications for new operations at the end of April.

Juneau Representative Bill Hudson said on the floor of the House today that its very important that Alaska's voice is heard by British Columbia. He added that if B-C can't guarantee that they can pen those salmon and keep them where they belong, the state may have to make it an international issue.

A scientific review concludes that the environmental risks of salmon farming under existing rules are low, but Hudson says he's told some of the salmon raised in the B-C pens have fleas.

Governor Knowles says it's troubling that British Columbia is moving forward when others are questioning the safety and wisdom of salmon farming. He says there are serious concerns about contamination, disease, and the escapes of nonnative species of fish from fish farms.

New guideline would open membership on subsistence boards
Federal subsistence advisory boards in Alaska could get more members who aren't subsistence users. That's because of an order from a high official in the Department of the Interior.

Deputy Interior Secretary Steven Griles has told the Federal Subsistence Board headed by Mitch Demientieff that the advisory councils should have broad representation from groups affected by subsistence management.

Griles' letter doesn't accuse the councils of bias. But Griles wants the board to review how council members are picked. If bias is found, changes must be made to make the councils more diverse.

The directive came after a letter from Senate President Rick Halford and House Speaker Brian Porter to Interior Secretary Gale Norton.

Ayers new Alaska Air chief
Alaska Airlines has a new chief executive officer. The company says William Ayer -- the airline's president and chief operating officer -- was promoted as part of an executive reshuffling. The position was held previously by Alaska Air Group Chairman John Kelly, who will focus on broad strategic planning, financial and government affairs.

Juneau experiences a warm and dry January
January's weather in Juneau was quite a bit warmer than normal, according to the National Weather Service.

Forecaster Jerry Painter says the average of 30 point 7 degrees was six and a half degrees above normal. The month saw two record highs of 45 degrees on the 5th and the 9th.

But on the other hand it went down to one below on the 26th and 27th. Those were the first sub zero temperatures at the airport since January 2nd 1997. It reached 11 below at the Weather Service office on Back Loop Road on the 27th.

The month was also drier than normal. Precipitation at the airport amounted to 3 point 11 inches which Painter says is a full inch and a half below normal. There was 17 point 3 inches of snow recorded at the airport. Painter says that's better than the last couple of years, but still a foot and a half less than normal. Their office on Back Loop recorded 20 point 7 inches.

Local Olympian subject of Capital Chat
Friends, family and supporters of Olympic bound paraplegic skier Joe Thompkins of Juneau were guests on KINY's Capital Chat this morning.

Bob Janes, Senior, is a member of the Juneau Lion's Club which has sponsored Thompkins for years. He said Thompkins has achieved his two goals. One was to become a member of the U. S. Disabled Ski Team which he did in 1999. And then last month he was named to the Paralympic Games in Salt Lake City in March.

His brother Guy, who has lived in Australia in recent years, was asked about Joe's plans following the games. He said Joe might be interested in trying wheel chair basketball which he experienced in Australia. Guy said it was his impression Joe wanted to try to excel at another pursuit.

Donations in support of Thompkins were encouraged, by Janes. He said they can be made to the Lion's Disabled Ski Program at Box 240432, Douglas 99824.

The opening ceremonies for the Paralympic Winter Games is March 7. Thompkins will compete in mono ski events on March 9th and 10th Those games are part of the Winter Olympic Games for the first time this year.

Stevens announces promotions
Two men who work for Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens have been promoted.

One is David Russell. His title is now deputy chief of staff. Russell has been Stevens' legislative director since last June. And he's worked on legislative issues for the senator since 1997. He'll keep the title of legislative director.

Also promoted was George Lowe. He becomes chief counsel to the senator. Lowe worked for Stevens from 1994 to 1997 before leaving to attend law school. He returned in 2000 as a legislative assistant.

Blue Devils win again....Both Crimson Bears teams play Sitka
Juneau's Carlos Boozer and the Duke Blue Devils defeated the North Carolina Tarheels 87 to 58 last night.

The men's high school basketball squad is in Sitka this evening and Saturday. Tip is at eight each night on KINY.

The women Crimson Bears entertain Sitka on their home court this weekend. Game time each night is 8 p.m.

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