JUNEAU DAILY NEWS MINUTE
Friday, February 7, 1997 (c) Alaska Juneau Communications
*Attorney General Bruce Botelho says that the Knowles
administration is ready to challenge the federal government over
a policy change made by Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt
regarding rights-of-way. The change in policy could make it
difficult for the state to improve many trails and paths that
cross public lands. Botelho made the remark during a joint
session of the House and Senate Resources Committees yesterday.
House Resources Co-Chair Bill Hudson said that access is
important to Alaska's economic future, and the state should
aggressively oppose the Interior Department's decision.
*Democratic Senator Jim Duncan of Juneau is concerned that the
Republican led majority's approach to cutting the budget may mean
that state programs and services won't be delivered. The
majority is planning to cut 60 million dollars from this year's
budget, with another 250 million in cuts to come in the next five
years. Duncan says he is especially concerned with the crime
bills being passed in an effort to get tough on crime, while the
number of state troopers has been cut. Alaskans want safe
streets, and Duncan believes the Majority should make sure that
is funded.
*Some unemployed Alaskans will be receiving an additional 13
weeks of unemployment insurance benefits. A state and federal
law ensures that when the unemployment rate hits 6 percent, the
federal government pays half of the extended benefits, with the
state trust fund paying the other half. That is according to
Unemployment Insurance program manager Jim Coate. Normally
benefits run out after 26 weeks, but under this provision,
qualified recipients will get a total of 39 weeks of
benefits.
*The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities is
hoping that the public will become involved in developing a state
wide transportation plan called Vision 2020. The plan is to be
released this summer. If you would like to submit comments, you
can get an information packet by calling DOT at 1-888-PLAN-DOT.
*When the University of Alaska Board of Regents meet here in
Juneau next week, some of the discussion will center around the
proposed bachelor of science degree program in environmental
science at UAS. Chancellor Marshall Lind says he believes the
program is very appropriate for Juneau, and has received a lot of
favorable student comment. Lind is hoping for the board's
approval of the program. The full board meeting will be Friday
morning at 8 at the Baranof, and public comment is welcome.