From Juneau to You! Dear friends, This summer has been absolutely remarkable- as most Alaskan summers are. I hope you have been able to enjoy your summer! This month, many of you have seen your children and/or grandchildren begin school after a very turbulent and unpredictable year. I am wishing you and yours a great school year! Additionally, I look forward to seeing you next month at the community council meetings. House Bill 3003 HB 3003 was moved out of the House Finance Committee on Wednesday, August 25th. After a lengthy amendment process, the Bill passed the House on Tuesday, August 31st. Some of the highlights of the appropriations Bill follows: Fully funds Alaska's student scholarship programs $3.3 million to WWAMI Medical Education $1.47 billion one-time transfer from the earnings reserve account to the CBR (Constitutional Budget Reserve) $11.7 million to Alaska performance Scholarship Awards $1,100 PFD HB 3003 included a $2,350 PFD but on Tuesday, August 24th, the House Finance Committee amended the Bill to reduce the PFD to $1,100. The Bill was also amended to pay over $100 million in owed oil tax credits. In addition to HB 3003, there are several other bills introduced on new revenues and more. The special session ends on September 14th. Fiscal Plan Working Group Final Report This summer, the Legislature established a bicameral, bipartisan Fiscal Plan Working Group (FPWG) for the purpose of developing policy recommendations that will provide fiscal certainty to Alaskans through means of achieving a balanced budget and resolving the annual dispute over the PFD. The FPWG conducted both informational hearings and internal work sessions dedicating a total of 71 hours for this purpose. The FPWG agreed that the following were necessary parts of a comprehensive solution: • Constitutional, single-account Permanent Fund structured withdrawals limited by POMV. • Constitutional certainty for the PFD • New POMV-based PFD formula • Healthy Capital Budget • New Revenues • Budget Reductions • Spending Cap reform • Several-year “transition period” with one-time fiscal measures • Spending cap reform. • New POMV-based formula • Constitutional Budget Reserve reform • Process – Always keeping in mind what can realistically pass the Legislature. Senate Bill 47 SB47 will make it easier for people who experience a disability to easily acquire disability plates. SB47 expands the ability for speech-language pathologists, physical therapists, and occupational therapists to provide proof of disability for Alaskans to obtain their plates. A very special thank you to Representative Story for carrying the Bill in the House. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to my office at any time: L. Keith Bauguess Legislative Staff 907.269.0155 Besse Odom Legislative Staff 907.269.0174 Send us an Email Follow Me on Facebook Follow Me on Twitter I’m Senator Elvi, always..... "Listening and Representing Your Interests!” Alaska Senate Democrats | Capitol Building, 4th Avenue & Main Street, Juneau, AK 99801 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected]