Legislative Guide 2015

Inside:

• UA’s funding future • Oil prices bottom out • Meet your lawmakers

Juneau Empire’s 2015 Legislative Guide

Slumping oil prices widen budget gap

By KATIE MORITZ JUNEAU EMPIRE

Alaska oil prices have been dropping since the end of June 2014, falling by more than $50 per barrel in the past six months. With Alaska’s budget wedded to oil revenue, the trend will impact the state’s bottom line in fiscal year 2016.

North Slope crude prices came in at $60.80 per barrel Dec. 11, as of press time the most recent price point in a steady slump that began last summer. Before then, prices had been level for several years, hovering in the low$100 range. The current fiscal year began at a healthy

$111.56 per barrel. In June, prices hit $113 per barrel, the highest per-barrel price in nine months.

Just six months later, a barrel of oil is $53 cheaper. It was in July 2009 that Alaska last saw its oil selling for so little, two years after Alaska’s Clear and Equitable Share, or ACES, was enacted by the Legislature.

This fiscal year’s state budget is based on an oil price of $105.06 per barrel, former Gov. Sean Parnell spokeswoman Sharon Leighow said in an email. Of the $4.5 billion budgeted in general fund unrestricted revenue, 85 percent

SEE OIL | Page 2

table of contents • • • • • • • • • • •

Slumping oil prices widen budget gap — 1 Low oil prices a recipe for trouble — 2-3 UA System faces another year of cuts — 4 Senate Biographies — 6 • House Biographies — 10 Executive Biographies — 18 Commissioner Biographies — 18-19 Lawmaker attacks attack ads — 20 Pot laws now in lawmakers' hands — 21 Gov. Walker brings in new oil and gas team — 22 AG to review gay marriage case, Gaurd scandal— 23 Map of downtown Juneau — 24

Publisher Rustan Burton Managing Editor Charles L. Westmoreland Director of Audience Abby Lowell Sales Manager Kathryn Nickerson Circulation Director Brian Naplachowski Reporters Katie Moritz Becky Bohrer (AP)

Design Randi Spray Sarah Cannard Photography Michael Penn Compiled by Katie Moritz Creative Services Rachel Ramsey Juneau Empire 3100 Channel Drive Juneau, AK 99801 Phone: 586-3740 www. juneauempire.com

1

2

Juneau Empire’s 2015 Legislative Guide

Recipe for

By JAMES BROOKS Capital City Weekly

TROUBLE 1.

2.

Since 1980, the state has become more and more reliant on oil revenue to fill the general fund ...

The price of Alaska North Slope crude oil has dropped about 30 percent since June ...

$110 per barrel

100% 80%

Nov. 26 $74.32

100

60% 90

40% 80

20%

1960

SOURCE: Scott Goldsmith, Univ. of Alaska

1970

1980

1990

2000

70

2010

SOURCE: Alaska Dept. of Revenue

J F M A M J

J

A S O N

2014

Misery loves company Alaska isn’t the only place in the world that needs oil prices high to balance its books. How do we compare?

oil: Continued from Page 1 of that, or $3.94 billion, was expected to come from oil revenue.

Libya Iran Alaska Saudi Iraq Kuwait Qatar

$117 $104 $101 $78 $77 $0

Alaska was expecting to draw $1.34 billion from its reserves this year to supplement general fund spending and balance the budget, Leighow said. Based on the Department of Revenue’s fall forecast released in December, the state is expecting a budget shortfall of $3.5 billion. Gov.

$50

Bill Walker must submit his final state budget by Feb. 18.

Increased oil production worldwide and flat demand has pushed Alaska prices lower and lower in recent months.

Unfortunately, there’s nothing the state can do about it.

“The State is a price-taker in the world oil market,” Leighow said. “In other words,

$100

Alaska cannot influence the price of oil on the world market. Recognizing this, the primary strategy Alaska employs is to recognize and anticipate there will be fluctuations in price, both on the up and the down side. The strategy is to

SEE price | Page 3

Juneau Empire’s 2015 Legislative Guide

O

il prices are plunging like a rock thrown off Mount Roberts.

If you have a car, you’re probably shouting “Hurrah!” There can’t be any downside to paying less for gas, right?

You wish.

In 1980, the Alaska Legislature repealed the state income tax.

In each year since then, the Legislature has relied on revenue from oil taxes, royalties and leases to make ends meet.

In 1960, oil revenue made up about

3.

3

20 percent of the state’s general fund revenue — that’s the part of the budget used for fun things like libraries, parks, new roads and bridges.

Today, oil revenue makes up about 87 percent of the state’s general fund revenue.

Why does that matter? Well, oil prices have plunged about 30 percent since June. If they don’t rise soon — and they’re not likely to do that — the state is looking at a multibillion-dollar deficit.

Fortunately, Alaska has reserves to pay for that deficit.

Unfortunately, with oil prices this low, we’ll run out of those easy reserves within five years. After that, we’ll have to start thinking about an income tax or breaking into the Permanent Fund.

Unless oil prices start rising — and quickly — the state is going to have to start cutting its budget to avoid problems later on.

Here’s the kicker: More than a third of the jobs in Southeast Alaska are government jobs.

What’s Next?

Almost a third of the jobs in Southeast Alaska are government-related.

There’s two big things coming up this month to tell us exactly how much trouble Alaska is in: • The state department of revenue will release its winter revenue forecast, which says how much money the state expects to earn from oil taxes next year.

• Gov. Bill Walker will release his draft budget, which will say how much he expects the state will spend next year.

Local 17% State 15%

Federal 5%

SOURCE: Alaska Dept. of Labor

$184 per barrel $131

SOURCES: British Broadcasting Corp; Alaska Dept. of Revenue $150

price: Continued from Page 2 build reserves during periods of higher prices so that State government servic-

$200

es can be maintained during periods of lower oil prices.”

It isn’t all about price per barrel. The volume of oil produced also plays an important role in the budget, she said. If SB21 does what it’s supposed to, the state’s oil revenue will be up regardless of price per barrel because of increased production. If SB21

had been repealed earlier this year, Leighow said, low oil prices would impact the state’s budget much more.

“At all prices below $110 per barrel, MAPA (More Alaska Production Act, or SB21) generates more revenue than ACES would,” Leighow said.

“For example, at $80, MAPA generates an estimated $210

million more than ACES, which is almost 9 percent more revenue than the State would have collected under ACES.” • Contact reporter Katie Moritz at 523-2294 or at katherine.moritz@ juneauempire.com. Follow her on Twitter @katecmoritz.

4

Juneau Empire’s 2015 Legislative Guide

‘Placeholder’ state budget includes $17M in UA cuts

By KATIE MORITZ JUNEAU EMPIRE

Squeezed by a multimillion-dollar cut to state funding, the three main campuses of the University of Alaska were forced to scale back facilities and programs and shed employees this year. With a leaner state budget in the works, the schools are steeling themselves for another year of the same.

Although the governor’s budget for the University of Alaska system is expected to change when Gov. Bill Walker releases his final version in February, his placeholder budget — drafted by former Gov. Sean Parnell and released by

Walker in mid-December — includes $17 million in cuts to Alaska’s state universities.

UA system President Pat Gamble said the schools expect a second year of budget reductions handed down from the legislature and the governor. This fiscal year’s budget is $24 million smaller than the previous year’s allocation, once must-pay bills are taken into account, he said.

“We’re just waiting for the number,” Gamble said during a Dec. 1 interview. “Whatever that number is, that’s the bogey we’ll have to meet.”

The system’s Board of Regents approved a fiscal year 2016 budget of about $396 mil-

lion. The current placeholder budget, unendorsed by Walker, allocates only $379 million in general funds to the UA system.

That budget nearly wipes out the schools’ allocation for operating cost increases: The Board of Regents budgeteted $5.3 million in general funds; Parnell took it down to just over $1 million, striking operating allocations for new University of Alaska Fairbanks and Anchorage buildings, such as the Alaska Airlines Center.

The Alaska Airlines Center, a 5,000-seat multi-purpose arena on the UAA campus that opened in 2014, needs almost $1 million more in operating cost allocations in order to

keep the lights on. The Legislature last year didn’t fully fund the building’s operating costs, UA Vice President of Budget Michelle Rizk said; the $1 million is a rollover request. “(The UA system will) have to be looking for other funding or reallocate or reduce from other areas to keep that facility going” if the operating funds are cut from the budget again, Rizk said. UAA is also looking to increase use of the facility to build up a healthier revenue stream, she said. The same goes for the new UAA engineering building.

Older UA buildings are also

SEE UA | Page 5

Juneau Empire’s 2015 Legislative Guide

5

UA: Continued from Page 4 at risk, Rizk said.

Parnell’s administration consistently funded university system deferred maintenance projects for “over 400 buildings that are quite old,” but the placeholder budget includes no deferred maintenance funding for any state department, including the universities, she said.

Parnell also proposed eliminating many of the system’s “high-demand program requests,” such as additional funding for the schools’ teacher and health education programs, and cutting funding for student advising.

Advising is one of the University of Alaska’s top priorities, program-wise, Gamble said. Mandatory student advising for freshmen has been implemented in the years that Gamble has been at the helm of the system, and it has contributed to better student retention and higher graduation rates, he said.

“We looked at where the metrics are telling us, ‘These programs are making a difference, we are getting better students,’” Gamble said. Things like advising, which the Legislature funded generously over the past two years, we know went directly to the success of some of these metrics that we’re seeing.”

He shared a couple of cautionary anecdotes about funding successful or popular programs halfway, then cutting them out of the blue to save money.

“Let’s preserve the core of the things we are working on and not cut things off,” Gamble said. “We’ll shoot ourselves in the foot if when we’re trying to go through these tough times we don’t protect and build a wall around the really good productive programs that have been funded already that are working for students.”

Statewide, Parnell’s pro-

Michael Penn | Juneau Empire

University of Alaska President Pat Gamble discusses the university's budget during a Dec. 1 interview. posed FY16 state budget is a 4 percent reduction from the year before. This year, the budget calls for spending $5.4 billion in general funds.

During his campaign for governor, Walker had discussed a 16 percent cut to the state budget. He said in a Dec. 9 press conference that he doesn’t know what number he’s shooting for yet with his budget, but it will be leaner than Parnell’s. “I think we’re going to have to go deeper than that,” he said.

Michael Ciri, University of Alaska Southeast Vice Chancellor for Administration, said it’s impossible to know what to expect — and to plan for — until the governor’s budget is finalized. It might change once Walker takes a pass through it, Ciri said, but he doubts it will be any more generous.

Since the Parnell budget was drafted, oil prices — and state revenue — have dropped.

The Department of Revenue’s forecast released in December estimated a $3.5 billion state budget shortfall in the coming year due to dwindling oil revenue.

Gamble said the universities might have to look at culling their majors, eliminating small programs that don’t attract or graduate many students, to balance the budget.

“There’s only so many ways you can meet those kinds of

millions of dollars, when you’ve already done it the year before,” he said. “You start what I call ‘wringing out the mop.’ You find the easy stuff, and you take that out, but that only works in that one year. The next year that stuff is gone, so

you’re looking for something more. But the numbers are big, millions of dollars, so you’re looking at programs that could save millions of dollars.”

The universities are going through a “prioritization” process now, in which academic programs and services are ranked and the least productive ones eliminated, Rizk said.

Each campus has its own criteria for ranking.

No matter what happens, Ciri said, the universities can most likely pull through. The UA system went through these kinds of dramatic cuts in the late 1980s — taking serious budget reductions in the middle of a fiscal year — and came out a stronger system on the other side, he said.

“It really shaped the University of Alaska into the shape it is today,” Ciri said. It was when University of Alaska split into three discrete campuses.

“That’s where that came from — that budget crisis that we had in 1980s. We restructured and made it through.”

6

Juneau Empire’s 2015 Legislative Guide

SENATORS Senate President Sen. Kevin Meyer R-Anchorage — District M 866-465-4945 Email: Senator.Kevin.

Meyer@akleg. gov Session contact: State Capitol Building, Juneau, AK 99801, phone 465-4945, fax 465-3476 Interim contact: Phone 2690199, fax 269-0197 Occupation: Investment recovery coordinator, ConocoPhillips Alaska Personal: Born 1956 in Beatrice, Neb.; married (Marty); two children Education: University of Nebraska-Lincoln, B.S. Business Administration; Master of Public Administration, University of New Mexico; Master of Business Administration, Alaska Pacific University Political and government: Anchorage assemblyman (1993–2000); Alaska House of Representatives (200006); Alaska State Senate (2008-present) Business and professional: Purchasing and finance, ConocoPhillips Alaska (20002011); supervisor, director of administrative services, ARCO Alaska (1983–2000); board member, Boys & Girls Clubs; board member, Habitat for Humanity; board member, Anchorage Chamber of Commerce; board member, Anchorage Economic Development Council; board member, Anchorage Convention and Visitors Bureau; member, Standing Together Against Rape Board of Directors; member, National Rifle Association Senate Majority Leader Sen. John Coghill R-North Pole — District B 877-465-3719 Email: Senator.John.Coghill@ akleg.gov

Session contact: State Capitol Building, Juneau, AK 99801, phone 465-3719, fax 465-3258 Interim contact: Phone 4512157 Occupation: Small business owner Personal: Born Aug. 15, 1950, in Fairbanks; married (Luann); three children; four grandchildren Education: Nenana Public School (1968) Political and government: Chairman, District 18 Republican Party of Alaska; former chairman, District 32 Republican Party of Alaska; delegate, Republican National Convention (1996) Business and professional: Small business owner; private school teacher; pastor’s assistant; concrete cutter; U.S. Air Force staff sergeant, five years service Senate Minority Leader Sen. Berta Gardner D-Anchorage — District H 800-331-4930 Email: Senator.Berta.Gardner@akleg.gov Session contact: State Capitol Building, Juneau, AK 99801, phone 465-4930, fax 4653834 Interim contact: Phone 2690174, fax 269-0177 Occupation: Legislator Personal: Born April 12, 1954, in Salt Lake City, Utah; married (Michael); three adult children; three grandchildren; Alaska resident since 1992 Education: University of California, Riverside, B.A. in psychology Political and government: House of Representatives (2005-12); National Conference of State Legislators, Education committee, Environment committee, CSG

WEST Education committee Business and professional: Office manager, bookkeeper and child advocate SEN. PETE KELLY R-Fairbanks — District A 877-665-3709 Email: Senator.Pete.Kelly@ akleg.gov Session contact: State Capitol Building, Juneau, AK 99801, phone 465-3709, fax 4654714 Interim contact: Phone 4514347, fax 451-4348 Occupation: Small business owner Personal: Born in Fairbanks; married (Perri); three children; two grandchildren Education: Liberty University, B.S. Business Management Political and government: Alaska State Senator (19992003, 2013- present); State Representative (1995-99) Business and professional: Director of State Relations, University of Alaska; Owner, Kelly Communications; Licensed real estate agent; Sales Manager, K101FM; Board of Director, Humble Raven Ministries Sen. Click Bishop R- Fairbanks – District C 800-336-7383 Email: Senator.Click.

Bishop@akleg. gov Session contact: State Capitol Building, Juneau, AK 99801, phone 465-2327, fax 465-5241 Interim contact: Phone 4568161, fax 456-8163 Personal: Born July 25, 1957 in Mexico, Missouri; married (Darlene); two children; four grandchildren; Alaska resident since 1959 Political and government: Commissioner, Labor and Workforce Development (2006-12), administrator and

coordinator; board member, State Job Training Coordinating Council; Business and professional: Alaska Operating Engineers/ Employers Training Trust; board member, Alaska Works Partnership Inc.; member, University of Alaska Fairbanks Tanana Campus Advisory Board; member, Operating Engineers Union Local No. 302; Alaska AFL-CIO Thomas Cashen Award for lifetime training (2008); Pacific Northwest Apprenticeship Education Conference Excellence in Apprenticeship Award for Outstanding Partner (2010) Sen. Charlie Huggins R-Wasilla — District D 800-862-3878 Email: Senator.Charlie.

Huggins@ akleg.gov Session contact: State Capitol Building, Juneau, AK 99801, phone 465-3878, fax 465-3265 Interim contact: Phone 3764866, fax 373-4724 Occupation: Legislator Personal: Born Jan. 27, 1947, in High Springs, Fla.; married (Becky); three children; two grandchildren; Alaska resident since 1988 Education: Florida State University, B.S. Criminal Justice; Webster University, M.A. Personnel Management; Air War College; military officer training, infantry officer advanced course; Center for Creative Leadership; Western Legislative Academy Political and government: Alaska State Senate (2004-present); state director, Division of Veterans’ Affairs Business and professional: President, Area-wide Council of Veterans’ Organizations; former coordinator, Wasilla Youth Foreign Exchange Program; Rotary International; past member, Salvation Army Board of Directors; Challenger Learning Center Board of Directors; Mat-Su Council of

Juneau Empire’s 2015 Legislative Guide PTAs; Big Lake Elementary PTA; Mat-Su School Board (1997-99); Airborne Ranger; rotary wing flight aviator, fixed wing flight aviator; U.S. Army, colonel, 25 years; Distinguished Service Cross; Silver Star; Bronze Star SEN. MIKE DUNLEAVY R- Wasilla – District E 877-465-6601 Email: Senator.Mike.Dunleavy@akleg. gov Session contact: State Capitol Building, Juneau, AK 99801, phone 465-6600, fax 465-3805 Interim contact: Phone 3763370, fax 376-3157 Personal: Age 52, born in Scranton, Penn.; Alaska resident for 29 years; three children Education: College Misericordia, B.A. History (1983), Educational Endorsement Program (1984); University of Alaska Fairbanks, M.A. Education (1992); University of Alaska Anchorage, Superintendent Endorsement program (1997) Political and government: Mat-Su Borough School District Board member (2010-12), president (201112); Governor Sean Parnell’s Education Transition Team, Chair (2010) Business and professional: Public school teacher; school superintendent; director of K-12 outreach at the University of Alaska; project manager at the Alaska Teacher Mentor Project; Dunleavy Educational Services consultant SEN. BILL STOLTZE R-Chugiak — District F 866-465-4958 Email: Senator.Bill.

Stoltze@akleg. gov Session contact: State Capitol Building, Juneau, AK

99801, phone 465-4958, fax 465-4928 Interim contact: Phone 3764958, fax 376-4928 Occupation: Former Alaska state Legislature staff Personal: Born July 30, 1961, in Anchorage Education: Chugiak High School (1979); University of Alaska Anchorage; University of Alaska Fairbanks, B.A. Political Science (1984) Political and government: House of Representatives, 2003-present; director, Alaska Outdoor Council; Chugiak Community Council; member, Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority; Alaska State Legislature Staff (1982-2002); member, Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute Business and professional: Director and secretary, Chugiak Senior Housing, Inc. Board of Directors Sen. Anna MacKinnon (formerly Fairclough) R-Eagle River — District G 800-861-5688 Email: Senator.Anna.

MacKinnon@ akleg.gov Session contact: State Capitol Building, Juneau, AK 99801, phone 465-3777, fax 465-2819 Interim contact: Phone 6948944, fax 694-1015 Personal: Lifelong Alaskan; two sons Education: Service High School, Anchorage Political and government: Member, Alaska Statewide Suicide Prevention Council; Vice Chair, Labor and Economic Development Committee for the National Conference of State Legislatures Business and professional: Chair and Vice Chair, Anchorage Assembly; former member, Mayor’s 9/11 Task Force; former chair, Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Task Force; emeritus member, National Sexual Violence Resource

7 Center Advisory Council; former Executive Director, Standing Together Against Rape (STAR); former Development Director, Hospice of Anchorage; founding board member of the Alaska Veterans Museum SEN. BILL WIELECHOWSKI D-Anchorage — District G Email: Senator.Bill.

Wielechowski@akleg.gov Session contact: State Capitol Building, Juneau, AK 99801, phone 465-2435, fax 4656615 Interim contact: Phone 2690120, fax 269-0122 Occupation: Attorney Personal: Born Dec. 7, 1967; married (Laura); one child Education: Seton Hall University, B.S. Business Management, Finance; Seton Hall

University, J.D. Political and government: Legislator (2007-present); member, mayoral Transition Team (2003); chair; Creekside Town Center Committee (2001-06); member, Anchorage School District Budget Review Team (2003); chair, Alaska Workers’ Compensation Board (1999-2004); member, Anchorage Planning and Zoning Commission (2004-06); board, former president and vice president, Northeast Community Council (2004-06) Business and professional: Alaska Department of Labor & Workforce Development, hearing officer (2003-04) and acting chief of adjudications (1999-2004) Sen. Johnny Ellis D-Anchorage — District J 888-330-3704 Email: Senator.Johnny.Ellis@ akleg.gov Session contact: State Capitol Building, Juneau, AK

8 99801, phone 465-3704, fax 465-2529 Interim contact: Phone 269-0169, fax 269-0172 Personal: Born March 13, 1960 in Springfield, Mo., Alaska resident since 1975 Occupation: Legislator Education: Bartlett High School (1978); University of Alaska Anchorage (19781979); B.A. with honors, Claremont McKenna College (1982) Political and government: Senate Majority Leader (2007-2010); Senate Minority Leader (1999-2006, 2013); Senate Rules Chair (2010-12) member, American Council for Young Political Leaders (1987-present); former commissioner, Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education Business and professional: Former member, Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center Board of Directors; former member, Blacks in Alaska History Project, Inc. Board of Directors; former member, Boys & Girls Clubs of Southcentral Alaska Board of Directors; former member, Food Bank of Anchorage Advisory Board; member, Fairview Community Council; member, Anchorage Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors; member, Anchorage Waterways Council; member, Alaska Women’s Lobby; member, Business and Professional Women/ USA; member, We the People Committee; member, Alaska Community Service Commission; member, Key Campaign to advocate for people with disabilities Sen. Mia Costello 800-773-4968 R-Anchorage — District K Email: Senator.Mia.Costello@ akleg.gov Session contact: State Capitol Building, Juneau, AK 99801, phone 465-4968, fax

Juneau Empire’s 2015 Legislative Guide 465-2040 Interim contact: Phone 269-0117, fax 269-0119 Occupation: Legislator, former high school teacher Personal: Born Jan. 11 in Anchorage; married (Andrew); two boys Education: Harvard University, B.A. Government; University of Alaska Southeast, M.A. Teaching Political and government: Governor’s Office communications office; Legislative aide; State Public Information Officer; Intern coordinator for U.S. Senator Ted Stevens; Governor’s Outdoor Recreation and Trails Advisory Council; Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness & Sports; Statehood Celebration Commission; member, Finance Committee (2011-present) Business and professional: Coach, NineStar Education & Employment Services; Teacher, Anchorage and Juneau School Districts; Public relations executive.

SEN. LESIL MCGUIRE R-Anchorage — District L 800-365-2995 Email: Senator.Lesil.

McGuire@ akleg.gov Session contact: State Capitol Building, Juneau, AK 99801, phone 465-2995, fax 465-6592 Interim contact: Phone 2690250, fax 269-0249 Occupation: Self-employed Personal: Born Jan. 22, 1971, in Portland, Ore.; married (Jason); four children; Alaska resident since 1974 Education: Willamette University, Speech Communication and Political Science; Willamette University, College of Law, J.D. Political and government: Alaska State Senate (2007 – present); House of Repre-

sentatives (2001-06); former chairwoman, Council of State Governments-WEST; former president, Pacific NorthWest Economic Region; former aide, House Judiciary Committee, Alaska State Legislature; former legislative and press aide, U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens; Anchorage Republican Women’s Club; Young Republicans; Council of State Governments, Henry Toll Fellow; Marshall Memorial Fellow Business and professional: Former law clerk, Oregon Department of Justice; former legal intern, U.S. Attorney’s Office; American Diabetes Association; Bush Elementary School Mentor Program; Habitat For Community; Salem Women’s Crisis Center; Commonwealth North; Anchorage Economic Development Council; Covenant House; Civil Air Patrol; Anchorage Chamber of Commerce; Alaska Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness Board; Special Olympics of Alaska Board Sen. Cathy Giessel R-Anchorage — District N 800-892-4843 E-mail: sen. cathy.giessel@ akleg.gov Session contact: State Capitol Building, Juneau, AK 99801, phone 465-4843 <tel:4654843> , fax 465-3871 Interim contact: Phone 2690181, fax 269-0184 Occupation: Registered nurse and advanced nurse practitioner Personal: Married (Richard); three children; five grandchildren Education: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, B.S. Nursing; University of Alaska Anchorage, M.S. Nursing Political and government: chair Senate Resources committee, Alaska Arctic Policy Commission; Pacific NorthWest Economic Region and Arctic Caucus; Council of State Governments, Energy

Council executive committee Business and professional: member, Resources Development Council; member, Alaska Miners Association; member, Alaska Industry Support Alliance, member Anchorage Chamber of Commerce; Pioneers of Alaska; National Rifle Association Sen. Peter Micciche R-Kenai — District O 800-964-5733 Email: Senator.Peter.Micciche@akleg. gov Session contact: State Capitol Building, Juneau, AK 99801, phone 465-2828, fax 465-4779 Interim contact: Phone 2837996, fax 283-3075 Occupation: Cook Inlet commercial fisherman, Superintendent ConocoPhillips Kenai LNG Facility and small business owner Personal: Alaska resident since 1982; married (Erin); three children Education: Alaska Pacific University, B.A. Business Management, summa cum laude Political and government: Soldotna City Council (2007-08); Mayor of Soldotna (2008-13) Business and professional: Commercial salmon drift gillnet fisherman (1994-present); natural gas/LNG positions from roustabout to LNG Superintendent (1982-present); small businessman, restaurant, snow plowing, commercial painting, residential rentals (1983-present); Sons of the American Legion; Rotary; National Rifle Association; Boys and Girls Clubs board member; Soldotna , Kenai and Homer Chambers of Commerce Sen. Gary Stevens R-Kodiak — District P 800-821-4925 Email: Senator.Gary.Ste-

Juneau Empire’s 2015 Legislative Guide vens@akleg. gov Session contact: State Capitol Building, Juneau, AK 99801, phone 4654925, fax 465-3715 Interim contact: Phone 4864925, fax 486-5264 Occupation: Retired professor, University of Alaska Personal: Born Aug. 21, 1941, in McMinnville, Ore; married to Rita; three children; one grandchild; Alaska resident since 1970 Education: Bachelor of Arts, Linfield College; Master of Fine Arts, University of Oregon; Ph.D. University of Oregon; post-graduate work at Harvard Kennedy School of Government Political and government: Member, Alaska State Senate (2003-present); member, Alaska House of Representatives (2001-03); former mayor, Kodiak Island Borough and City of Kodiak; former president, Kodiak Island Borough School District; president of the Senate (2009-2012); chairman, 100-year celebration of the Alaska Legislature (2012-2014), chairman, Advisory Task Force on Higher Education and Career Readiness (2010); former chairman, Senate Rules Committee (2008); former Senate majority leader (2005-2008); immediate past national chairman, Council of State Governments, member, National Council of State Legislators executive board Business and professional: Past district governor, Rotary International; U.S. Army intelligence officer, Army commendation medal Sen. Dennis Egan D-Juneau — District Q 855-465-4947 Email: Senator.Dennis.

Egan@akleg. gov Session contact: State Capitol

Building, Juneau, AK 99801, phone 465-4947, fax 4652108 Interim contact: Phone 4654947, fax 465-2108 Occupation: Legislator Personal: Born in 1947 in Juneau; married (Linda); two children; four grandchildren Education: Radio operating engineering school; U.S. Army radio communications school, honor graduate Political and government: Former mayor of Juneau, assembly member, deputy mayor and planning commissioner; former member of the Juneau Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Alaska Municipal League, and Southeast Conference Business and professional: Board member of Alaska Committee and Juneau Jazz and Classics; member of Juneau Rotary; Salvation Army Advisory Board member; U.S. District Court Merit Selection Panel member; member of Ducks Unlimited; Alaska Army National Guard 910th Engineer Company (1967-74); volunteer firefighter (1969-81); named Alaska Broadcaster of the Year in 1990 and inducted into the Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2001; spent more than 30 years on the Alaska Broadcasters Association Board Sen. Bert Stedman R-Sitka — District R 877-463-3873 Email: Senator.Bert.Stedman@akleg. gov Session contact: State Capitol Building, Juneau, AK 99801, phone 465-3873, fax 465-3922 Interim contact: Phone 2258088, fax 225-0713 Occupation: Financial services, owner Pioneer Capital Management Personal: Born March 6, 1956, in Anchorage; married (Lureen); one daughter Education: University of Or-

9 egon, B.S. business administration and finance Political and government: Alaska State Senate 2003-present; deputy mayor and assemblyman, City and Borough of Sitka Assembly Business and professional: Member, Sitka and Ketchikan chambers of Commerce; Elks Lodge; Masonic Lodge, Shrine Club; Scottish Rite; Sons of Norway; National Rifle Association Sen. Lyman Hoffman D-Bethel — District S 866-465-4453 Email: Senator.Lyman.

Hoffman@ akleg.gov Session contact: State Capitol Building, Juneau, AK 99801, phone 465-4453, fax 465-4523 Interim contact: Phone 4654453, fax 465-4523 Occupation: Fisherman and businessman Personal: Born Feb. 13, 1950, in Bethel; married (Lillian); two children; three grandchildren Education: University of Alaska Fairbanks, Business Administration Political and government: Alaska State Senate (199192, 1995-present); Alaska House of Representatives (1986-90, 1993-94) Business and professional: Deputy director, YukonKuskokwim Health Corporation; former owner, North Star Gas; interest in mining operation Kisarelik Unlimited; shareholder, Blue Sky Estates; owner, Golden Eagle Unlimited; owner, Bethel Drilling and Welding; member, Orutsaramiut Native Council SEN. DONNY OLSON D-Nome — District T (800) 597-3707 Email: Senator.Donny.Olson@ akleg.gov Session contact: State Capital Building, Juneau, AK 99801, phone 465-3707, fax

907-465-4821 Interim contact: Phone 269-0254, fax 907-260-2031 Occupation: Doctor, pilot, reindeer herder and businessman Personal: Born June 18, 1953 in Nome; married (Willow); three children Education: Airline Transport Pilot License; commercial license; airplane and helicopter licenses; Airframe & Power Plant Mechanics License; Inspector’s Authorization; University of Minnesota Duluth, B.A. Chemistry; Oral Roberts School of Medicine, Doctor of Medicine; Cambridge University, England; Seattle Pacific College; University of Alaska Fairbanks; University of Colorado, School of Law Political and government: Alaska State Senator (2000-present); Alaska State Medical Board (1994-2000) Business and professional: President/CEO: Olson Air Service, Inc., Donald Olson Enterprises, Inc.,Olson Ventures, LLC

Go to www. juneauempire. com to find the latest news on Alaska politics

Like us on facebook at facebook.com/ juneauempire Follow us on twitter at twitter.com/ JuneauEmpire

10

REPRESENTATIVES House Speaker Rep. Mike Chenault R-Kenai — District 29 800-469-3779 Email: Representative.Mike.

Chenault@ akleg.gov Session contact: State Capitol Building, Juneau, AK 99801, phone 465-3779, fax 465-2833 Interim contact: Phone 2837223, fax 283-7184 Occupation: Vice-president, Qwick Construction Company Personal: Born Feb. 25, 1957 in Hobbs, N.M., married (Tanna); four children Education: Kenai Central High School (1975) Political and government: Alaska State House of Representatives, Speaker of the House (2009-present); Kenai

Juneau Empire’s 2015 Legislative Guide Peninsula Borough School Board (1999-2000); Kenai Fire Service Board (19992000).

Business and professional: Former president, North Peninsula Chamber of Commerce; member, Elks Club and Moose Lodge House Majority Leader Rep. Charisse Millett R-Anchorage — District 25 888-269-3879 Email: Representative.Charisse.Millett@ akleg.gov Session contact: State Capitol Building, Juneau, AK 99801, phone 465-3879, fax 465-2069 Interim contact: Phone 2690222, fax 269-0223 Occupation: Legislator Personal: Born Feb. 11, 1964 in Juneau; three children Education: Dimond High

School (1978-1981), University of Alaska Anchorage (1981-1983) Political and government: Abbott Loop Community Council, Past Vice-president; Anchorage School District Minority Education Concerns Advisory Committee, Past Member Business and professional: Airline employee and management (1981-2005); legislative and administration staff (2005-2007); past vice president, Abbott Loop Community Council; past member, ASD Minority Educations Concerns Advisory Committee; legislative aide; special assistant, legislative liaison; special assistant for communications, Department of Administration; past chairwoman, District 30 Republicans House Minority Leader Rep. Chris Tuck D-Anchorage — District 23 866-465-2095 Email: Representative.

Chris.Tuck@ akleg.gov Session contact: State Capitol Building, Juneau, AK 99801, phone 465-2095 Interim contact: Phone 2690240 Occupation: Business representative Personal: Born Taft, Calif.; one child; Alaskan resident since 1972 Education: Dimond High School; Alaska Joint Electrical Apprenticeship Training Trust; National Training Institute; University of Tennessee Political and government: Treasurer and board member, Anchorage School District; member, Education and Workforce Advisory Committee Business and professional: Board of Directors, Alaska Joint Electrical Apprenticeship Training Trust; Board of Directors, Alaska Process Industry Careers Consortium

Rep. Scott Kawasaki D-Fairbanks — District 1 866-465-3466 Email: Representative.Scott.

Kawasaki@ akleg.gov Session contact: State Capitol Building, Juneau, AK 99801, Phone 465-3466, fax 465-2937 Interim contact: Phone 4567423, fax 451-9293 Occupation: Senior patient representative at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital Personal: Born Mar. 20, 1975, in Tokyo, Japan; Alaska resident since 1980 Education: University of Alaska Fairbanks, B.S. Biomedicine Political and government: Former councilman, Fairbanks City Council; former legislative aide, Alaska State Legislature Business and professional: Member, Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce; member, American Council of Young Political Leaders; fellow, German Marshall Memorial Foundation; member, Council on U.S./Italy Relations Rep. Steve Thompson R-Fairbanks — District 2 Email: Representative.Steve.

Thompson@ akleg.gov Session contact: State Capitol Building, Juneau, AK 99801, phone 465-3004 Interim contact: Phone 4521088 Occupation: Legislator Personal: Born in Cottage Grove, Ore. in 1944; married (Kathleen); five children; 10 grandchildren; Alaska resident since 1965 Education: Oregon Technical Institute (1962-1963); Southern Oregon College (1963-1965) Political and government: Former member, Fairbanks North Star Borough School District Budget Review

Juneau Empire’s 2015 Legislative Guide Committee; former member, Alaska State Workers Compensation Board; Mayor, City of Fairbanks (2001-2007); member, Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce; member, National Rifle Association Business and professional: Past president/CEO, M&O Auto Parts and Equipment, Inc.; U.S. Army, Sergeant Rep. Tammie Wilson R-Fairbanks — District 3 800-860-4797 Email: Representative.Tammie.Wilson@ akleg.gov Session contact: State Capitol Building, Juneau, AK 99801, phone 465-4797, fax 465-3884 Interim contact: Phone 4512723, fax 456-3346 Occupation: Automotive shop owner/manager Personal: married (Robert); four children Education: Illinois State University, B.S. Education (1983) Political and government: Member, Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly, FNSB Air Quality Commission, FNSB Junkyard Task Force, Coordinated Transportation Committee; chairwoman, Golden Valley Electric Association District 3; GVEA Membership Advisory Committee Business and professional: Former owner/operator, Antique and Collectible Store; former vice president and board member, Love Inc. Rep. David Guttenberg D-Fairbanks — District 4 800-928-4457 Email: Representative.David.

Guttenberg@ akleg.gov Session contact: State Capitol Building, Juneau, AK 99801, phone 465-4457, fax 465-3519 Interim contact: Phone 456-

8172, fax 456-2490 Personal: Born in New York City; Alaska resident since 1970 Occupation: Construction worker, legislative finance aide and small business owner Education: Springfield Gardens High School (1969); Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (1970); AFL-CIO Organizing Institute (1993) Political and government: Commissioner, Chena/ Goldstream Fire and Rescue; commissioner, Jennifer Drive Service Area; member, Borealis Community Land Trust Board of Directors; past chairman, Alaska Democratic Party; Democratic National Committeeman for Alaska; Alaska House of Representatives (2002-present) Business and professional: Major, Alaska Civil Air Patrol; finance staff, Rep. John Davies (1999-2002); legislative staff, Rep. Tom Moyer (1992); auditor, Alaska Laborers Local 942; member, Alaska Laborers Political Education Committee; political director, Fairbanks Central Labor Council Rep. Adam Wool D-Fairbanks — District 5 Email: Representative.

Adam.Wool@ akleg.gov Session contact: State Capitol Building, Juneau, AK 99801, phone 465-3853 Interim contact: TBD Occupation: Owner, The Blue Loon restaurant and theatre Personal: Has lived in Alaska 32 years; married (Kate); two children Education: University of Alaska Fairbanks; Massachusetts Institute of Technology, technology and policy program Business and professional: University of Alaska Geophysical Institute; co-founder, Hot Licks Homemade Ice Cream; founder, The Marlin

11 Bar; founder and owner, The Blue Loon Rep. David Talerico R-Healy — District 6 Email: Representative.David.Talerico@ akleg.gov Session contact: State Capitol Building, Juneau, AK 99801, phone 465-3853 Interim contact: TBD Occupation: Miner Personal: Has lived in Healy for 45 years; married (Peggy); two children; seven grandchildren Education: Tri-Valley High School (1974) Political and government: Denali Borough mayor (since 2002); Denali Borough assemblyman (2001-2002); Upper Railbelt Schol Board member (1976-1977); legislative chief of staff; former Alaska Municipal League board member and president; former Alaska Safety Advisory Council member Business and professional: Human resource and safety director; mine supervisor; small business owner and operator Rep. Lynn Gattis R-Wasilla — District 7 800-782-4833 Email: Representative.Lynn.

Gattis@akleg. gov Session contact: State Capitol Building, Juneau, AK 99801, phone 465-4833, fax 465-4586 Interim contact: Phone 3736285, fax 373-6286 Occupation: Farmer, pilot and business owner Personal: Lifelong Alaskan Education: University of Alaska Anchorage, B.A. Aviation Tech (1987) Political and government: Member, Mat-Su Borough School Board (2011-2013);

member, Goose Creek Citizens Advisory Board; member, Pt. MacKenzie Comprehensive Plan Board Member; Alaska Transportation Council; Mat-Su Core Area Zoning Board Business and professional: Sales Manager, Northern Air Cargo (1987-1992); Sales Manager, Flying Tiger Lines (1983-1987); Area Managers for western Alaska, Kodiak Western Alaska Airlines (1979-1983); Real Estate Agent, Bowden Company Realtors (1977-1979); Product Promotion, Stanley Thompson Company (1975-1977); Financial Management and Associates, Inc., (1973-1975) Rep. Mark Neuman R-Big Lake — District 8 800-505-2678 Email: Representative.

Mark.Neuman@akleg. gov Session contact: State Capitol Building, Juneau, AK 99801, phone 465-2679, fax 465-4822 Interim contact: Phone 3762679, fax 373-4745 Occupation: Small business owner Personal: Born Aug. 12, 1959, in Rice Lake, Wisc.; married (Adel); two children; Alaska resident since 1981 Education: Mat-Su College, HVAC certificate (1988-1989) Political and government: House of Representatives (2005-present); National Conference of State Legislatures, Western Conference Committee Member; NCSL Agriculture, Environment & Energy Committee Member; National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses, National Executive Committee Business and professional: Owner Operator, Heirloom Wood Crafters Rep. Jim Colver R-Hatcher Pass — District 9 Email: Representative.Jim. Colver@akleg.gov

12 Session contact: State Capitol Building, Juneau, AK 99801, phone 4653853 Interim contact: TBD Occupation: Owner, Colver Surveying Personal: Born in Anchorage, has lived in Hatcher Pass since 1984; married (MarieLouise); three children Education: West Anchorage High School; University of Alaska Anchorage, surveying technology, business management and law Political and government: Member and former deputy mayor, Mat-Su Borough Assembly; former vice chair, Mat-Su Borough Fish and Wildlife Commission; former member and president, MatSu Borough School Board; former member, Mat-Su Borough Planning Commission; former chairman, Road Advisory Board Business and professional: 30 years in road, civil and pipeline construction; registered land surveyor; legislative aide Rep. Wes Keller R-Wasilla — District 10 800-468-2186 Email: Representative.Wes. Keller@akleg. gov Session contact: State Capitol Building, Juneau, AK 99801, phone 465-2186, fax 465-3818 Interim contact: Phone 3731842, fax 373-4729 Occupation: Building maintenance and construction contractor Personal: Born April 24, 1946 in Minneapolis, MN; married (Gayle); three children; six grandchildren; Alaska resident since 1969 Education: University of Wisconsin-Superior, B.S. Science and Math, Education

Juneau Empire’s 2015 Legislative Guide certificate; USAF Pilot training, Del Rio, TX (1971) Political and government: Alaska House of Representatives, 2007-present; legislative aide, 1999-2007; Alaska Health Commissioner; Citizens’ Advisory Commission for Access to Federal Lands Commissioner; Alaska Medicaid Task Force member; American Legislative Exchange Council, state public chairman; National Council of State Legislators Social Services co-chairman; Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education (2007-present); Chief of Staff for Alaska Senator Fred Dyson (1999-2007) Business and professional: Residential building contractor (1992-1999); oilfield hand, Schlumberger Oilfield Services (1991-1992); administrator, training center for the Alaska Teamsters Training Center at Ship Creek; Alaska Air National Guard, Air Force pilot Rep. Shelley Hughes R-Palmer — District 11 800-565-3743 Email: Representative.Shelley.Hughes@ akleg.gov Session contact: State Capitol Building, Juneau, AK 99801, phone 465-3743, fax 465-2381 Interim contact: Phone 3763725, fax 376-4768 Occupation: Project consultant Personal: Born January 1958 in Canton, Ohio; Married (Roger); four children; five grandchildren; Alaska resident since 1976 Education: Cuyahoga Community College, A.A. (1985); University of Alaska, B.A. English (2002) Political and government: Legislative Aide for Rep. Gatto, Alaska State Legislature (2003-2005); founder/ past president, Alaska All Academies Association;

past vice-president, Mat-Su Republican Women; Valley Republican Women. Business and professional: Palmer/ Wasilla Chambers; Mat-Su Business Alliance; Commonwealth North; Resource Development Council; Alaska Outdoor Council; Palmer Lions; Mat-Su Health Foundation Business and professional: Government Affairs Director, Alaska Primary Care Association (2005-11); Special Projects Volunteer Director, Crossroads Community Church, Palmer (1995-2005); Contract Academic Instructor, Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility, Palmer Correctional Center (1998-2003); Summer Theatre Conservatory Director, LCCP/Haines; VPA/Wasilla (1999, 2000, 2003); Substitute Teacher, MatanuskaSusitna Borough School District (1995-97); Fort Yukon School District Resource Center Assistant (1987-88); Data Coordinator/Secretary, Phillips Alcoholism Treatment Center, Bethel, Alaska (1985-86); KYUK Newscaster, Volunteer, Bethel, Alaska (198587); Teacher, Mount Bethel Christian School, Hoonah, Alaska (1976-81); Proud Stayat-Home Mother of four (1980 - 2003) Rep. Cathy Tilton R- Chugiak — District 12 Email: Representative.

Cathy.Tilton@ akleg.gov Session contact: State Capitol Building, Juneau, AK 99801, phone 465-3853 Interim contact: 907-3156292 Occupation: Real estate investor/businesswoman Personal: Born Aug. 28, 1962; three children Education: Service High School, Alaska Business College, University of Alaska Anchorage Political and government:

Legislative staff, Legislative Council (2011-2012); legislative staff, House Finance Committee (2013-2014) Business and professional: former Special Assistant to the Mayor of Wasilla, business owner, past President of the Alaska Motor Mushers Club Rep. Dan Saddler R-Eagle River — District 13 877-460-3783 Email: Representative.

Dan.Saddler@ akleg.gov Session contact: State Capitol Building, phone 4653783, fax 465-2293 Interim contact: Phone 6223783, fax 622-3784 Occupation: Legislator Personal: Born in Elyria, Ohio; married (Chris); four children and two grandchildren; Alaska resident since 1988 Education: Miami University, B.A. Journalism (1983); Ohio State University, M.A. Journalism (1987) Political and government: Chairman, Republican Party District 18 (2004-10); governor’s deputy director of boards and commissions (2007-10); Department of Natural Resources special assistant (2005-07); governor’s deputy press secretary (2002-05); legislative staffer (1993-02) Business and professional: Former board member, Alaska Press Club; former member, Society of Professional Journalists; National Rifle Association; ChugiakEagle River Chamber of Commerce; Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association; Alaska Airmen’s Association; Air Force Association, Association of U.S. Army; Chugiak-Eagle River Senior Center; ChugiakEagle River Chinooks Booster Club; Safari Club International; Commonwealth North; associate member, Anchorage Republican Women’s Club; Rotary Club; former

Juneau Empire’s 2015 Legislative Guide member, Alaska Press Club and Society of Professional Journalists Rep. Lora Reinbold R- Eagle River – District 14 800-770-3822 Email: Representative.Lora.

Reinbold@ akleg.gov Session contact: State Capitol Building, Juneau, AK 99801, phone 465-3822, fax 465-3756 Interim contact: Phone 6228950, fax 694-1015 Occupation: Health care industry professional, education professional and community advocate Personal: Born in Fairbanks; married (Eric); two children Education: Oral Roberts University, Tulsa, OK, B.S. Business Administration Political and government: Past House Administrative Regulatory Review Committee chair; Labor and Commerce Committee vice chair; Labor and Commerce Committee vice chair; Education Committee vice chair; Health and Social Services Committee member; Regional and Community Affairs Committee member; Military and Veterans Affairs Committee member; Chugiak-Eagle River Parks and Recreation Board of Supervisors; South Fork Community Council vice president; Eagle River Trails Committee chair.

Business and professional: District manager, BristolMeyers Squibb Anchorage; assistant business office manager, Trinity Medical Center; operations manager, Medical Park Family Care; substitute teacher, Anchorage School District Rep. Gabrielle LeDoux R-Anchorage – District 15 800-689-4998 Email: Representative.Gabrielle.LeDoux@akleg.gov Session contact: State Capitol Building, Juneau, AK

99801, phone 465-4998, fax 465-4419 Interim contact: 745 W. 4th Avenue Ste. 220, Anchorage, AK 99501 Occupation: Attorney (inactive) Personal: Born March 24, 1948 in Baltimore; married (Kurt); three children; Alaska resident since 1978 Education: University of Southern California (19661968); University of California, Berkeley (1968-1970); University of California, Berkeley, School of Law (1970-73).

Political and government: Alaska State Representative (2013–Present); Alaska State Representative (2005–2009); borough Mayor, Kodiak Island Borough (2001–04); board Member, Kodiak Electric Association (1995–2000); board Member, Northeast Community Council (2010–Present); board Member, Alaska Municipal League (2003–04) Business and professional: Admiralty Law Section; Alaska Bar Association; Disciplinary Area Hearing Committee; Alaska Bar Association; Maritime Law Association; Women’s Fisheries Network Rep. Max Gruenberg D-Anchorage — District 16 866-465-4940 Email: Representative.Max. Gruenberg@ akleg.gov Session contact: State Capitol Building, Juneau, AK 99801, phone 465-4940, fax 465-3766 Interim contact: Phone 2690123, fax 269-0124 Occupation: Legislator, family lawyer (retired) Personal: Born Sept. 25, 1943 in San Francisco; married (Kayla); two children; Alaska resident since 1970 Education: Stanford University, B.A. Political Science,

13 certificate in Public Administration (1965); University of California, Los Angeles, J.D. (1970) Political and government: House of Representatives, 1985-1993, 2003-present (longest-serving House member); former secretary, Russian Jack Community Council; former president, Alaska Legal Services Corp.; former chairman, Governor’s Mental Health Advisory Council; Legislative Assistant to Senator Ted Stevens; Law Clerk to Justice Roger Connor, Alaska Supreme Court Business and professional: Former chairman, Alaska Bar Association, Family Law Section; Fellow, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers; AV rating 5/5; U.S. Navy Lt. (jg), gunnery officer, U.S.S. Whitfield County (LST 1169); received Meritorious Unit Commendation, Vietnam Service Medal (three campaign stars)

Rep. Andy Josephson D-Anchorage – District 17 800-465-4939 Email: Representative.

Andy.Josephson@akleg. gov Session contact: State Capitol Building, Juneau, AK 99801, phone 465-4939, fax 465-2418 Interim contact: Phone 2690265, fax 269-0264 Occupation: Attorney; school teacher Personal: Born in Anchorage; married (Donna) Education: Whitman College, B.A. History (1986); University of Alaska Anchorage, M.A. Teaching (1992); Penn State Dickinson School of Law, J.D. (1997) Political and government: Municipal Zoning Board of Examiners and Appeals (2005-2006); Municipal Planning and Zoning Commission

Visit us online at www.juneauempire.com throughout the session for updated news on Alaska politics Follow state government reporter Katie Moritz on twitter @katecmoritz.

She also can be reached at katherine. moritz@ juneauempire. com

14 (2006-2008) Business and professional: Internship, Sen. Ted Stevens; Legislative Aide, 17th and 23rd Alaska Legislatures; public school teacher, Kuspuk School District, Kalskag; superior court judicial law clerk, 4th and 3rd Judicial Districts, Fairbanks and Kenai; Assistant District Attorney, Kotzebue (1999-2001); Associate Attorney, Law Offices of Dan Allan & Associates (2003-2008) and Law Offices of G.R. Eschbacher, (20082012); Adjunct Instructor of Constitutional Law, University of Alaska, Anchorage (20032008) Rep. Harriet Drummond D-Anchorage — District 18 Email: Representative.

Harriet.Drummond@akleg. gov Session contact: State Capitol Building, Juneau, AK 99801, phone 465-3875, fax 465-4588 Interim contact: phone 2690190, fax 269-0193 Occupation: Owner, Drummond Design Personal: Born in New York, NY; married (Elstun Lauesen); three children (Rachel, Jenny and Alex); Alaska resident since 1976 Education: Bronx High School of Science; Cornell University, B.S. design and environmental analysis; University of Alaska Anchorage, graduate work in public administration Political and government: Anchorage Municipal Assembly (2008-2013); Anchorage School Board (1994-2003); former chair, North Star Community Council and Federation of Community Councils Business and professional: Graphic designer Rep. Geran Tarr D-Anchorage – District 19 800-303-2455 Email: Representative.Geran.

Juneau Empire’s 2015 Legislative Guide Tarr@akleg. gov Session contact: State Capitol Building, Juneau, AK 99801, phone 4653424, fax 465-3793 Interim contact: Phone 2690144, fax 269-0148 Occupation: Adjunct faculty at the University of Alaska Anchorage Personal: Born in Akron, Ohio; Resident since 1998 Education: Ohio University, B.S. Botany, Environmental Studies and Women’s Studies; University of Alaska Anchorage, Master of Public Administration Political and government: Former president Airport Heights Community Council; Chair/Commissioner, Anchorage Women’s Commission Business and professional: UAA Biology Department, adjunct faculty since 1999; Senator Johnny Ellis, former Chief of Staff; Anchorage Farmer’s Market founding board member; American Council of Young Political Leaders delegate Rep. Les Gara D-Anchorage — District 20 Email: Representative.Les. Gara@akleg. gov Session contact: State Capitol Building, Juneau, AK 99801, phone 465-2647, fax 4653518 Interim contact: Phone 2690106, fax 269-0109 Occupation: Attorney and writer Personal: Married (Kelly) Education: Freeport High School, Freeport, Ill. (1981); Boston University, B.A. (1985); Harvard Law School, J.D. (1988) Political and government: Assistant attorney general, Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Civil Prosecution Section; law clerk

to Alaska Supreme Court Justice Jay Rabinowitz; state representative Business and professional: Part owner, Snow City Cafe; former law partner Rep. Matt Claman D-Anchorage — District 21 Email: representative. matt.claman@ akleg.gov Session contact: State Capitol Building, Juneau, AK 99801, phone 465-4919, fax 4652137 Interim contact: TBD Personal: Born in Boston, Massachusetts; married (Lisa Rieger); two children; Alaska resident since 1988 Occupation: Attorney, Wilderness Guide Education: University of Texas School of Law (JD, 1987); Colorado College (BA History, 1981); National Outdoor Leadership School (1979) Political and government: Acting Mayor, Municipality of Anchorage (2009); Assembly Member, Municipality of Anchorage (2007-2010), Chair (2008); Board of Governors, Alaska Bar Association (20022008), President (2007-2008); Heritage Land Bank Advisory Commission (2005-2007), Chair (2006-2007) Business and professional: Counsel to the Firm, Lane Powell (1995-96, 2007-present); Owner, Claman Law Firm (1992-1993; 1996-2006); Attorney, Preston Gates & Ellis (1993-1994); Law Clerk, Federal District Judge Harry Lee Hudspeth (1987-1988) Rep. Liz Vazquez R-Anchorage — District 22 Email: Representative.Liz. Vazquez@akleg.gov Session contact: State Capitol Building, Juneau, AK 99801, phone 465-3853 Interim contact: TBD Occupation: Attorney Personal: Has lived in Alaska

for 30 years; married (Mark R. Davis); one child Education: State University of New York at Albany; National Judicial College; Alaska Pacific University; Cornell Law School Political and government: Administrative law judge; assistant attorney general and prosecutor Business and professional: Chair and director, Chugach Electric; attorney, prosecutor and administrative law judge; quality assurance coordinator Rep. Craig Johnson R-Anchorage — District 24 866-465-4993 Email: representative.craig. johnson@ akleg.gov Session contact: State Capitol Building, Juneau, AK 99801, phone 465-4993, fax 465-3872 Interim contact: Phone 2690200, fax 269-0204 Occupation: Businessman Personal: Born Nov. 22, 1953 in Kermit, TX.; married (Nancy); Alaska resident since 1978 Education: Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College (1973-1975); Oklahoma State University (1975-1977) Political and government: 2014 chair, Council of State Governments West, Executive Committee, Energy and Environment Committee and Water and Public Lands Committee; member, National Council of State Legislatures, Agriculture, Environment and Energy Committee and Development Committee; member, Pacific NorthWest Economic Region; member, Anchorage Economic Development Corporation Business and professional: Former general manager, Alaska Publications; former marketing director, MarkAir;

Juneau Empire’s 2015 Legislative Guide former general manager, Alaska Journal of Commerce and Alaska Military Weekly; former small business owner; former vice president and general manager, KYMG Radio Rep. Bob Lynn R-Anchorage — District 26 800-870-4931 Email: Rep. Bob.Lynn@ akleg.gov Session contact: State Capitol Building, Juneau, AK 99801, phone 465-4931, fax 4654316 Interim contact: Phone 2690205, fax 269-0207 Occupation: Legislator Personal: Born Feb. 23, 1933, in East Los Angeles, Calif.; married (Marlene); six children; twenty-one grandchildren; two great grandchildren; Alaska resident since 1995 Education: University of Arizona, B.A. elementary education; California State University Long Beach, M.A. education administration; Air University, “Education with Industry” (The Boeing Corp.) for industrial production and procurement; University of California Riverside; University of Alaska Political and government: Alaska House of Representatives (2003 – Present); City Councilman / Mayor Pro-Tem / Public Safety Committee of Moreno Valley, California; Board Member, Riverside Transit Agency in California Business and professional: Realtor; retired public school teacher; former adjunct community college instructor; former police officer; U.S. Air Force, Major, retired Rep. Lance Pruitt R-Anchorage — District 27 888-478-3438 Email: Representative.Lance.

Pruitt@akleg.gov Session contact: State Capitol Building, Juneau, AK 99801, phone 465-3438, fax

465-4565 Interim contact: Phone 269-0100, fax 269-0105 Occupation: Small business owner and transportation and logistics general manager Personal: Born Aug. 18, 1981 in Anchorage; married (Mary Ann); two children Education: University of Alaska Anchorage, B.A. History (2003); Kaplan University, Masters of Business Administration (2009) Political and government: Alaska State house of Representatives (2010-present); Executive board, treasurer, Scenic Foothills Community Council; delegate, Federation of Community Councils Business and professional: Former general manager, Sears Logistics; small business owner; former service manager, FedEx Ground; NANA slope worker; member, Anchorage Chamber of Commerce; member, Alaska Airmen’s Association, Commonwealth North, National Rifle Association, Resource Development Council, Youth Soccer Coach and Gladys Woods Summer Soccer Rep. Mike Hawker R-Anchorage — District 28 800-478-4950 Email: Representative.

Mike.Hawker@ akleg.gov Session contact: State Capitol Building, Juneau, AK 99801, phone 465-4949, fax 465-4979 Interim contact: Phone 2690244, fax 269-0248 Occupation: Accounting and management consultant Personal: Born June 25, 1956, in Manchester, Iowa; married (Carol); Alaska resident since 1979 Education: University of Northern Iowa, B.A. Accounting and Humanities; Certified

15 Public Accountant (1974-79) Political and government: House of Representatives, 2002-present Business and professional: Business and accounting consultant (1997-2002); corporate financial officer (1995-97); partner, Hawker and Raleigh, CPAs (19911995); CPA, Price Waterhouse; Financial Accounting and Reporting Consultant (1974-91) Rep. Kurt Olson R-Soldotna — District 30 800-463-2693 Email: Representative.Kurt.

Olson@akleg. gov Session contact: State Capitol Building, Juneau, AK 99801, phone 465-2693, fax 465-3835 Interim contact: Phone 2832690, fax 283-2763 Occupation: Commercial insurance broker and custom seafood processor Personal: Born Mar. 24, 1948, in Sacramento, Calif.; married (Barbara); two children; Alaska resident since 1977 Education: California State University Long Beach, B.A. Political Science (1977) Political and government: House of Representatives (2005-present); former council member, Soldotna City Council; former chairman and member, Central Emergency Services Service Area Board of Directors; former legislative aide, Alaska State Legislature Business and professional: Interstate Insurance Product Regulation Commission; Legislative Committee, Energy Council; Soldotna Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors; Peninsula Winter Games Board of Directors; member, Kenai Chamber of Commerce; Elks Club; Rotary clubs of Spenard, Kenai and Soldotna; U.S. Air Force, four years

Rep. Paul Seaton R-Homer — District 31 800-665-2689 Email: Representative.Paul.

Seaton@akleg. gov Session contact: State Capitol Building, Juneau, AK 99801, phone 465-2689, fax 465-3472.

Interim contact: Phone 2352921, fax 235-4008 Occupation: Business owner and commercial fisherman Personal: Born Oct. 1, 1945; in Oxnard, Calif.; married (Tina); two children; Alaska resident since 1975 Education: University of Alaska Fairbanks, B.S. Biology (1968), M.A. Teaching Biological Sciences (1972); San Diego State College, M.S. Marine Zoology (1972) Political and government: House of Representatives, 2003-present; member, Community Rivers Planning Coalition; member, Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Settlement Advisory Council; West Coast Advisory Panel for the National Academy of Sciences; National Research Council Committee on Individual Fishing Quotas; North Pacific Fisheries Council Committee on Harvest Priority and Full Retention and Full Utilization Business and professional: Member, Kachemak Bay Conservation Society; Cook Inlet Keeper; Homer Chamber of Commerce; Seward Chamber of Commerce; Alaska Marine Conservation Council; National Rifle Association; American Association of Retired Persons; Homer Senior Citizens; Anchor Point Senior Citizens; North Pacific Fisheries Association; former member, United Fisherman’s Association; National Education Association; Kachemak Bay National Research Reserve Community Council; former board member, Alaska Marine Conservation Council; North Pacific Fisheries Association

16 Rep. Louise Stutes R-Kodiak — District 32 Email: Representative.Louise.Stutes@ akleg.gov Session contact: Interim contact: TBD Occupation: Retired business owner Personal: Has lived in Kodiak for 35 years; married (Stormy); four children Education: Queen Anne High School; Shoreline Community College; NW Medical College; University of Alaska Kodiak Political and government: Past member, Kodiak Island Borough Assembly; past member, Kodiak Borough Fisheries Advisory Group; past member, Kodiak Borough and City of Kodiak Fisheries Work Group Business and professional:

Juneau Empire’s 2015 Legislative Guide past owner, Village Bar; member, Alaska Cabaret, Hotel, Restaurant and Retailers Association board; president, Kodiak CHARR Rep. Sam Kito III D-Juneau — District 33 877-465-4766 Email: Rep. Sam.Kito@ akleg.gov Session contact: State Capitol Building, Juneau, AK 99801, phone 465-4766, fax 4654748 Interim contact: Same as session contact Occupation: Civil engineer Personal: Born April 25, 1964 in Anchorage; one daughter Education: University of Alaska Anchorage, B.S. Civil Engineering (1988) Political and government: Alaska House of Representa-

tives, 2014-present Business and professional: Member, American Society of Civil Engineers; past president, ASCE Juneau Branch; past chair, Professional Engineers in Private Practice; past chair, Alaska Professional Design Council Legislative Liaison Committee; member, Glacier Swim Club Board of Directors; past member, Big Brothers/Big Sisters Native advisory committee Rep. Cathy Muñoz R-Juneau — District 34 800-968-6744 Email: Representative.

Cathy.Munoz@ akleg.gov Session contact: State Capitol Building, Juneau, AK 99801, phone 465-3744, fax 465-2273 Interim contact: Phone 4653744, fax 465-2273

Occupation: Small business owner Personal: Born June 23, 1964 in Juneau; married (Juan); two children Education: Juneau-Douglas High School; University of the Pacific, B.A. Political Science Political and government: House of Representatives (2009-present); member, House Finance Committee; chair, Department of Environmental Conservation and court system subcommittees; past chair, Community and Regional Affairs Committee; member, City and Borough of Juneau Assembly (19952001); chair, CBJ Finance; chair, CBJ Human Resources Committee; CBJ liaison to School Board and Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee; former chair, Trails Working Group; chair, Affordable Housing; alternate member, Alaska Seafood Marketing InstituteBusiness and professional: Small business owner;

Juneau Empire’s 2015 Legislative Guide member, Juneau Convention and Visitors Bureau; Juneau Chamber of Commerce and the Salvation Army Advisory Board

ment leader; negotiator and professional rights and responsibilities mediator for Ketchikan Education Association

Rep. Jonathan KreissTomkins D-Sitka – District 35 888-461-3732 Email: Representative.

Jonathan.Kreiss-Tomkins@ akleg.gov Session contact: State Capitol Building, Juneau, AK 99801, phone 465-3732, fax 465-2652 Interim contact: Phone 4653732, fax 465-2652 Occupation: Writer and program administrator Personal: Born 1989 in Sitka Education: Sitka High School (graduated 2007); Yale College (attended 2008-2012) Political and government: Alaska Legislature (2013present) Business and professional: Freelance journalist; program administrator

Rep. Bryce Edgmon D-Dillingham — District 37 800-898-4451 Email: Representative.

Bryce.Edgmon@akleg. gov Session contact: State Capitol Building, Juneau, AK 99801, phone 465-4451, fax 465-3445 Interim contact: Phone 2690275, fax 269-0274 Occupation: Legislator Personal: Born May 3, 1961 in Dillingham; married (Melody); three children Education: University of Alaska Anchorage, B.S. Business Administration Political and government: Former chair, City of Dillingham Planning Commission; Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission Business and professional: Board chairman, Choggiung LTD.; former board member, Southwest Alaska Vocational Education Center; Former COO, Bristol Bay Economic Development Corporation, State CDQ Program Manager

Rep. Dan Ortiz I-Ketchikan District 36 Email: Representative.

Daniel.Ortiz@ akleg.gov Session contact: State Capitol Building, Juneau, AK 99801, phone 465-3824, fax 4653175 Interim contact: Phone 6175116 Personal: Born in Ottawa, Ill.; have lived in Ketchikan since 1969 Occupation: Public school teacher; principal, cross country and debate coach Education: Ketchikan High School (1976); Seattle Pacific University, B.A. (1981); Univ. of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Business and professional: VFW Teacher of the Year; American Legion Teacher of Year 2013; Junior Achieve-

Rep. Bob Herron D-Bethel — District 38 800-323-4942 Email: Representative.Bob. Herron@akleg. gov Session contact: State Capitol Building, Juneau, AK 99801, phone 465-4942, fax 465-4589 Interim contact: Bethel LIO office, Box 886, Bethel, AK 99559, phone 543-5898, fax 543-3542 Occupation: Legislator Personal: Born March 9, 1951, in La Grande, Ore.; married (Margaret); three children, five grandchildren;

17 Alaska resident since 1968 Education: Lathrop High School, Fairbanks Political and government: Bethel Planning Commission; Bethel Port Commission; Alaska legislative aide (1987-1994); member, Lower Kuskokwim School District Board (1992-2002); Bethel city manager (1998-2005); Alaska congressional delegation staff (2005-2007); member, Bethel Advisory School Board (2007-2008), Alaska Bush Caucus (2009-present); Joint Legislative Veterans Caucus (2009-present); Alaska House of Representatives (2009-present) Business and professional: former owner of Bethel Cablevision; North Star Gas; Bethel Drilling & Welding; co-owner Golden Eagle LLC school bus contractor; Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corp., public relations director; U.S. Marine Corps (1973-1977); VFW Life Member Rep. Neal Foster D-Nome — District 39 800-478-3789 Email: Representative.Neal.

Foster@akleg. gov Session contact: State Capitol Building, Juneau, AK 99801, phone 465-3789, fax 465-3242 Interim contact: Phone 4435036, fax: 443-2162 Occupation: Real estate investor Personal: Born May 29, 1972, in Nome Education: Stanford University, B.A. Political Science (1996); University of Alaska Anchorage, B.S. Business Administration, Finance (1997); Oxford University Overseas Program, Legal Philosophy emphasis (1993) Political and government: Alaska House of Representatives 2009-present; Nome City Council (2008-2009); Alaska Workforce Investment Board (2003-2009); Board of

Directors of the Bering Straits Regional Native Corp. (2006present); Board of Directors of the Sitnasuak Village Native Corp. (2003- present); Board of Directors of Siu Alaska (2008- present), Board of Directors of Rural Cap (20102012) Business and professional: President of Bonanza Fuel; President of Banner Wind; Vice President of the Sitnasuak Native Corp., Owner of Foster Properties Rep. Benjamin Nageak D- Arctic – District 40 888-288-3473 Email: Representative.

Benjamin.

Nageak@ akleg.gov Session contact: State Capitol Building, Juneau, AK 99801, phone 465-3473, fax 4652827 Interim contact: Phone 4653473, fax 465-2827 Occupation: Administrator Personal: Lifelong Alaskan; married (Bonnie); three children Education: Mt. Edgecumbe High School Political and government: Alaska House of Representatives; Alaska Arctic Policy Commission; assemblyman and mayor, North Slope Borough; vice chair, Alaska Board of Game Business and professional: Board member, Uqpiagvik Inupiat Corporation; president, RurAL CAP; co-owner, B&B Associates

Go to www. juneauempire. com to find the latest Alaska political news.

18

Juneau Empireâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2015 Legislative Guide

Executives Governor Bill Walker Sworn into office Dec. 1, 2014 State Capitol Building, third floor P.O. Box 110001 Juneau, AK 99811-0001 Phone: 465-3500 Fax: 465-3532 governor@alaska.gov gov.alaska.gov Personal: Lifelong Alaskan from Fairbanks; married (Donna); four children; two grandchildren Education: Valdez High School; Treasure Valley Community College; Lewis and Clark College; Seattle University School of Law Political and government: Transportation commissioner, city councilman and mayor, Valdez; charter member and three-term president, Prince William Sound Regional Citizens Advisory Council; project manager, Alaska Gasline Port Authority Business and professional: Owns or has owned construction, hotel, retail, travel, fishing charter, real estate and law businesses; former law partner, Hughes, Thorsness et al; owner, Walker Richards LCC; steering committee member, North American Gas Summit Lt. Governor Byron Mallott Sworn into office Dec. 1, 2014 State Capitol Building, third floor P.O. Box 110015 Juneau, AK 99811-0001 Phone: 465-3520

Fax: 465-5400 lt.governor@alaska.gov ltgov.alaska.gov Personal: Lifelong Alaskan from Yakutat; married (Toni); five children Education: Pious X Mission; Sheldon Jackson High School; Eastern Washington University; Western Washington University Political and government: Mayor, Yakutat; mayor, Juneau; assistant, Governor Bill Egan; commissioner, Alaska Department of Community and Regional Affairs; Alaskan Command Civilian Advisory Board Business and professional: Trustee, chair and CEO, Alaska Permanent Fund; director, chair and CEO, Sealaska Corporation; president, Alaska Federation of

Natives; president, First Alaskans Institute; member, Alaska Air Group board; member, Alaska Public Radio board; member, ACS board

COMMISSIONERS

doa.alaska.gov

Department of Administration Acting Commissioner Amy Erickson P.O. Box 110200 Juneau, AK 99811-0200 Phone: 465-2200 Fax: 465-2135 amy.erickson@alaska.gov

Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development Acting Commissioner Fred Parady P.O. Box 110800 Juneau, AK 99811-0800 Phone: 465-2500 Fax: 465-5442 fred.parady@alaska.gov commerce.alaska.gov Department of Corrections Acting Commissioner Ronald Taylor 802 Third St. Douglas, AK 99824 Phone: 465-4652 Fax: (907) 465-3390 ronald.taylor@alaska.gov correct.state.ak.us Department of Education and Early Development Acting Commissioner Mike Hanley 801 W 10th St Ste 200 Juneau, AK 99801-1894 Phone: 465-2802 Fax: 465-4156 mike.hanley@alaska.gov education.alaska.gov Department of Environmental Conservation Acting Commissioner Larry Hartig 410 Willoughby Avenue, Suite 303 Juneau, AK 99801-1795 Phone: 465-5066

Fax: 465-5070 commissioner@dec.state.ak.us dec.alaska.gov Department of Fish and Game Interim Commissioner Sam Cotten 1255 West 8th St. P.O. Box 25526 Juneau, AK 99802-5526 Phone: 465-6141 Fax: 465-2332 dfg.commissioner@

alaska.gov adfg.alaska.gov

Department of Health and Social Services Commissioner Valerie Davidson 350 Main Street, Room 404 P.O. Box 110601 Juneau, AK 99811-0601

Tel: 465-3030 Fax: 465-3068 dhss.alaska.gov

Department of Labor and Workforce Development Acting Commissioner Grey Mitchell PO Box 111149 Juneau, AK 99811-1149 Phone: 465-2700

Fax: 465-2784 commissioner.labor@alaska.gov labor.alaska.gov

Department of Law Attorney General Craig W. Richards P.O. Box 110300 Juneau, AK 99811-0300 Phone: 465-3600 Fax: 465-2075 attorney.general@alaska. gov law.alaska.gov Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Acting Adjutant General Mike Bridges P.O. Box 5800 Fort Richardson, AK 99505-5800 Phone: 428-6003

Juneau Empireâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2015 Legislative Guide Fax: 428-6019 leon.bridges@alaska.gov dmva.alaska.gov Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Mark Myers 400 Willoughby Avenue, 5th Floor Juneau, AK 99801 Phone: 465-2400 Fax: 465-3886 mark.myers@alaska.gov dnr.alaska.gov Department of Public Safety Commissioner Gary Folger 5700 East Tudor Road Anchorage, AK 99507-1225 Phone: 269-5086 Fax: 269-4543 gary.folger@alaska.gov dps.alaska.gov Department of Revenue Commissioner Randall Hoffbeck PO Box 110400 Juneau, AK 99811-0400 Phone: 465-2300 Fax: 465-2389 dor.alaska.gov Department of Transportation and Public Facilities Acting Commissioner Patrick Kemp 3132 Channel Drive #300 Juneau, AK 99801-7898 Phone: 465-3900 Fax: 586-8365 dot.commissioner@alaska.gov dot.state.ak.us

Editor's note: Commissioner appointments are accurate as of Dec. 16, 2014.

Check www.juneauempire.com throughout the session for updated news on Alaska politics Follow state government reporter Katie Moritz on twitter @katecmoritz She also can be reached at katherine.moritz@ juneauempire.com

19

20

Juneau Empire’s 2015 Legislative Guide

Gara to file bill against attack ads State’s election pamphlet included anti-Begich ad

By KATIE MORITZ juneau empire

There were two surprises in the state’s general election guide this year: a missing profile for Independent candidate for governor Bill Walker, and an Alaska Republican Party ad attacking Sen. Mark Begich, D-Alaska.

The Division of Elections, which produces the guide, quickly copped to the Walker omission and released a supplemental guide including the candidate, who won the election by a small margin.

But Rep. Les Gara, D-Anchorage, wants to make sure an attack ad never again appears in the pages of a state publication.

Gara announced in a November statement that he will pre-file legislation that would eliminate language in state statute that allows political parties to submit material for the state’s election pamphlet. Currently, parties can pay $600 per page to include whatever they want, up to two pages.

At the back of 2014's general election pamphlet, four full-page ads were paid for by three political parties. The Alaska Republican Party paid for two of the pages, one of which shows an ad that asks voters if they “know Mark Begich votes with President Obama 95 percent of the time” and gives “five examples of Mark Begich siding with President Obama over Alaskans.”

Begich and his Republican opponent Dan Sullivan, who ended up winning the race, both slung mud in their campaigns, leaving many voters with a bad taste in their mouths. But the non-partisan voter guide is one place where people should be able to get away from the worst of election season, Gara said.

“There’s already too much negative advertising,” he said. “It should rub people the wrong way that a state-funded voter guide would have attack ads.”

This year’s incident of a political party’s ad criticizing a candidate by name was a first for the state’s election pamphlet. The Division of Elections’ online archives go back to 2002. In those years, no party has called out a specific candidate in their ads, focusing solely on promoting their own platforms.

Political parties often run variations

michael penn | juneau empire

Rep. Les Gara, D-Anchorage, introduces an oil tax proposal to replace last year's oil tax bill (SB21) at a press conference at the Capitol in February 2014. on the same ad in the pamphlet year after year, but Division of Elections director Gail Fenumiai said the division has never been able to regulate what parties put in their ads. State statute is silent on it.

“There are no guidelines whatsoever in state law that talks about what can or can’t be published ... as part of that information (outside of the two-page limit),” she said. “The division has nothing to do with what is submitted.”

Gara said he didn’t think a political party had ever realized it could say whatever it wanted in its election pamphlet ads.

“I don’t think anyone had ever found the loophole in the law before,” he said.

“I don’t think anybody knew that you were allowed to put in a negative or an attack ad in the state voter guide. I didn’t know that myself.”

The issue came to Gara’s attention when constituents complained about the anti-Begich ad, he said. Fenumiai said the division also received complaints.

The Empire got a few concerned emails at the time, as well.

“People are expecting candidates to have statements, but they don’t expect to see attack ads (in the pamphlet),” Gara said. “If the state is funding it, there’s no place, in my mind, for attack ads in a publication that the public is paying for.”

The pamphlet cost about $199,000 to

produce this year, Fenumiai said. The $600-per-page fee charged to political parties goes back into the state’s general fund.

Gara said he would have proposed the legislation even if the candidate attacked had not been a member of his own party. He intends to reach across the aisle for bipartisan sponsorship of the legislation.

“I don’t care if (it’s) the Republicans or the Democrats or the Libertarian party or the Green party,” he said. “The state voter guide is no place for that kind of politics. It’s not a place for attack ads from any party. ... It turns people off of voting, it alienates people, and it’s, in my view, unsavory.”

Different states have different rules for their voter guides, Fenumiai said.

For example, Washington state doesn’t allow candidates to mention any other candidate but themselves in their submitted statements. Gara said he’s open to changing the language of his legislation to allow non-attack ads, as long as there’s a fair way to determine what is and isn’t negative.

Femumiai said the division could use more guidelines to work from.

“At this point, the more details about what is and isn’t allowed probably would be helpful to the division,” Fenumiai said. “Our hands are tied by state statute.

Because of that, we have to take everything as it’s submitted to us.”

Juneau Empire’s 2015 Legislative Guide

21

michael penn | juneau empire

Brothers James, left, and Giono are looking forward to starting a marijuana business in Juneau now that Alaska voters have approved a ballot measure to legalize during the November 2014 general election.

Lawmakers prepare to take up pot issues THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

JUNEAU — A state senator said she supports creating a new board to oversee regulation of the marijuana industry in Alaska.

Marijuana will be one of the issues facing lawmakers when they convene in January after voters passed a law legalizing and regulating recreational use of pot.

The measure, which takes effect in 2015, allows lawmakers to create a marijuana control board rather than assign oversight responsibilities to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board.

The incoming chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Lesil McGuire, said she plans to file legislation that would allow the substances to be managed

Like us on facebook at facebook.com/ juneauempire

separately.

McGuire, an Anchorage Republican who voted for the initiative, said her bill also might address marijuana advertising and drug safety issues. She also plans to look at the interplay of state and federal laws.

“I think this is going to be the most challenging issue we will have to face,” she said. “It’s still illegal under federal law to consume marijuana. So what happens when someone who lives in rural Alaska is transporting that marijuana via their boat?”

Overall, she said her goal is to implement the will of voters.

A legislative research brief requested

by McGuire examined the potential costs

Follow us on twitter at twitter. com/JuneauEmpire

and the logistics of implementing the law and included an estimate that the state will net up to $3 million from marijuana commercialization in the first year, APRN reported.

By 2020, as regulation costs drop and the marijuana industry matures, the state could see more than $20 million in annual tax revenue, it said.

Previously, Rep. Bob Lynn, R-Anchorage, announced plans to file legislation that would prevent marijuana retailers from operating near schools, churches and parks.

Multiple pot bills likely will be combined into one omnibus bill, McGuire said.

And check our youtube feed at youtube.com/ TheJuneauEmpire

22

Juneau Empire’s 2015 Legislative Guide Pipes cross the tundra at the Alpine facility operated by Phillips Alaska in 2001.

michael penn | juneau empire

Walker brings back Palin’s oil and gas team MORRIS NEWS SERVICE-ALASKA

New Gov. Bill Walker took office Dec. 1, 2014 and ordered immediate changes in top echelons of state government, including bringing back several members of former Gov. Sarah Palin’s oil and gas team.

They include Marty Rutherford, one of the architects of Palin’s failed Alaska Gasline Inducement Act, or AGIA, as acting Department of Natural Resources commissioner. She’ll eventually become the permanent deputy commissioner, a position Rutherford held under Palin.

“Marty is a natural fit for this position,” Walker said.

“I know and trust Marty. She will hit the ground running and do an outstanding job.”

Rutherford will be acting commissioner until Mark Myers, who Walker earlier appointed as DNR commissioner, can wrap up affairs at the University of Alaska

“

Marty is a natural fit for this position. I know and trust Marty.

She will hit the ground running and do an outstanding job.

Bill Walker Governor of Alaska

Fairbanks, where he is vice chancellor for research.

Another returning staffer is Marcia Davis, who served as the Department of Revenue deputy commissioner under Palin and is now acting commissioner of the department.

She will be in charge until Randy Hoffbeck, Walker’s appointee for revenue commissioner, arrives back in Alaska from an extended overseas commitment.

There are reports that Davis is being considered for an-

”

other senior position in the Walker administration.

Myers and Davis were strong critics of Parnell’s oil tax reform.

While making the new appointments, Walker also asked for the resignations of some senior officials who were supervising the state’s ongoing negotiations on the gas and LNG project. Along with the resignation of former DNR Commissioner Joe Balash, Mike Pawlowski, a deputy revenue commissioner who was deeply en-

gaged in the gas pipeline negotiations, left his position at noon Monday.

Myers, the incoming resources commissioner, and Rutherford, the new deputy, were part of a group of state resources department officials who protested and later resigned in 2006 when former Gov. Frank Murkowski attempted to negotiate an industry partnership on an Alaska natural gas pipeline.

In many respects Murkowski’s proposal, which failed, is similar to a state-industry partnership on a large gas pipeline and liquefied natural gas project agreed on by Parnell earlier this year.

After resigning his DNR position, Myers was named head of the U.S. Geological Survey but later returned to Alaska and became the DNR coordinator on the AGIA gas pipeline project.

Juneau Empire’s 2015 Legislative Guide

23

Craig Richards to review gay marriage case, Guard issues

By BECKY BOHRER THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

JUNEAU — Alaska’s new attorney general said he will review issues related to the Alaska National Guard, including ensuring that proper prosecutions were brought for wrongful behavior.

Craig Richards said part of that review will include whether he believes a special prosecutor should be brought in to handle the investigation.

“You start by reviewing the material that’s available both within the department and without and talking to people that have handled it — and that will lead to a decision about whether it makes sense to bring in a special prosecutor to focus on any of the guard issues, you know, full time basically,” he said in an interview with The Associated Press.

Problems in the National Guard cast a shadow of the recent election for governor, with critics questioning the handling of allegations of sexual assault and other misconduct within the guard by then-Gov. Sean Parnell. A report by the National Guard Bureau’s Office of Complex Investigations released in September found that victims lacked confidence in the command structure and led to the ouster of Thomas Katkus as adjutant general.

Parnell said he acted on every allegation brought to him. Media organizations sued for records related to the administration’s response to guard-related concerns, and Richards said he would review its release of public records to make sure it was done diligently.

Richards, 39, is the former law partner of Gov. Bill Walker, who defeated Parnell and took office Dec. 1. Walker last week announced Richards as his pick to replace Michael Geraghty as attorney general. The appointment must be approved by lawmakers.

Richards was Walker’s first choice for the job, in part because Richards isn’t a “yes” man and isn’t afraid to push back against Walker, said Grace Jang, the governor’s spokeswoman. Richards did not seek out the job and was surprised when Walker asked him, she said.

Richards said he’s excited.

“I mean, if you’re a law nerd, there couldn’t be a more fun job,” he said. “You get to jump into the biggest issues facing the state of Alaska, which is a very honorable, great opportunity.”

Richards’ legal experience includes areas of oil and gas and taxation. He was involved in long-running litigation by municipalities over the assessment of the trans-Alaska oil pipeline system.

He is getting up to speed on legal issues associated with the liquefied natural gas project the state is pursuing with oil and gas and pipeline companies, Richards said.

He received his first briefing Dec. 3 on the case challenging Alaska’s ban on gay marriage, Richards said.

Voters in 1998 approved a constitutional amendment defining marriage as between one man and one woman. But a federal judge in October struck down the ban.

The state will have to decide whether to pursue fur-

ther appeals.

Richards said he understands the issues from the state’s perspective. But he had not had an opportunity to look at it from the federal constitutional perspective, including how courts have interpreted the application of equal-protection and dueprocess clauses to same-sex marriage.

While courts around the country have struck down bans similar to those of Alaska, a panel of the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals recently upheld bans in four states.

During the campaign, Walker said that as governor

he would not pursue costly litigation with little chance of success, even though he personally believes marriage should be between a man and a woman. His spokeswoman said by email Wednesday that the 6th Circuit decision made the issue more complicated.

Walker, in a statement, said he is sworn to uphold the constitutions of both the state and the U.S. and would seek the advice of the Department of Law on whether to maintain the appeal. He said he would weigh the costs of further litigation against the likelihood of success.

11

9

8

12

10

2

3

6

1

7

5

4

13

14

1. State Capitol 2. City Museum 3. Legislative Affairs Bldg.

4. Thomas B. Stewart Bldg.

(Masonic Temple) 5. Dimond Courthouse 6. Health & Human Services 7. Court Plaza Bldg.

(Spam Can) 8. Governorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s House 9. Andrew Hope Bldg.

(ANB Hall) 10. State Office Building O 11. State Library Archives and Museum 12. Centennial Hall 13. Sealaska Building 14. City Library and parking garage

Legend

24 Juneau Empireâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2014 Legislative Guide