With another legislative session now complete, I wanted to take a few minutes to let you know about some important issues and legislation we dealt with this year that may affect your family.
As Co-Chair of the House Resources Committee, Vice-Chair of the House Transportation Committee, and a member of the State Affairs and Fisheries Committees — my days were extremely busy . I also served on budget subcommittees for the Departments of Administration, Corrections, Fish & Game and Natural Resources, which provided me the opportunity to impact issues important to our state and district. As always, my primary focus was to find ways to streamline delivery of essential state services, create new jobs, improve our roads and schools — and build Alaska’s future.
I’m pleased to report that significant progress was made on many of those issues. Key energy issues addressed this session included major revisions to Alaska’s oil and gas tax structure, ways to expedite construction of an instate gas line, and passage of new tax credits for oil and gas exploration and development. Significant funding was also provided for development of renewable and alternative energy projects — all of which should help protect and create Alaskan jobs.
I also worked to improve the quality and safety of our neighborhoods, assist and honor our veterans, and fund needed district road and school projects. Many of those topics are discussed in more detail in this newsletter.
I’d like to thank everyone who took the time to contact me this session regarding issues of importance to you. That really helps me when tough decisions are called for. It’s truly an honor to serve as your representative and I look forward to working with you this interim.
Sincerely,
Craig W. Johnson
