Posts under ‘District News’

This year’s state capital budget funded many important road and school projects for our area. In total, our district received more than $20 million in state funding for roads, school and public safety improvements and youth recreational fields.

Representative Johnson noted that he considers securing state funding for local needs an absolutely critical part of his job. “Our property taxes are some of the highest in Anchorage and our area is still growing faster than just about any other part of town,” Johnson said. “To the extent we can secure state funding for local area projects, that really helps.”

Johnson noted that “it’s important the state understands our roads are getting congested, our neighborhoods are at risk and our schools need updating to handle all the growth. Making sure we get their attention is a key part of my job.”

AREA ROAD IMPROVEMENTS: $12 MILLION

Johns Road Reconstruction (Klatt to High View)

Klatt & C Street Roundabout safety improvements

Bayshore LED Street Lighting Upgrades

Klatt Rd Pedestrian Safety Improvements (C St Trail to Via Appia)

Victor Road Upgrade Completion

121st Ave Storm Drain (Mary to Ellen)

School Improvements $2.8 Million

Bayshore Elementary Electronic “Smartboard” Install & School security Video Upgrades

Chinook Elementary Gym Improvements and PE equipment; wash station/fountain

Dimond HS Computers; AP Teacher Training

Klatt Elementary Lunch Tables; Siding Repair; PA System

Mears Computer Lab; Locker Replacement; Water Heater

Oceanview Elementary Sound Sys Replacement; Electronic Equip Upgrades

Public Safety & Youth Recreation

Fire Station 9 Remodel and Upgrades ($5 Million)

Emergency Medical and Firefighting Protecting Equipment (150,000 area wide)

Dimond HS Stadium Lighting Upgrades ($250,000)

Youth Swimming Program ($125,000)

American Legion Baseball Fields ($250,00)

South HS Football Stadium Turf; Taylor Young Mem. Baseball Field Completion

GAS STORAGE FACILITY IN COOK INLET

I am proud to co-sponsor HB 280 Which Relates to Gas Storage in Cook Inlet. This bill has passed the House and is now awaiting a hearing in the Senate Resources Committee. Residents of South Central Alaska are at risk in the near future of not enough natural gas produced in the Inlet to heat and light their homes and businesses. Legislative action now can help address this challenge before it becomes a crisis for us and neighboring communities.

A critical and universally recognized part of the solution is large-scale gas storage, allowing utilities to purchase gas during lower demand periods and hold the gas in storage; then withdraw it when needed. Establishing gas storage is crucial, and the state needs to promote the rapid development of storage facilities. House Bill 280, the Cook Inlet Recovery Act (CIRA), provides tax incentives and regulatory assurances to attract the private investment necessary to develop storage facilities and help reduce the cost of storage to consumers.

CRITICAL DEVELOPMENT – ALASKA’S OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF

The Alaskan Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) is a crucial source of future energy not only to Alaska but the Nation. Recent estimates of the resources in the OCS undiscovered reserves are 27 billion barrels of oil and 132 trillion CF of natural gas. Add this to the estimated 35,000 jobs that OCS development could potentially create and the economic benefits are clear. I introduced House Joint Resolution 28 and it was signed into law as Legislative Resolve 29. The resolution urged the President of the United States and the United States Congress not to adopt any policy, rule, or administrative action, or enact legislation, that would restrict energy exploration. The resolution also called for no policies to restrict development and production in federal and state waters around Alaska or the OCS within 200 miles of shore. At the end of March, the Environmental Protection Agency announced it had approved a Clean-Air Permit for Shell to operate its drilling ship in the Chukchi Sea, but not in the Beaufort Sea at this time. Shell wants to drill three exploratory wells on the Arctic Ocean acreage it leased in 2008.

Lunch & Learn: An In-depth Look at Alaska’s Resources
Tuesday, March 16th 12:00 – 1:00pm Capitol Room 106
Title: Briefing on Environmental Studies at Pebble Mine
Speaker: Jane Whitsett, Environmental Studies Manager, Pebble Partnership

Hello District 28 Friends. The Second Session of the 26th Alaska State Legislature is two thirds over and we are going full speed ahead to accomplish our goals by Session end, April 18th. In addition to our regular work load, add the number of constituent appointments, special interest groups flying in and budget subcommittee meetings required to get the Operating Budget to the floor of the House all have us putting in 12+ hour days. I am really proud of the work we have accomplished, particularly in the House Resources Committee. We have started meeting in the evenings and on some weekends to make sure any critical legislation is evaluated appropriately. The complexities of the oil and gas taxation legislation require a great deal of care and scrutiny in order for us to put a fix on potential problems with correct interpretations of what the proposed legislation will do. You can see highlights of our efforts on the links provided in this blog.