Legislature Toughens Crime Bill

Friday, August 23rd, 2019

Alaska was named the “Most Dangerous State in America” after the passage of SB 91 (2016 – Omnibus Crime Law & Procedure, Corrections) which weakened our criminal laws and the consequences for breaking drug trafficking laws. Trafficking in illegal drugs increased to the point where the entire state of Alaska was designated as a “High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area” by the Federal government. The Alaska State Troopers testified regarding the trafficking and concluded that the drug problem increased property and violent crimes.

According to the Department of Public Safety Crime in Alaska, 2017 Annual Report, Crime Clock, p.7:

“In Alaska, there is one murder every 6 days, one rape every 8 hours,
one robbery every 9 hours, and one assault and one burglary every 2 hours.”

Governor Dunleavy introduced several bills at the beginning of the 31st Legislative Session to address our criminal laws and protect Alaskans.

I am happy to report the Legislature strengthened our criminal laws and reduced the loopholes Alaskan’s are dealing with today regarding the passage of SB 91 (2016). Specifically, the Legislature’s version of the bill makes these key changes:

• Possessing the most dangerous illegal drugs in Alaska would be a felony, this includes: heroin, methamphetamine, and fentanyl.
• Misdemeanor sentences may impose meaningful jail time.
• Requires those convicted of the most serious crimes to serve more jail time on their sentence before being able to seek parole and early release from prison. This was an amendment I added in Senate Finance

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Senate Budget Compromise Keeps Ferries Running All Year Round for Coastal Communities

Thursday, August 22nd, 2019

The Governor has finally approved a version of the state operating budget for FY20 for funding the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS). This allows our ferry system to continue serving our coastal communities from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020.

The Senate increased the AMHS operating budget from the Governor’s proposed budget by $52.1 million to $96.4 million. This is 69% of the FY19 level of funding to the AMHS. My office spent a considerable amount of time meeting with the Department of Transportation and members of Governor Dunleavy’s Administration to find a level of funding that would keep the ferry system alive and at a level that would provide year-round service. The alternative would have put an end to the Alaska Marine Highway System.

“Our budget recommendations provide nearly 288 weeks of year-round service for our communities compared to 317 weeks of service in FY 2019. While service and funding levels are reduced from last year, the “all or nothing” approach to the ferry system budget carried an extreme risk to the economies of Coastal Alaska. I am glad our operating budget saves the ferry system, jobs, and the local economy with ferry service for the entire year.”

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Katlin Bay Road Project Moves Ahead

Friday, July 19th, 2019

Construction has started on the long awaited Katlian Bay Road project. K&E Alaska Inc. of Sitka is building the road. Construction is expected to take two to three years to complete. Over 20 local Sitkans are working for the contractor. The project was part of a 2012 bond package that was overwhelmingly approved by voters in Sitka and statewide.

The Katlian Bay Road project will provide access for: economic development and jobs; state, federal, and Shee Atika Inc. land; and fish and game resources. The road will also help remediation efforts of the Katlian River watershed, which used to support one of the premier Coho and steel head runs in Southeast Alaska. It should be returned to that historic status.

In order to increase the standard of living and provide opportunities for the future generations you must build infrastructure. This project has been contemplated for decades. I have worked on it for the last eight years and I am delighted it is finally moving forward!

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Ketchikan’s Upper Water Street Trestle Completed

Thursday, July 18th, 2019

In the 1970’s a narrow road was built on wood pilings in Ketchikan known today as Upper Water Street. In the summer of 2016, a large and unique construction project began to replace the old, deteriorated pilings and the roadbed those pilings support.

The project was accomplished in 7 phases to minimize the effect to homeowners on Upper Water Street. The construction process was very technical and complicated by the steepness of the terrain and the narrowness of the right-of-way they had to work in.  Click here to watch a time-lapse video of one section of the new road under construction.

The Ketchikan folks affected by the construction of this project have been very patient and accommodating. In fact, I was informed some homeowners had to relocate to a rental for almost a whole year. I am thankful to the Alaska Department of Transportation and Dawson Construction for cooperating with homeowners throughout the process.

The project also included a complete renovation of the utilities: including water, sewer, power, and telephone services.

It is always satisfying to see construction projects completed in Southeast. No matter how conflicted our state’s fiscal situation is, it is imperative that we move forward on our infrastructure projects, whether they be new projects or replacements of older assets.

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