July 26-August 1, 2004
Governor Murkowski Signs FY05 Budget
Speaks to Wasilla Chamber of Commerce About Budget Priorities
Wasilla, AK - Governor Frank H. Murkowski announced the signing of the FY05 capital, operating and mental health budgets passed during the regular session by the Alaska State Legislature. In a speech to the Wasilla Chamber of Commerce, he outlined his budget priorities and commented on the recently signed legislation......(FULL TEXT)
House Approves $8.2 Billion Coast Guard Authorization Bill
Several Alaska Provisions Included In Coast Guard Legislation
Washington, D.C. - Legislation that authorizes $8.2 billion for U.S. Coast Guard operations and new equipment and several provisions for Alaska was overwhelmingly approved by the U.S. House of Representatives.
The conference report on H.R. 2443 - The Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Authorization Act for 2004 - was approved by a 425 to 1 vote and is now awaiting action by the U.S. Senate......(FULL TEXT)
National Native News...
Monday, July 19, 2004
- The Battle over Kennewick Man Appears to be Over
- The Government is Investigating Desecrated Pictographs
- A Native American Family Donates Documents Signed by Lewis and Clark......(FULL TEXT)
Sen. Murkowski Wins Change To Allow Visas For Japanese Roe Technicians, Says Decision Should Save Salmon Season
Washington, D.C. - After weeks of effort, Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski won final passage of an amendment to grant temporary visas to roe technicians, a change that should allow the workers to quickly gain visas to process this summer's salmon run. Murkowski said the amendment should be in time to assist this summer's salmon season for Alaska fishermen and state salmon processors......(FULL TEXT)
Congressman Young Supports Veterans Compensation Cost-Of-Living Adjustment
Washington, D.C. - Alaska Congressman Don Young voted to pass H.R. 4175, the Veterans Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2004. This legislation increases the rate of disability compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for survivors of certain service-connected disabled veterans. This bill passed by a vote of 421 to 0......(FULL TEXT)
Commissioner Announces New Director Of Administrative Services
Juneau, AK - Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) Commissioner Kevin C. Duffy announced the appointment of Thomas W. Lawson as the new ADF&G Director of Administrative Services. Lawson is currently serving as the Director of Administrative Services at the Alaska Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED).....(FULL TEXT)
House Subcommittee Approves Capital Investment & Leasing Program
Washington, D.C. - The General Services Administration's FY 2005 Capital Investment and Leasing Program (CILP) - consisting of the agency's repair, alteration, construction, and leasing projects - was approved by a U.S. House Subcommittee......(FULL TEXT)
Murkowski To Chair NGA Natural Resources Committee
Will advance Alaska issues in National Governors' Association post
Juneau, AK - Governor Frank H. Murkowski was appointed chairman of the National Governors' Association Committee on Natural Resources at the 96th NGA annual meeting in Seattle, July 16-19, by the organization's executive committee......(FULL TEXT)
Alaska Board Of Fisheries Increases Fishing Opportunity For Upper Cook Inlet Sockeye
Juneau, AK - On Monday, July 19, at the Alaska Department of Fish and Game's request, the Alaska Board of Fisheries ("the board") adopted emergency regulations to allow greater flexibility in managing the commercial fisheries to harvest very large sockeye salmon returns to the Kasilof and Kenai rivers......(FULL TEXT)
Congressman Young Supports Military Housing Improvement
Washington, D.C. - Alaska Congressman Don Young voted in the House of Representatives to pass H.R. 4879, the Military Housing Improvement Act. This bill raised the cap on the $1.2 billion in federal expenditures allocated for a program leveraging private capital to refurbish military family housing units considered inadequate by the Pentagon. The bill passed by a vote of 423 to 0 and will go to the Senate for consideration......(FULL TEXT)
Sen. Murkowski Seeks Career Mobility For ANILCA Local Hires
Bill Named For Bristol Bay Ranger Tom O'Hara
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski has introduced legislation to permit Alaskans employed by federal land management agencies under the local hire provisions of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) to earn career status and compete for promotions and transfers on the same basis as career federal employees after completing a year of satisfactory federal service......(FULL TEXT)
Assurance Of Environmental Benefits Needed From EPA Grants
Washington, D.C. - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has made progress in reforming grant making procedures but the agency must do better linking grants to measurable outcomes, representatives of federal agencies and the scientific community testified......(FULL TEXT)
U.S. House Approves Bill Addressing Proliferation Of Shoulder-Fired Weapon Systems
Washington, D.C. - Legislation that will provide interim protections for commercial aircraft from shoulder-fired missiles was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives.
H.R. 4056, the "Commercial Aviation MANPADS Defense Act of 2004" (CAMDA), was approved by a 423 to 0 vote......(FULL TEXT)
Governor Requests Aerial Drone Fire Overflights
U.S. Coast Guard UAV Could Help Protect Interior Homes, Property
Fairbanks, AK - Governor Frank Murkowski sent a letter to the U.S. Coast Guard, asking them to assign one of the agency's aerial drones on a two-day mission to collect information on the Boundary Fire in Alaska's Interior......(FULL TEXT)
Congressman Young Announces Highlights In Fy05 Defense Appropriations Conference Report
Washington, D.C. - Alaska Congressman Don Young announced earmarks from FY05 Defense Appropriations Conference Report. The Conference Report provides $416.2 billion in new discretionary spending authority for the Department of Defense for functions under the House and Senate Defense Subcommittees' jurisdiction. This includes $25 billion in emergency spending requested by the President for early fiscal year 2005 cost associated with operations in Iraq and Afghanistan......(FULL TEXT)
Sen. Murkowski Joins President At Signing Of Law Enforcement Concealed Weapons Act
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski joined President George W. Bush at the White House as he signed legislation that she helped craft to allow current and retired police officers to carry concealed weapons.
The Senate last spring adopted a bill (S. 253) that provides a federal exemption to state laws to permit law enforcement officers and qualified retired officers with proper identification to carry concealed weapons. July 8 to speed the process, the Senate passed an identical House bill (H.R. 218) without amendment, clearing the way for the bill to become law more quickly......(FULL TEXT)
Water Quality Improvement Bills Approved By Transportation & Infrastructure Committee
Washington, D.C. - Five bipartisan bills that address water quality issues regionally and nationwide were unanimously approved by the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
The Committee also unanimously approved U.S. Army Corps of Engineers survey resolutions, and the General Services Administration's Capital Investment and Leasing Program (CILP), consisting of the agency's repair, alteration, construction, and leasing projects......(FULL TEXT)
AEDC Annual Investor Luncheon
The Anchorage Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) is pleased to announce Dr. Barry Asmus as special guest speaker for the Annual Investor Appreciation Luncheon on July 28 at the Hotel Captain Cook.
Dr. Barry Asmus, named by USA Today as one of the five most requested speakers in the U.S. and twice named Outstanding Professor of the Year, will be speaking on how Anchorage fits into the international movement towards growth, globalization and the internet. Past clients of Barry Asmus read as a who's who of Fortune 500 companies including 3M, Federal Express and Microsoft......(FULL TEXT)
