October 2004
Best News For Alaska In Twenty Years: Natural Gas Pipeline Package Passed U.S. House
Washington, D.C. - The U.S. House of Representatives approved the Fiscal Year 2005 Military Construction Appropriations conference report containing one of the largest federal loan guarantees ever and permitting and judicial review language for the Alaska natural gas pipeline. The legislation is now awaiting approval by the U.S. Senate. At a joint press conference today with Senator Stevens and Congressman Young, Senator Lisa Murkowski called this announcement the best news for Alaska in the last twenty years......(FULL TEXT)
Anchorage Offers Multimodal Delivery Options For China
Anchorage, AK - An article entitled: "Anchorage offers a way out for China manufacturers" recently appeared in Cargonews Asia in which Anchorage is described as an opportunity for China manufacturers to gain the competitive edge by establishing local parts banks and decreasing delivery times through multimodal transportation options......(FULL TEXT)
Tony Knowles: Dead Wrong Again. Period.
In Desperate Attempt to Criticize Something, Knowles Falsely Attacks Alaska Congressional Delegation, Supports Keeping Dollars Oversees and Flip-Flops on Job Creation
Anchorage, AK - In a blatant effort to deflect legislative victories by the Alaska Congressional Delegation, Tony Knowles attacked Senator Lisa Murkowski and a popular provision in the FSC/ETI Conference Report (H.R. 4520) that would allow U.S. corporations to bring money earned overseas back into the U.S. at a reduced rate......(FULL TEXT)
DHSS Awards Funds To Promote Healthy Marriages In Alaska
Innovative strategies designed to promote, strengthen marriages in Alaska.
The Department of Health and Social Services has awarded eleven grants to community and faith-based organizations for programs and services designed to support the formation and maintenance of married, two-parent families. A total of 27 proposals were received, of which 25 were deemed responsive. Funding for the Healthy Marriages Initiatives totals $503,478 and were offered in grants between $24,801 and $50,000 per organization......(FULL TEXT)
Lieutenant Governor's Report
By Loren
Leman
Lieutenant Governor
October 14, 2004
GAS INCENTIVES PASS: Legislation containing important incentives for commercializing Alaska's North Slope gas passed the House and Senate this past week and has been sent to President Bush. The incentives include loan guarantees, accelerated depreciation and expedited permitting and judicial review. Senators Ted Stevens and Lisa Murkowski and Representative Don Young have worked long and hard with our Administration on getting these provisions passed, and deserve our thanks. The State is currently negotiating and working with two sponsor groups under provisions of the Stranded Gas Act on the details of fiscal terms to help make a project a reality......(FULL TEXT)
Sen. Lisa Murkowski's Statement On Tony Knowles' Advertising
Anchorage, AK - "Tony Knowles has shown his true colors. For months, Tony has relied on half-truths and purposefully misleading information to distort my record......(FULL TEXT)
Ballard Leaves State Service
Juneau, AK - Governor Frank H. Murkowski regretfully accepted the resignation of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Ernesta Ballard, who leaves state service on October 25 to accept a position as a senior vice president at Weyerhaeuser Company......(FULL TEXT)
Gasline Incentives Pass Congress, Head For President; Mark Major Milestone Toward Line Construction
Washington, D.C. - Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski welcomed final passage of two key Alaska gas line tax incentives saying that they should help either a pipeline to the Lower 48 or an all-Alaska liquefied natural gas project to tidewater proceed to construction. The Delegation also succeeded in placing a loan guarantee to reduce investor concerns about the non-completion of the line and a series of important regulatory and administrative provisions to speed line construction -- provisions originally won by Murkowski in the comprehensive energy bill - in the military construction appropriations bill that won Senate passage following the final vote on the tax measure. The loan guarantee will require the government to pick up 80 percent of the cost of the first $18 billion of the project should it not be completed......(FULL TEXT)
Endorsement: George W. Bush for President
Lowell
Sun
Sunday,
October 03, 2004
It's about national security. That's the key issue on the minds of Americans planning to vote in the Nov. 2 presidential election.
They must decide whether Republican President George W. Bush or Sen. John F. Kerry, a Democrat, can provide the leadership to safeguard America from foreign terrorism......(FULL TEXT)
ANWR: A Reality With Republican Victories Across The Country
Anchorage, AK - Senator Lisa Murkowski said that if she and other pro-ANWR candidates across the country are elected this year the possibility of opening ANWR is very real. With many pro-ANWR Republicans in competitive races for the U.S. Senate this year, there are increased hopes of opening ANWR in the 109th Congress. Since the last successful passage of ANWR and the subsequent veto by President Bill Clinton in 1995, any chances in the Senate of opening ANWR to drilling have been killed by Democratic opposition......(FULL TEXT)
Glenn-Parks Highway Interchange Dedicated
Governor Lauds Improvement to Intersection of Major State Routes
Wasilla, AK - The new Glenn Highway and Parks Highway interchange is a significant improvement in Southcentral Alaska's transportation system that will be a boon to Alaska motorists, Governor Frank H. Murkowski said at ceremony dedicating the interchange on Friday......(FULL TEXT)
Legislature Should Consider Risks, Rewards Of State Sharing Ownership In Natural Gas Pipeline
Anchorage, AK - Governor Frank H. Murkowski told a legislative committee that he supports the state assuming a shipper's risk and taking an equity position in construction of a natural gas pipeline.
"Whether we are talking about an independently operated gas line or a producer-built and operated gas line, it has become clear to me that the most likely path for starting construction soon will require the state to take an ownership position in the project and bear a certain amount of shippers' risk," Murkowski told the Legislative Budget & Audit Committee......(FULL TEXT)
Sen. Murkowski Says Eskimo Whaling Captains Tax Credit Will Help Protect Historic Whaling, Subsistence In Alaska
Washington, D.C. - Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski praised final passage of a tax credit to help continue Eskimo whaling on the North Coast of Alaska, saying it is vital to protect the historic subsistence way of life in Arctic Alaska.......(FULL TEXT)
Commissioner Announces Town Hall Meeting To Discuss Fish Farming
Speaking before the United Fishermen of Alaska, Alaska Department of Fish and Game Commissioner Kevin C. Duffy announced that the State of Alaska will host a series of town hall meetings this winter to launch an important policy discussion regarding options for Alaska's response to the growth of finfish farming. The meetings are being held in response to the expansion of finfish farming across the globe......(FULL TEXT)
Murkowski Wins Passage Of 'Red Ribbon' Week To Educate, Advocate Against Drug, Marijuana Use
Washington, D.C. - Saying drug usage destroys lives, damages families and harms society, Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski won Senate approval of a resolution declaring the week of Oct. 23-31 as "Red Ribbon Week" to call attention to the need for education and advocacy to prevent drug usage in society among all ages......(FULL TEXT)
ADF&G Makes Black Bear Baiting Information Available On Website
In response to questions received from the public, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) has posted factual information on black bear baiting to its website. The information is in the form of frequently asked questions and is easily accessible via the Internet......(FULL TEXT)
Sen. Murkowski Wins Senate Approval Of Statehood, Native Corporation Land Conveyance Acceleration Bill
Washington, D.C. - Saying it has taken far too long for Alaska and Native corporations to gain full title to lands promised them at both Statehood and during the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski late Sunday pushed legislation through the Senate designed to complete the conveyance of pending land claims within the next five years......(FULL TEXT)
Fishermen Gain Income
Washington, D.C. - Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski welcomed final passage of a major tax change that will aid fishermen weather hard times in the fishing industry.
The Senate followed the House and gave final passage to a new corporate tax bill that includes a provision to add fishermen to farmers as taxpayers who can average income over a three-year period to help offset high income years. The tax change, first proposed by the Alaska congressional delegation in 2000, will help fishermen recover from bad income years, by keeping a bit more of their income in good years, offsetting potentially high tax burdens in isolated windfall years......(FULL TEXT)
