Lieutenant Governor's Report
By Loren Leman
Lieutenant Governor
October 14, 2004GAS 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.
BALLOTS ARE DISTRIBUTED: Because of the hard work of the Division of Elections and Homer Printworks, reprinted ballots for the November 2 General Election have been delivered to regional offices and to absentee voters on schedule. A record number of absentee ballots continue to be delivered to voters. The deadline for requesting a by-mail absentee ballot is October 26.
Many Alaskans have questioned some of the absentee ballot applications prepared by those other than the Division of Elections. Candidates and political parties have long distributed these applications to voters, but a form distributed by the Alaska Democratic Party this year listed the Party mailbox as the return address instead of the Division of Elections' address. This may cause a delay in receipt of the application by the Division as well as a delay in processing if the information submitted is not complete or has been altered after the requester signed the ballot application. The Division will do everything it can to ensure that qualified voters will be able to vote. More information is available on my website. The State Division of Elections has hired additional absentee staff to help process requests. To verify if your absentee by-mail ballot request has been processed, visit the Division's website or call 1-866-465-8165 (outside of Juneau) 465-8165 (in Juneau).
THE EARLY BIRD GETS TO VOTE: To ensure every Alaskan has the opportunity to vote in the upcoming General Election, in-person absentee voting, or early voting, will begin in many polling places across the State October 18. A complete list of absentee voting polling locations and the dates and times they are open are listed on the Division of Elections' website. For the first time, there will be early voting at City Hall in Anchorage to accommodate visitors to the Alaska Federation of Natives conference as well as others in the downtown area. Early voting for military personnel, especially those being deployed, will be available on Fort Richardson at Ursa Major Elementary on October 21 and Elmendorf Air Force Base at Mt. Spur Elementary on October 26. Both military installation polling locations will be open from noon to 6:00 pm.
WORKFORCE TRAINING WALKABOUT: Yesterday I toured several workforce training facilities in Anchorage. I visited the IBEW/NCEA (electrical), Ironworkers and Carpentry training facilities and observed the new facility for the Plumbers under construction. Thanks to Blake Johnson, President of Laborers' International Union of North American Local 341, for organizing and hosting this tour. The focus on continuing training, emphasis on safety and commitment to excellence for Alaskans was considerable and impressive.
COAST GUARD FOUNDATION AWARDS: Carolyn and I joined Admiral Jim Olson and friends of the Coast Guard for an award dinner at the Hotel Captain Cook to honor heroic rescue work and exemplary performance by personnel in the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard is an important part of Alaska life-too often taken for granted. I was glad for the opportunity to say, "Thanks!"
CHARITY DINNER FOR CORRECTIONS: Correctional Ministries is a largely volunteer service to inmates who are incarcerated. Carolyn and I were able to show our continued support last Friday by attending an auction to help raise funds to support its chaplaincy and counseling programs. I was asked to say a few words about how this ministry is an important part of the Faith-based & Community Initiatives.
SENATOR SANTORUM COMES A LONG WAY: U.S. Senator Rick Santorum (R-Pennsylvania) has taken bold stands in defense of our culture. I was pleased to welcome him to Alaska on Tuesday and talk with him about his strong support for Alaska's resource future, including the opening of ANWR.
ARCTIC WINTER GAMES: I enjoyed representing Alaska at the Arctic Winter Games in Alberta last March, and today I joined Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Dale Bagley, International Committee members and the local planning committee in Kenai. The Kenai Peninsula will host the March 2006 games. I welcomed the Committee and became the first "Official Volunteer" for AWG 2006, which will bring thousands of athletes, families and friends to Alaska!
HAPPY GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY!: Congratulations to my longtime friends, Joe and Yvonne Clauson on their 50th wedding anniversary last Saturday. I first met the Clausons when they lived in Homer and I was in the fourth grade in Ninilchik. Their three children, Sharon, Karl and Kathleen, surprised them with a reception at the Petroleum Club in Anchorage.