Senator.Jesse.Bjorkman@akleg.gov

(907) 283-7996

Hello!

The Legislature spent the last week digesting the Governor’s financial proposals including imposing a sales tax on Alaskans and eliminating corporate income taxes to address the State's fiscal crisis. Legislators attended a seminar presented by economists from the University of Alaska's Institute for Social and Economic Research on these and other fiscal proposals on Thursday.

Conversations in committee and around the Capitol make it clear Legislators have concerns about the underlying assumptions that support the tax proposals. I share these concerns and am looking forward to more conversations about how to solve the state’s fiscal situation. 

I support ensuring we deliver necessary State services at the lowest cost possible before instituting new taxes. I don’t support taxing Alaskans so that we can pay out bigger PFDs. I also believe we can't kick the can down the road, and we need to act sooner rather than later to ensure our State has financial stability for future growth. 

I am honored to be your effective advocate in Juneau. Please contact my office when you have ideas or concerns by calling 907-283-7996 or by email at sen.jesse.bjorkman@akleg.gov

Did you know you can check to see how recently snow plows have been on your roads without going outside? The Alaska DOT&PF Winter Operations site shows where plows are in real time and where they've been over the last 30 hours. Links to available webcams are on the site, as well as on Alaska 511, which provides information on road construction and other travel advisories.

The Senate Transportation Committee heard an update on winter road maintenance from the Department of Transportation on Tuesday, including a discussion on reducing the use of brine on Kenai Peninsula roads. Many of you have told me about the damage that brine causes to your vehicles, and your concerns over the impact on our wildlife and waterways from runoff. I will continue to push the Department to find alternatives that still keep our roads safe to drive in the winter.

Last week I told you that International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) had passed a proposal to lower the daily halibut bag limit for all unguided recreational anglers in Alaska to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC) for review at the request of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and Alaska Legislators. I have learned that the item is on the NPFMC agenda, but only because they need to take formal action to receive the letter from the IPHC, and that there is no intention to take up the proposal to lower bag limits from two to one halibut. 

Senator Jesse Bjorkman | State Capitol Room 3 | Juneau, AK 99801-1182 US