Happy Easter! I am looking forward to spending Easter with my family. Please enjoy the day with your family and friends. He is risen indeed.

Town Hall meetings:

 

Friday, April 14: Bear Creek

Community Club, 6:30 - 8 p.m.

 

Saturday, April 15: Kenai

Legislative Information Office, 10-11:30 a.m.

 

Saturday, April 15: Nikiski

Rec Center, 1-2:30 p.m.

 

I look forward to hearing your questions and ideas!

Kenai Peninsula residents have legitimate concerns about preventing the abuse of opioids and other prescription drugs. This week as the chair of the Senate Labor and Commerce committee, I have scheduled a hearing for a bill that requires criminal background checks for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. I support Representative Ruffridge and Senator Giessel in their desire to strengthen Alaska’s pharmacy statutes by creating one more line of defense in keeping the pipeline of illegal prescription drugs closed. 

I believe Alaskans who are out of state to attend merchant mariner training should receive their PFD, but there are unreasonable absence requirements in state law. The Senate Labor and Commerce Committee is hearing SB 85, which will ensure these Alaskans receive the PFDs that they are due. 

Be firewise! Please consider using these cold spring days to clear dead trees, brush, and other undergrowth from around your home while fire danger is low. Spring is on the way and Alaska’s state law requires burn permits from April 1st through August 31st. Brush pile burning and the use of burn barrels are two of the leading sources of human caused wildland fires in Alaska. Visit DNR's Safe Burning page to print burn permits and get info on current conditions, burn restrictions in your area, and safe burning practices in Alaska.