LIO keeps Juneau in the neighborhood

April 10, 2005

DAWN De BUSK/Frontiersman reporter

As the 2005 legislative session prepares for a wrap-up in mid May, the fate of various bills that could affect Mat-Su residents is still undecided.

Residents who can't shell out the money for a plane ticket to Juneau still have the luxury of being able to testify about bills that concern them at the Mat-Su Legislative Information Office, located at 600 E. Railroad Ave., Wasilla.

The office provides not only extra-plush chairs, but a front-row seat to committee hearings via teleconference. Unless it's a listen-only topic, residents aren't limited to simply hearing what's going on with a bill, but can make statements during the public comment time.

Compared to previous years, fewer residents have taken advantage of the opportunity this access offers to those who want to speak up and alter the course of bills.

"There haven't been any large groups like in the past," said Legislative Information Assistant Judy Stewart.

Even the workers' compensation bills, SB130 and HB180, which were brought forth by Gov. Frank Murkowski to address the workers' comp crisis, haven't lured in more than four people, who came in during different hearings at different times, according to Stewart.

The Senate's version of the workers' compensation bill, which the Senate Finance Committee is reviewing, will be teleconferenced at 9 a.m. Friday.

Other topics that have stirred public interest include bills dealing with marijuana and utilities and budgets. Someone also attended the teleconference on licensing radiology technicians.

Senate Bill 74, which deals with crimes involving marijuana and other drugs, will appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

The House Labor and Commerce Committee will make decisions on House Bill 157, covering electrical, phone co-ops and other entities, at 3:15 p.m. Monday.

In the past, the room has been full, with approximately 30 people showing up during budget hearings, said Stewart, who expects a good turnout when the Senate Finance Committee meets this week.

Beginning at 5 p.m. Tuesday, the Senate Finance Committee will scrutinize two House budget bills. The time slated for Mat-Su residents to testify is from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

"Our main objective is to facilitate communications between our legislators and their constituents. That's our mission, in a nutshell," Stewart said.

Staff at the LIO can fax written testimony to the committee reviewing the bill, if the person can't be present during the hearing, Stewart said.

"We do public opinion messages of 50 words or less. We can electronically send that to the legislators or the committee," she said.

The office last week received the 2005 Alaska State Legislature pocket directory. It also provides handouts about the legislative process.

If a person lives more than 30 miles away from the LIO and is unable to get to the facility, the LIO can connect that person's phone to the teleconference.

This offering is designed for people who can't drive or get a ride to the LIO.

The LIO is located

southeast of the Parks Highway intersection with Knik-Goose Bay Road/Main Street, off the frontage road, in Wasilla.

For more information or assistance, call 376-3704.

To follow legislative bills, check out www.legis.state.ak .us/basis/start.asp.