Mat-Su delegation talks commuter train, other topics

JUNEAU — As the legislative session continues, Valley legislators are hard at work. Of the main issues confronting the representation of the Valley, Governor Walker's 4.5 million dollar study on a commuter rail from Wasilla to Anchorage invoked a variety of feelings.

"Who doesn't love the romance of the railroad? I think would be beautiful," said Representative Colleen Sullivan-Leonard. "It's interesting because part of the funding that was brought forth, of the 4.5 million that was allocated for that particular study, over $1 million was money that was set aside for operations for the Parks Highway. Now they'll go without an operations and maintenance fund this year which is unfortunate. I'm not going to want to spend one-and-a-half hours, plus additional money having to switch to two different modes of transportation. The studies I've looked at, I don't see that it's feasible."

Representatives DeLena Johnson and Mark Neuman are still hesitant to believe in the feasibility of the project after the failures of the ferry and the bridge.

"We've needed more transportation in Anchorage for a while. We had a port, we had a ferry, and Anchorage wasn't willing to work with us. We have to make sure the MOA is committed to working with the Mat-Su Borough," said Johnson.

"I've listened to the experts and when they say we can do this project, and the federal government says it's a good project, and the governor doesn't accept this... is he trying to put stress on Alaska to get his income tax done?" said Rep. Neuman.

Neuman was concerned about constant accidents on a treacherous Glenn Highway for commuters when he sees a simple solution not being reached. "People are dying because of politics and that's just terrible," said Neuman.

The main crisis facing legislators is the budget.

"I think one of the biggest challenges that we have are trying to bring forward a sustainable, responsible budget within 90 days. We are very determined to get that done. Both sides of the aisle are working on this, our senate counterparts are very committed to getting this done," said Sullivan-Leonard.

Senator Shelley Hughes, who has been removed from her caucus for not voting for the last budget, hears from a variety of constituents. She says her lack of caucus affiliation has become a strength because she can vote any way she wants. She says more voters have reached out to discuss the issues with her because she does not belong to a caucus.

"Often I would hear back, well income tax but please cut more before you income tax. So I'm really going to have good communication with folks that are in opposition and have good discussion with them," said Hughes. " I've been an advocate for making some pretty substantial reductions because when oil prices were high, we added a lot of programs and we were big spenders. It's time to live within our means so to speak."

Representative Neuman was frustrated with the topics in special session, saying that sometimes there is something to be said for doing nothing, but that is not what the elected officials set out to do.

"The majority of people in my district did not support the additional revenue measure and taking PFD. The Valley delegation kept that from happening. When they come down here and people say they didn't do nothing, they actually kept our government from taking the PFD and implementing taxes," said Neuman.

Representative Sullivan-Leonard believes that the state is wasting money by holding the session in Juneau.

"We have just had new determination regarding our rate of pay and per diem. Our local Juneau legislators are not paid per diem. If we moved the session to Anchorage, you would have 34 legislators within Southcentral that would not be paid per diem. That would save the state of Alaska an incredible amount of money, hundreds of thousands of dollars. It's also more accessible to the largest population base. It would be on the road system," said Sullivan-Leonard.

Legislators are hopeful that bills they sponsor will make it to the floor and reach a vote. Senator Hughes' SB 130 mandates that if the legislature wanted to pass a broad tax, it must first be ratified by a vote of Alaska's residents." That particular bill is a good check and balance to keep the people engaged and their elected officials accountable," said Hughes.

"I just put in a companion bill with Mia Costello on a full repeal of SB 91. I'm hoping to see that get a hearing... Hope springs eternal, said Johnson. "One bill that I haven't done the work on but picked up from a bill that (Sen. Mike) Dunleavy had filed is a geo-location privacy bill, so cell phone companies can't track and sell your location. I think that's a good one and I'm hoping to see if I can't get that through this year."