Roof money, ethics hearing in the spotlight

February 17, 2006

Juneau Report/Myrl Thompson

The following is an excerpt from the current edition of &#8220Juneau Report,” a summation of observations by Legislature watchdog Myrl Thompson, a Wasilla resident.

No money

for Su Valley roof

Senate Bill 233, Supple-mental budget: &#8220An Act making appropriations for capital projects: and providing for an effective date.”

I couldn't get a seat in the standing-room-only Senate Finance Committee last week when this bill came up. I'm sure the taffy pull will cause some slight changes … The bill, by request of the governor, calls for $130.5 million in supplemental spending, which adds to the governor's 2005 transportation initiative and deferred maintenance of state facilities and programs.

Probably the biggest disappointment from a Mat-Su standpoint is that the $5 million-plus assured by some of our Valley legislators to repair the Su Valley Jr./Sr. High School roof wasn't there. Not even $5, for that matter, was there for the school. There's still a slight chance the money could be added before the bill leaves Lyda Green's Senate Finance Committee. After that, the likelihood of the money appearing in the form of an amendment on either the Senate or House floor is very slim.

But fear not, there was $5 million for the Big Lake/Burma Road environmental impact statement and design. Also included was funding for the paving of Engstrom Road, off Bogard, and Chugach Street in Palmer - $1 million and $3 million, respectively. The package also contains a badly needed $12 million for Palmer-Wasilla Highway improvements.

Ethics Committee confirmation hearings

This was the Senate's confirmation hearing for the three citizen candidates for new terms on the Ethics Committee. The hearing was held by the Senate Judiciary Committee, which is chaired by King Ethics, Ralph Seekins, R-Fairbanks, whose controversial proposed ethics bill, SB 186, contains a provision to levy a fine or penalty against citizens who take their ethics complaint public before probable cause is found. I've sat through a number of confirmation hearings over the years, but have never experienced anything quite like this one.

It was like a Thursday Night Wrestling tag-team match, with Seekins and Mat-Su Sen. Charlie Huggins launching the barrage of very leading questions at committee candidates Dennis &#8220Skip” Cook and later Herman Walker. These questions were mainly pertaining to their own views and opinions on subjects like complaints without merit against legislators, the need for confidentiality in ethics complaints, and penalties for breaking confidentiality.

They cared not for the expertise and years of service of the most experienced candidate and the current ethics chairman. It was a shameless display of badgering from a self-serving Seekins, who was dutifully supported by Huggins. …

I also sat through the House Judiciary confirmation of the same three candidates. There was no comparison that could be made. Anchorage Rep. Lesil McGuire's committee had concerns, but they were respectfully and tactfully stated.

I had to admire the decorum displayed by all members on that committee. The contrast between the House and Senate was astounding. My compliments go to the House Judiciary Committee.

Strange aftermath

of committee hearing

After Mat-Su Rep. Vic Kohring's Oil and Gas Committee had ended, a reporter and I asked Kohring for the document that he was quoting from during committee. Kohring refused to give it to us. I told him that since it was testified to in committee, it was a public document and we were entitled to have it. Kohring said, &#8220Show me in statute where it says I have to show it to you.” He was adamant in his refusal.

Later that evening, I saw him again on his way to have dinner with the same oil company employee and some industry lobbyists. I asked him once more, again he refused, claiming it was a private document and, he &#8220would have to ask Marathon's permission to give it out.”

There is more to this ongoing sagaŠ. Stay tuned.

Dormant committee back in action

Nothing like a little bad press to bump Mat-Su Rep. Mark Neuman into having some bills heard in his committee. After news broke of growing discontent over general inaction and numerous canceled meetings of the Special Education Committee he chairs, Neuman had two bills scheduled for Feb. 9. He heard and held one of those, and canceled the other.

I see a trend coming, because he had two more bills scheduled for Feb. 14. He heard both and moved them from committee - his first bills moved from committee of the session.

Perhaps Speaker John Harris, R-Valdez, alarmed by a letter from a Mat-Su resident asking for Neuman's removal as committee chair, had something to do with Neuman's newfound inspiration.

Myrl Thompson is a citizen lobbyist and former independent candidate for the state House. Anyone who is interested in being on the mailing list for the weekly Juneau Report can contact Myrl at myrl@ak.net, put &#8220Juneau list” in the subject window.