The 29th Alaska Legislature is in full swing. It is looking to fund a $3.5 billion deficit in the state budget. If you have a spare million you don’t want, they would be happy to have it.
The budget is the clear focus of all those in Juneau. Legislation is very slowly being introduced, because there is little incentive to deal with legislation that would cost anything. Today, a fiscal note with any cost at all is not going to get any consideration.
The Senate has been very clear that it intends to pass a budget with reductions and using some savings. Senators have said they have no intention going to taxes this year, and not until they are convinced the budget is brought under control and provides only what is truly necessary for all Alaskans.
As the session moves on, we will see if attitudes do or do not change.
Next week will be the first hearing on a bill we are supporting.
Repeal of Daylight Savings Time
Senate Bill 6, by Sen. Anna MacKinnon, which would repeal daylight saving time is scheduled for hearing on February 10 at 9 a.m. in the Senate State Affairs Committee. NFIB/Alaska Leadership Council Member Mike Wilson has volunteered to be the NFIB witness. If anyone else wishes to testify on the bill – we want daylight saving time eliminated – please do and remember to share that you are an NFIB member.
You can testify by gong to a local Legislative Information Office. If you wish to testify by teleconference, let me know and I will get you a phone number to call. NFIB/Alaska Members voted 61 percent in favor of repeal. Click here to read a letter of support NFIB sent to Sen. MacKinnon. (NOTE- Senator Fairclough married during the interim. She is now Senator MacKinnon.)
While we are closely watching other bills, the one we oppose has not yet been scheduled for hearing.
Paid Sick Leave
Senate Bill 12, by Sen. Bill Weilechowski, would mandate sick leave. NFIB continues to oppose this bill as we have in the past. I have spoken with the senator and communicated our many concerns, including the inadvertent negative impact it would have on many employees. We will be ready to oppose the bill if it is scheduled for hearing.
