Greetings from the State Capitol. Unseasonably warm weather greeted lawmakers as the first session of the 26th Alaska Legislature got underway Jan. 20. As you may know, I have been honored to be elected to serve as President of the Senate. It was a privilege to have my wife, Rita, son, Matthew, daughters, Anna and Natalie, and brother and sister-in-law, Chris and Nancy Johnson, present during my swearing-in ceremony and first floor session as Senate President.

My three years as the Senate Majority Leader, and one as Senate Rules Chair have served as good training for the role of Senate President, and I am looking forward to the challenges and responsibilities that come with this role. In this new capacity, I will continue my efforts to make sure that the many needs of the constituents and communities of Senate District R are well-represented as we craft state policies and the budget.

Again this year, I will be working closely with my counterparts in the House of Representatives Paul Seaton (R-Homer) and Alan Austerman (R-Kodiak) on your behalf. I look forward to continuing the great relationship I have with both gentlemen and their staff that have yielded so many benefits for our region.

The Senate Bipartisan Majority

I am pleased to lead a sixteen-member bipartisan majority that has pledged to set aside party differences and focus its efforts on building Alaska's economy and education programs, conserving state resources and protecting the safety and health of all Alaskans.

Specifically, our goals are:

Economic

1. Live Within Our Means a. Capital and Operating Budgets Should be Separate

b. Conserve to Extend the Life of Our Savings

2. Federal Economic Stimulus Plan a. Energize Economy and Create Jobs b. Prioritize Projects and Formula Funding

3. Fiscal Plan - Mature and Refine

Energy

1. Statewide Energy Plan - Affordable and Diversified Energy for Alaskans

2. Instate Gas - Bullet Line

3. Move Gas Line forward

4. Address Retail Gas Prices

Public Safety

1. Cost effective Law Enforcement

2. Support Work Force

Education and Health Care

1. Keep the promise

2. Forward Fund Education

3. Improve Denali Kid Care

These are ambitious goals, but well within reach, even in our current era of declining revenue from falling oil prices. As the session progresses, you can expect to see the Senate working in positive collaboration with the House and Governor Palin on these goals. I hope you will take part in the discussion as we move forward on these many issues.

As always, I welcome your thoughts on the issues we are considering in Juneau.

State of the State Address

On Jan. 22, the governor delivered her annual State of the State address, outlining the challenges facing Alaska right now. I think she struck an appropriately conservative tone, given the difficult financial situation the state is facing this year. As the Governor said, when we benefited from high oil prices in recent years, the Legislature worked with her to set aside billions of dollars in savings. That might help us deal with what, by the Governor's estimate, will be at least a billion dollar deficit this year, but we have to be careful not to pass a budget plan that will be unsustainable in tough economic times.

Senate Committee Assignments

In addition to serving as Senate President, I am a member of the Senate Committee on Committees, Education, Resources, Rules and World Trade, Technology and Innovations Committees.

Additionally, I will be serving on the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics, Education Funding District Cost Factor Committee, and the Legislative Council.

Senate District R Staff Here to Serve You

Each year I have been in office, I have been blessed to have a group of hardworking, talented people on my staff. This year is no exception.

Well-known in the Fairbanks area for mining tours as "Tunnel Tim" during the summer, Tim Lamkin is back in my Capitol office for a third year. Tim will often be the first voice you hear when calling my office. He will be handling a variety of duties including scheduling and helping constituents. Tim will also be tracking issues being considered by the Senate Education Committee.

Katrina Matheny's wealth of experience as a legislative staffer, particularly with budget issues, has greatly benefited the constituents and communities I serve over the past eight years. Now in her ninth year with my office, Katrina will continue to follow the operating and capital budgets, assist me with Senate floor hearings, serve as a liaison from my office to Governor's office, and help with constituent concerns that arise.

The radio voice of Kodiak High football and baseball during the Interim and sometimes novelist, Doug Letch returns for a 9th session with my office. He will be handling constituent concerns, communications, and personal legislation, as well as tracking the progress of several Senate Committees on my behalf.

One of Kachemak Bay's finest chefs and noted food columnist, Teri Robl will continue to work out of my Homer office during session. Teri can help you with any issues involving state government agencies that arise throughout the year. She can be reached at (907) 235-0690.

Veteran legislative staffer Cheryl Sutton transitions back to the Senate after spending the past two years studying the complex issues surrounding the proposed natural gas pipeline as staff to the Legislative Budget and Audit Committee. Cheryl's experience in fish and game issues make her a natural to follow those matters on my behalf. She will also serve as my office's liaison with the House of Representatives and track the Resources Committee as well as various other committees.

Contact Information

I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the many issues we are working on in Juneau. You can reach me by phone at 1-800-821-4925 and in Juneau at 465-4925. My fax number is 465-3517.

My mailing address is: Senator Gary Stevens, Alaska State Capitol, Juneau, AK 99801-1182.

You can e-mail me at: senator.gary.stevens@legis.state.ak.us

Tracking the Legislature

Public Television Station KTOO in Juneau makes keeping track of what's happening in the Legislature easier. Again this year, the station is teaming with cable operators from around the state to bring you Gavel to Gavel, offering live and recorded coverage of floor sessions and committee hearings. This programming is also available via the Internet at: http://www.ktoo.org/gavel.

You can also access information on any bills and resolutions introduced during the 26th Alaska Legislature through the Bill Action and Status Inquiry System (BASIS) on the Internet at: http://www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/start.asp.

Legislative Information Offices

I encourage you to utilize the services of the Legislative Information Offices (LIOs) in your area. The LIOs can help you access information on bills and resolutions, send messages to lawmakers and offer testimony to the various Senate and House Committees.

The LIO in Homer is staffed by Charlene Ditton. She can be reached at 235-7878.

Marianna Keil is available to assist Seward Area constituents at 224-5066.

Lorna Steelman and Heather Fincher are available to assist you in the Kodiak LIO at 486-8116.

PFD Application Period

Applications for the 2009 Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) are being taken until Tuesday, March 31st. Applications postmarked or delivered to PFD offices after that date will be denied as late applications, making it impossible for you to receive the dividend.

New to the PFD program this year is a way to help Alaska's nonprofit organizations directly with the PFD Charitable Contributions Program. This program is only available to those who file online, which is a quick and safe way of filing you're application.

File for the PFD online at: https://myalaska.state.ak.us/PFDOnline. If you are sending your application via snail mail, I urge you to send it by certified mail with and ask for a return receipt to ensure that it has been delivered.

Thanks to the Media District R

I would like to once again thank Senate District R's media for allowing me this opportunity to share what's going on in Juneau with you throughout the session. If you would like to obtain a copy of this report via e-mail, please contact me.