Governor Sarah Palin announced she and her husband are expecting their fifth child.
"Todd and I are five times blessed and couldn’t be happier,” Governor Palin said. “We look forward to welcoming our new addition in May.”
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Got 30 minutes? Get fit this spring – and help Alaska win national recognition.
Join Governor Palin in the National President’s Challenge, a six-week competition sponsored by the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. Sign up for the Challenge, which runs from March 20 through May 15, at www.presidentschallenge.org.
What’s the prize? Better health – physical activity makes you feel and look better. And you’ll help shine the spotlight on Alaska as governors with the highest percentage of participating residents will be recognized for supporting healthy lifestyles.
“Participating in this challenge is free and easy,” Governor Palin said. “It’s only 30 minutes of activity a day. You can walk, run, ski, or even bicycle your way to the goal. About 100 different activities count.”
The rules of the challenge are simple:
• The challenge starts March 20, but sign up through April 3.
• Adults must be active for at least 30 minutes during five days of each of the six weeks in the challenge, and report their activity on www.presidentschallenge.org.
• Children 6 through 17 need to complete 60 minutes of activity five days a week.
• Sign up as an individual or with a group.
Recent state surveys showed that more than 60 percent of Alaska adults are overweight or obese and more than 27 percent of high school students are overweight or at risk of becoming overweight – costing upwards of $200 million in direct medical costs, not including indirect costs such as lost productivity at work.
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Starting in May, 2008, the United States Treasury will begin sending out economic stimulus payments (rebates) of $300-$600 to eligible persons across the U.S. For some parents, there is an additional payment of $300 for each eligible child under 17.
However, people must file an income tax return in order to receive the payment.
Some Alaska citizens do not have a federal tax filing requirement, but are nonetheless eligible for the payment. These citizens will need to file a 2007 federal income tax return to become eligible.
Those who don’t normally need to file can look to Free File – Economic Stimulus Payment, available at IRS.gov, to make filing an easy process. Several Free File software providers are making their products available for the simplified filing of a tax return.
In most cases, those who are required to file a federal tax return will not have to do anything extra; just file a 2007 federal tax return as usual.
Low to moderate income taxpayers, elderly taxpayers and veterans can receive free tax assistance.
For more about eligibility requirements, visit the Economic Stimulus Payment Information Center for information. Generally, people must have a valid Social Security number, have at least $3,000 in qualified income, and not be a dependent or eligible to be a dependent on someone else's return in order to qualify.
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A driver’s practice test is now available online for Alaska’s potential road warriors.
The test is accessible by visiting www.dot.alaska.gov/highwaysafety and clicking “Online Driver Test” on the right side of the page.
The practice exam consists of 15 questions, similar to what driver’s license applicants can expect when taking the actual exams at DMV locations.
“Passing the practice test in no way ensures participants will pass the actual test necessary to obtain an Alaska driver’s license,” said Cindy Cashen, Department of Transportation and Public Facilities Highway Safety Office Administrator. “It’s our intention to have the site prepare applicants for the actual exam and become safe and knowledgeable, licensed drivers.”
The test is a joint effort by the Alaska DOT&PF, the Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles, the Alaska Highway Safety Office and the Alaska Injury Prevention Center.
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Tom Burgess
The Congressional Medal of Honor Society has announced the names of 51 finalists for its inaugural Above & Beyond Citizen Honors – one for each of the 50 states and Washington, D.C.
Tom Burgess of North Pole is Alaska’s nominee, for going above and beyond with his courageous rescue of tourists on a burning bus. While working on the Parks Highway as a truck driver, Burgess came upon a terrible accident between an Alaskan tour bus and a small pick-up truck. The first person on the scene, Burgess acted quickly and, disregarding his own safety, rescued many of the 25 trapped people. Burgess’ brave actions that day resulted in numerous lives being saved.
Three of the 51 finalists will be chosen as 2008 Above & Beyond Citizen Honorees and these remarkable citizens will be honored and celebrated during a ceremony to be held March 25, Medal of Honor Day, in Washington, D.C.
“Above & Beyond” is the first time all 107 living Medal of Honor recipients have banded together to create a national platform to promote and honor “Service before Self.”
For more information, visit www.aboveandbeyond365.com and www.cmohs.org.
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President Bush addresses the National Governors Association in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, Monday, Feb. 25, 2008. From left are: American Samoa Governor Togiola T.A. Tulafono; Governor Palin; Alabama Governor Bob Riley; Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty; Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Mike Webber, a 47-year-old Native Alaskan artist and fisherman, stands by the "shame pole" he carved in memory of the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2008, following a news conference at the National Press Club in Washington, one day before a class-action lawsuit, Exxon v. Baker, is argued in the Supreme Court. At right is Governor Palin. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Governor Palin presented information about Alaska’s gas pipeline to the Hoover Institution Board, which is the Stanford University-based public policy research center, on Feb. 26, 2008, in Washington, D.C. Photo credit to Goodman/Van Riper Photography.
Governor Palin reads to students in the Gastineau School Head Start class in mid-February.
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Governor Sarah Palin has named Steven Haagenson to serve as energy coordinator and executive director of Alaska Energy Authority. Haagenson retired as president and chief executive officer of Golden Valley Electric Association in 2007.
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Governor Palin has named Steven Haagenson to serve as energy coordinator and executive director of Alaska Energy Authority.
VISIT AEA ONLINE
Alaska Energy Authority at www.akenergyauthority.org
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As energy coordinator, Haagenson will lead the state’s efforts in developing a strategic energy plan.
“Steve is a proven leader, known for his strategic planning ability. As chair of the Fairbanks Cost of Energy Taskforce, he was instrumental in the development of a strategic business plan addressing electric generation, heating and transportation,” Governor Palin said. “His skills will be invaluable as we work toward a statewide strategic plan that will meet the unique challenges of the Railbelt, the Interior and Southeast Alaska and help us achieve our goal of affordable and reliable energy for Alaskans.”
A registered engineer, Haagenson earned his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and a master’s degree in engineering management, both from the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
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Governor Sarah Palin and Yukon Territory Premier Dennis Fentie recently renewed the 2003 Alaska-Yukon Intergovernmental Accord.
“This accord provides a framework for the governments of Alaska and Yukon to continue working cooperatively on tourism, transportation, and trade and commerce initiatives,” Governor Palin said. “We have also included climate change, wildlife management, economic development and infrastructure in the accord as additional key areas of opportunity.”
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Yukon and Alaska have maintained and renewed a joint intergovernmental accord for well over a decade, and successes arising from the accord include joint Shakwak research projects, the Chisana caribou recovery project and joint highway enforcement initiatives.
“Through the accord, we are continuing our work to build strong, viable communities and a solid trade relationship, as we are poised to enter an unprecedented period of responsible resource development in the north on both sides of the border,” Premier Fentie said.
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VIEW PHOTO
VISIT YUKON ONLINE
Premier Dennis Fentie at www.gov.yk.ca/
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Fentie was accompanied by Economic Development Minister Jim Kenyon during the Feb. 29 Anchorage trip. Other topics of discussion during the meeting included the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act, the Alaska Highway Gas Pipeline, climate change impacts on infrastructure and the U.S. Homeland Security Rule Interpretation for Alaskan Cruise Ships.
Fentie and Palin last met in June 2007 in Whitehorse, where they discussed a variety of topics, including economic development, the environment and the accord renewal.
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John Katz, Director
Washington D.C. Office of the Governor
Q: Will you tell us about yourself?
After graduating from law school, I worked for Congressman Howard Pollock and then for Senator Ted Stevens before moving to Alaska in 1971. In 1972, I was appointed counsel to the Federal-State Land Use Planning Commission for Alaska, which was established by the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act.
I have worked for the State of Alaska in various capacities for 29 years. In early 1979, Governor Hammond appointed me as his Special Counsel to represent Alaska’s interest during Congressional consideration of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, which was enacted in December, 1980.
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The Governor later asked me to serve as Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources, where I remained until January, 1983.
Since then, I have served six Governors as Director of State-Federal Relations and Special Counsel to the Governor in Washington, DC. In 1994, I received an honorary degree from the University of Alaska, Anchorage and have been commended twice by the Alaska Legislature.
I appreciate the privilege of representing State interests in D.C. and of working on a wide variety of interesting and challenging issues. I also enjoy the opportunity to work with capable and dedicated people within the State administration and in the many Alaska groups and organizations that do business in D.C.
Q: What do you miss most about Alaska?
I am often homesick and say that D.C. is habitable as long as I never think of it as home. What I miss most is the opportunity to interact in person with my friends and colleagues in Alaska and the ability to experience quiet and solitude without traveling many miles to do so.
Q: When was Alaska’s D.C. office created?
Alaska's office originally was established by Governor Bill Egan in the early 1970s. The responsibilities of the office have changed over time in relation to State interests and the wishes of the incumbent Governor.
Currently, the principal functions of the office are to identify and monitor issues which arise in Congress and federal agencies in D.C., analyze and help formulate State policy on these issues, and advocate policy in appropriate federal forums.
Q: What’s unique about the D.C. office?
Some 36 states and territories have established offices in D.C. The functions of these offices vary widely, depending upon gubernatorial mandates, issues and budgets.
The uniqueness of this office results from the issues we work on. Alaska is still a young state with a complex and evolving relationship to the federal government, a large federal land mass, a major military presence, and numerous federal programs designed to benefit Alaska Natives and other citizens.
Hence, we deal with a number of issues that other states resolved decades ago or that are unique to us for reasons of geography or resource potential. Two good examples are Alaska’s efforts to commercialize North Slope natural gas and the possible designation of polar bears under the Endangered Species Act.
Q: What are some things you tell Alaskans visiting D.C.?
Every month, we meet with representatives of local governments, interest groups and individual Alaskans. Usually, they come here for a specific purpose, such as appropriations requests, and we discuss the merits of these proposals and how they might be received by Congress or the federal agencies.
Often, we will take the opportunity to discuss policies of the Palin administration that might be of interest. And, some folks want to know how to get to the closest shopping malls and museums.
Q: What are some of the big issues that you are dealing with?
The D.C. office works on the full spectrum of federal issues with which the State is concerned. At any given time, between 100 and 120 issues are active. About 60 percent of this workload involves legislation in Congress, and the remainder concerns matters pending before federal agencies and administrative tribunals.
The office spends much of its time on Alaska-specific natural resource and environmental matters. The remainder, among other issues, is devoted to health, jobs and families, education, transportation, appropriations and international affairs.
Q: How do you work with Alaska’s Congressional delegation?
The Governor’s D.C. office is the primary contact with the Congressional delegation. This entails meetings, phone calls and emails virtually every day with the delegation or staff.
Often, we explain administration positions on federal issues and seek consensus with the Congressional delegation. We frequently work together in developing strategy and advocating Alaska’s interests. The office also responds to numerous requests for factual information on particular issues.
Q: Earmarks have been in the news lately, will you explain how earmarks work?
The term “earmark” means different things to different people. We use this term to connote a sum of money for a specific project or program that is added to an appropriations bill by a member of Congress, often to benefit that member’s constituents.
This year, President Bush and the Congressional leadership have said that the total dollar amount and number of earmarks must be reduced significantly. Recognizing the Constitutional authority of Congress to formulate the federal budget, Governor Palin has responded to this direction by reducing the total number of State earmark requests from 54 last year to 31 and from $550 million to less than $200 million.
Q: What questions do you get the most about Alaska?
This office is oriented toward public policy. So, most of the questions we get relate to policy issues pending in Congress or the various federal agencies.
At the moment, we are receiving a lot of inquires concerning energy issues, such as ANWR, the gas pipeline, and clean energy; the possible listing of polar bears under the ESA; climate change; appropriations; and fish and wildlife concerns. We also receive numerous questions from people in the lower 48 states about the Permanent Fund, what it is like to live in Alaska, and summer travel.
Q: What are the most common impressions of Alaska?
For many Americans, Alaska is a mysterious and intriguing place. They know that we possess vast quantities of oil, gas, hardrock minerals and other natural resources that we are ready and willing to provide to the rest of the country. These same people also perceive Alaska as a state with vast wilderness and bountiful fish and wildlife that should be protected.
The polls I’ve seen show that a majority of Americans trust us to strike the right balance between responsible development and environmental protection. In addition, they want to know more about our State and what our people think and do.
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The Alaska Departments of Natural Resources (DNR) and Revenue (DOR) received more than 300 public comments on the TransCanada Alaska Company LLC application under the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act during the 60-day public comment period that began on Jan. 5.
More than 100 of the comments arrived within the two-days prior to the Thursday, March 6 deadline. DNR staff are assembling, tabulating and formatting the electronic comments, and plan to make the comments available to the public as quickly as possible, and no later than March 14.
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VISIT AGIA ONLINE
www.gov.state.ak.us/agia
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The comments will be made available online at the state’s AGIA website. Electronic copies will also be available on request. For more information contact DNR at 907-269-8400.
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Until next time,
Governor Sarah Palin
To subscribe, or unsubscribe, to this publication, follow this link http://list.state.ak.us/guest/RemoteListSummary/Governor_Mailing_List.
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