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Here one excerpt taken from the Anchorage Daily News ( http://adn.com ) on April 24th, just this year.
Some rural lawmakers have been upset about wildlife initiatives that made it on the ballot primarily because of signatures from urban voters.
For example, in 1996, voters banned land-and-shoot wolf hunting. After the Alaska Legislature tinkered with the law in early 2000 in an attempt to grow more moose by having more wolves killed, voters approved another ballot measure that reiterated opposition to same-day airborne hunting.
Supporters of the land-and-shoot ban say that Fairbanks Republican Sen. Ralph Seekins is now trying to overturn voter intent with a bill that would make it easier for the Alaska Board of Game to authorize airborne predator control programs. But, as a result of bills that passed after the original 1996 land-and-shoot initiative, state officials say the Game Board, with agreement of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, can already allow private airborne hunting under certain circumstances. Seekins' bill just streamlines the process, they say.
But Joel Bennett of Juneau, a representative of the Defenders of Wildlife and a former Game Board member, charges that the Seekins bill "is the latest in a pattern of legislative erosion of the ... initiative against land and shoot."
Meanwhile, the governor is seeking to repeal parts of a 1996 campaign finance reform law that was adopted by the Legislature as a result of citizens' ballot initiative. The bill, supported by the Alaska Public Offices Commission, would double the legal limits on individual campaign contributions -- from $500 to $1,000 -- and allow lobbyists to contribute to the election campaigns of candidates outside their districts. The Senate state affairs committee has passed the proposal, which the Alaska Public Interest Research group calls a betrayal of the citizens' wishes.
Another law adopted by the Legislature last year under pressure from a citizens' initiative spurred by the AFL-CIO was an increase in the state's minimum wage. There is now an effort, led by Anchorage Republican Rep. Norm Rokeberg to allow businesses to pay anyone younger than 20 less than the minimum wage for the first three months after an employee is hired. The AFL-CIO is fighting it.
Reporter Sean Cockerham can be reached at 1-907-586-1531 or [email protected].
Here is a link to that story
http://www.adn.com/legislature/story...-3028807c.html
...and a link to a story in last Sunday's paper where our new Governer says NO!
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http://www.adn.com/legislature/issue...-3124664c.html
But, as you can see, it still is an issue here.
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Some rural lawmakers have been upset about wildlife initiatives that made it on the ballot primarily because of signatures from urban voters.
For example, in 1996, voters banned land-and-shoot wolf hunting. After the Alaska Legislature tinkered with the law in early 2000 in an attempt to grow more moose by having more wolves killed, voters approved another ballot measure that reiterated opposition to same-day airborne hunting.
Supporters of the land-and-shoot ban say that Fairbanks Republican Sen. Ralph Seekins is now trying to overturn voter intent with a bill that would make it easier for the Alaska Board of Game to authorize airborne predator control programs. But, as a result of bills that passed after the original 1996 land-and-shoot initiative, state officials say the Game Board, with agreement of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, can already allow private airborne hunting under certain circumstances. Seekins' bill just streamlines the process, they say.
But Joel Bennett of Juneau, a representative of the Defenders of Wildlife and a former Game Board member, charges that the Seekins bill "is the latest in a pattern of legislative erosion of the ... initiative against land and shoot."
Meanwhile, the governor is seeking to repeal parts of a 1996 campaign finance reform law that was adopted by the Legislature as a result of citizens' ballot initiative. The bill, supported by the Alaska Public Offices Commission, would double the legal limits on individual campaign contributions -- from $500 to $1,000 -- and allow lobbyists to contribute to the election campaigns of candidates outside their districts. The Senate state affairs committee has passed the proposal, which the Alaska Public Interest Research group calls a betrayal of the citizens' wishes.
Another law adopted by the Legislature last year under pressure from a citizens' initiative spurred by the AFL-CIO was an increase in the state's minimum wage. There is now an effort, led by Anchorage Republican Rep. Norm Rokeberg to allow businesses to pay anyone younger than 20 less than the minimum wage for the first three months after an employee is hired. The AFL-CIO is fighting it.
Reporter Sean Cockerham can be reached at 1-907-586-1531 or [email protected].
Here is a link to that story
http://www.adn.com/legislature/story...-3028807c.html
...and a link to a story in last Sunday's paper where our new Governer says NO!
http://www.adn.com/legislature/issue...-3124664c.html
But, as you can see, it still is an issue here.
Right now it's feeling warm and springy in the 50's/60's with cooler nights. This winter was really goofy, not enough snow and 60 degrees for almost a week in February! In general though, I find it to be alot like the midwest. Colder than MI, but warmer than MN. What's great here though, is that people don't slow down come winter, they just pull on the bunny boots and go play! I'd much rather have snow to go with the cold than just cold and yuck! Summer's are awesome. It gets hot, but not so much that your gasping for air after walking to your car! If you ever get up here for a visit, let me know, I'll give you the grand tour!
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I lived in Ketchikan for 3 summers. The first two summers I was there, I worked in a salmon cannery. Obviously, this was in the pre-veg days. It was pretty gruesome. The third summer I waited tables and made the same kind of money, without the stench. I loved it up there! the mountains, the trees, the oceans... I should dig up some photos....
TerraFae, where exactly are you?
I was just talking to a friend of mine a few minutes ago who lives in Nome but is attending school here. sounds like a nice balance to me!
TerraFae, where exactly are you?
I was just talking to a friend of mine a few minutes ago who lives in Nome but is attending school here. sounds like a nice balance to me!
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Quote:
MAP
I've lived in most of them in the last 20+ years.
Depends on what part you're interested in. A lot of people don't appreciate just how big the state is. Most U.S. maps show us in a little box, right next to Hawaii. Actually, if overlaid on a map of the lower 48, Alaska would stretch from the Minnesota to Georgia to California, with just as many distinct climates.
MAP
I've lived in most of them in the last 20+ years.
I live in Anchorage. (Hi Terrafae). There are times I love living here and other times I daydream about packing up my son and my critters and driving as far away from here as my money will take me ;0) The winter and darkness gets to me, I suppose. Also, I miss being able to hop in the car and go to different places, like I could in the L48. Hello all :0)
We are having an amazing Spring, so far. Beautiful, beautiful weather. From what I have heard, it is warmer here than it is in many places on the East Coast! That is how the winter was, as well. Guess I shouldn't take off just yet ;0)
We are having an amazing Spring, so far. Beautiful, beautiful weather. From what I have heard, it is warmer here than it is in many places on the East Coast! That is how the winter was, as well. Guess I shouldn't take off just yet ;0)
I guess the key is to work for the airline, so you can fly to other states when you need a little change of scenery. You get the buddy passes, too- so you can get your friends out. Strangely, though- all the people I know that work for the airlines never take advantage of their flying benefits....
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