Legislature(2011 - 2012)
2011-05-04 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2011-05-04 Senate Journal Page 1043 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE FIRST SPECIAL SESSION Juneau, Alaska Wednesday May 4, 2011 Seventeenth Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Stevens at 11:02 a.m. The roll showed seventeen members present. Senators Dyson, French were excused from a call of the Senate. Senator Wielechowski was absent. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Senator McGuire. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent that the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. When I asked my son Grayson what I should pray with my colleagues about he told me, "Please respect God and the truth." Thank you dear Lord for our children, for the clarity they bring to our lives and for giving us the wisdom, strength and inspiration to instill in them, the love and values you have instilled in us. As we labor in this body to make this world better for them, please give us the courage dear Lord, to listen to them and their wisdom. As we labor through these days, I'd like to take a moment to share with the body a passage I derive particular spiritual inspiration from and hope that it lifts your spirits here today: DESIDERATA Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. 2011-05-04 Senate Journal Page 1044 As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy. Amen. (Max Ehrmann) 2011-05-04 Senate Journal Page 1045 Senator Giessel led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Certification Senator Meyer moved and asked unanimous consent that the journal for the sixteenth legislative day be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. Messages from the Governor HB 16 Message was read stating the Governor signed the following bill on May 2 and transmitted the engrossed and enrolled copies to the Lieutenant Governor's Office for permanent filing: SENATE CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 16(FIN) "An Act extending the senior benefits payment program; and relating to income allowances for medical assistance recipients and Alaska Pioneers' Homes and Alaska Veterans' Homes residents." Chapter 6, SLA 2011 Effective Date: 7/31/11 Unfinished Business Special Order of Business Senator Meyer moved and asked unanimous consent that the following Citation Calendar be made a special order of business. Without objection, it was so ordered. Citation Calendar Honoring - Stephen Kranich Representative(s) Millett Senator(s) Meyer, Stevens, Coghill, Davis, Dyson, Egan, Ellis, Giessel, Hoffman, Huggins, Kookesh, McGuire, Menard, Olson, Paskvan, Stedman, Thomas, Wagoner, Wielechowski 2011-05-04 Senate Journal Page 1046 Senator Meyer moved and asked unanimous consent that the citation be adopted. Without objection, the citation was adopted and referred to the Secretary for transmittal. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent to withdraw a prior excusal motion (page 966). Without objection, the motion was withdrawn. Announcements Rule 23(d) of the Alaska State Legislature Uniform Rules is currently in effect. Announcements are at the end of the journal. Enrollment SB 31 HOUSE CS FOR CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 31(STA) am H "An Act relating to the counting of write-in votes" was enrolled, signed by the President and Secretary, Speaker and Chief Clerk and the engrossed and enrolled copies transmitted to the Office of the Governor at 10:32 a.m., May 4, 2011. SB 58 SENATE BILL NO. 58 "An Act increasing the number of superior court judges designated for the third judicial district; and providing for an effective date" was enrolled, signed by the President and Secretary, Speaker and Chief Clerk and the engrossed and enrolled copies transmitted to the Office of the Governor at 10:32 a.m., May 4, 2011. SB 90 SENATE BILL NO. 90 "An Act classifying and setting a monthly salary for the executive secretary of the Board of Public Accountancy" was enrolled, signed by the President and Secretary, Speaker and Chief Clerk and the engrossed and enrolled copies transmitted to the Office of the Governor at 10:32 a.m., May 4, 2011. 2011-05-04 Senate Journal Page 1047 Adjournment Senator Meyer moved and asked unanimous consent that the Senate stand in adjournment until 11:00 a.m., May 5, 2011. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 11:17 a.m. Kirsten Waid Secretary of the Senate 2011-05-04 Senate Journal Page 1048 Announcements Americans with Disabilities Act Notice - Persons with disabilities who require special accommodation or alternative communication formats to access committee meetings may contact the appropriate committee office or the Legislative Information Office in their community. Reasonable advance notice is needed to accommodate the request. For further information, call the ADA Coordinator at 465-3854 Voice/465-4980 TDD. STANDING COMMITTEES + indicates teleconference = indicates bill previously heard/scheduled FINANCE May 04 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM -- MEETING CANCELED -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled May 05 Thursday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- JOINT COMMITTEES ALASKA NORTHERN WATERS TASK FORCE May 17 Tuesday Bethel 9:00 AM -- Meeting Postponed to October -- + Hearing in Bethel on Coastal Erosion and Flooding Location: Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation Boardroom May 18 Wednesday Anch Lio Conf Rm 9:00 AM -- Meeting Postponed to October -- Hearings in Anchorage: + Current Research on the Arctic Ocean ---------------------------------------- 2011-05-04 Senate Journal Page 1049 CONFERENCE COMMITTEES CONFERENCE COMMITTEE ON HB 108 & HB 109 May 04 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 12:30 PM -- Time Change -- += HB 108 APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET/LOANS/FUNDS += HB 109 APPROP: MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET