HJR 22: LEGISLATURE OF 25 SENATORS, 50 REPS REPRESENTATIVE RICHARD FOSTER, PRIME SPONSOR OF HJR 22, testified saying, "I put it (HJR 22) in knowing that it probably wouldn't get anywhere, but I did it just to try to get various members of the legislature to start thinking of this concept because I think it's inevitable here, in the next few years, that this problem will have to be addressed..." REPRESENTATIVE FOSTER continued, "It (the present system) makes it prohibitive for the common person, just a regular working person, to run for election because it's impossible for most people to get enough campaign funds to be able to do that. And it pretty much guarantees the future of an incumbent and I always thought it was unfair that the size of these districts kept other people from getting involved in the legislative process. That's on the one hand. On the other hand, my district is divided into Yupiks and Inupiaks and it's pretty much even. Because of the size and the population required to make a house district, it creates disunity..." Number 324 REPRESENTATIVE FOSTER added, "This bill (HJR 22), I was hoping would address some of those problems, the only problem is, naturally, its got a big fiscal note... By shrinking these areas and increasing the numbers of Senator's and representatives, I think it'll make legislators more responsive to the needs of the people... I'm afraid by the year 2000, Senator Adams's Senate district will probably become a House district because of the size of Anchorage and the fact that the urban population tends to grow drastically faster than does the birth rate of the rural people." REPRESENTATIVE FOSTER concluded, "That's the way I feel. I've introduced this bill (HJR 22) as more of an educational effort for my colleagues and I don't see it going anywhere but I do hope to get some sympathy and understanding on this and I think it will come up, possibly not from me in the years to come, but from somebody else. I think it's important enough that it should be addressed by somebody." Number 390 REPRESENTATIVE WILLIS said, "Back when I was in the legislature before, there was a concept put forth on unicameral government. Have you thought of that concept?" REPRESENTATIVE FOSTER replied, "When I was a freshman here I thought that would be the most efficient, effective way of getting things done, in that there's no time delay in trying to address the plight of the poor, for example, or issues even though they might be controversial...but the longer I'm here, the more it frightens me that if there's only one legislative body and you had some real stinking legislation coming from the other side, there's no way to stop it and I can't help but think that one checkmates the other and the cost of delay and everything is worth the terror that it might bring down." CHAIRMAN OLBERG joked, "And there wouldn't be another body to blame everything on either." Number 407 VICE CHAIR SANDERS asked, "Wouldn't it help your fiscal note substantially if you put the effective date of this off to 2002? That way it could all be incorporated with the new reapportionment rather than try to reapportion in the middle of things?" REPRESENTATIVE FOSTER said, "A lot of the agencies that don't like a certain concept you advance will give you a big fiscal note. I don't mind that so much, I just want the forum to explain the frustration of the Bush, and whether it's one million or five million, it's almost mute to me. I don't see this really going anywhere right now..." Number 426 REPRESENTATIVE CON BUNDE said, "I support your idea, I can only imagine the frustration of these huge areas and trying to navigate around there. But I also share your concern about the huge fiscal note...I wish we could back up a year and have this come up before reapportionment instead of after reapportionment..." CHAIRMAN OLBERG said, "My district is fairly compact compared to some, but it's still an all day trip to get from one end to the other. To get to Cordova, I have to drive to Fairbanks and get on a plane..." REPRESENTATIVE FOSTER said, "It took me all summer to hit 30 villages in my district..." Number 467 REPRESENTATIVE BUNDE said, "To add to the discussion, my district is three miles by six miles...a tank of gas costs me a lot less." REPRESENTATIVE FOSTER said, "I did not introduce this bill (HJR 22) with any intention of it making it to the floor but I would appreciate a consideration, if I could have the same forum that I'm having with you, before the finance committee. We know it's not going anywhere with the finance committee because of the fiscal note, but if it's your pleasure to hold it that's fine with me too. At least I've had the honor of talking with each of you today and I appreciate your time." Number 477 REPRESENTATIVE WILLIAMS MOVED to PASS HJR 22 out of committee with individual recommendations. There were no objections, and IT SO MOVED. Number 481 ADJOURNMENT CHAIRMAN OLBERG adjourned the meeting at 2:15 p.m.