Press Release Says, Tests to begin on wolves taken from Chignik Lake Village

Two wolves were taken yesterday through Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G) aerial response efforts by department personnel in the Village of Chignik Lake. The wolves match descriptions of those seen at the recent fatality site of Candice Berner. One wolf was lighter than the other, with one wolf appearing to be in better shape than the other. They were taken in the Chignik drainage. No fresh wolf tracks had been reported near town. Ground efforts by local hunters had remained unsuccessful yesterday due to terrain and conditions. The department is operating under the Commissioner’s authority for management, research, and public safety while ground efforts continue by local hunters. ADF&G efforts did not conclude yesterday and were resumed today.

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Press Release Says, ICYMI…Rep. Young’s “One Minute” on the Health Care Bill

In Case You Missed It…Alaskan Congressman Don Young gave a “one minute” speech this afternoon on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives chamber, highlighting the convoluted language that comprises the health care bill.  Speaker Pelosi said herself that we won’t know what’s really in the bill until we pass it but shouldn’t we know what’s in it before we vote on it?

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Press Release Says, Congressman Young Introduces NCLB Improvements Act

Washington, D.C. – Alaskan Congressman Don Young has introduced H.R. 4837, the No Child Left Behind Improvements Act. This bill offers improvements that address many of the unintended consequences of No Child Left Behind (NCLB) while holding states and school districts accountable. The bill contains over forty provisions, focused on five areas: assessments, measuring adequate yearly progress, sanctions, state flexibility by the U.S. Department of Education, and non-public schools.

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Press Release Says, Alaska Air National Guard Hoists Snowmachiners to Safety

CAMP DENALI, Alaska—Airmen with the Alaska Air National Guard’s 210th and 212th Rescue Squadrons were called upon late Sunday evening to rescue two snowmachiners in the Wasilla area.

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Press Release Says, Murkowski: Three Alaska Female Aviators Recognized for their World War II Service

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, announced that three women from Alaska who flew planes during World War II have been honored with the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor bestowed by the United States Congress.

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Press Release Says, Begich Joins Senate Budget Committee

Senator to Focus on Debt Reduction Measures on Important Pane

Acknowledging U.S. Sen. Mark Begich’s continuing efforts to address the federal budget deficit and growing debt, the U.S. Senate approved his appointment to a vacant seat on the Senate Budget Committee, effective Tuesday night.

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Press Release Says, Governors Urge Congress to Stop EPA Regulation of Greenhouse Gases

March 11, 2010, Anchorage, Alaska – Governor Sean Parnell joined a bipartisan group of governors urging Congress to stop a plan that would give the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) authority to regulate greenhouse gases.

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March 12, 2010 Senator Hoffman Report

Good Morning –
My grand-daughters school is on spring break, so they are all here in Juneau visiting me and their grandmother! On Wednesday, the two older ones (10 and 7) were Senate guest pages. The younger one told everyone the night before that, quote, she “had to go to work tomorrow so she had to go to bed early.”  They both did an outstanding job! And of course, the Legislature exempts themselves from the child labor laws.
This week, the House will debate the FY11 Operating budget in the House chambers before passing the bill to the Senate. Next week, the Senate Finance Subcommittees will begin the process of closing out their respective department budgets. I plan on scheduling the operating budget for public testimony the week of March 22nd and will be sending out the official notification with details of dates and time.
Lyman

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Press Release Says, Delegation Meets With NOAA and NMFS Administrators

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Don Young, Senator Lisa Murkowski, and Senator Mark Begich met this morning with Dr. Jane Lubchenco, Administrator for the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Eric Schwaab, the Assistant Administrator for the National Marine Fisheries Service. This meeting was called to discuss a variety of issues under NOAA’s purview that will affect Alaska, including the proposed Critical Habitat for the Cook Inlet beluga whale, the upcoming biological opinion on the Steller sea lion, the petitions to list the ice seals, and marine spatial planning. Alaska’s Congressional delegation served as a united front throughout the meeting, as they discussed the impact that various NOAA decisions could have on Alaska’s economy and its people.

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March 8, 2010 News from Senator Begich

March 8, 2010

UPCOMING EVENTS
March 11, 2010
Washington D.C.
Constituent Coffee
Alaskans in D.C. visit with Sen. Begich
8:30 – 9:30 a.m. (EST)
Dirksen Senate Office Building
Room G-11

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Press Release Says, Murkowski Speaks at Arctic Policy Roundtable at New York Council on Foreign Relations

NEW YORK – U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, helped lead a discussion on U.S. Arctic policy at a roundtable forum today at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York City. Also participating in the discussion was U.S. Sen. Mark Begich, D-Alaska, a number of Arctic policy experts and several Alaskans, including Mayor Edward Itta of the North Slope Borough. Following is a text of Sen. Murkowski’s remarks as prepared for delivery:

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Murkowski Comments on the President’s Latest Health Care Plan

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today made the following comments after President Obama unveiled his latest version of a Democratic health care reform plan:

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Rep. Young Comments On President’s Newest Health Care Plan

Washington, D.C. – Alaskan Congressman Don Young released the following statement today following the President’s unveiling of the latest version of the Democrats’ health care reform plan:

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Begich Statement on Block of Unemployment Benefits for Alaskans

U.S. Sen. Mark Begich issued a statement today in response to an attempt in the Senate by one lawmaker to block the extension of unemployment benefits and COBRA benefits for 30 days. Retiring Sen. Jim Bunning (R – KY) has refused to allow the Senate to adopt the legislation by unanimous consent. Without congressional action, federal authorization for the benefits expires on Sunday night

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Press Release Says, Senators French and Egan Urge Governor to Use Mercer Proceeds to Fund

(JUNEAU) – Senator Hollis French, D-Anchorage, and Senator Dennis Egan, D-Juneau, wrote Governor Sean Parnell, asking him to help re-establish the “defined benefits” system of retirement for public employees.

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