March 8, 2010 News from Senator Begich

Posted: March 9th, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: 2010, 2010

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

March 15, 2010
Boston, MA
International Boston
Seafood Show
Alaska Reception
5:30 – 7:30 p.m. (EST)
Seaport Hotel Ballroom

March 18, 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

March 25, 2010
Washington D.C.
Constituent Coffee
Alaskans in D.C. visit with Sen. Begich
8:30 – 9:30 a.m. (EST)
Russell Senate Office Building
Room 385

Home for Fur Rondy & Iditarod

This week in Washington, D.C., I join my colleagues in continuing to push a jobs agenda that extends critical tax relief and safety net programs for U.S. workers, states and businesses. Over the weekend, I spent an enjoyable and productive two days in Anchorage helping start the 48th annual Iditarod Sled Dog Race and getting a chance to talk to some of the mushers before they headed out onto the trail. I also had a great time playing poker Saturday night in the annual Fur Rondy Tournament of Champions, an excellent event that supports Fur Rondy and charities across Alaska. Additionally, I was honored to get a chance to speak at the Alaska Women’s Hall of Fame 2010 Induction Ceremony – recognizing some outstanding women – and pay tribute to our service men and women at the Air Force Awards Banquet. It was truly an eventful weekend at home.

Sincerely,
Senator Mark Begich

Senate Jobs Bill Seeks to Turn Around Economy

As Alaska’s unemployment rate reached a new year-end high of 8.8 percent, the Senate continues its work on legislation designed to put Americans back to work. Last week, the Senate was able to overcome a filibuster by one Republican senator that cost thousands of Americans, including an estimated 20,000 Alaskans, extended unemployment benefits. Last year, 22 million Americans, including more than 53,000 Alaskans, depended on some type of unemployment benefits to sustain their families. Another part of the jobs package is extended medical insurance for workers who lose their jobs. In Alaska, the average monthly COBRA medical insurance premium is $1,200, so the 65 percent tax credit included in the Senate legislation is sorely needed. Sen. Begich believes the best way to stimulate the economy is help the private sector create new jobs. The Senate jobs bill includes an extension of small business loans to help them hire more Americans. He also is working on new Alaska oil and gas development opportunities, which are expected to be announced by Interior Secretary Ken Salazar this month.

Toyota Recall

In the Senate Commerce Committee, Sen. Begich secured a commitment that Alaskans living in remote areas impacted by Toyota’s vehicle recall will be able to get the
needed repairs without incurring significant costs. Yoshimi Inaba, of Toyota, informed Sen. Begich the company can reimburse dealers if they travel to remote communities where residents do not have easy access to Toyota dealerships.

Travel Promotion Act Creates Jobs, Boosts Economy

Sen. Begich joined his Senate colleagues last week in approving the Travel Promotion Act, which creates a public-private partnership to promote travel to all U.S. destinations. Begich is one of the bill’s original co-sponsors. “This is a jobs bill pure and simple. The visitor industry is a vital part of our economy. In Alaska, this industry employs more than 40,000 people, about 15 percent of the state’s workforce, bringing nearly $2 billion in direct expenditures into our state annually,” Begich said. The Act creates a “Corporation for Travel Promotion” whose goal is to clear up misperceptions and negative impressions about travel to the U.S. National statistics show travel to the U.S. by overseas visitors has dropped dramatically since September 2001. Experts say millions of dollars have been lost along with thousands of jobs. The U.S. Travel Association estimates the Act will help turn that tide, and will create 40,000 jobs in the first year.

APRN: Stimulus Spending Winner: Alaska

Alaska Public Radio published a story highlighting Alaska’s status as top per-capita recipient of stimulus funds.

You can listen to the story with this link:
http://begich.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=Audio

“Alaskans have gotten more of the federal stimulus dollars – per person – than any other state. This month marked one year since President Obama signed the stimulus law, or American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, but Alaska will reap the bulk of benefits in the year ahead.” APRN 2/25/10

All In for the Fur Rondy Poker Tournament

Sen. Begich joined hundreds of Alaskans Saturday night for the Fur Rondy Tournament of Champions. The annual poker tournament raises money to support Fur Rondy and charities across Alaska.

Alaska to Get First of Eight Climate Science Centers

The University of Alaska will be host to a new Climate Science Center being opened in Alaska by the Department of Interior (DOI). Secretary Ken Salazar announced the
Center last week, saying Alaska is ground zero for climate change with rapidly melting Arctic sea ice and permafrost, and threats to Alaska coastal communities. “I’m glad to see Secretary Salazar and his department recognize that climate change is a serious problem and put federal resources in place to understand how it impacts Alaska now and into the future,” Begich said. Salazar said DOI hopes to have the new Climate Science Center formally established in Anchorage within six to eight weeks. In addition to the Alaska region, Climate Science Centers will be selected in seven other areas throughout the U.S.

Defending Alaska Air Space

Stressing the importance of Alaska’s military bases, Sen. Begich questioned top Air Force officials about resources committed to Alaska, including F22s and radar systems. Addressing the Secretary of the Air Force, Michael Donley, and Air Force Chief of Staff, Norton Schwartz, Begich emphasized the importance of protecting U.S. airspace saying, “…additional F-22s are needed in Alaska.”

North Slope Borough Visits Washington

North Slope Borough Mayor Edward Itta visited with Sen. Begich in Washington last week. They talked about community involvement in off-shore development.

Begich Hears from Thousands of Alaskans in Tele Town Hall

Making good on a commitment to continually seek opinions from Alaskans, Sen. Begich hosted a telephone town hall last week. Begich reached out to an estimated 40,000 Alaskans with a telephone call just after 5 p.m. Alaska time. Potential town hall participants receive a message from the senator inviting them to stay on the line and instantly join the town hall. An estimated 9,000 Alaskans stayed on for some or all of the call to discuss health care, energy, education and many other issues. Wednesday’s tele town hall is the first in a new series of monthly calls allowing Alaskans to directly interact with Sen. Begich from their own home. In the coming
weeks, Begich will equip his website with a “Call Me” feature. This will allow Alaskans to request invitations to future telephone town hall meetings.

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