Articles & Op-eds
Fairbanks jumps into federal
by Originally published in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner on August 01, 2009
FAIRBANKS - At least four Fairbanks car dealers said Friday they'll continue to sell cars under the popular "cash for clunkers program" despite mixed signals from the federal government about the program's fate. "We told a couple people (Thursday) night that it was done," Gene's Chrysler Sales Manager Scott Graham said. "Then (Friday) morning we wake up and everything is good. We're doing it on faith," he said. "We're watching the developments as close as we can. We're a little nervou… Continue Reading
07.31.09
Kensington decision to be early test of Obama on mining issues
by Originally published in the Alaska Journal of Commerce on July 31, 2009
The public comment period closes Aug. 3 on minor revisions to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Section 404 fill permit for the Kensington Mine near Juneau. However, the big uncertainty hanging over the project is whether the Corps will accede to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's July 14 request for an extended delay in the permit. If the Corps doesn't go along with the EPA, the environmental has authority to veto the Section 404 permit, according to the Corps of Enginee… Continue Reading
07.31.09
Murkowski introduces OCS revenue sharing bill
by Originally published in the Alaska Journal of Commerce on July 31, 2009
U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Mary Landrieu, D-Louisiana, have introduced legislation that would guarantee a share of offshore oil and natural gas revenue to coastal states. The Domestic Energy Security Act of 2009 provides coastal states, including Alaska, a 37.5 percent stake in energy development off their shores. "This bipartisan bill will serve as the foundation for Alaska and other states to balance local economic and environmental concerns with national energy s… Continue Reading
07.30.09
Senate Appropriators Approve Murkowski Amendment to Fund a $3.4 Million Denali Commission Jobs Program
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senate appropriations today approved an additional $3.378 million for a Denali Commission job training program as part of a Fiscal Year 2010 appropriations bill that cleared the Senate Appropriations Committee today, according to U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska. The Obama administration had zeroed out funding for Denali job training in its proposed FY 2010 federal budget. But Murkowski, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, persuaded her fellow panel m… Continue Reading
07.26.09
Alaska senators defend Native corporations
by Betty Mills
WASHINGTON - Alaska Native corporations dodged a major bullet this week as Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Mark Begich headed off an effort by Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., to clamp down on their federal contracting with the Defense Department. McCaskill, who convened a hearing into the contracting issue just last week, filed an amendment to a pending defense bill that would have slapped new restrictions on preferences enjoyed by the Alaska native corporations. In the wake of swift action by th… Continue Reading
07.25.09
EPA standing ground regarding Kensington mine
by Kate Golden
Alaska's senators called on the head of the U.S. Environmental Agency to answer for the agency's actions regarding the Kensington gold mine this week. Robert Dillon, a Senate energy staffer who works for Sen. Lisa Murkowski, characterized the meeting as "congenial but direct." "Administrator (Lisa) Jackson was not willing to concede any ground during the meeting," he said. "She defended her people." Republican Murkowski and Democratic Sen. Mark Begich… Continue Reading
07.23.09
Murkowski seeks funding for new Arctic icebreakers
by Rob Stapleton
While the shallow-draft icebreaker Coast Guard Cutter Healy arrives at Alaska ports on its way to the Arctic, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, is working to convince Congress to provide funding for a new fleet of Coast Guard icebreakers for the Arctic. Murkowski is a member of a U.S. Senate-House conference committee that will reconcile differences in the two chambers' appropriations bills to fund the Department of Homeland Security in the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1. The Senate passe… Continue Reading
07.23.09
Murkowski calls for cautious mining reform
by Alaska Newspapers Staff
Reform of the nation's 137-year-old hardrock mining law is overdue, but Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski says Congress should take a cautious approach to make sure the law doesn't wind up shutting down viable companies. Murkowski serves on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources committee, which met last week to consider reform of the General Mining Act of 1872 that would make mines on federal land pay royalties for the first time. Murkowski, the panel's top Republican, expressed concern that … Continue Reading
07.23.09
Murkowski seeks funding for new Arctic icebreakers
by Rob Stapleton
By Rob Stapleton While the shallow-draft icebreaker Coast Guard Cutter Healy arrives at Alaska ports on its way to the Arctic, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, is working to convince Congress to provide funding for a new fleet of Coast Guard icebreakers for the Arctic. Murkowski is a member of a U.S. Senate-House conference committee that will reconcile differences in the two chambers' appropriations bills to fund the Department of Homeland Security in the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1.… Continue Reading
07.23.09
Military construction bill would bring millions to Alaska
by Rob Stapleton
Military spending for construction is expected to get a boost in 2010, in large part due to a $133.9 billion construction appropriations bill being supported by Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski with hopes of passing the Senate before a summer recess. If passed, the Defense Department would spend nearly $336 million in military construction on Alaska's Army and Air Force installations in fiscal year 2010, according to information from Murkowski. The construction appropriation is part of the M… Continue Reading
07.23.09
Murkowski, Begich Meet on EPA’s Mine Decision
by Libby Casey
Alaska's senators met on Thursday with the head of the Environmental Protection Agency to talk about the Kensington Mine Project. They're upset that the EPA has asked for a re-evaluation of a permit - a move the senators say could stall the project. You can listen to the audio here.… Continue Reading
07.23.09
Senator delays action on Native corporation contracting
by By Erika Bolstad and Elizabeth Bluemink
The U.S. senator who has been examining federal contracting preferences for Alaska Native corporations has decided to hold off on an amendment that would have opened the firms up to more competition for large Defense Department contracts. Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., who held an oversight hearing on Native corporation contracts last week, decided not to pursue an amendment for now, a spokeswoman for her office said. Wednesday night, she attached an amendment to a defense spending bill propo… Continue Reading
07.20.09
Murkowski joins call for more natural gas vehicles
ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Sen. Lisa Murkowski added her name to a bill encouraging the manufacture of natural gas cars and trucks on Friday. The bill would extend and increase tax credits for natural gas vehicles and refueling stations. Murkowski said the bill not only decreases our dependence on foreign oil, it also saves consumers money at the pump and protects the environment.… Continue Reading
07.20.09
Local World War II vet honored
ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- World War II Marine and Silver Star recipient Col. John G. Fuller was honored Saturday in Wasilla. Sen. Lisa Murkowski participated in the presentation, in which Fuller was given a flag that was flown over the Capitol building. Jack Fuller, as he is known locally, served in the state House for eight years as a representative from Nome after serving 34 years in the Alaska National Guard and Alaska Defense Force. State Sen. Charlie Huggins was also on site to prese… Continue Reading
07.19.09
State politicians upbraid EPA over mine delay
by Kate Golden
Alaska politicians on Friday castigated the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for delaying the Kensington mine. Republican U.S. Sen. Murkowski sent a statement on Friday titled "Murkowski Decries EPA's Supreme Court End Run." She said she and Democratic Sen. Mark Begich had summoned EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, the agency's head and an Obama appointee, to Murkowski's office to explain EPA's actions regarding the Kensington gold mine. Since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled l… Continue Reading
07.18.09
Federal contracting preferences for Alaska Native firms spark controversy
by Dermot Cole
Under a federal program designed to give Alaska Native corporations a preference in competing for government contracts, a company can get a 5 percent bonus for doing business with one of its own subsidiaries. That was the assertion Thursday in a congressional hearing called by Sen. Claire McCaskill to address questions about laws and regulations that give Alaska Native firms greater access to sole-source contracts than many other businesses. "What would be in your mind a rationale for al… Continue Reading
07.17.09
Kensington Mine Delay Troubling
Alaska Governor Sarah Palin and Lieutenant Governor Sean Parnell today reacted with dismay to news that a regional office of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is attempting to slow the permitting process for the Kensington Mine near Juneau. In a letter dated July 14, Seattle EPA Acting Deputy Regional Administrator Michael Gearheard wrote, "We appreciate the need to move quickly on this matter, particularly in light of the hardships being experienced by many in the native Alaskan… Continue Reading
07.10.09
Murkowski Wants Amendments to Education Law
by Libby Casey
Senator Lisa Murkowski (R) has again introduced legislation to soften the Bush-era No Child Left Behind education law. Listen to the story Hyperlink to here.… Continue Reading
07.10.09
EDITORIAL: Learning curve
Eight years ago, Congress approved a strict federal law demanding improvements in the nation's schools. The law never fit Alaska well, and Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski has once again proposed legislation to make some necessary corrections. Murkowski has spent a long time advocating for these changes - most of the more than six years she has served in Washington. With the No Child Left Behind law possibly up for reauthorization later this year, she and other reform advocates have a better chanc… Continue Reading
07.10.09
Murkowski wants to amend No Child Left Behind Act
by By Jason Moore
ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Sen. Lisa Murkowski introduced legislation Thursday aimed at amending the No Child Left Behind Act. The senator says she is trying to address the challenges Alaska faces in complying with the law. The bill would provide flexibility for teachers who teach multiple subjects in middle and high school. Under No Child Left Behind, teachers are required to be certified and have a major or minor in each of the subject. Murkowski says that is nearly impossible for some r… Continue Reading
