Alaska

May 8, 2008 -- (Anchorage, AK) -- Alaska Attorney General Talis Colberg and the attorneys general of 48 other states and the District of Columbia today announced that Facebook has agreed to changes to better protect children from predators and inappropriate content on the social networking site.

Facebook logo: Photo by Scott Beale / Laughing Squid (CC)

Facebook also agreed to participate in a task force on exploring and developing age and identity verification software. The agreement is similar to one that MySpace reached in January with 49 states and the District of Columbia.    » read more »

Alaskans Feel Pinch of High Costs

May 7, 2008, Anchorage, Alaska - Alaska Governor Sarah Palin released the following statement as the price of Alaska North Slope crude oil reached a record level of $123.53 a barrel.

Trans-Alaska pipeline: Photo by rickz (CC)

“Alaskans are feeling the pinch of high energy costs. The state treasury is swelling while the family checkbook is evaporating. As prices continue to rise, we cannot wait for medium- and long-term solutions to come into place.”    » read more »

Encouraging Donation of Used Cell Phones; Employee, State Cell Phones Headed to Soldiers

April 28, 2008, Anchorage, Alaska – Alaska Governor Sarah Palin is encouraging state employees to donate used cell phones to the Cell Phones for Soldiers project.

Cellphones for soldiers: Photo by Tom Eppenberger (CC)

In addition, Department of Administration Commissioner Annette Kreitzer will ensure that state cell phones that are no longer serviceable or in surplus will be donated to the project.    » read more »

Assess Damage & Plan to Recover Hydro

April 22, 2008, Anchorage, Alaska – Alaska Governor Sarah Palin today announced multiple state agencies are working closely with Alaska Electric Light & Power (AEL&P) to assess the damage and develop a plan to recover hydropower in Juneau.

Representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Small Business Administration are traveling to Juneau to analyze the situation. Members of the governor’s disaster policy cabinet will meet on Wednesday to discuss declaring a state disaster.    » read more »

April 16, 2008, Anchorage, Alaska – Alaska Governor Sarah Palin today expressed her condolences to the family and friends of victims of Tuesday’s helicopter crash, which claimed four lives, including three state employees. One person survived the crash. The helicopter was transporting Department of Administration employees to a radio tower east of Glennallen when the crash occurred.

“I know all Alaskans join me and Todd in extending our deepest sympathies to all who are touched by this tragedy,” Governor Palin said. “We will keep them in our thoughts and prayers during this painful time.”

Source: Alaska Governor

April 12, 2008, Juneau, Alaska – Alaska Governor Palin today released a statement on a $25,000 budget request from some lawmakers to pay for state government dissemination of information related to mining. The funds would be used to allow state officials to inform the public about Alaska mining, the stringent permitting process already in place to govern mining, and to provide data on initiatives affecting those mining activities.

Independence Mine, Hatcher Pass, Alaska: An abandoned 19th century gold mine. Photo by Chris Boese (CC)

The Governor released the following statement:    » read more »

More than 50% of Residents Registered Donors

Juneau, Alaska – Alaska Governor Palin last week applauded the milestone that more than half of Alaska residents - 335,033 people - have signed up to be organ and tissue donors. Alaska is the first state with a donor registry to enroll more than half of its state’s population. The Governor, First Gentleman and their two oldest children are organ and tissue donors.

“I am proud that so many residents recognize the life-giving benefits of organ and tissue donation,” Governor Palin said. “Their willingness to donate demonstrates the selfless and generous nature of Alaskans.”    » read more »

Bills: Capstone Safety & Consumer Protection

April 9, 2008, Juneau, Alaska - Alaska Governor Sarah Palin today signed two bills into law that will increase aviation safety and protect consumers from unfair and deceptive practices.

Senate Bill 249, sponsored by Governor Palin, provides Alaskan airplane owners the opportunity to use a new low-interest loan program to purchase state-of-the-art avionics equipment for their aircraft.

A seaplane at Lake Hood, Alaska: Photo by Tom (CC)    » read more »

April 8, 2008, Juneau, Alaska – Alaska Governor Sarah Palin today signed into law bills that will provide revenue to local communities and address the $8 billion unfunded liability in the state’s retirements.

Senate Bill 72 sets up a structure for distributing $60 million each year to local governments for the next three years. Under municipal revenue sharing, the state distributes funds to the municipalities of Alaska.

Alaska Governor Sarah Palin: Photo by Tricia Ward (CC)    » read more »

$3.6 Billion in Savings

April 3, 2008, Juneau, Alaska – Alaska Governor Sarah Palin today signed Senate Bill 256, the FY2008 supplemental bill, into law. The supplemental totals $4.3 billion and includes $18.5 million for the Senior Benefits Program, $44.7 million for bargaining unit agreements, $300 million for energy conservation, $125 million for oil and gas tax credits, and $3.6 billion in savings in the state’s Constitutional Budget Reserve and Statutory Budget Reserve funds.    » read more »

ACES, AGIA and Budget Reserves Credited

April 2, 2008, Juneau, Alaska – Alaska Governor Sarah Palin announced that national rating agency Standard & Poor’s is increasing its rating on the State of Alaska from AA to AA+. The last time the State’s rating was upgraded was on August 5, 1992 when Standard & Poor’s shifted from AA- to AA.

Trans-Alaska oil pipeline over the Tanana River: Photo by Frank K. (CC)    » read more »

HB 176 Creates Causeway Park in Sitka

April 2, 2008, Juneau, Alaska – Alaska Governor Sarah Palin yesterday signed House Bill 176 into law. HB 176, sponsored by Representative Peggy Wilson, creates the Fort Rousseau Causeway Park.

The Fort Rousseau Causeway is a group of several small islands interconnected by an 800-foot dirt pathway located offshore of downtown Sitka. The causeway is part of the Sitka Naval Operating Base and U.S. Army Coastal Defenses National Historic Landmark and contains numerous World War II-era fortifications. The area has deep roots in the Tlingit culture as well, and may include grave sites.    » read more »

Increased Health Risk Associated with Lack of In-home Running Water

April 1, 2008 -- Rural Alaska Natives living without in-home access to running water have disproportionately higher rates of respiratory and skin infections, according to a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The study is the first to show an association in the United States between lack of in-home running water and prevalence of these diseases.    » read more »

In Memory of Alaska Stewart Linck

March 28, 2008, Juneau, Alaska – Alaska Governor Sarah Palin today ordered state flags to be flown at half-staff on April 9 in memory of former territorial legislator Alaska Stewart Linck. Mrs. Linck died at her home on Sunday. She was 97.

“We are forever indebted to Alaska Linck for her devoted service to our state and her pioneering spirit that will continue to be admired by all Alaskans,” Governor Palin said. “Todd and I extend our deepest condolences to her family during this painful time and will continue to pray for their comfort.”    » read more »

Legislature to Convene in Juneau on June 3

March 28, 2008, Juneau, Alaska – Alaska Governor Sarah Palin today announced that AGIA findings will be presented to lawmakers the week of May 19. She also called the Legislature into a 30-day special session on June 3. The Executive Proclamation calls for legislators to review “any action taken by the commissioner of natural resources and the commissioner of revenue” under AGIA.    » read more »