Are we stealing from children?

        In May 2008, my bill HB 366 went into effect defending the rights of children to financial support from their parents even when the parents are incarcerated.  In Alaska, when a person is incarcerated following a felony conviction - or a third misdemeanor – the state takes his or her Permanent Fund Dividend.  The money is used for various state purposes including medical care of prisoners.  Unfortunately, when a person with a child support garnishment is convicted, the dividend is in effect taken from the child.  My bill passed both houses unanimously confirming that a child who is a beneficiary of a child support order against an incarcerated parent should be the first in line for their PFD.

        As it turns out, the law is simply being ignored by the state.  We are, in fact, collecting and spending millions of dollars a year which belongs to children by law and by moral right. That sounds like outright theft to me.  The state hasn’t even started writing the regulations needed to get the money to the kids. 

        In the final meeting of the Department of Revenue budget subcommittee, I offered an amendment to correct this wrong by setting aside funds for child support. With 6 members present, Representative Berta Garden and I were the only yes votes and the amendment failed.

        Our failure to set aside a parent’s PFD for a dependent child (through their custodial parent) is shameful and cold-hearted.  I call on Governor Sean Parnell to make this right and implement the law the Legislature passed two years ago. 

Legislation

        HB 283 has passed out of two committees and is now in House Finance.  This modifies a bill I passed two years ago that restricts people with DUIs from purchasing alcohol.  If the bill passes, it will also restrict people whose crimes are directly or indirectly related to the consumption of alcohol.  This would include miscreants who are involved in a third misdemeanor.

        HB 8 is a bill to help move the natural gas pipeline project to reality. With this bill the state would buy the pipe for the pipeline to take advantage of low market prices that exist at the present time.  The state would either get paid back at our cost by the builder of the pipeline or trade the pipe for an ownership share of the line.  By reducing the steel price, this could save 20 to 50 cents off the tariff, earning the state billions in additional tax revenue over the life of the pipeline.  This bill had one hearing in the transportation committee, and has received some positive press.  I’m pushing hard for it to be heard again.

Don’t Forget
The District K Constituent Meeting
This Saturday March 20,  between 1:00 – 300
at Wendler Middle School Multipurpose Room

 Have your questions ready for Harry, Bettye and Sharon.
Harry’s Jambalaya will be served!