"I'm pleased to report that in the area of education we've added $107 dollars per pupil to the foundation formula," said Speaker of the House Pete Kott, R-Eagle River, to the Chugiak-Eagle River Chamber of Commerce at a recent member luncheon. That equates to about $2.5 million more for local schools.
"Also, I'm extremely proud that (the House was) able to muster the requisite number of votes necessary for a constitutional spending amendment, which can give the public some comfort knowing that the people down in Juneau are not going to spend willy-nilly," said Kott, "And it now looks as if we will have the opportunity to try and finalize some of these issues in a special session."
The special session, called by Gov. Frank Murkowski, is slated to begin Tuesday.
Rep. Nancy Dahlstrom, R-Eagle River, said one of her biggest accomplishments was a crime victims bills package she worked on with several other legislators.
"None of us ever plan on being a victim," she said. "But if we are, we find ourselves in a world that we are unfamiliar with and I'm proud to say that all these crime bills we've put through this session help the victims and not the people that committed the crime."
The seven-member local delegation also was able to secure money for several capital improvement projects.
"We secured $125,000 dollars for the Fire Lake Dam project," said Dahlstrom, "That isn't all the money we need for the project, but it's a good start."
Stoltze said $300,000 in capitol improvement funds will be used to begin a project to light the Glenn Highway from Eagle River to North Birchwood, and $70,000 is going to the Chugiak Birchwood Eagle River Rural Road Service Area.
"That was one of my main priorities, getting that money for the road board," he said.
Other local capitol funds included $50,000 for land acquisition of a veteran's museum, $150,000 for light replacement at the Birchwood Airport and $30,000 to pay for a study on Chugiak-Eagle River's borough status and the area's possible secession from Anchorage.
Accomplishments aside, Stoltze said there are some important issues that must be discussed during the special session.
"We all need to do a bit of homework beforehand," he said, adding that little will be accomplished if lawmakers don't know the issues before the session begins.
Murkowski said he hopes the Legislature will address a spending cap, tobacco tax, workman's compensation and possible use of some Permanent Fund earnings for state government.
Sen. Scott Ogan, R-Chugiak-Palmer, said he is skeptical about the special session's outcome.
"I don't think much is going to be accomplished," he said. "Although, I support trying to do something with unresolved issues."
Reach the reporter at news@alaskastar.com.