State Affairs: More on Personnel Board and Raising Bounty on Underage Drinkers

[I have been trying to report fairly objectively, but now and then I'll add my own questions in at the end. No one in the committee called this a bounty (though Gatto called it an award), but someone I mentioned it to said, "You mean a bounty?" Those comments are at the end.]

(H)STATE AFFAIRS		STANDING COMMITTEE *
Mar 16 Tuesday 8:00 AM		CAPITOL 106
=+	HB 348	PERSONNEL BOARD MEMBERSHIP	TELECONFERENCED
+	SB 194	ALCOHOL VIOLATIONS: PENALTY/CIVIL DAMAGES	TELECONFERENCED

HB 348 PERSONNEL BOARD MEMBERSHIP TELECONFERENCED

Two purposes:  1) Enlarge the committee from 3 to 5  and 2) insulate it from the Governor whose conduct could be reviewed by the Board.  (This bill was inspired by the Personnel Review Board's investigations of former Gov. Palin.)

I got there late.  The sky was blue, the sun was shining, and after a week of mostly clouds, snow, rain, and wind, I was distracted.  Attorney Doug Wooliver of the Court system was testifying as I got in and was saying something like:

"The Court doesn't typically support or oppose bills.  We don't support or oppose this bill. . . But . . . this isn't the kind of bill that the court is real enthusiastic about." 

The bill has the Chief Justice sending three proposed names to the Governor to choose from for Personnel Board appointees.  The idea is to make this less political since the Board might have to review the Governor and the Governor's appointees.

After trying to respond with options that didn't include the Court and playing around with wording about lobbyists for an hour, I think what happened is that they ended up with pretty much the same bill they started with (the Court sending names to the Governor) but they added "political" before the word "group," to clarify that 'group' didn't mean football team.  I did ask a few people if they got the same impression and everyone agreed, though no one was absolutely sure.

And then they passed the bill out of committee to Judiciary.

I was able to sit where I could watch the sun on Mt. Juneau reflected in the windows of the State Court Building across the street. 



The second bill was SB 194.

SB 194 ALCOHOL VIOLATIONS: PENALTY/CIVIL DAMAGES

This bill would increase penalties for minors buying alcohol.  This bill amends an existing law that
1.  fines minors caught trying to buy alcohol by licensed alcohol dealers.
2.  fines adults buying alcohol for minors and
3.  fines kids hanging around liquor stores soliciting adults to buy them liquor.

There's currently a $1000 fine and this bill would raise it to $1500. 


Here's how it works as described by witness Mr. Madden of Brown Jug liquor stores.


1.  It deters minors from coming in, in the first palce, gives us a means to go after them.  We use the penalty to award our employees.  Bonus of $200.  We offer minors the option to waive $750 if they go through an alcohol education program and sexual assault awareness program.  Gets the family involved with the minor.  In many cases they don't know kid was caught.  Now they get letter saying you owe Brown Jug $1000.  We've pursued action against over 2000 kids since 1998 (MOA law) though we haven't collected from all.
2.  Adults buying alcohol for minors.  Adult who has carload of kids outside the store.
3.  Kids outside soliciting adults to buy for them.

There were some question about what other licensees, besides Brown Jug, do. 

Rep. Peggy Wilson:  [This are from my notes, so it's a rough approximation of what was actually said]  Only Brown Jug and not a lot of other businesses doing it.  If they had more incentive to do something, maybe it would be worth it, we could catch more people this way.  For me it is a travesty that people would do something like this.
I'm trying to get other entities involved.  If Brown Jug has caught 2000, you know they are saying, we'll just go somewhere else.  If we could get others involved it would make a big difference.


Sen Kevin Meyers [bill sponsor]:  Yes, Brown Jug and Chilkoots, do have a reputation.  But now, CHARR will do this on your behalf. [CHARR = Cabaret, Restaurants, & Retailer's Association.  Known by some as the liquor lobby.]

Wilson:  Since CHARR has said they would do this, have you seen an increase?

Meyers:  Yes, they have been doing quite a few of these and they have asked us to bump up the price because of the cost of tracking down the kids.

Rep. Gatto:  We have existing fine, actually an award.  The liquor store owner gets $1000 and $750 waived if go to training.  This would just change his $300 to $800. 

Meyers:  That's Brown Jug's policy.  Others will pay employees or bouncers more.  CHARR says it is harder to find where they live.  Each establishment has different policies and costs.

Gatto:  No requirement that cashier share in the bonus?
Meyers:  No

The bill passed out of State Affairs Committee and to Judiciary next.

So, Rep. Gatto figured out that while it may be a penalty for the violators, it is a reward for the licensee who gets the payment.  Rep. Gatto began to ask a line of questions that does raise a good point:  how much are we rewarding liquor stores and CHARR for obeying the law themselves, by not selling to minors?  I think perhaps the committee accepted Sen. Meyers' response too easily.

The idea of using rewards instead of penalties is supported by behavioral psychology.  But we really don't know how much of this increased fine merely pays expenses and how much will enrich CHARR's coffers.  Sen. Meyer said CHARR asked for the increase.  Mr. Madden from Brown Jug didn't talk about the costs of tracking down kids.  He said that they'd pursued over 2000 violators in twelve years.  Say 25% don't pay (he said they didn't get them all), that's still about 125 per year, which now would be $1500 a pop.  That's $187,500 a year.  Say all the violators go to alcohol and sexual abuse awareness training and they waive $750 each, it's still $93,750. And it wasn't clear if that was a Brown Jug option and if CHARR gives the same option.  It's possible they do have to expend considerable monies to track down violators, but I think the legislators should get some accounting data before giving them what some might call a bounty. 




Photos:
 1.  Mt. Juneau from just outside our apartment.
2.  Walking down the steps above Capitol Park.  There's a white building in the middle.  That's the newly remodeled Tom Stewart building that is an annex to the Capitol, and where I'm writing right now.  To the right is a brick building - the Capitol - and behind it is a taller black building - the State Court House.
3.  Mt. Juneau from Capitol Building Room 107 reflected off the State Court Building.
4.  And then the sun even made it into the hearing room.  Representatives, from left to right:  Gatto, Seaton, Lynn, Gruenberg, P. Wilson, and Petersen.
5.  Sen. Meyer and his staffer Christine Marasigan testifying, Reps. Gatto and Seaton listening

Board of Regents Selects Gen. Gamble to Be New UA President

Here's the University's Press Release:

UA Regents announce new president—Patrick K. Gamble

The University of Alaska Board of Regents has offered the position of system president to Patrick K. Gamble, which he has accepted.

“We believe Pat has the leadership skills, the management expertise and familiarity with the state of Alaska that will serve UA well,” said Board Chair Cynthia Henry. “We are impressed by his support for the University of Alaska and his interest in addressing the issues we face. We’re very pleased he’s accepted our offer.”

Gamble currently is president and chief executive officer of the Alaska Railroad Corp., a position he’s held since 2001. He retired as a four-star general in 2001 after a long career with the U.S. Air Force.

Gamble will replace current UA President Mark Hamilton, who announced his retirement last June. Hamilton has served as president of the 15-campus UA System since 1998. The board expects a smooth transition between the two to occur in June.

“I’m excited but humbled by this opportunity,” Gamble said today. “I have a high degree of respect for the University of Alaska, its mission and its service to students. This is a very important appointment, but it’s not one I’ll do alone. I look forward to working with a variety of people in the months and years ahead, including our students, faculty, staff, community members, elected officials, alumni, donors, business partners and others with an interest in the success of this institution.”

Gamble said his number one priority as president will be to ensure a quality education for students. He also wants to gain more public support for the University of Alaska, continue the university’s strong presence in research important to Alaskans and engage the university in broader state economic development opportunities.
Gamble received a Bachelor of Arts in mathematics from Texas A & M University and a Master of Business Administration in management from Auburn University.

Under Gamble’s tenure at the Alaska Railroad, railroad assets tripled to over $860 million and net earnings more than doubled.  Before leading the railroad, Gamble served as the top U.S. Air Force executive in the Pacific Region.  As Commander of Pacific Air Forces, Gamble was responsible for planning, programming, budgeting and operations of 14 installations that included 45,000 employees and 400 aircraft, with an annual operating budget of $1.4 billion.

I wish the new president well and may he lead the University to new levels of achievement in teaching, service to Alaska, and research. 

Mackey Wins Iditarod

 Here's Mackey  after crossing the finish line in Nome on 

the big screen in the staff/public lounge in the Capitol.

Hear APU's Pres While You Wait to Hear Who UA's Pres Is

While we wait to hear from the Board of Regents to announce their presidential selection, you can hear APU's new president today.  I got this email today:

Just two days into his tenure as Alaska Pacific University’s new president, you can hear Dr. Don Bantz talk about higher education. He’s the guest on today’s edition of “Talk of Alaska”. The broadcast is from 10am to 11am. You can tune in on your local public radio station (KSKA 91.1 FM in Anchorage) or listen online via your computer’s mp3 player at http://kska.org/listen.m3u.

The interview will be archived at aprn.org for later listening as well.

Constitutional Amendment to Enlarge Leg - House and Senate Versions Differ

Constitutional Amendments aren't offered as a 'bill.'  They're offered as a  'joint resolution' or 'JR.'
SJR (Senate Joint Resolution) 21, sponsored by the Senate Community and Regional Affairs Committee, has now made it through the Senate State Affairs, Senate Judiciary, and Senate Finance committees to the Senate Rules Committee. (You can see the history of the resolution here.)  I've only been to one of the hearings and I'm not completely sure of this, but I think it is relatively intact.  It's still called SJR 21, not CS(Committee Substitute)JR 38.  What I do know is that it still calls for increasing the House by eight members and the Senate by four members.  And it's made it all the way to the Rules Committee, the last step before going to the Senate floor. 


SJR 21
03/15/10    1823    (S)    REFERRED TO RULES

Meanwhile, the House version, sponsored by Peggy Wilson of Wrangell, has been changed from HB 38 to CSHB 38 and would now only increase the House by four members and the Senate by two members.  That happened in its first committee - State Affairs - when Rep. Seaton proposed the change and sponsor Rep. Wilson accepted it.  It's now made it through House Judiciary and is in House Finance.

CSHJR 38
03/15/10    1737    (H)    REFERRED TO FINANCE

Whichever version passes on the chamber floor - the Senate floor or the House floor - will become the version that moves on.  That isn't very clear is it?  I'll try again.  If the Senate Joint Resolution passes on the Senate floor before the House Joint Resolution passes on the House floor, from then on it will be called SJR 21 and CSHJR 38 will disappear.  At least that's how I understand it.

Basically, if the resolution passes, a Constitutional Amendment "shall be placed before the voters of the state at the next general election..." to increase the size of the legislature.

The rural legislators want this bad.  The 2010 census data is expected to show increased population in Matsu, Anchorage, Kenai, and Fairbanks and decreased population in rural Alaska.  These will certainly be in the more urban districts required.  Without raising the number of legislators, some rural districts will be merged and they will get geographically bigger.  One Senate district is already the largest in the US and getting around to visit constituents requires expensive travel.  Meanwhile urban legislators can walk across their districts in a few hours.

The urban legislators aren't particularly excited, and it means there will be first year expenses for remodeling the Capitol to accommodate the additional legislators plus their regular annual expenses:  $6 million the first year (would include the remodeling) and $4 million every year after for the Senate version, and half that for the House version since they cut the number of new legislators in half.  (You can click the links to see the fiscal notes for the House and Senate.)

The people I've asked about this don't think it has a chance.  Neither the Senate nor the House versions have passed either full body yet, and then they will have to reconcile the different numbers of members to be increased. 

Keeping Your Website Up-to-Date: UA President Search

Early on March 16, the Board of Regents' Presidential Search page of the University of Alaska looked like this:

They met March 15 to make select the new President of the University.  No announcement means either they didn't decide on a particular candidate or, more likely, they did, but haven't settled with that candidate on conditions of the appointment - salary, etc.

But it would be nice if they didn't have old news up on the Presidential Search webpage.  Websites are important.  A lot of organizations concentrate on getting them up, but not keeping them up-to-date.  As this example shows.

New Firefox - 11 Days to Download?

It actually said 62 days when it started. I've seen hours before, but never days. Fortunately, it actually only took a few minutes altogether to download the new Firefox 3.6. I've had a fair amount of trouble with compatibility between Firefox and Snow Leopard. I was hoping this new update would smooth things out. We'll see. The 62 days warning doesn't bode well, but the speed it actually loaded was fine.

Red Shirts Back in Bangkok - What's Happening?

With so many countries around the world, it is hard to keep the various political parties and leaders straight.  Things have been heating up in Thailand for several years now.  While the Thai king has been revered in most of the country (in the far south where there is a larger Muslim population in this mostly Buddhist country, he's less respected), he is the longest reigning monarch in the world and his health has become a question.  While there is a Princess who has followed her father's footsteps and tirelessly worked to help poor Thais, she is not in line for succession and her brother is not held in the high esteem as their father.  When the moral power of the current monarchy is gone, there is no telling what will happen.

That is the backdrop of the clash between the yellow shirts and the red shirts.  It's tempting  to equate unknown foreign situations to better known home situations, but it's also misleading.  You have to take things for what they are and not fill in the blanks with what you are familiar with.  It's hard to leave the blanks blank.  But you're going to be more accurate if you leave the ?????? there than if you fill the blanks in with your own cultural fillers.

Basically there is a clash between the 'yellow shirts' who are the better educated, more urban, more middle class and elite Thais, with power centered in Bangkok and the less educated, more working class and rural Thais, whose power is centered in Chiang Mai.  The yellow represent the traditionally more politically powerful, but a smaller portion of the population. 

The current prime minister, Abhbisit, born in UK and with bachelors, masters, and doctorate all from Oxford, represents a more 'rational' legal, and elite Western perspective.  He came to power when the military deposed former Prime Minister Thaksin.  Thaksin also has a Western education.

Master's degree in Criminal Justice at Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, Kentucky in 1974 and a PhD in Criminal Justice at Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas in 1978. .  [Bangkok Post]

Thaksin, a media industry billionaire, is more populist,  He's also been convicted on corruption charges and would be arrested if he returned to Thailand.  That probably would set off riots even greater than what we've seen already.

You can read about both Abhisit and Thaksin in far more detail at Wikipedia.

Here's the beginning of an on-the-ground guest blogger post on New Mandela:

Most commentators appear to be trying to figure out the end game of the next few day’s red shirt rally in Bangkok and speculating about the possibility that violence will break out, but there are few who pay much attention to ordinary red shirt supporters. This has been a persistent pattern among both journalists and academics, though it is refreshing to note that some recent Bangkok Post reports include some references to ordinary red shirt people and their motivation in traveling to Bangkok for the demonstration of 14 March 2010, in marked contrast to its reporting a year ago. Nonetheless, the main focus of the [primarily state-run] TV media has been the prospect of violence, as with the local Thai and English-language press. I offer this descriptive cameo account simply to put some flesh on the bones of the leeched accounts of the red shirts and to give readers a sense of immediacy in the current events as they are unfolding. It is made as preliminary to what I’m sure will be a compelling and dynamic portrait of evolving events from the intrepid Nick Nostitz, who is pounding these Bangkok streets as I write, having myself returned from the blazing heat of the rally site to the comfort of my air-conditioned room in Sukhumvit. . .  [The rest is here.]

Bangkok Pundit is monitoring the coverage of the red shirt march on Bangkok.

BP: Are the reds going away?
BBC on Abhisit's response to the red shirts:

Flanked by ministers and coalition allies, Mr Abhisit said on national television, from the barracks: "The protesters have demanded that I dissolve the house before midday (0500 GMT) today, but the coalition parties agree the demand cannot be met."
"Elections must be held under common rules and genuine calm. We have to listen to other people's voices, not just the protesters," he said.

BP: If the coalition parties don't budge, then what for the red shirts?
btw, BP can't live blog, but check out Nirmal Ghosh of the Straits Times' blog with hourly updates so far. Key quote:

1115hrs Bangkok time: Probably about 500 soldiers with riot shields and communication equipment deployed about 20m inside wrought iron fence at 11th Infantry HQ. Main gate protected by coils of razor wire. A thicket of razor wire also lines the inside of the fence. Clearly anyone trying to get over risks severe lacerations.

There are around 5,000 reds here and growing. Road outside clogged with their vehicles. Two pedestrian overhead bridges clogged with reds. They are jeering and shouting abuse at the soldiers. A mood of excitement is in the air not one of aggressiveness.

Siam Report also has a live blog post with plenty of updates:

Thai Rath: เมื่อ เวลาประมาณ 09.50 น. วันที่ 15 มี.ค. นายอภิสิทธิ์ เวชชาชีวะ นายกรัฐมนตรี พร้อมแกนนำพรรคร่วมรัฐบาล อาทิ นายวรรณรัตน์ ชาญนุกูล หัวหน้าพรรครวมใจไทยชาติพัฒนา นายชาญชัย ชัยรุ่งเรือง หัวหน้าพรรคเพื่อแผ่นดิน นายชุมพล ศิลปอาชา หัวหน้าพรรคชาติไทยพัฒนา นายโสภณ ซารัมย์

Sophan Sorlam BJT commm. & transport minister was there for government announcement that there won't be a House dissoution. I guess Thanong will have to find some new sources or change the story a bit.

Thailand has a history of compromise which kept the nation uncolonized as all its neighbors became either French or British colonies.  In WW II it was able to maintain its pro Allied connections through a government abroad, while the country was taken over by the Japanese.  I'm just not close enough to what is happening to really be able to interpret the current years of turmoil with too much confidence.  But the two blogs I've linked here and in the column on the right - Mandela and Pundit - do give useful reports.

Board of Regents Meeting in Anchorage on Presidential Decision

I just called the board of regents office and was told they are in Anchorage meeting and no predictions on whether they would announce today. 

Rep. Gatto Praises Rich Mauer's ADN Article

The House Republicans press conference just ended this morning and they spent a fair amount of time on oil and gas issues.  If Alaskans are going to be informed voters, I think it behooves them to listen in on the legislators first hand now and then so they understand not only the issues but the people who represent them.  The press conference is on Gavel to Gavel.

Here's the page for today's legislative schedule ("today" means 'today' everyday) on Gavel to Gavel.  The press conference just finished and they don't have the audio up yet.  It will be on that page later today, maybe within the hour.  If you want to hear a previous day's hearing you can play with the calendar on that page.  You can see it shows in red the day of the schedule you are looking at.  The press conference that is just completed is on the bottom.

In any case, during the discussion between media representatives, Rep. Gatto who made a strong stand for the legislature to stand by its legal commitment to the AGIA law that the legislature passed by an overwhelming majority, praised Rich Mauer's piece in the Anchorage Daily News today.  Here's the beginning of the article. Get the whole article at the link.

Legislators hear plans for alternative energy

With a gas pipeline still a dream, wind, hydro, volcano possible.

By RICHARD MAUER
rmauer@adn.com

Published: March 15th, 2010 08:35 AM
Last Modified: March 15th, 2010 08:36 AM

JUNEAU -- With some legislators fuming over the pace of in-state gas development and broadly supporting energy diversification, a special House committee summoned the promoters of six large Railbelt projects last week to explain themselves and whether they should be subsidized with public funds.

One of the projects -- a wind farm already under construction by Cook Inlet Region Inc. on Fire Island -- is poised to change Anchorage's view to the west and the approach to the city's international airport. The Anchorage Native corporation, owner of the island, plans to prepare sites for 36 wind turbines this summer and have the project in operation by the end of 2011. . .

Read more: http://www.adn.com/2010/03/14/1183482/legislators-hear-several-energy.html#ixzz0iGlxbV3q

Here's the audio of the press conference: