Plan Ready to Supply Villages with Bulk Fuel
August 6, 2004 (Anchorage) – Responding a request for help from the Alaska State Legislature’s Bush Caucus, the Murkowski Administration, working with the Alaska Energy Authority and the Bush Caucus, is developing a plan for making sure that rural villages have the heating fuel they need to get through the winter. Details >

Agreement Reached with Ferry Unions
August 5, 2004 (Juneau) – The State of Alaska has reached an agreement with the Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association and the Masters, Mates, and Pilots union that will allow continued ferry service without additional cost to the communities of Angoon and Pelican. Details >

Governor Preventing Jobs From Moving Overseas
August 5, 2004 (Juneau) – The State of Alaska took action today to make sure that state contracts do not involve moving jobs overseas. Governor Frank H. Murkowski signed an Administrative Order today making sure Alaska government jobs will remain in the United States. His action came after the Department of Health and Social Services uncovered a contract entered into by the previous administration, which allowed U.S. jobs to be subcontracted to India. Details >

Governor Reacts to Protest by Greenpeace
August 4, 2004 (Juneau) – Governor Frank H. Murkowski reacted strongly today to the protest staged near Petersburg by the extreme outside environmental group Greenpeace. The organization is protesting timber harvesting and road building activity on Kupreanof Island in Southeast Alaska. Members have chained themselves to heavy equipment and barricaded a road in a way that has endangered their well-being and prevented local Alaskan companies from working. Details >

Governor Pleased With Student Progress
August 4, 2004 (Juneau) – Governor Frank H. Murkowski commended the state Department of Education and Early Development today, along with educators, school boards and parents throughout Alaska, for their success in improving student proficiency in reading, writing and math last year. Details >

Governor Meets With Secretary Thompson
August 2, 2004 (Juneau) – Governor Frank H. Murkowski met with U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson in Juneau today to discuss health care issues and to update the secretary on initiatives the administration has undertaken to provide for the health and welfare of Alaskans. “I appreciated the opportunity to discuss issues critical to Alaska’s healthcare system with Secretary Thompson during his trip to Alaska,” said Murkowski. “The state Department of Health and Social Services has a positive working relationship with the secretary and his staff. We greatly appreciate the secretary’s willingness to visit Alaska and get to know its unique conditions. He has made several trips to Alaska during his tenure, and Alaskans have benefited because of his efforts.” Details >

Municipal Bond Bank to Sell Bonds for Juneau
July 30, 2004 (Juneau) – Alaskans will have the first opportunity to invest in tax-free bonds issued by a state bonding authority to fund expansion and renovation of a Juneau hospital, Governor Frank H. Murkowski said today. The Alaska Municipal Bond Bank Authority will issue $31 million in bonds, underwritten by the RBC Dain Rauscher securities firm, to finance expansion of the Bartlett Regional Hospital. The bonds will go on sale Tuesday, and will be available for purchase through local offices of Citigroup, UBS, Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley, Edward Jones, Wedbush Morgan and Charles Schwab. The 25-year bonds will include an insured rating of AAA. Details >

Governor Signs 11 Bills Into Law
July 27, 2004 (Juneau) – Governor Frank H. Murkowski signed 11 bills into law today, including legislation aimed at improving state-federal cooperation on efforts to improve Alaska’s schools and to maintain Alaska Railroad tracks at intersections with state roads. Senate Bill 358 allows the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities to work more freely with the Alaska Railroad Corporation in cases in which railroad construction work must be done at the intersections of railroad tracks and state roads. The bill, sponsored by the Senate Transportation Committee, lets the department and railroad enter into agreements granting the railroad the right to do track work at such locations. Details >

Governor Signs Education, Railroad Bills
July 27, 2004 (Juneau) - Governor Frank H. Murkowski signed 11 bills into law today, including legislation aimed at improving state-federal cooperation on efforts to improve Alaska's schools and to maintain Alaska Railroad tracks at intersections with state roads. Details >

Governor Overflies Taylor Complex Fire
July 27, 2004 Juneau) – Governor Frank H. Murkowski overflew Tok and Tanacross to observe the Taylor Complex fire on his way from Fairbanks to Juneau today. “I am watching the situation closely and keeping up to date on the efforts to fight these fires and to keep Alaskans and their property out of harm’s way,” said Murkowski. “Many good people from around this state and nation are working hard every day on the Taylor Complex and other fires and I thank them for their diligence.” Details >