First Lady Seeks Volunteer Award Nominations
March 17, 2005 (Juneau) – First Lady Nancy Murkowski is inviting Alaskans to help recognize their fellow citizens who have performed outstanding volunteer service to the state or their communities, by nominating them for the First Lady’s Volunteer Awards for 2005. Details >

FEMA Approves State Disaster Declaration
March 16, 2005 (Juneau) – President Bush has agreed to release federal disaster funds to help state and local governments recover from the effects of a severe winter storm in Northern Alaska this January, the governor’s office announced Wednesday. Details >

U.S. Senate Vote Includes ANWR
March 16, 2005 (Juneau) – The United States Senate affirmed its majority support for opening the 1002 area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas exploration and development by turning away a Democratic amendment to block the proposal. The vote on Wednesday was 49-51 against the amendment and it came amid Senate work on the budget resolution. Details >

State, Public Safety Union Reach Agreement
March 10, 2005 (Juneau) – Governor Frank H. Murkowski today praised a new three-year labor contract approved for state troopers, airport police and fire officers who are represented by the Public Safety Employees Association, calling it a balanced agreement. Details >

Exports Rebound to $3.2 Billion High in 2004
March 10, 2005 (Juneau) -- Alaska businesses exported $3.2 billion in goods to foreign countries in 2004, topping the $3 billion mark for the first time in more than a decade, according to data compiled by the state Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development. Details >

Supports Breast-Cervical Cancer Check Program
March 9, 2005 (Juneau) – Gov. Frank H. Murkowski, First Lady Nancy Murkowski and Alaska Health and Social Services Commissioner Joel Gilbertson spoke Wednesday at a rally on the steps of the Capitol Building in support of the Alaska Breast and Cervical Cancer Health Check program funding. Details >

Labor agreement reached for MV Fairweather
March 8, 2005 (Juneau) – State labor negotiators have reached an agreement with the two remaining labor unions involved in operations of the MV Fairweather, approving a contract to return the state’s first fast-ferry to regular operations in time for the summer tourism season. Details >

Governor Applauds Passage of SJR2
March 3, 2005 (Juneau) – Governor Frank H. Murkowski Thursday applauded the passage of Senate Joint Resolution 2, urging the United States Congress to pass legislation to open the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas exploration, development and production. Details >

Governor Murkowski talks ANWR, Rail Corridor
March 1, 2005 (Washington) -- Governor Frank H. Murkowski held a press conference on Tuesday to talk about prospects for winning Congressional approval to opening the Coastal Plain to oil and gas exploration. Governor Murkowski also talked about his recent trip to Ottawa to discuss with Canadian government officials the need for a rail link between the two countries. Details >

Trade Barrier Resolved for Alaska Log Exports
February 28, 2005 (Juneau) – Governor Frank H. Murkowski today congratulated Alaska's log export industry on the establishment of a new processing zone in China's Fujian Province that will accept unfumigated Alaska logs. China's officials made the announcement at an investment conference in Putian, China on February 11, 2005. Details >