Murkowski Morning Meeting For Wednesday, April 9, 2014

What DC is Reading

• Politico: IRS Employee Urged People to Vote for Obama
• Washington Post Fact-Checker: White House Equal Pay Rhetoric is Misleading

U.S. Senate Events

EPA’s “Regulatory Onslaught” Threatens Alaska’s Economy

Alaskan Impact The relationship between Alaska and the Environmental Protection Agency has been rough lately. But overarching decisions that short-circuit critical processes and the burdens the EPA places on Alaska do not always match up with the state and its interests. Senator Murkowski today questioned the EPA Director about the Agency’s need to better understand Alaska’s challenges and culture.

9:15 am AKDT

Senate Appropriations Committee Hearing

Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee

Topic: “The FY2015 Budget Request for The Environmental Protection Agency.”

Witnesses:

• Gina McCarthy, EPA Administrator

(Click to view)
Senator Murkowski: Alaskans worry the EPA doesn’t understand our state.

Watch the hearing here: appropriations.senate.gov

Air Force’s Arctic Future?

Alaskan Impact: On Monday, Senator Murkowski spoke about the importance of the Arctic, and reiterated how she would be asking every Department head about the role they think they will play in the Arctic’s future. With the Administration lending only lip service to the issue, Murkowski has been pushing to make Arctic issues more of a priority for the nation. The Air Force in Alaska is a strategic location for the Pacific, and its role in the Arctic could leave a big mark.

10:30 am AKDT

Senate Appropriations Committee Hearing

Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Subcommittee

Topic: “FY2015 Military Construction budget requests for the Department of the Navy and the Department of the Air Force.”

Witnesses:

• The Honorable Kathleen Ferguson, Acting Assistant Secretary of the Air Force, Installations, Environment & Logistics
• Major General Maryanne Miller, Deputy Chief, United States Air Force Reserve
• Brigadier General James Witham, Deputy Director, Air National Guard

Watch the hearing here: appropriations.senate.gov

U.S. House Events

Taxes vs. Business

Alaskan Impact: Though being a small business owner in Alaska is rewarding, it also presents unique challenges. High energy costs and importing goods by air plane make it difficult and more expensive for business to operate throughout the state. While some small businesses are succeeding in Alaska, the House of Representatives budget committee examined some Federal tax issues that are hampering the nation’s small business community.

9:00 am AKDT

House Small Business Committee Hearing

Topic: “The Biggest Tax Problems for Small Businesses.”

Witnesses:

• David Kautter, managing director of the Kogod Tax Center in American University’s Kogod School of Business
• Tim Reynolds, president of Tribute, Inc., Hudson, Ohio, on behalf of the National Small Business Association
• Rick Endres, president of the Washington Network, Inc., Alexandria, Va., on behalf of The ASCII Group
• Donald Marron, institute fellow and director of economic policy initiatives at the Urban Institute

Watch the hearing here: smallbusiness.house.gov