Murkowski Morning Meeting For Wednesday, April 30, 2014

What DC is Reading

• PBS: Health Care Law Not What the Doctor Ordered
• Washington Post: Struggling Economy Stalling Dramatically
• New York Times: Stop Whining, Mister President

U.S. Senate Events

“Groundhog Day all Over Again” on Flagging Timber Sales

Alaskan Impact: The principle barrier to job creation in Southeast Alaska is the lack of timber available from the Tongass National Forest. Last year was a particularly bad one for Southeast. Region 10 was the Forest Service’s worst performing region, with the agency accomplishing just 16.8 percent of its 267 million board feet harvest target. Most of mills have closed due to a lack of timber supply, energy projects that could provide economic opportunity continue to be tied up in red tape due to federal government one-size-fits-all policies, like the roadless rule.

5:30 am

Senate Appropriations Committee Hearing

Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee

Topic: “The FY2015 Budget Request for the United States Forest Service”

Witnesses:

• U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell
• U.S. Forest Service Budget Director Tony Dixon testify

(Click to view)
Senator Murkowski: Every year you commit, and every year I ask … it’s Groundhog Day here.

Watch the hearing here: appropriations.senate.gov

Alaska, America’s First Line of Defense

Alaskan Impact: There are a lot of things happening with the Army in Alaska. From being nominated to house the F-35’s in Anchorage at Elmendorf, to being a strategic location for the Pacific, the Army is just getting started. There has been a negative light on the Alaska National Guard for sexual misconduct and Senator Murkowski is working to address these and other sexual assault issues plaguing the armed forces.

10:00 am

Senate Appropriations Committee Hearing

Topic: “The Department of the Army FY2015 Budget Request.”

Witnesses:

• Secretary of the Army John McHugh
• Army Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond Odierno
• National Guard Bureau Chief Gen. Frank Grass

(click to view)
Senator Murkowski: Given budget constraints, what’s the priority to keep Alaska’s presence intact?

Watch the hearing here: appropriations.senate.gov

U.S. House Events

Alaska’s Skies Are Our Highways

Alaskan Impact: In Alaska, small planes are a way of life for many communities because they help deliver groceries, access to healthcare, and transportation to and from larger cities. We are unique since many communities have no access to roads. So it’s important to ensure that air service is regulated, safe and accessible to those who need it. This hearing looks to address some of the current hazards facing rural communities.

6:00 am

House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Hearing

Aviation Subcommittee

Topic: “Air Service to Small and Rural Communities.”

Witnesses:

• Assistant Transportation Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs Susan Kurland
• Gerald Dillingham, director of civil aviation issues at the Government Accountability Office
• Lee Moak, president of the Air Line Pilots Association
• Bryan Bedford, president and CEO of Republic Airways Holding
• Dan Mann, executive director of the Columbia Metropolitan Airport
• Brian Sprenger, airport director of the Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport

Watch the hearing here: transportation.house.gov