In this week’s report from Juneau, District P Senator Gary Stevens speaks with KBBI’s Jay Barrett about coronavirus preparations the legislature has been making in an effort to adjourn as soon as possible.
The transcript is below.
KBBI: Why don't you give me the update on the legislation that you folks are working on down there?
Sen. Stevens: We spent a lot of time on emergency orders to make sure that when we are not here, the governor has the monies and the and the power to move ahead, the authority to move ahead. To react quickly to what's going on. You know, we've been talking about, of course, the federal government is going to be of great assistance. I think the military maybe the National Guard maybe the Coast Guard will be there to help hopefully to help transport foods and supplies out to our smaller communities. So everything is underway right now. I think that there's a chance here that we can actually adjourn by Friday. That will be sort of the goal of most of us to be able to make all the decisions we need to make and then to adjourn. And then of course be called back if we need to for a special session. If more assistance is needed and more money is needed.
KBBI: Wow. Adjourning this Friday?
Sen. Stevens: Yes, yes. Yeah, the problem is that, you know, this is so fast moving. I mean, I guess the concern is either the federal government or even the state, although I'm not sure the state has the right to close down air flights, but I think everyone's concerned about that, you know, being able to get home and take care of our families. So the legislature is interested and motivated, I think, to come to a quick conclusion here, do the right thing and conclude.
KBBI: What is the relief package looking like financially?
Sen. Stevens: Well, it'll be pretty substantial. We're working on that dollar amount for food security, to make sure that you know that the United Way the Salvation Army has the assistance they need to get the food that's needed out to all of our communities. A bigger, another concern, of course, is the villages because they don't have food banks. So we're trying to figure out how we deal with them fairly and give them the assistance they need. As you know, the problem in villages is the cost of a gallon of milk is maybe three or four times higher than what it might be in Anchorage. So there's that issue of fairness. There's also the issue of how much time are we talking about here, we're going to provide the food assistance and fuel assistance for the next three months, the next 12 months, and we're trying to come up with some rational decisions there. But the state is ready to move ahead and try to help out in any way we can. The other thing out there Jay, is course fuel assistance, particularly for the smaller communities. You know, the villages they are going to need some assistance I think and getting the fuel they need, and it's not only just in the price but also in the transportation and making sure it's available there.
KBBI: Right, right. Have you settled on a supplemental PFD and a regular PFD? Either one?
Sen. Stevens: Well, you haven't really settled I mean, the Senate passed $2,000 that's going over to the House. So it's $1,000 fairly quickly. And then another thousand later in the summer probably or the fall really. So that's a $2,000 Permanent Fund Dividend. But I hope folks are aware that that pretty much empties out the savings we have. And so if we are able to do a $2,000 dividend this year, people should be aware that it may not occur next year, there may not be enough money to do it next year. Because we're taking money, more money than we should be taking out of the Permanent Fund. You know, we have an agreement that we only take out 5% Well, if we do a $2,000 dividend that's probably $600 million more than we should out of the Permanent Fund itself. So a real real concern there. You know, the governor's asked for $1.2 billion. I mean, that's an enormous figure. But I think it's, it's justifiable. And we will probably not do an entire 1.2 billion, but we will parcel it out to make sure that, and to be able to review as that money is spent, I think that's a concern of the legislature. I think that the governor is headed in the right direction, of course, and is doing what is needed. But rather than just turning over $1.5 billion, with the latest request, we would make it available but make sure that we are overseeing the money to make sure it's going in the right place and doing the right things.
KBBI: Sure. Any last thoughts about how things are going in Juneau here?
Sen. Stevens: Well, I think we're headed to, to a remarkably quick conclusion here, doing all the things needed that need to be done. And to give the governor the support, he needs to make sure the money is there. We don't know exactly what's going to happen. We don't know how bad it might be, but we've got to be as ready as possible. So we're passing those emergency orders. We're passing the budget issues and trying to prepare folks for what may come. And then again, of course, we're ready to return. You know, one thing you should realize that sort of sort of difficult for the legislature is that by constitution, we cannot call our vote in, you can't meet by a telephonically the way some cities and boroughs and school boards can do. The law requires, the constitution requires us to meet in session on the floor of the House and the Senate. So that does put some restrictions on us. And if there are illnesses, some people may not want to be in a large group of 60 people. Nobody should be getting in that larger of a group. So it's gonna be difficult for us, but we'll find a way to make it work.
KBBI: All right, Gary Stevens, thanks so much for your time again this week.
Sen. Stevens: Good talking to you, Jay. Take care.
