tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144002362024-02-03T04:50:52.948-09:00Web Log by Senator John CoghillAlaska State Legislature
Senate District FSenator John Coghillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02334965628574929151noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14400236.post-32261179693752730552010-07-01T09:37:00.008-08:002010-07-01T14:26:32.099-08:00Governor Parnell Signs Coghill Legislation Into Law<div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhaTGKd8ND2KuCPb4RgT53A28PE8K_lfJJau3cd6uUVFD7sRWcTAwknyCjmkC9acobKy_lqLInIDetAasn3Ip-lY9c6d8MrXXTaivQKL6ha8D6pCF6yzQXeftSTCgoPZLmSmS3/s1600/Parnell+Signing+john+Linda+and+Eric+Holbert.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488993539639081218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhaTGKd8ND2KuCPb4RgT53A28PE8K_lfJJau3cd6uUVFD7sRWcTAwknyCjmkC9acobKy_lqLInIDetAasn3Ip-lY9c6d8MrXXTaivQKL6ha8D6pCF6yzQXeftSTCgoPZLmSmS3/s400/Parnell+Signing+john+Linda+and+Eric+Holbert.JPG" /></a> On Monday, June 21st, Governor Sean Parnell signed into law two bills sponsored by Senator Coghill: HB 168 the Trauma Care Fund and HB 101 Exemptions for Life Insurance and Annuity Contracts. Linda and Eric Hulbert joined Senator Coghill at the signing. Linda brought the idea for the legislation to Senator Coghill and was instrumental in getting the legislation passed.<br /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">Senator Cogill put forth the trauma care bill to enhance the chances of patient survival after a traumatic injury. A critical factor for patient survival is to have access to the most appropriate medical facility in the most efficient and timely manner. HB 168 helps ensure that optimal care and treatment can be delivered to patients by reimbursing certain medical facilities that improve their trauma treatment designation for unreimbursed and underreimbursed services.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx2sp5bKNcsMitcmFge2R4D81huF792Qgi-YOhbmla38bGjgkpgzw8CopZrSnwsoXKtbKeqPnCFwsXQhIlXDMPt1IXv-aa48yGICCK3KPoI1VgAGtYydsnZBgPmAqy8pALw9Tw/s1600/Parnell+Signing+John+Gov+Shake+hands+Linda+Eric.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488995618714732706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx2sp5bKNcsMitcmFge2R4D81huF792Qgi-YOhbmla38bGjgkpgzw8CopZrSnwsoXKtbKeqPnCFwsXQhIlXDMPt1IXv-aa48yGICCK3KPoI1VgAGtYydsnZBgPmAqy8pALw9Tw/s400/Parnell+Signing+John+Gov+Shake+hands+Linda+Eric.JPG" /></a> Dr. Regina Chenault and Dr. Frank Sacco worked with Senator Coghill for several years to get this legislation passed.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">The second bill, HB 101, exempts up to $500,000 of life insurance and annuity contracts from levy or garnishment to satisfy an unsecured debt. Before the bill was enacted, life insurance and annuities could be garnished for unsecure debt leaving surviving family members with little or no money as a retirement source. Life insurance and annuity contracts are supplemental sources of retirement to people who have only social security or small pensions and small business owners.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">HB 101 encourages personal responsibility and protects the future of Alaskan families.</div>Senator John Coghillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02334965628574929151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14400236.post-30124799925130163012010-03-23T07:58:00.006-08:002010-03-23T08:31:17.543-08:00LeNora Conkle Honored by Legislature<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQb4Jlnec8RgksNPu6JAA86hgs-G_mDo376Io8QJP8k7cALoDSkwhQRlFGqP3MZVVlntIQbXH85Sb9CaNRW-Y_2KaKIHQXEAq0MFwOKhyP5xRK-F7EEgnRNVS272yHvr1trE_g/s1600-h/LeNora+Conkle.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 399px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451862547832973074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQb4Jlnec8RgksNPu6JAA86hgs-G_mDo376Io8QJP8k7cALoDSkwhQRlFGqP3MZVVlntIQbXH85Sb9CaNRW-Y_2KaKIHQXEAq0MFwOKhyP5xRK-F7EEgnRNVS272yHvr1trE_g/s400/LeNora+Conkle.jpg" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;">Photo taken by Harold Tillison<br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhktZDJ8WzyaApVZ5EiByBW8ChZEwxl8KbUXUyJwiV9Lb_HHElvNKOgmbEFIQadBW5otan3R4yaJm_vrIzOB1aj-17ToBbU5Rs7slgw8oJByIytZUXHl29bE1VHAR6xkKkLWwjQ/s1600-h/LeNora+Conkle.bmp"></a></div><div>Last Friday Senator Coghill presented to LeNora Conkle a legislative citation at the Fairbanks Pioneer's Home in recognition of her volunteerism and dedication to North Pole.<br /><br />As volunteer historian of Santa's Senior Center, LeNora has been instrumental in documenting and archiving the history of the senior center in North Pole.<br /><br />LeNora, who celebrated her 100th birthday last August, is also a recognized author of books about the life in bush Alaska managing hunting and fishing camps, most notably <em>Wind in the Water </em>and <em>Bush Pilot's Wives</em>.</div><br /><div>The Pioneer's Home had a reception for LeNora to celebrate the legislature's recognition of her volunteerism and her contributions as a pioneer of Alaska. In the photo above are (L to R): Senator John Coghill, LeNora Conkle, granddaughter Corri Conkle, and Ardena Morway. </div><div></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div>Senator John Coghillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02334965628574929151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14400236.post-18707728256406815322010-03-22T08:10:00.005-08:002010-03-22T08:26:18.160-08:00Senator Coghill With Newest Grandson<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmWtxq85xp95g3X4bm7Ni8C7IP2jFwN2JnZanvMDXtsgFJcghGdPhwWApxB5SP04ibOK4S7qf44ZNq_7i0omtFPO1BWism5hoxoVYtUZAozxxlKAMkB4KWGFsZhBxxmu1DWRSl/s1600-h/John+%26+Joshua.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451493161880554690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmWtxq85xp95g3X4bm7Ni8C7IP2jFwN2JnZanvMDXtsgFJcghGdPhwWApxB5SP04ibOK4S7qf44ZNq_7i0omtFPO1BWism5hoxoVYtUZAozxxlKAMkB4KWGFsZhBxxmu1DWRSl/s400/John+%26+Joshua.jpg" /></a><br /><div align="justify">Senator Coghill and his newest grandchild, Joshua Synott Greene, get acquainted with one another while Senator Coghill was in Fairbanks and North Pole this last weekend. Joshua was born February 26th and weighed 9lbs 7 oz.</div>Senator John Coghillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02334965628574929151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14400236.post-66338988939383395852010-03-04T12:17:00.009-09:002010-03-04T12:41:12.543-09:00Meet Our UAF Intern<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgBLXKrkuASa6YM7hEnlqzWp4qLlJemybp_NTtBHZg_wZvc1Zx1NKlx0CTfvh11x6aEbsOMOs18BkRTDMqjzWDNWS_ZwtRz2WHIONAOqNI0WkVLs9L9viQKJihdAXnZqK-VnR7/s1600-h/Parnell+Hannah+Retouched.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 339px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 366px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444891938130278034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgBLXKrkuASa6YM7hEnlqzWp4qLlJemybp_NTtBHZg_wZvc1Zx1NKlx0CTfvh11x6aEbsOMOs18BkRTDMqjzWDNWS_ZwtRz2WHIONAOqNI0WkVLs9L9viQKJihdAXnZqK-VnR7/s400/Parnell+Hannah+Retouched.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8P15STlcvRlhCqJ1xOvJnpaj4Bm8fYRSRRZyJzaaBS8XYynkCZ-xTOd2TQBC0WNgh5x-Afcf4zfxxvQf9lhZ45PgRWArRJRuHKylVgIu78cMVWh4WL4a7UnXYRNzapTB2lLaQ/s1600-h/Parnell+Hannah+Retouched.JPG"></a><span style="color:#ccccff;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;"></span><br /><div align="justify"><span style="color:#ccccff;">Our UAF Intern this session is Brenda Hannah from Fairbanks. She has been having quite an experience here in Juneau performing duties of a legislative staffer, interviewing people for her class papers, and learning the process first hand.</span></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#ccccff;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#ccccff;">Yesterday was a full day for Brenda. First she interviewed Governor Parnell in his office and asked questions about managing the exectutive branch of state government. </span></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#ccccff;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#ccccff;">Later in the day Brenda sat in on a meeting with Chief of Staff Rynnieva Moss and Judge Niesje Steinkruger discussing legislation in the Senate Judiciary Committee and the separation of powers between the executive and judicial branches of state government.</span> </div><div align="justify"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDVSZBon9LIbAEznce_46raTFJx12m67tI8vKPfa2cuaTUX7THfJpf0mMnecCYJsrkL5JyudKeZpwI4VPaPRBsJUUFiN4C8mGdLWDJBntOKmpSWz7RC-siOyFp35TbNHj42GSM/s1600-h/Judge+Niesje+Steinkruger+%26+Brenda.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 322px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444894938622848162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDVSZBon9LIbAEznce_46raTFJx12m67tI8vKPfa2cuaTUX7THfJpf0mMnecCYJsrkL5JyudKeZpwI4VPaPRBsJUUFiN4C8mGdLWDJBntOKmpSWz7RC-siOyFp35TbNHj42GSM/s400/Judge+Niesje+Steinkruger+%26+Brenda.jpg" /></a></div>Senator John Coghillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02334965628574929151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14400236.post-38185227604419179132010-02-23T13:26:00.005-09:002010-02-23T13:45:36.717-09:00Senator Coghill Visits With Principals from Fairbanks<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLrjjmvr5zPfdDFsVb03EDdd_haTc86lGHj4CQnMq6VD6aHGn5duJXkHG70ilLGPKIxggnzPPCCgmCmHEZ9VGYkAdMZf05mbQHxWCYJcPctHKOyv1xWBtdLsifCj8ADdLlixbr/s1600-h/FNSBSD+Principals-+Karen+Gaborik++Tim+Doran++Student+Intern-+Kari+Nore.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 308px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441569068324791570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLrjjmvr5zPfdDFsVb03EDdd_haTc86lGHj4CQnMq6VD6aHGn5duJXkHG70ilLGPKIxggnzPPCCgmCmHEZ9VGYkAdMZf05mbQHxWCYJcPctHKOyv1xWBtdLsifCj8ADdLlixbr/s400/FNSBSD+Principals-+Karen+Gaborik++Tim+Doran++Student+Intern-+Kari+Nore.JPG" /></a><br /><div><span style="color:#ccccff;">Senator Coghill visits with Karen Gaborik, principal at Lathrop High School; Kari Nore, North Pole High School senior; and Tim Doran, principal at Denali Elementary School about education issues.</span></div><div><span style="color:#ccccff;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#ccccff;">Kari is shadowing Senator Coghill this week to learn first hand what a state senator does and how the legislative process works.</span></div>Senator John Coghillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02334965628574929151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14400236.post-67324409393123707822010-02-12T12:10:00.005-09:002010-02-12T12:24:50.734-09:00<div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCmP_crfZyNd3ZPl93MdJSaLdmnwWuv1wjeaUc9I-FUs6udnJCINFB6mAoKBqu1wxw5-rk5j-9vXdK3ZqpPpXgdapijsfAr2F1POYeIKq-8qP8viB66G6rCfYU7KNHZFl1Kf4F/s1600-h/Senator+with+Justice+Morgan+Christen+%26+David+Winfree.JPG"><span style="color:#ffffff;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 276px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437467425040473298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCmP_crfZyNd3ZPl93MdJSaLdmnwWuv1wjeaUc9I-FUs6udnJCINFB6mAoKBqu1wxw5-rk5j-9vXdK3ZqpPpXgdapijsfAr2F1POYeIKq-8qP8viB66G6rCfYU7KNHZFl1Kf4F/s400/Senator+with+Justice+Morgan+Christen+%26+David+Winfree.JPG" /></span></a><span style="color:#ffffff;"> Senator Coghill was visited by two Alaska Supreme Court Justices this week. Justice Dan Winfree is a long-time resident of the Fairbanks area and was appointed to the Supreme Court by Governor Sarah Palin in 2007. Justice Morgan Christen was appointed to the Supreme Court in May of 2009. At the time she was the presiding judge for the Third Judicial District. Justice Christen participated in Senator Coghill's CINA (Child in Need of Aid) Workshop in October of 2009 and brought with her a wealth of expertise in CINA law and court proceedings.</span></div>Senator John Coghillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02334965628574929151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14400236.post-82654337485544798812010-02-12T11:38:00.003-09:002010-02-12T12:25:58.538-09:00Interior Fire Chiefs Visit Capitol<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCR5dofrCpWIe96VMZkh_er_chhplsXzJLO7xGaFJ1UPC2UADB9_1lJA4UTVGo4M1vNxPUSsMB7zwVZ5CxEH3NeMYSxCEDFxdpHK6ahgbfY_bnQqTNvjZfH98o_W87HayGoyUG/s1600-h/NP+Fire+Chiefs+%26+Rynnieva.JPG"><span style="color:#ffffff;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 255px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437459256707456018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCR5dofrCpWIe96VMZkh_er_chhplsXzJLO7xGaFJ1UPC2UADB9_1lJA4UTVGo4M1vNxPUSsMB7zwVZ5CxEH3NeMYSxCEDFxdpHK6ahgbfY_bnQqTNvjZfH98o_W87HayGoyUG/s400/NP+Fire+Chiefs+%26+Rynnieva.JPG" /></span></a><span style="color:#ffffff;"><br /></span><div><span style="color:#ffffff;">Fire Chiefs from Interior Alaska spent several days in Juneau to talk about capital projects to improve fire services in the Fairbanks - North Pole area. From left to right is Chief Jeff Tucker from North Star Volunteer Fire Department, Rynnieva Moss from Senator Coghill's offcie, Chief Buddy Lane from North Pole Fire Department, and Chief Jack Willard form the Chena Volunteer Fire Department.</span></div>Senator John Coghillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02334965628574929151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14400236.post-53034247527562713402010-02-12T10:36:00.008-09:002010-02-12T11:28:11.471-09:00Delta Junction Hockey Team Comes to Juneau<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4yOcqUy4qmJ_pXljWvoeBl-5luMfffVrEPmVKOzmMgb6bJd_78rjsP-mlXb4Cx4pqU9N1TUrCuCNekD8CeC4Rvh516MaLrqVLqQ-f4CF3DKeptVKI4ThsooZydC9ryL31baOQ/s1600-h/Valdez+students.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437455906836017202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4yOcqUy4qmJ_pXljWvoeBl-5luMfffVrEPmVKOzmMgb6bJd_78rjsP-mlXb4Cx4pqU9N1TUrCuCNekD8CeC4Rvh516MaLrqVLqQ-f4CF3DKeptVKI4ThsooZydC9ryL31baOQ/s400/Valdez+students.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL8OgA7UXL0STgs3VhwUwfTb4IxTLFjwu7ylIjljpdIxRl-sC3LWbltNy7-3izP_YYQfHapPvX1uYx3SQ2z0WCwqHCoI9b8Dqcsn9j4gSER59RjRM7EV8oAzlkaufVSIkvJB1Z/s1600-h/Valdez+students.JPG"></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPJVKN8gxlontBIeT_Anb7Z5wkWTalVku5xBAYFkJ8pU3mESfNkbh1QfgbF8i5k-5TaxtSN1aj1Lz_DP-tmh8pycvxO0Qc_Y5RpZNYLNTeEvpLEZy3VfG066HUNeb9PmWg4Psi/s1600-h/Valdez+students.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><div><div><span style="color:#ffffff;">The Delta Junction Huskies came to Juneau on January 29th and 30th to challenge the Crimson Bears. </span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#ffffff;">Senator Coghill attended the Saturday game to root for the Huskies. While they didn't defeat the Crimson Bears, they did get a tour of the Capitol Building by Senator Coghill. Here they are in the Senate Chambers where session is held.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUqFSm2mC726axvgcaoJYyb4-ZMjLdNQ9nZ83Sijela4UI9AVtzlXqiIRSznU3yPgcD6Fo7zbDsSgabgG1bgNoBOcktdiu2aSpD3BRuUCRS5RPocjUsuZoPLmXmEN6Cpjw7IbG/s1600-h/Delta+Hockey+Team-1.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 327px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437450718405538898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUqFSm2mC726axvgcaoJYyb4-ZMjLdNQ9nZ83Sijela4UI9AVtzlXqiIRSznU3yPgcD6Fo7zbDsSgabgG1bgNoBOcktdiu2aSpD3BRuUCRS5RPocjUsuZoPLmXmEN6Cpjw7IbG/s400/Delta+Hockey+Team-1.JPG" /></a></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikrP4B85syg9MCRtx7gZyfNBGkXORdTxjNyviHea-bTZbkjoTdRhSHH8me7Xlg9i_HKyaN-oseghu3lfRTfCGr_b0Ffvnq8dhhAETQbR71TGGpB0u-Ixcpiy9gyzRUgkCd9nWN/s1600-h/Valdez+students.JPG"><span style="color:#ffffff;"></span></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Senator John Coghillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02334965628574929151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14400236.post-13229059845371913142009-11-16T13:45:00.003-09:002009-11-18T09:54:13.764-09:00Thank You!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjteRQkW11iAqlBDADstcs62pdrX-tbe6vQ7vHBYBqkyaFXfQjSrMjfOb4Pyab5bSEvw2M-TRfqxKeM4IXuqVtATaNoTMRzEujF_PrNS2EV1ElVply-U9dXkfO2euFCnmMNOvuQ/s1600/SwearinginSenate.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjteRQkW11iAqlBDADstcs62pdrX-tbe6vQ7vHBYBqkyaFXfQjSrMjfOb4Pyab5bSEvw2M-TRfqxKeM4IXuqVtATaNoTMRzEujF_PrNS2EV1ElVply-U9dXkfO2euFCnmMNOvuQ/s400/SwearinginSenate.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404836537136087522" /></a><br /><br />My wife Luann and I as I was sworn in by Lt. Gov. Campbell October 27th. <br /><br />I wanted to post a brief thank you to Governor Parnell for selecting me to serve as the new Senator for District F. I am also grateful to the committees in districts 11 and 12 for their hard work during the selection process!<br /><br />I am trying to get to know as much of the district as possible before I head to Juneau in January, so I will be driving through as regularly as I can. I will also be speaking every other Wednesday at 1:30 on KCAM 790 talk radio in Glennallen. If you would like to meet with me, or have any questions please call my office at 488-5725, or email me at Senator_John_Coghill@legis.state.ak.us<br /><br />Thank you!<br />Senator John CoghillSenator John Coghillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02334965628574929151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14400236.post-7090575348012843962009-08-17T13:15:00.004-08:002009-08-18T15:54:34.022-08:00Rep. Coghill's Birthday Party - Update<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi1OM36E5iz8cE9Pvpjtv37hryOkG5qEg5C0q9tH4QcKYP2yggaym5Pbb3zd5pXtye3uIDRPKFxQB1ZBcFeBCXqiXyv4SUI5tZqLHDHe8kR4rY-urp8KwCdg-OvaJ70DYM-CYp/s1600-h/John+%26+Luann+w+Hat.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 383px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 236px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371046372905492898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi1OM36E5iz8cE9Pvpjtv37hryOkG5qEg5C0q9tH4QcKYP2yggaym5Pbb3zd5pXtye3uIDRPKFxQB1ZBcFeBCXqiXyv4SUI5tZqLHDHe8kR4rY-urp8KwCdg-OvaJ70DYM-CYp/s400/John+%26+Luann+w+Hat.JPG" /></a><br /><div align="center">Please join Representative Coghill and his family for a birthday party Tuesday August 18th in North Pole. </div><br />There will be food and drinks, and of course birthday cake.<br /><br /><br /><br />When - Tuesday, August 18th, 5:30<br /><br />Where - UPDATE - due to inclement weather we are relocating to our regular offices in the Beaver Brook Mall - use the side entrance with the stairwell</div><div align="center"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> </div>Senator John Coghillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02334965628574929151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14400236.post-77637892566080534322009-07-06T10:05:00.002-08:002009-07-06T10:07:17.062-08:00AK Person Information Protection Act<div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">AK PERSONAL INFO. PROTECTION ACT TAKES EFFECT<br />3-year bipartisan ID theft & fraud protection effort culminates July 1<br /><br /><br />Long sought-after consumer protection legislation takes effect Thursday, July 1. The Alaska Personal Information Protection Act, passed by the 25th Alaska Legislature in April of 2008 and signed into law that June, offers Alaskans comprehensive protections and easy-to-understand steps to follow should their personal information be accidentally breached or stolen.<br /><br />House Rules Committee Chair John Coghill, R-North Pole, wrote and sponsored the law along with Senator Gene Therriault, R-North Pole, and Rep. Les Gara, D-Anchorage, and worked closely with former Sen. Gretchen Guess, D-Anchorage, to gain passage over the past three-plus years.<br /><br />“We tried for more than three years to find that balance between providing strong consumer protection measures while not constricting business and government transactions involving personal information,” Coghill said. “We crafted clear rules and guidelines for all parties in the event of a breach or theft. Starting July 1 Alaskans will have cause for greater comfort that their social security numbers, lines of credit, credit scores, and other personal information is safe and well-protected.”<br /><br />“Our privacy is valuable, but it shouldn’t be for sale,” Gara said. “This bill protects Alaskans from identity theft and credit theft, and it strengthens our consumer protection laws.”<br /><br />“Protection of Alaskans' personal information has been a high priority for both me and Rep. Coghill,” Therriault said. “The Federal Trade Commission reports that there were 490 reported cases of identity theft or fraud in Alaska in 2008, so I am very pleased that we will now have tools in place to help Alaskan's protect their own information. To continue work in the area of protecting Alaskans I have introduced legislation, Senate Bill 36, based on an Audit Report that I requested on the security of information in state government that will strengthen protection of citizens’ personal and private information collected by the state and further safeguard that information from threats of identity theft.”<br /><br />Important provisions of the new law include:<br /><br />Notification of Security Breaches. Requires businesses and government entities that collect your personal data, to notify you if your information is acquired without authorization and it is determined that identity theft may result.<br /><br />Freeze Access To Your Credit Report. Enables you to choose to protect against identity theft by freezing access to your credit report.<br /><br />Protecting Social Security Numbers. Limits businesses and government from intentionally communicating your Social Security Number unless authorized by local, state, or federal law.<br /><br />Disposal of Records. Business and government must take all reasonable measures to protect your personal information by developing policies and procedures for destruction of their records containing your personal information.<br /><br />Factual Declaration of Innocence after ID Theft. Allows you as a victim of identity theft to petition the court and file a police report to declare your innocence. It allows the state to create a database of claims of identify theft and establish a toll-free phone number for reporting.<br /><br />Credit Card Numbers. Businesses and government may not print more than the last four digits of your credit card or the expiration date on receipts.<br /><br /># # #<br /><br />To contact Rep. Coghill, please call 1-907-488-5725.<br />To contact Rep. Gara, please call 1-907-269-0106.<br />To contact Sen. Therriault, please call 1-907-0857.<br /></div>Senator John Coghillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02334965628574929151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14400236.post-305366133293623702009-05-22T16:01:00.002-08:002009-05-22T16:03:36.534-08:00Bill Signing on Memorial Day<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6QLss2jWJu40DhLuc6G1D8Ubup9Ic_jEpcPgn8i_cwKd8UZV6sbSp356MtQX4PR4ImhPWmQeQO7lfp_bmw-lO97w0Bi5oB8P9_q50b4tS9JxYrSCT-bQ6zfsARK3ljjHqjbm/s1600-h/IMG_0460.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338803059164412610" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 245px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 159px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6QLss2jWJu40DhLuc6G1D8Ubup9Ic_jEpcPgn8i_cwKd8UZV6sbSp356MtQX4PR4ImhPWmQeQO7lfp_bmw-lO97w0Bi5oB8P9_q50b4tS9JxYrSCT-bQ6zfsARK3ljjHqjbm/s400/IMG_0460.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Governor Palin will be in North Pole Monday May 25th to sign two of Representative Coghill's bills: HB 121 and HB 177. </div><br /><div>Please join Governor Palin and Representative Coghill at North Pole City Hall on Monday at 11:45 AM.<br /><br /><br /></div><div>HB 121 - authorizing certain municipalities to provide a property tax credit for an improvement that aids in improving air quality </div><div><br />HB 177 - relating to marine products and motorized recreational products. </div>Senator John Coghillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02334965628574929151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14400236.post-43957330896025976812009-03-02T16:07:00.004-09:002009-03-02T16:18:26.901-09:00Jury Nullification<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuegNgFY8SLHyMRhNf2KRiFhPqk3BOwxDhAag8B0PXrACeBObFdnNldyJYCRwUYkOD3tT-1csTiMlMN0nWo-chyphenhypheniG5TKvk_TJ1yOEib391y2xqgOeLDZUNMcBvajNjwxb3j-4O/s1600-h/P2270020.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308764202062260354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuegNgFY8SLHyMRhNf2KRiFhPqk3BOwxDhAag8B0PXrACeBObFdnNldyJYCRwUYkOD3tT-1csTiMlMN0nWo-chyphenhypheniG5TKvk_TJ1yOEib391y2xqgOeLDZUNMcBvajNjwxb3j-4O/s400/P2270020.JPG" border="0" /></a> Rep. Coghill visiting with Fairbanksan Jennifer McBeath<br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"><br />In the last few weeks much has been made of the issue of Jury Nullification. My office received several phone calls asking me to re-introduce past legislation addressing this issue. I introduced HB 140 last week and requested a hearing in the House Judiciary committee.<br /><br />Following this link will provide up to date information regarding HB 140, or any other bill you’re interested in. To check other bills, type in the bill number, key word, or you may search by sponsor or committee as well.<br /><a href="http://www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/get_bill.asp?bill=HB%20140&session=26">http://www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/get_bill.asp?bill=HB%20140&session=26</a><br /><br />House Bill 140 addresses jury nullification. Representative Coghill asks the legislature to consider this legislation as an acknowledgement that the jury is the exclusive judge of the facts and may decide that the law is unjustly applied to the defendant.<br /><br />This legislation enacts provisions in law instructing the court to allow a defendant the right to inform the jury of their right to judge the defendant and to judge the law as it applies to the defendant.<br /><br />Current jury instructions for Alaskan jurors require them to “accept and follow the law as instructed by the judge even though they may have a different idea about what the law is or ought to be”.<br /><br />HB 140 allows a jury to fully understand their role and exercise their responsibility as a jury. A jury is the only thing standing in the way of a government out of check and inherent rights of citizens being judge by the law. Jury nullification allows citizens to have the final say on what is fair in a court of law.<br /><br />Indiana, Georgia, and Maryland currently have provisions in their state constitutions guaranteeing jurors the right to “judge” or “determine” the law in all criminal cases. </div>Senator John Coghillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02334965628574929151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14400236.post-48377627434163933992009-02-10T10:15:00.001-09:002009-02-10T10:22:32.105-09:00First Month of Session - 2009<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOfrWndESA95ztApXoKIQDZOByySyeRt6ffKcfv7G68R9NdZfXtAVWkK8Hf2UfAsEAxDWLAE1KaathyphenhyphenQCP18Ehl8MsBN2_Vj7heWYpjAezSfUocueOyONT1rJwM5SeektRJHjz/s1600-h/Swearingin.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301251192536848466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOfrWndESA95ztApXoKIQDZOByySyeRt6ffKcfv7G68R9NdZfXtAVWkK8Hf2UfAsEAxDWLAE1KaathyphenhyphenQCP18Ehl8MsBN2_Vj7heWYpjAezSfUocueOyONT1rJwM5SeektRJHjz/s400/Swearingin.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>The first month into session and the Legislature is already moving at a rapid pace. My plate is more full than usual this year with my committee assignments. I chair the House Rules committee, which is in charge of scheduling bills for the House floor. </div><br /><div><br />I also serve on the Judiciary, Labor and Commerce, Health and Social Services, Legislative Council, and Ethics committees. I also sit on the Finance Subcommittees for Health and Social Services, Department of Natural Resources, the Legislature and the Governor. </div><br /><div><br />With the heavier committee load, I am taking on less legislation. My main priority is to act as a watchdog on bills going through my committees, and on the budget. </div><br /><div><br />However, I am still sponsoring bills very important to me. I have introduced legislation banning partial birth abortions in the state of Alaska, as well as a requirement for doctors to receive consent from parents when a minor intends to have an abortion. My staff is working on several other bills and I will keep you updated on those as well. </div><br /><div>See below for a list of bill numbers and their short titles.<br />Thanks for stopping by, and if you have any questions, call me or my staff at 877-465-3719.<br /></div><br /><div><br />PRIME-SPONSOR OF THE FOLLOWING BILLS<br /><br /><a href="http://www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/get_bill.asp?session=26&bill=HB13">HB 13</a><br />PROPERTY CRIMES<br />(H) JUD<br />01/20/09<br /><br /><a href="http://www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/get_bill.asp?session=26&bill=HB34">HB 34</a><br />PARTIAL-BIRTH ABORTION<br />(H) HSS<br />01/20/09<br /></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/get_bill.asp?session=26&bill=HB35">HB 35</a><br />NOTICE & CONSENT FOR MINOR'S ABORTION<br />(H) JUD<br />01/20/09<br /></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/get_bill.asp?session=26&bill=HB63">HB 63</a><br />COUNCIL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: MEMBERS, STAFF<br />** FAIRCLOUGH, HOLMES<br />(H) STA<br />01/20/09<br /><br /><a href="http://www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/get_bill.asp?session=26&bill=HB101">HB 101</a><br />EXEMPTIONS: LIFE INSURANCE; ANNUITIES<br />(H) L&C<br />01/30/09<br /></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/get_bill.asp?session=26&bill=HB105">HB 105</a><br />STEP PROGRAM<br />(H) L&C<br />01/30/09<br /><br /><a href="http://www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/get_bill.asp?session=26&bill=HB121">HB 121</a><br />MUNICIPAL AIR QUALITY PROPERTY TAX CREDIT<br />(H) CRA<br />02/09/09</div>Senator John Coghillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02334965628574929151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14400236.post-26167298466950409802008-08-20T10:06:00.003-08:002008-08-20T10:10:46.951-08:00Special Sessions 2008 - House Floor speeches<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9OjyUPUE7l1HWXCtksEH5_9KaPhft-DaJgGIX0aSUnn7kLdVK3pIdFv-T8PWTcBQVAzeqIKrPD1a8db23mxvI-Pb4iRznvGRfszkFFRgz0gQY4w8pbaymPVgM1nLL0ScZHGdN/s1600-h/John+Debating+Energy+Bill.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236663492722809442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9OjyUPUE7l1HWXCtksEH5_9KaPhft-DaJgGIX0aSUnn7kLdVK3pIdFv-T8PWTcBQVAzeqIKrPD1a8db23mxvI-Pb4iRznvGRfszkFFRgz0gQY4w8pbaymPVgM1nLL0ScZHGdN/s400/John+Debating+Energy+Bill.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;">John debating the resource rebate with Speaker Harris</span><br /><br /><br /><div align="left">Select the link below to listen to Representative Coghill's speech on the House floor the final night of debate regarding HB 4002 - Resource Rebate<br /><a href="http://www.box.net/shared/xui3krc6qv">http://www.box.net/shared/xui3krc6qv</a> </div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236663650169078514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Bf6oUUwFbOHX6lQveQpBTr1v4sdBNjgOaBh0lIAOQTwMrGTk4WlPgj3tkbOzVl34rxuTiHw0CM5xn64u1P3YURwihsIqNDhxkovRPn3ZyxH207lCeFJfCSNKvtSy0v-lSu53/s400/John+TC+Alaska.jpg" border="0" /><span style="font-size:85%;">John speaking with representatives from TC Alaska </span></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Select the link below to listen to Representative Coghill's speech on the House floor regarding HB 3001 - Approving a license for TransCanada <a href="http://www.box.net/shared/nu4e2u6b7o">http://www.box.net/shared/nu4e2u6b7o</a> </div></div>Senator John Coghillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02334965628574929151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14400236.post-18675192494826812932008-01-24T11:48:00.000-09:002008-01-24T11:49:21.796-09:00Session BeginsThe second regular session of the 25th Legislature began last Tuesday, January 15th. According to my calculations, that means I have 82 days left here in Juneau. All of us down here are racing to beat the clock due to new deadlines, faster committees, and a general sense of haste pervading the capitol building.<br />Since we have already hit the ground with our proverbial “feet running” my first bill, and priority left unfinished last session, was heard in House Finance today. HB 65 takes steps towards consumer protection through much needed identity theft legislation.<br />Once that bill passes from the House to the Senate, my next project will be taking on a Constitutional amendment regarding parental consent for minors to receive certain medical procedures, including abortion. Pro-Family and Parental Rights issues are always close to my heart, and I hope my fellow members and the citizens of Alaska will support this important legislation to protect women and children. <br />My time here in Juneau is time spent away from my family and my home. I appreciate the responsibility and duty my district has given me the past ten years, and I will continue to serve the state the best I can.<br />Remember, my office door is always open to any visiting constituents, and please call my staff anytime (907) 465-3719. Thanks for another session!<br /><br />- Representative John CoghillSenator John Coghillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02334965628574929151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14400236.post-10313746004468469102007-12-07T16:06:00.000-09:002008-11-13T08:31:15.519-09:00North Pole Candle Lighting Ceremony<div><br /><div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglLTvrJCC_BBwd-epoPvIZ9ssqJCltFxuGHyUbHxBiy0TtZRXtBP1Z6EQ9eJ9YJEIIy4Ktg7Y6rcymmnTfVyCZvqsAwQHQ9DVE75r9Bvaz97360tr4z681oZZKTTT_J5iYiBcB/s1600-h/Nore+and+Choir+Crop.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5141403742416455410" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="216" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglLTvrJCC_BBwd-epoPvIZ9ssqJCltFxuGHyUbHxBiy0TtZRXtBP1Z6EQ9eJ9YJEIIy4Ktg7Y6rcymmnTfVyCZvqsAwQHQ9DVE75r9Bvaz97360tr4z681oZZKTTT_J5iYiBcB/s400/Nore+and+Choir+Crop.jpg" width="384" border="0" /></a> Sunday, December 2nd marks the 36th anniversary of the North Pole Chamber of Commerce Candle Lighting Ceremony. The ceremony started with invocation by stand in, Dick Olson, from KJNP. What followed was over two hours of local talent reciting Christmas prose, singing Christmas Carols, and playing "Go Tell it on the Mountain" with a bell choir. It was really inspiring to be in an auditorium full of people who understand what Christmas is all about.</div><br /><div align="justify"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-Vx7iGwFeIarI6CEFvny8zb5yoc_SW3tbyGni8qPjmJQLAfAWGAFfsrAzyuX7RftAubXXM0KCwN70eMLhwYzB83fqzEHdyviKz8hci6bJuZCSi-x1jABWj6Y2WhP1rI1oOAo/s1600-h/Christmas+Tree+and+Nativity+Scene.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5141419509241399154" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 282px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 378px" height="407" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-Vx7iGwFeIarI6CEFvny8zb5yoc_SW3tbyGni8qPjmJQLAfAWGAFfsrAzyuX7RftAubXXM0KCwN70eMLhwYzB83fqzEHdyviKz8hci6bJuZCSi-x1jABWj6Y2WhP1rI1oOAo/s400/Christmas+Tree+and+Nativity+Scene.jpg" width="309" border="0" /></a>The Christmas Tree was lit at the site of the Ice Sculpture competition near Santa Claus House, right next to the Nativity Scene sculpted that day by Dick Brickley and other ice carvers. Dick is the spearhead behind the North American Ice Carving Championships held in North Pole this year. December 7, 8 & 9 spectators can watch the competition and on Sunday the carvings will be judged. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">To see the sculptures via webcam, use this link: </div><div align="justify"><a href="http://www.icealaska.com/videocam/08Cam/np8/NP801.html">http://www.icealaska.com/videocam/08Cam/np8/NP801.html</a><br /><br /></div><br /><div align="justify">Ice sculptering competition in Fairbanks began in the mid 1934 when Kay Hufman and Clara Murray West got community support to start the Winter Carnival held each March along the Chena River. It included a sled dog derby and an ice carnival, including a ice sculptured throne for the Winter Carnival King and Queen.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div align="justify">At the 1934 Winter Carnival, local artist Ted lambert sculptured a realistic looking 12 by 12 foot log cabin of ice complete with a food cache near by.</div><br /><div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">The most recent revival of ice sculpturing came in 1989 with the formation of Ice Alaska, Inc.</div><br /><div align="justify"></div></div><br /><div align="justify"><br /><div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcsf8m1Fs5JmQ2wZ20wj5hYIdOYQq6NvesXeach0TulJgfCMrjoxi2rRnjDds_Ui6N6gWOlRFDqWZJsuZ4QDeCOI6gorltfv59Wrhlopgg6t18OVBunFARVk4JOAjD9YFRWliZ/s1600-h/Nativity+Scene+NP.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5141414638748485394" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcsf8m1Fs5JmQ2wZ20wj5hYIdOYQq6NvesXeach0TulJgfCMrjoxi2rRnjDds_Ui6N6gWOlRFDqWZJsuZ4QDeCOI6gorltfv59Wrhlopgg6t18OVBunFARVk4JOAjD9YFRWliZ/s400/Nativity+Scene+NP.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">Through the years the sculptures got more intricate and in recent years the competition in international, with Alaskans becoming involved in competition all over the world.<br /></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">At the left is a close up shot of the nativity scene in North Pole. </div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"><br />In recent years, Bernie and Connie Karl have gained world wide notoriety for their Ice Hotel.</div><br /><div align="justify"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFpzepx6oBAKGXLMiH74_bo-_TELBYSIvYe3od96X_L0HiKgtyjZRIyKazom8-CjeYbDYVcoXzu-Bp9HuJbR28AwxW4BNQWVjsA6Iu-aFZmDJvBnBy2gGUKcx1fi1KysJ_CqGu/s1600-h/Canlde+lite+John+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5141419019615127394" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFpzepx6oBAKGXLMiH74_bo-_TELBYSIvYe3od96X_L0HiKgtyjZRIyKazom8-CjeYbDYVcoXzu-Bp9HuJbR28AwxW4BNQWVjsA6Iu-aFZmDJvBnBy2gGUKcx1fi1KysJ_CqGu/s400/Canlde+lite+John+2.jpg" border="0" /></a>I was very pleased to be asked to speak at the ceremony. It gave me a chance to let people know who I am and why I decided to serve in public office. It has meant sacrifices on the part of my family by having me spend more of the year away from them than with them and sacrifices by limiting my ability to make a living. My family has been through a terrible tragedy with the death of my four-year-old grandson, Joseph, that also tested my willingness to remain in the public sector. In the end, though, it is my children and grandchildren that make me stay in public office trying to promote public policy that allows them the same opportunities I have had by challenging more government and more government spending that places a huge debt on my grandchildren (and yours) before they have even grown up and started making a living. I also challenge a government that challenges our right to celebrate Christmas and the birth of Christ. </div></div>Senator John Coghillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02334965628574929151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14400236.post-72935649813689476012007-11-07T11:56:00.000-09:002008-11-13T08:31:16.275-09:00Coghill and Dyson Announce Move to Protect Parental Rights From Activist Court<div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1eAduOo_Qv33qOwJdDGjpgJTUERk7So2xgnMNYeYfUvrwiuNMxwd7pZ6K9gBO6odAlP35WaK198heCiRXuiIN1C3pNmpkCJkuoNbtJnlehgfvXZLCCe3PY6IQKqZN5ETOem30/s1600-h/Crowd+good+shot.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5130207302041447762" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1eAduOo_Qv33qOwJdDGjpgJTUERk7So2xgnMNYeYfUvrwiuNMxwd7pZ6K9gBO6odAlP35WaK198heCiRXuiIN1C3pNmpkCJkuoNbtJnlehgfvXZLCCe3PY6IQKqZN5ETOem30/s400/Crowd+good+shot.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;color:#000066;">Legislators attending the press conference today are from left to right: Rep. Bill Stoltze, Senator Donny Olson, Rep. Kevin Meyer. Senator Fred Dyson, Rep. John Coghill, Rep. Nancy Dahlstrom, Rep. Mike Kelly, Rep. Craig Johnson, and Rep. Bob Lynn.</span></div><p align="justify"><br /></p><div align="justify">Senator Fred Dyson and I held a press conference today announcing our plan to restore a parent's ability to direct and control the medical care of their minor children, better known as parental consent. </div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">Senator Dyson and I are both prefiling a constitutional amendment this winter that will ask the people of Alaska to reverse the Alaska Supreme Court decision denying parents the right to properly guide their children in abortion decisions.<br /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLlHr7y-6RSt1VBfZaGwsb6QlVNgjpGpMsKYvKP4pmhbugOXZACGCMvhJGSXG3_HcHi-QWvamjCUDz_QBOH8CsSJ3bXxMBg6DSFKvF-6iKNHVQwCfBcT53UbxDSlGETe4x1yOc/s1600-h/John+Dyson+behind+good.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5130210248389012834" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLlHr7y-6RSt1VBfZaGwsb6QlVNgjpGpMsKYvKP4pmhbugOXZACGCMvhJGSXG3_HcHi-QWvamjCUDz_QBOH8CsSJ3bXxMBg6DSFKvF-6iKNHVQwCfBcT53UbxDSlGETe4x1yOc/s400/John+Dyson+behind+good.jpg" border="0" /></a>The decision was a blatant example of how the Alaska Supreme Court continues to make law, not by deciding the constitutionality, but by personal preference.<br /><br />Parents are a child's guardian and protector. This Court's decision would deny the dignity to the family by forbidding parents to give guidance to a child in such a large decision. </div><div align="justify"><br />Alaska's parental consent law was passed in May of 1997 after the legislature voted to override the veto of the bill by then Governor Tony Knowles. The law was carefully crafted to conform with the U.S. Supreme Court decision that required such a law to provide for a judicial bypass for a minor seeking an abortion without the consent of a parent, guardian, or custodian.</div><div align="justify"><br />Four days before the law was to take effect, a Superior Court Judge (Sen Tan) ordered the law unconstituional and it never became effective law. </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Justice Walter Carpeneti wrote a dissenting opinion and was joined in his opinion by Justice Warren Matthews. Carpeneti began his dissenting opinion with the following remarks:</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">"In 1997, faced with competing interests of the highest constitutional level - an underage pregnant girl's constitutional right (and duty) to protect her best interests, and the state's compelling interests in protecting children against their own immaturity - the Alaska Legislature carefully crafted the Alaska Parental Consent Act in an effort to recognize and protect all these interests. That law is fully consistent with the United States Supreme Court precedent, yet today's opinion strikes it down. Because this court's rejection of the legislature's thoughtful balance is inconsistent with our own case law and unnecessarily dismissive of the legislature's role in expressing the will of the people, I respectfully dissent."</div><div align="justify"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitsjVUJf-oz2YjhFsS7avD6WrCH8WMhdHrv1AZBDlclqlbmCRiHm0nr8HxFpzZbrianThplQ76WWYZrZEedHDZK619kGBj9iRM5vAXwJYM18fXfLzU4_94BUm71Rcttg1C5_XQ/s1600-h/Camera+in+background.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5130228562129562994" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitsjVUJf-oz2YjhFsS7avD6WrCH8WMhdHrv1AZBDlclqlbmCRiHm0nr8HxFpzZbrianThplQ76WWYZrZEedHDZK619kGBj9iRM5vAXwJYM18fXfLzU4_94BUm71Rcttg1C5_XQ/s400/Camera+in+background.jpg" border="0" /></a>Carpeneti also criticized the majority decision stating the Court "quickly passes over" the state's compelling interest in the "protection of children and of parents' right and duty to raise their children."</div><p align="justify">Once the resoltuion is passed by a two-thirds vote of the legislature, the language in the resolution would be placed on the November 2008 General Election Ballot. Passage of the ballot measure would place parental consent in the Constitution to protect the family from the Courts. </p><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">The language as proposed reads:</div><div align="justify"><br />"Notwithstanding any other provision of this Constitution, a parent or guardian is entitled to direct and control the medical care of their minor child, subject only to emergency situations as defined by the legislature, and a judicial bypass procedure as created by the legislature which is consistent with the criteria set forth in <u>Bellott v. Baird</u>, 443 U.S. 622 (1979)"</div><div align="justify"><br />I think it was no accident the Court announced their decision in this case two days after the retirement of a Knowles appointee to the Alaska Supreme Court who joined in the majority decision. The judicial activism of this Court dominated by Knowles appointees must be challenged. I look forward to Governor Palin being able to make appointments to the bench that will confine themselves to uphold the constitution and reasonable interpretation of the law, not creating law.</div><p align="justify"><br /><br /></p><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">I have not ruled out introducing legislation revising the existing statute to further challenge the Alaska Supreme Court or anything else I can do to restore the right to legislate to the legislature. </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">For more information on parental rights and the recent court decision, go to the Alaska Family Council website below:</div><br /><a href="http://www.alaskafamilycouncil.org/">http://www.alaskafamilycouncil.org/</a><br /><br /><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:78%;color:#000066;"></span></div>Senator John Coghillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02334965628574929151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14400236.post-54541068536284798962007-11-06T12:47:00.000-09:002008-11-13T08:31:16.734-09:00Constituent Meeting November 10th<div><div><div><div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLbtJetyz38r3QfoX-FlGuAfVZ6HB2PKRPJtmKQckFijW38ScmLqj-Roq7_XXUK3gZv-6ZP90FINxO11_OY_iCgXHYEoI2Hud0BD_I-XrYOV8rzAAkuCnyDBvDJNZTbcXwcmbJ/s1600-h/John+using+hand.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5129848728106806482" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLbtJetyz38r3QfoX-FlGuAfVZ6HB2PKRPJtmKQckFijW38ScmLqj-Roq7_XXUK3gZv-6ZP90FINxO11_OY_iCgXHYEoI2Hud0BD_I-XrYOV8rzAAkuCnyDBvDJNZTbcXwcmbJ/s320/John+using+hand.jpg" border="0" /></a> Representative Coghill will be holding a constituent meeting Saturday, November 10th at North Pole City Hall from 10:00 a.m. to Noon. He would like to discuss the current special session addressing petroleum production taxes and make time for questions and comments from his constituents in the North Pole area on any subject. </div><br /><div align="justify">The ACES, Alaska's Clear and Equitable Share, Bills in each house are in the last committee of referral, the Finance Committee, and will not doubt end up in a conference committee to sort out the differences between the Senate and the House versions of the bill.</div><br /><div align="justify">The following is an email Representative Coghill sent to some constituents that asked his opinion on the Governor's bill:</div><br /><div> </div><div> </div><div align="justify">Lately, and with good reason, many constituents have asked me how I feel about the Governor’s new tax plan for the oil companies, as well as what I believe is the best solution to the natural resources issue before us now. Without getting into the mundane details and numbers, I will try to answer your questions the best I can. </div><br /><div align="justify">I am not a fan of taxing just so we can redistribute wealth throughout the popu<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6j2xG9mSRnQA2unRTIcr7ZkD9yx6D9Gqr-NRrC1B9dVCx5Owk1HsdEE0BZl88rMCNsBINYdvKI9tPGTNETSzFkRaGysFVWUPGERH8KwF5IIT9tOsg_StFWLrifHnhw7HDJD4Z/s1600-h/Round+Table+Resources.jpg"></a>lation. However, as part of the statehood compact the resources of the state were given to us by Congress so that we could afford to govern ourselves, therefore we must get the best value for Alaskans from our resource base.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYaYFkzC3QtxtoWJO1av7zi-jkwHCM3Ho9L853huqW3k-rFBRp6rsUokLY01CVDb0U5xLR5Y1LKu_Vo56ugxBQpPKGjgRum4ZUCtUTK3C5Vsyoba995_bKVBSGISuH1VBEZAZE/s1600-h/Roundtable+Resources+Claire.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5129854522017688850" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYaYFkzC3QtxtoWJO1av7zi-jkwHCM3Ho9L853huqW3k-rFBRp6rsUokLY01CVDb0U5xLR5Y1LKu_Vo56ugxBQpPKGjgRum4ZUCtUTK3C5Vsyoba995_bKVBSGISuH1VBEZAZE/s320/Roundtable+Resources+Claire.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div align="justify">The PPT debate has three dimensions: 1.) To bring all the debate out in to the open and take a look at the substance without a cloud of corruption 2.) Rethink what is a fair share for Alaska from her resources 3.) To encourage exploration for new fields and also to get heavy oil from older fields.</div><br /><div align="justify">I should mention that we get money from the oil and gas resources from several different ways*:</div><div align="justify"> </div><div><span style="font-size:78%;"> </span></div><div>* Property Tax - $54.5 Million </div><br /><div align="justify">* Corporate Petroleum Tax - $661.1 Million</div><br /><div align="justify">* Production Tax - $1.2 Billion </div><br /><div align="justify">* Royalties (including Bonuses, Rents & Interests) - $1.8 Billion</div><br /><div><span style="font-size:78%;">*Figures taken from Dept. of Revenue FY 2006</span></div><br /><div>In contrast, other revenue generated in Alaska amounts to about $450 Million per year. </div><div> </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNeK1rMkcfwZMdhANCdDhQv-BjYAGzbvqERC8WIRVCl2zWy4zPxk40zAZon4o3PnLs0CRHv4lcELZcjuH4NWyf3Xq5jNgnpivtvn6n-moPDSi1oxYxqCHt71vQxUpw2MnvzuKf/s1600-h/John+and+Steve+Quinn+AP.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5129855454025592098" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNeK1rMkcfwZMdhANCdDhQv-BjYAGzbvqERC8WIRVCl2zWy4zPxk40zAZon4o3PnLs0CRHv4lcELZcjuH4NWyf3Xq5jNgnpivtvn6n-moPDSi1oxYxqCHt71vQxUpw2MnvzuKf/s320/John+and+Steve+Quinn+AP.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="justify">My position on this bill is generally in favor of it. I like the Governor’s tax rate, but I am not a supporter of the 10% floor rate for legacy fields mostly because of the need to get the heavy oil out. I like the audit provisions that help us verify investment and expenses and I favor the progressivity that gets Alaska a greater share when the prices go higher.</div><br /><div><span style="font-size:78%;">Representative Coghill discusses ACES with Steve Quinn from the Associated Press.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div align="justify"></div></div></div></div>Senator John Coghillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02334965628574929151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14400236.post-70290245064273423382007-10-31T10:47:00.001-08:002008-11-13T08:31:16.948-09:00Special Session October 2007Lately, and with good reason, many constituents have asked me how I feel about the Governor’s new tax plan for the oil companies, as well as what I believe is the best solution to the natural resources issue before us now. Without getting into the mundane details and numbers, I will try to answer your questions the best I can.<br /><br />I am not a fan of taxing just so we can redistribute wealth throughout the population. However, as part of the statehood compact the resources of the state were given to us by Congress so that we could afford to govern ourselves, therefore we must get the best value for Alaskans from our resource base.<br /><br />The PPT debate has three dimensions:<br />1.) To bring all the debate out in to the open and take a look at the substance without a cloud of corruption<br />2.) Rethink what is a fair share for Alaska from her resources<br />3.) To encourage exploration for new fields and also to get heavy oil from older fields.<br /><br />I should mention that we get money from the oil and gas resources from several different ways:<br /> Property Tax - $54.5 Million<br /> Corporate Petroleum Tax - $661.1 Million<br /> Production Tax - $1.2 Billion<br /> Royalties (including Bonuses, Rents & Interests) - $1.8 Billion<br />[Figures taken from Dept. of Revenue FY 2006]<br />In contrast other revenue generated in Alaska amounts to about $450 Million per year.<br /><br />My position on this bill is generally in favor of it. I like the Governor’s tax rate, but I am not a supporter of the 10% floor rate for legacy fields mostly because of the need to get the heavy oil out. I like the audit provisions that help us verify investment and expenses and I favor the progressivity that gets Alaska a greater share when the prices go higher.<br /><br /><br /><br />Rep. Coghill speaks to Badger Road Elementary Students on Constitution Day.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD0NEmOV3IzOjEekNRAqGgxYAYneQ8j0TPtRXk0JXdGO50yE9sCY8mQ_1d6OvOSluKIAIQ3n45D4x9BowJswAs-wiOWzQUZVW6fQtvKg8Y2_nCbl6ncXDhcZGDEC4qZM3x3oR8/s1600-h/John+talking+to+Rally.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127574688952462514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD0NEmOV3IzOjEekNRAqGgxYAYneQ8j0TPtRXk0JXdGO50yE9sCY8mQ_1d6OvOSluKIAIQ3n45D4x9BowJswAs-wiOWzQUZVW6fQtvKg8Y2_nCbl6ncXDhcZGDEC4qZM3x3oR8/s320/John+talking+to+Rally.jpg" border="0" /></a>Senator John Coghillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02334965628574929151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14400236.post-11726502224627025282007-06-11T16:46:00.000-08:002008-11-13T08:31:17.374-09:00Governor Visits Fairbanks for Ceremonial Signing of AGIA in Fairbanks<div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCQuYjdgtXkZD9fuWMrXcCmCydqVBdn_w-orypcDNSVYcRbJw9-P2rekPYjuuUD9T50LfAO5WyrynbhEH-VqEgdmb8_WK5n7F_8AdD5erCRavneOy6hiQPy0zH3iy7HBoGFCPi/s1600-h/AGIA+Signing.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5074973217639355362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCQuYjdgtXkZD9fuWMrXcCmCydqVBdn_w-orypcDNSVYcRbJw9-P2rekPYjuuUD9T50LfAO5WyrynbhEH-VqEgdmb8_WK5n7F_8AdD5erCRavneOy6hiQPy0zH3iy7HBoGFCPi/s320/AGIA+Signing.JPG" border="0" /></a> This picture captures a light moment at the Alaska Gas Inducement Act (AGIA) Ceremonial signing on June 6th. The governing came to Fairbanks for the ceremony and more than 100 guests joined her at the Fox Visitor's Center along the Trans-Alaska Pipeline located on the Steese Highway. <font size="1">(Photo Credit: Merrick Pierce)</font></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><br />Governor Palin committed to a competitive, open process for getting a gasline for Alaska's natural gas. With AGIA signed into law the administration put together a package to seek requests for applications from potential builders of the largest construction project in history. </div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRR1vMxAbNzsIUuGLEdFxAzYaC6mVGjTkWqEyhJU2V9ClVIwwyElbEBly8EERSFXpQZDQePQsNE8O_JGz5VoNBXKw37nMZA1NfYUPNF2c1AbFeU0gBETk-X_nMa20JZ2GxzWD8/s1600-h/Gov+Signs+HB+185.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5074981506926236754" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRR1vMxAbNzsIUuGLEdFxAzYaC6mVGjTkWqEyhJU2V9ClVIwwyElbEBly8EERSFXpQZDQePQsNE8O_JGz5VoNBXKw37nMZA1NfYUPNF2c1AbFeU0gBETk-X_nMa20JZ2GxzWD8/s320/Gov+Signs+HB+185.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><p align="justify">On June 6th, Governor Palin also signed House Bill 185 into law. I sponsored this bill at the request of Mayor Whitaker and the borough assembly to make sure people who use local service roads as access, share the cost of maintenance for those roads.</p><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEbh4YUdPphoyAi9a33qRu7YCF1VDRL_2T0R2jLeBkZ5wVZ6_k6wfC1Rix4-u-NQRqQacESI2vW0EI7v-sDBQuuJn7h7Ybpsgafj2I9cBLsg1GgK0pCvn2Cxsn1Y3kwMxPIE0r/s1600-h/Coghill+Cooking+Gov+Flames+Big.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5074981081724474434" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEbh4YUdPphoyAi9a33qRu7YCF1VDRL_2T0R2jLeBkZ5wVZ6_k6wfC1Rix4-u-NQRqQacESI2vW0EI7v-sDBQuuJn7h7Ybpsgafj2I9cBLsg1GgK0pCvn2Cxsn1Y3kwMxPIE0r/s320/Coghill+Cooking+Gov+Flames+Big.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />After the bill signing ceremonies I was assigning to cooking detail for Governor Palin's picnic at Pioneer Park. There was lots of food and live music. The turnout was great despite the rain.<br /><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p></div></div></div></div></div>Senator John Coghillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02334965628574929151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14400236.post-63430237136807136222007-03-26T08:58:00.000-08:002007-03-26T08:59:38.667-08:00April Advisory VoteThe Constitution of the State of Alaska clearly states that “all political power is inherent in the people.” In October of last year, the Alaska Supreme Court ruled in favor of granting employee benefits to same-sex couples, in effect undermining this constitutional provision and establishing its own will as having precedent over the will of the people of Alaska. <br />I believe the court deliberately ignored the message sent by Alaskan voters in 1998 when citizens overwhelmingly voted to amend the Constitution to read that “a marriage may only exist between a man and a woman.” I believe the key to correcting this misdeed and reestablishing the constitutionally guaranteed series of checks-and-balances is the April 3rd advisory vote on same- sex benefits. I will vote “YES” on the April ballot in order to give legislators the extra push toward amending the constitution again.<br /><br />Some objections to the vote are based on three different ideas:<br /><br />1. The advisory vote is estimated to cost one million dollars; the legislature can find a better purpose for the money.<br /> <br />The Supreme Court has ordered Alaskans to pay for a benefit that the majority of people disagree with philosophically. Once the state requires same-sex benefits for partners of state employees, it is only a few more legal steps until private businesses are forced to provide the same benefits lest they “discriminate”. Such a broad-reaching policy decision deserves to be openly debated in a broad public venue – that debate costs money. I believe there is no better way for Alaska’s money to be spent than by furthering the will of the people.<br /><br />2. Objection to same-sex benefits is a result of religious bigotry.<br /> <br />The issue at hand is not the morality of homosexuality, but rather the court’s deliberate misinterpretation of the will of the people of Alaska. The people voted that same sex unions are not the same as a marriage. The court set no mandates for proof of commitment other than a state employee’s designation on a form.<br /><br />3. A special election will weary already skeptical voters.<br /> <br />Weariness is not an excuse for apathy. I am weary after every session, but the people elect me to support and defend the Constitution, and I believe fighting for this advisory vote does exactly that.Senator John Coghillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02334965628574929151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14400236.post-65945686045320656162007-03-05T15:27:00.000-09:002008-11-13T08:31:18.237-09:00Ethics 2007Legislative Ethics HB 109<br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5038605882850970162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdryVE8J2lrsCx-xGCa-VG6O60hWW-hcNFzM2jHr1h0DqCdmfAjpIl0dQzbMBjiIVMxXk7IZG_KqHt3vJBBjm1MBGWTo0OWz1k7dfF0Lfp6PWLPCd5ffZ4x0YAyiG0vC0UdjTX/s320/Ethics+mtg.JPG" border="0" />Pictured - First ethics subcommittee meeting<br /><br /><br /><br />The issue of ethics in government remains on the top of legislative activity this week. We are in the process of moving HB 109 out of State Affairs and into Judiciary next week. It is important that public trust in the three branches of government be restored. We are diligently working to clarify ethics laws so that there will be a ‘bright line’ for both executive and legislative branches as well as lobbyists and other governmental entities.<br /><br />I believe that it is important that ethics rules are clear and understandable. I am working to ensure that the rules that result will be clear, and comprehensive, yet not so restrictive that it could result in a person being labeled as ‘unethical’ for a process problem.<br /><br />To this end, my colleagues and I have embarked on a deliberative process in which we are tightening up rules and clarifying language while continually looking ahead for the possible ‘unforeseen consequences’ of the rules. I strongly support a citizen legislature, but recognize that this requires members to have careers outside of the legislative arena. The challenge is to provide transparency for the public, yet allow for us to live and work in our communities as citizens. I welcome your comments and questions as we continue to move this legislation through the house.<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5038622225201531458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_XKBSRXdpmAkDj8qs-wjWHZ-MNxRTVv6mbhbig2jz3yZne2uDNnwDjM_WgtzsHykRnzHRogujWJJPSL0RQj4UJAEyZw-pog03s81mbij7AaGsK9y6tFa5mfnSO6Zhtq5iGP1/s320/State+Affairs.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br />Pictured - State Affairs Committee reviewing HB 109Senator John Coghillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02334965628574929151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14400236.post-1170808229847951952007-02-06T14:59:00.000-09:002007-02-07T09:43:01.446-09:00Third Legislative WeekThe third week here at the Capitol proved exciting for students and teacher's statewide. Juneau has played host this week to different student organizations. I had the pleasure of visiting several times with a group of six students from North Pole Middle School along with two of their teachers. These students from my district took part in the Junior Close-Up program, which gives selected Jr. High students a firsthand look at the legislative, executive, and administrative branches of state government. I also had the opportunity to meet with another group of Close-Up students from the Mat-Su area.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/7668/1301/1600/719288/WithNPMS%20students%20sm..jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/7668/1301/320/290125/WithNPMS%20students%20sm..jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />The students from North Pole Middle School are (left to right): Jacob, Madison, Brittany, Joleen, Bethany, and Kelley. The students were accompanied by teachers Mrs. Barbara Nore and Mr. Mark Donker.<br />Other student organizations around the capitol this week included a delegation from the University of Alaska student government here lobbying for support for the University's budget request. <br /><br />Last week I was appointed as the Chairman of a Subcommittee on Ethics through the State Affairs Committee. My staff and I have been working on gathering all the ideas and suggestions put forth by the different legislators. We hope to present to State Affairs one extensive ethics bill that combines all the proposals. <br />Things here are moving at a faster pace than usual, as everyone is working extra hard to meet the ninety-day session rule that will become effective next year, sp please continue checking in each week as there should be updates.Senator John Coghillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02334965628574929151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14400236.post-1169756796246137592007-01-25T08:54:00.000-09:002007-01-25T14:35:23.623-09:00Twenty-Fifth Legislature Begins<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/7668/1301/1600/430283/Mock%20John%20at%20Desk%20Floor.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/7668/1301/400/258607/Mock%20John%20at%20Desk%20Floor.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The Twenty-Fifth Legislature began on January 16th. This picture is of me settling in at my new desk on the House Floor.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/7668/1301/1600/747035/Mock%20John%20Talking%20from%20Floor%20Desk.jpg"></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/7668/1301/1600/486606/Orientation%20Cog%20taken%20oath%20in%20front%20of%20Harris.jpg"></a><br /><br />District 11,<br />Thank you for the opportunity you have once again given me to represent you here in Juneau. I was sworn in last week for another two years of service, and I am excited to keep things in the state moving.<br />Since arriving in Juneau my staff and I have been working on five separate bills we have pre-filed. You can read the full text of those bills on the BASIS website sponsored by the legislature:<br /><a href="http://www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/get_spon_sum.asp?fnmember=Coghill&mbrcode=COG&house=H&session=25"></a><br /><br />If you have any questions about these bills, their intent, fiscal impact, etc., please contact my office for answers.<br /><br />This year presents a big change for my office; instead of holding the position of Majority Leader, I am now the Chairman of the Rules Committee in the House. I will work closely with Governor Palin as a liaison to the House leadership, and all of the bills she sponsors go through the Rules Committee by request. Also in my new position I manage the Capitol building and its contents. Finally, the Rules Committee manages when bills go to the House Floor for a vote.<br /><br />During the twenty-fifth legislature I will sit on both the State Affairs and Judiciary committees; these committees will be influential on any legislation concerning ethics and the PERS/TERS debate. I am also a part of the Finance subcommittees on Health and Social Services and the Department of Natural Resources.<br /><br />As well as my leadership position, I also take part in several organizations that provide a variety of benefits for the citizens of Alaska. The Council of State Governments puts me in contact with other legislators from the Western region of the United States, many of whom face similar issues to those we face here in Alaska.<br /><br />The Pacific Northwest Economic Region includes Canadian officials and other delegates from Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. PNWER is an international collaboration on economic structures. Because the Alaskan workforce often crosses national lines, we work with the Canadian delegates to help coordinate border crossing issues, emergency equipment, mining laws, etc. A major development in the economic structures in the Northwest is the upcoming winter Olympics to be hosted in Vancouver in 2010.<br />Check my blog for our regular updates during session.Senator John Coghillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02334965628574929151noreply@blogger.com