Governor Palin 4 President

In response to May 27 editorial, let me explain why I vetoed $28.6 million of federal stimulus funds tied to adoption of universal energy building codes.

The feds required me to certify these codes "will be implemented" or pushed on local communities. My record is clear. I support conserving energy through weatherization & I'm an advocate for harnessing renewable sources of energy. But conditions here required more "big brother" government involvement than most Alaskans want & the new codes could cost Alaskans thousands of dollars per new home & renovation.

Alaskans have a strong history of independence and opposition to Washington, D.C., meddling in local issues. Our constitution ensures "maximum local self-government." Our communities have had the option to adopt building codes for decades. Most have not done so. I've served as a city councilman & city mayor/manager. I've participated firsthand in the mandated building code debate. Anyone serving in local office knows strong deference to local communities leads to the best policies. That policy holds true with building codes.

My community went through a battle over building codes when our booming city desired more growth opportunities to allow job creation. The last thing we needed was a bureaucrat from Washington, D.C., telling us what the best policy was to adopt. Strings were definitely attached to federal energy dollars. The stimulus law in section 410(a) (2), along with the Department of Energy's (DOE) official guidance, required certifying one of two options before Alaska could receive the energy conservation funds.

One option said the state "will implement" the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code for new homes & renovations; adopt a "building energy code [that meets or exceeds Standard 90.1-2007] for commercial buildings throughout the State"; & adopt & pay for a plan of "active" enforcement. I could not certify this. The Legislature did not pass a bill adopting a statewide energy building code. In addition, the federal residential building code does not allow exemptions, such as we use in Alaska. When Alaska Housing Finance Corporation funds are used, building & energy codes can be waived due to the "high cost of implementation" in different areas of Alaska. One size does not fit all in Alaska.

The second option for Alaska was to certify that all "applicable units of local government that have authority to adopt building codes, will implement" the necessary energy codes & enforce them. I could not certify this either. Alaska communities have the right to determine for themselves whether to adopt building codes.

I asked the feds to clarify their position. The Department of Energy finally admitted section 410 & their previous statements were "inappropriate" for some states but still wanted an agreement to push model codes on all Alaskan communities. I said no. Beware of Washington, D.C., trying to cajole local community leaders to eliminate the choices Alaskans have when building or renovating homes & businesses. These new codes are so detailed they would dictate the kinds of lights that can be installed in a home in Akutan, & how thick window panes must be in Chignik.

We have hundreds of millions of dollars already budgeted for conservation, weatherization & renewable energy development. My administration will remain vigilant for Alaskans & oppose mandates or pressure to conform from Washington, D.C., bureaucrats.

http://www.adn.com/opinion/compass/story/813086.html

Anchorage, Alaska – Governor Palin called on Øbama to take a firm stand against N Korea & defend the states and territories of the United States of America & American allies on the Korean peninsula.

This morning, N Korea launched its sixth short-range missile since Monday’s nuclear test. N Korea has also stated that it is no longer bound by the 1953 armistice that ended the Korean War. Further, Øbama has proposed a $1.4 billion reduction of the Missile Defense Agency’s budget.

“The United Nations sanctions have failed to stop North Korea’s development of nuclear weapons, & the Obama Administration cannot afford to be playing catch-up to an irrational dictator like Kim Jong-Il,” said The Governor. “Missile Defense Agency funding must be fully restored in the federal budget to guarantee our protective measures remain the best in the world. Fort Greely plays a crucial role in the nation’s security.”

Alaska is home to the largest ground-based mid-course defense missile shield in N America. Because of its geographical position & proximity to potential targets, Alaska plays a critical role in national security & in the defense of American allies.

Ground missile defense is the cornerstone of the Missile Defense Agency’s multi-layered architecture. It is designed to detect, track, discriminate, intercept & destroy long- & intermediate-range ballistic missiles during the mid-course phase of flight. The weapons system consists of land-, sea- & space-based sensors, command & control operations, & silo-based interceptors that are located at Vandenberg AFB, California & Fort Greely.

Defense Secretary Gates will visit Alaska Monday & Sen. Mark Begich will take him on a tour of the same missile defense site in Fort Greely that he has cut funding for. Lets hope Governor Palin provides Gates with & earful about his & the president's short-sightedness.

Full Articles At:
http://www.gov.state.ak.us/news.php?id=1871
http://www.newsminer.com/news/2009/may/29/us-defense-secretary-robert-gates-tour-fort-greely/

Anchorage, Alaska - The National Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Jeff Roy, and Governor Palin, will hold a press conference at 10:00 am on May 30, 2009 at Mt View VFW Post 10252 located at 3105 Mt View Drive, Anchorage.

The purpose is to launch an extraordinary expedition by America’s heroes to successfully summit 20,320 ft. Mt. Denali, the highest peak in North America, after more than a year of intensive preparations. Commander Roy will introduce the members of this team of wounded warriors who symbolize the strength of our Nation & those who defend it.

The ceremony will include, Governor Palin presenting a Purple Heart Medal to Wayne Stackhouse, an Anchorage resident, for wounds he received in Vietnam on 25 October 1967 when his unit came under attack by the Viet Cong. Stackhouse, who was assigned to Co C, 4th Bn., 23d Infantry Regiment of the 25th Infantry Division, was on an operation as an infantry radio mechanic near Chu Chi, Vietnam, when he was struck several times by shrapnel from a rocket-propelled grenade. After receiving medical treatment in Vietnam, he was medically evacuated to Japan & finally to Ft. Knox, Kentucky where he was ultimately discharged from the U.S. Army on 10 May 1968. At the time of his discharge, his military records did not reflect his receipt of the Purple Heart.

This Saturday, 40 years after being wounded on the battlefield, Wayne Stackhouse will finally receive his Purple Heart Medal. Governor Palin will pin the decoration on Stackhouse, while Commander Roy will also award him the Vietnam Service Medal with 2 bronze stars, another decoration he earned but never received.

Full Article At:
http://www.purpleheartfoundation.org/readnews.asp?fseq=200

Anchorage, Alaska - Governor Palin announced her appointments to the Alaska Public Offices Commission, Fishermen’s Fund Advisory and Appeals Council, Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education, Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority, and State Officers Compensation Commission.

Alaska Public Offices Commission
Governor Palin appointed Kathleen J. King to the Alaska Public Offices Commission. The five-member commission administers laws upholding the public’s right to know the financial affairs of state and municipal public officials and candidates, and of lobbyists and their employers. It adopts regulations, issues advisory opinions, recommends changes in state law, administers penalties for failure to comply with reporting requirements and adjudicates complaints, and can recommend removal of candidates from the ballot or office.

Fishermen’s Fund Advisory and Appeals Council
Governor Palin reappointed Larry Bartman to the Fishermen’s Fund Advisory and Appeals Council. The six-member council consults with the commissioner of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development regarding appeals filed concerning the care of Alaska licensed commercial fishermen who have been injured while fishing in Alaska. The council also oversees the administration of the Fishermen’s Fund, which uses a portion of commercial fishing licenses and permit fees to fund medical care and benefits for injured commercial fishermen.

Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education
Governor Palin reappointed Marlene “Anna” Attla, Milton “Smitty” Cheemuk, Kathleen L. Fitzgerald and Lelia “Lucy” Odden to the Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education. The council is the interdepartmental planning and coordinating agency of the state Department of Health and Social Services and other departments offering services or special education to disabled Alaskans. It also operates as the state disability/special education planning council under federal law, and works with the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority on the state’s integrated program for the mentally disabled. At least 60 percent of the members must be people with disabilities, or parents of people with disabilities.

Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority
Governor Palin appointed Janet A. Kincaid to the Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority. The authority, led by a five-member board of directors, was created by the Alaska State Legislature in 2003 to facilitate construction of a bridge across Knik Arm connecting the Municipality of Anchorage and the Matanuska-Susitna Borough.

State Officers Compensation Commission
Governor Palin reappointed Mike Miller to the State Officers Compensation Commission. The five-member commission created by the Alaska State Legislature in 2008 is charged with making adjustments in the pay, benefits and allowances of top state officials, including legislators, commissioners, the governor and the lieutenant governor.

Full Article At:
http://www.gov.state.ak.us/news.php?id=1868