(295) stories found containing 'Dan Ortiz'


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  • Dan's Dispatch

    Apr 13, 2017

    As expected, it’s been a challenging legislative session, and from here on, the budget will be the forefront of every discussion. Both the House and the Senate are creating Alaska’s budget, but it’s clear that the bodies have differing approaches. Last week, I wrote a letter explaining the House approach to resolving Alaska’s fiscal crisis. To recap, the House proposed budget is $81.7 million in General Funds less than our current fiscal year. State agencies have been reduced by $62 million. Despite these cuts, the House Majority Coaliti...

  • Dan's Dispatch

    Mar 30, 2017

    In the last few weeks, folks have called and emailed to ask about our budget and what’s happening in the Capitol. There’s a lot of misinformation out there, and in this climate, where every Alaskan is worried about the future, it’s important to keep things in focus. With budget numbers flying and hundreds of amendments under consideration, I’m going to pick out the most significant changes – those that will affect you and your family – to highlight. Keep in mind that this is the budget as of March 16th, 2018, 3:30 PM. With hours of debate and...

  • Budget bills nearing cross-examination in Juneau

    Dan Rudy|Mar 30, 2017

    Wrangell’s district representative for the State Legislature teleconferenced in late last week to update constituents on what’s going on in Juneau. Rep. Dan Ortiz (I-District 36) called in to Legislative Information Office locations in Ketchikan and Wrangell to explain ongoing bills and field questions on March 23. Likely the biggest issue on Alaska’s collective mind is its budget deficit, which by various measures is set to drain billions from the state’s savings this year. With spending left as is, the Legislative Finance Division project...

  • Senate PFD restructure to get hearing in House Finance

    Dan Rudy|Mar 23, 2017

    A bill that would rearrange how earnings from the Permanent Fund are used passed the Senate last week, with a version set next to be read by the House Finance Committee. The “Permanent Fund Protection Act” (SB 26) would arrange the Fund’s Earnings Reserve Account – from which the state’s annual dividends are paid out – so that the amount of money drawn from the earnings would be tied to a percent of market value, or POMV, approach. The bill would set up how the ERA would be tapped, and would set the POMV limit at a 5.25-percent withdraw ra...

  • Land exchange bills introduced in House and Senate

    Dan Rudy|Mar 16, 2017

    A pair of bills were submitted to the State Legislature which would help move forward a proposed land exchange between the United States Forest Service and the state Mental Health Trust Authority. House Bill 155 was introduced by Rep. Dan Ortiz (I-District 36) earlier last week, with Sen. Bert Stedman (R-District R) submitting Senate Bill 88 shortly after. An agreement to initiate the swap was signed by both services in June 2015, which followed approximately eight years of negotiations that included input from a wide collection of...

  • Ortiz call-in hears input on new taxes, PFDs

    Dan Rudy|Mar 2, 2017

    As the Alaska House and Senate continue to prepare budgets for the coming year, residents of Wrangell and Ketchikan were invited to their Legislative Information Office locations for a call-in session with Rep. Dan Ortiz (I-District 36). Meeting late in the afternoon February 23, 10 Wrangell residents and seven in Ketchikan tuned in for the representative’s pitch for House Bill 115, a proposal to reconfigure Alaska’s Permanent Fund along with revenue enhancements being sponsored by the Majority-led House Finance Committee. The bill calls for...

  • Legislative call-in at LIO office

    Feb 16, 2017

    Everyone is welcome to an Open House at the Legislative Information Office Thursday, February 23rd, from 4 – 6 pm. Come see what the office has to offer and enjoy light refreshments. Also available will be an informal teleconference with Representative Dan Ortiz from 5 – 6 pm. This is your opportunity to let him know your opinions on the State budget, the Permanent Fund Dividend or any other concerns you may have. The LIO is located at the top of the stairs in the Kadin Building. Call 874-3013 for more information....

  • PFD bill gets committee hearing, Ortiz files mining resolution

    Feb 9, 2017

    Entering its third full week of the session, Alaska’s Legislature continues to look at a variety of spending cuts and revenue options. On February 2, the Senate Finance Committee heard SB 21, a proposal of Sen. Bert Stedman to restructure how Permanent Fund earnings are appropriated. Currently the $56B in the fund are constitutionally protected, but the bill proposes further limiting the amount of money that can be withdrawn from the principal to 4.5 percent of market value, based on a rolling five-year average. That rate falls within the f...

  • Dan's Dispatch

    Jan 26, 2017

    By Representative Dan Ortiz Governor Walker submitted a budget plan for the upcoming fiscal year, which includes three primary items: cuts in government spending, increased revenue, and the use of some Permanent Fund earnings, which is a separate fund from where we collect our dividend. During his State of the State, Governor Walker emphasized the significant cuts we’ve made since 2015. We’ve cut the budget from $8 billion to $5 billion. We’ve cut government spending by 44%. When factoring in inflation and population growth, our current spendin...

  • Legislative battle over budget set for new session

    Dan Rudy|Jan 19, 2017

    Alaska’s 30th Legislature convened for its new session on Tuesday, with the state’s finances presenting a daunting challenge for the next 90 days. The spending deficit is projected at around $3.1 billion this year if the budget is left as-is. Agency spending has come to just over 13-percent since FY15, and the budget as a whole has taken a 29-percent cut when capital projects and other funding is considered. Revenue has failed to cover operating expenses since FY13, but has covered an ever-dwindling proportion since. This year the $1.2 bil...

  • Assembly gives input over state budget

    Dan Rudy|Jan 12, 2017

    At its regular meeting Tuesday, the City and Borough Assembly met with returning Rep. Dan Ortiz (I-District 36) to talk about the state budget. He had previously stopped by on similar visits to the councils in Hydaburg, Metlakatla and Ketchikan, and was hoping to get input from Wrangell’s before the upcoming session, which begins next week. “Marching orders, if you will,” he said. The biggest issue on all legislators’ plates this session will be the budget deficit, which is hovering at around $3.6 billion this year. Revenues for the state l...

  • A look back at 2016

    Jan 5, 2017

    For Wrangell, the past year was one mixed with successes and setbacks, shared tragedies and uplifting moments. Sales taxes collected over the spring and summer tour seasons neared all-time highs, with the visitor industry experiencing a good season overall. On the other end, fishermen experienced one of their worst harvests of the summer, which after a disappointing 2015 season has put the fiscal pinch on a number of local families, boat builders, and associated sectors. As 2017 dawns, concerns...

  • Shoemaker money in governor's budget draft

    Dan Rudy|Dec 22, 2016

    Things are looking up for possible project financing needed to replace float facilities at Shoemaker Bay Harbor. In a budget draft released by Gov. Bill Walker last week, the Department of Transportation and Public Facility’s harbor maintenance program would have $5,000,000 in its coffers for next year, precisely the amount Wrangell would need in order to proceed with its renovation at Shoemaker. The Wrangell project has been given precedence this year over other applications from around the state, after being passed over last year due to l...

  • Alaska Republicans to lose House majority to coalition

    Dan Rudy|Nov 17, 2016

    With 99.55 percent of precincts reporting in the state, it appears the Alaska House Majority will be in new hands at the start of the January session. Numerically speaking, a majority of House seats were retained by Republicans, the inclusion of three of these in a bipartisan caucus was announced the day after the election. For the first time in decades this will shift the chamber over to a Democrat-led majority. Seventeen Democrats and two independent representatives bring their total number...

  • Early election results strongly GOP for Wrangell

    Nov 10, 2016

    Local voters took to the polls Tuesday, putting an end to what was for many an overlong campaign season. Nationally, indications showed Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump to be ahead of Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, though by press time Tuesday final tallies were being calculated in half a dozen states. In Alaska, preliminary results from around the state were only just coming in from different precincts as of Tuesday night. In unofficial tallies for Wrangell voters, some 45 percent of registered voters turned out on Election...

  • Wrangell hosts House debate ahead of election

    Dan Rudy|Nov 3, 2016

    As the year's campaign season nears its close on Tuesday, candidates for House District 36 came to Wrangell to participate in a public debate last week. Held at City Hall on October 26, the forum was hosted by public radio station KSTK. Independent incumbent Rep. Dan Ortiz met with Republican challenger Bob Sivertsen. Constitution Party candidate Kenneth Shaw was also invited to the debate, but was unable to attend. All three candidates are from Ketchikan. Speakers were given two minutes each...

  • Southeast to be included in salmon disaster declaration

    Nov 3, 2016

    The governor’s office last week announced the inclusion of Southeast Alaska in the state’s request for a disaster declaration for the 2016 pink salmon fishery. Made October 26, the announcement was in response to a letter jointly issued by Reps. Dan Ortiz (I-District 36) and Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins (D-District 35) the previous week making the request. It follows a request in August made by Rep. Louise Stutes (R-District 32) for the state’s fishery due to the season’s poor returns. Statewide the harvest was considered the worst in nearly...

  • Dan's Dispatch

    Oct 27, 2016

    By Representative Dan Ortiz The Stikine, Taku and Unuk watersheds are a major factor in the reliability of our seafood and tourism industries. Our fisheries, mariculture, and tourism industries rely on healthy watersheds, which replenish these resources and maintain our scenic reputation and seafood quality. If these rivers are not maintained for quality, our resources will diminish, as vital nutrients and safety conditions will lapse. According to recent estimates from the McDowell Group, the total annual economic contribution of these...

  • Third-party candidate another option for House

    Dan Rudy|Oct 27, 2016

    With elections at the state and national levels set for November 8, candidates have been busy making the rounds, meeting with constituents and engaging in public debates on policy directions. In the race for House District 36, Wrangell voters may already be acquainted with sitting Rep. Dan Ortiz and Republican challenger Bob Sivertsen, both of whom were scheduled to debate in town on Wednesday evening. Interviews with the two have already run in the preceding two issues of the Sentinel. A third candidate is joining them on the ballot this...

  • Dan's Dispatch

    Dan Ortiz|Oct 20, 2016

    It has come to my attention in recent days that groups from outside our district and outside Alaska have started to send out negative ads against me. Judging from where this effort is coming from, I take it in stride. As your state representative, my only goal is to be your voice in the legislature. Residents of District 36 know that I actively request input from every side of every issue, and I listen to everyone. My goal has never been to appease big oil or the Railbelt, especially when their desires are in conflict with the needs of Southern...

  • House challenger Sivertsen talks budget, caucusing

    Dan Rudy|Oct 20, 2016

    Ahead of next month's general election, candidates for Wrangell's State House district have been stopping in to meet with constituents and secure their votes on November 8. Running for District 36 as a Republican, Ketchikan Councilman Bob Sivertsen spoke about his candidacy. He had previously visited the community on the campaign trail over July 4 and in September. "I think the campaign's been going great," Sivertsen said. "I spent a fair amount of time in Wrangell, visiting with residents. And...

  • Dan's Dispatch

    Dan Ortiz|Oct 13, 2016

    Public radio is a lifeline for rural communities. It connects our community of islands here in Southeast, and our neighbors scattered across the far and wide villages of Northern Alaska. In many areas of Alaska public radio is the only means of issuing emergency alerts, public safety announcements, and relaying important community information. Public radio should be an investment of the Department of Public Safety. Public radio currently finds its support from the Department of Administration, but that is not the appropriate category of...

  • Ortiz makes case for re-election

    Dan Rudy|Oct 13, 2016

    Rep. Dan Ortiz is running for reelection on November 8, to represent District 36 in the Alaska State House. Going door to door through Wrangell on the campaign trail late last month, he stopped in the Sentinel office to talk about his record, his candidacy, and the direction he believes the state should head in the coming session. Unaffiliated with any political party, after being elected to office in 2014, Ortiz served both legislative sessions caucusing with the Democratic-led House Minority....

  • House District races

    Nick Bowman Daily News Staff Writer|Sep 29, 2016

    PETERSBURG — With the state fiscal crisis swallowing Alaska’s political debate since 2014, the Alaska House races in Districts 35 and 36 are being fought on almost identical grounds. House District 35 includes the northern and more populated half of Prince of Wales Island. While Ketchikan’s Rep. Dan Ortiz is an independent, both he and Rep. Jonathan Kreiss Tomkins, D-Sitka, are members of the Alaska House minority caucus. They won their races after unlikely campaigns as political underdogs. Kreiss-Tomkins was first elected in 2012, while Ortiz...

  • Dan's Dispatch

    Dan Ortiz|Aug 11, 2016

    As the fisheries industry continues to expand and Wrangell’s Marine Service Center’s services demand increases, I believe Wrangell’s economy has nowhere to go but up. However, to accommodate this growth, the state must maintain their services in Wrangell. I am particularly concerned about the conservation of state jobs in Wrangell. Several years ago, Wrangell lost its social worker and its fisheries biologist. Now, the loss of the Wrangell trooper and the potential of reduced funding to the city jail weigh heavily, as Wrangell’s state jobs sl...

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