Panel withholds natural gas money

JUNEAU -- Gov. Sean Parnell got much of what he wanted in a House version of the state operating budget, and lawmakers said it's possible he'll get more later. But the finance committee on Tuesday only offered a portion of the money he had requested to advance a major natural gas pipeline upfront -- and withheld, for now, funding requested for his in-state gas development team.

Rep. Mike Hawker, a Republican committee co-chairman, said fuller funding could be included in spending proposals later. Hawker said he was certain the Legislature would include money for in-state gas at some point this session. But he said he wants to see a "productive dialogue" between the administration and lawmakers and as much agreement as possible on how to move forward "before we commit the public treasure to this process."

Karen Rehfeld, Parnell's budget director, said agency officials could do a better job of reaching out to lawmakers and answering their questions and noted it was a first step. The full House is set to debate the bill later this week before sending it to the Senate.

Besides the fund issue, Parnell also didn't get the $400 million he'd wanted for merit scholarships, a key piece of his legislative agenda. Since Parnell is seeking to create a new program, lawmakers must authorize it before funding is appropriated, Hawker said. That also could happen later.

-- The Associated Press

Wastewater discharge bill dead, sponsor says

JUNEAU -- The sponsor of a wastewater discharge bill intended to protect fish spawning grounds from mine waste says his bill is dead.

Rep. Paul Seaton, a Republican from Homer and commercial fisherman, says the bill would create a modest protection for fish against effects of mining. Opponents have cited legal and regulatory concerns. The House's special committee on fisheries voted 4-3 to table the bill Tuesday. Seaton says this effectively kills it.

Rep. Craig Johnson, an Anchorage Republican, initially called on his colleagues to have the "fortitude" to vote it up or down directly. He then made the motion to table. -- The Associated Press

Disclosure bills may still affect August vote

JUNEAU -- Corporations in Alaska won't get a pass on campaign disclosure rules in the August primaries if pending bills pass into law this session.

That's according to Holly Hill, executive director of the Alaska Public Offices Commission.

If the bills are approved, the regulations likely won't be written in time for the August elections. But she says that wouldn't make the effect of the measures moot.

Hill says corporations exercising their new political free-speech rights granted by a January U.S. Supreme Court decision should seek an advisory opinion from her agency.

Hill says her office has gotten calls questioning the decision's impact, but no corporations have requested an advisory opinion.

-- The Associated Press

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