Governor Palin Signs Legislation Benefiting Soldiers

Governor Sarah Palin today signed two bills that recognize and show appropriate appreciation for those who are serving our country in the military.

“I am pleased to sign these bills in recognition of the great and selfless service provided by the fine men and women of our military,” Governor Palin said. “I know Alaskans are as appreciative as I am of the military and the efforts of those who serve to protect the freedoms we enjoy.”

Senate Bill 214, sponsored by Senator Charlie Huggins, relates to hunting, fishing and trapping licenses for military members. Military personnel stationed in Alaska and serving in any National Guard or Reserve unit will receive free hunting, fishing and trapping licenses. The new law brings Alaska into line with most other states by waiving a residency requirement. The bill had bipartisan support in both the House and Senate, where it passed without a dissenting vote. The new law takes effect January 1, 2009.

House Bill 326, sponsored by the Rules Committee at the request of the Governor, adds wildland fires to the list of emergencies under which the Governor may call the Alaska National Guard and Alaska Naval Militia into active state service. Additionally, the bill mandates that militia members be paid in a manner commensurate with others on the fire line. The new law takes effect in 90 days.

“I truly appreciate the hard work of Representatives Nancy Dahlstrom and Bob Roses, both of whom spearheaded this legislation from introduction to final passage,” Governor Palin said.

When abortion may be an acceptable choice

National Post:

The Alaska gov who has been named as a possible running mate for John McCain is making headlines for her personal choice not to end her pregnancy.
Gov. Sarah Palin has just revealed her month-old baby was born with Down syndrome, a genetic condtions that impedes a child’s physical, intellectual and language development.
Warned early on through testing, Palin chose to wait until after delivering the 6lb 2 oz baby boy before speaking out. With four children at home already, a child with Down syndrome would present serious challenges, but she said in a statement she felt “privileged that God would entrust us with this gift.”
It’s clear where she stands. She is praised by the “pro life” movement, with activists asking God to “give America more women like her.”

Read the full story

Palin Will Not Allow Abortion Bills In Special Session

KIMO:

Two abortion bills that failed to pass during the regular legislative session will not be added to the agenda of a special session on a natural gas pipeline, said Governor Sarah Palin. Read more

Governor’s son stationed at Fort Wainwright

Track Palin is reported to be stationed at Ft. Wainwright in Fairbanks, which is nice. Over at the ADN blog lots of tongues are wagging about possible influence in the placement, etc. That’s rather ridiculous considering soldiers are asked to give a list of preferred assignments. There are no guarantee’s of course, but I’ve never heard of a waiting list to be stationed in Alaska.

State’s constitutional hurdles leave parental consent issue in limbo

Pro-choice advocates are skeptical that recent moves by state lawmakers will be successful in changing the Alaska Constitution to require parental consent for underage teenagers seeking abortions. Rep. John Coghill, R-North Pole, who is backing the amendment along with 10 other lawmakers, said it would be more difficult than passing a law, so he is also exploring a bill that would rework the language of the law in a way that would satisfy the court’s concerns.”The benefit to that is that you could do it by a majority vote. (A constitutional amendment requires) a much higher bar to pass,” Coghill said. “I’d like to see it overturned, but there may be a way that I could work with their ruling and still have parents involved in that decision,” he said.

The state Supreme Court issued a 3-2 decision in November that ended a 10-year battle over the Parental Consent Act passed by the Legislature in 1997. The move was condemned by Republican Gov. Sarah Palin, who asked for a rehearing.

Read more at the Juneau Empire

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