Dear Alaskan,

It has been a pleasure serving as your governor for the last 100 days. As we work together to move our great state forward, I am proud of the significant progress my administration has made in growing our economy with resource development and caring for our families and communities. The future of our great state is promising, the opportunities are endless.

Advocated Outer Continental Shelf Development

Governor Sean Parnell met with Interior Sectretary Ken Salazar.

  • Focus on Expanding Oil Development. Advocated for responsible oil and gas development along the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) off Alaska's coast in meetings with the Secretary of the Interior, White House officials, trade groups, and others. The governor argued that such development would be in the best interest of Alaska and the nation, and that the significant oil and gas potential of the Alaska OCS could be developed without harming the environment.

Promoted Construction of Natural Gas Pipeline

  • Gas line.Governor Parnell advocated with oil and gas companies to expedite the gasline.
  • Federal Action. Urged strong support for construction of a natural gas pipeline from Alaska's North Slope through Canada to the Midwest in meetings with federal officials and in written communications. The governor's advocacy was greeted by strong support from the White House and members of Congress.
  • Congress. Worked with the Alaska congressional delegation to increase the federal loan guarantee for the gas pipeline in pending energy legislation.

Fought Endangered Species Act (ESA) Listings

  • ESA Listing. Implemented comprehensive strategy to protect Alaska from misuse of the federal Endangered Species Act.
  • Polar Bears. Argued successfully that the Secretary of the Interior's decision on whether to list polar bears under the ESA should be kept separate from climate change considerations.
  • Critical Habitat. Challenged the secretary's decision to list polar bears as threatened under the ESA, and the Parnell administration has provided input to the federal government on other listing and critical habitat decisions involving Alaska species, including beluga whales and seals.

Supported Citizen and Corporate Tax Relief

Governor Parnell addressed the Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce.

  • Gas tax. Called for suspension of 8-cent gas tax.
  • Tax Credits. Announced support for tourism tax credit. Met with 11 chambers of commerce throughout the state.
  • Business Leaders. Met extensively with business leaders and owners to listen and speak on economic issues.

Maintained Fiscally Conservative Approach

  • Policy. Maintained a stable tax policy and a responsible spending policy.
  • Results-Based Budgeting. Declared fiscally conservative approach to budget by directing department commissioners toward results-based budgeting.
  • Jobs. Strongly supported resource development to create new job opportunities for Alaskans.

Called for Sound Arctic, Ocean, Land, and Timber Policies

Governor Parnell testified at a congressional subcommittee on Arctic policy.

  • Arctic Station. Testified at a congressional subcommittee on Arctic policy. Called for a new Coast Guard duty station or port on Alaska's western or northern coast.
  • Energy. Created senior policy advisor position for Alaska energy.
  • Kensington Mine. Argued successfully for the permits necessary to commence operations at the Kensington Mine. The governor also emphasized the significant employment benefits involved in mine construction and operation and reiterated his view that the mine could be developed in an environmentally responsible manner.
  • Timber. Defended Tongass timber sales and roadless exemption.
  • Oil Assets. Took action to protect state assets in Cook Inlet by taking over facilities abandoned after a bankruptcy action. Swift action not only protected the physical assets of the facility, but protected the environment from inevitable damage that would result from abandoned platforms and pipelines.
  • State's Rights. Took aggressive stance asserting state's rights, including advocacy on federal wildlife legislation, significant and comprehensive comments on proposed ocean policies, and opposition to a poorly justified federal proposal on emission control areas.
  • Ocean Policy. Commented extensively on proposed ocean policy as it might affect Alaska. The governor emphasized the importance of a true federal-state partnership and expressed concern about ocean zoning and over-centralized, top down federal decision making.

Conducted Rural Outreach

Governor Parnell met with apprentice workers.

  • Preparedness. Established extensive communication with Western Alaska and worked to ensure the region is prepared for winter.
  • Disaster Declaration. Urged the U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary to declare a federal disaster for Yukon chinook.
  • NCO. Appointed the first female Alaska Native Army Guard sergeant major.
  • Native Organizations. Met with eight Native organizations and listened to concerns and potential solutions. Also emphasized partnerships and the importance of working together.
  • Broadband. In a series of communications to federal officials, the governor emphasized the importance of deploying broadband technology in Alaska, particularly in rural locations. Discussed Alaska's unique circumstances and the importance of broadband technology in job creation, education, and health care.
  • Federal Funds. Worked with Senator Lisa Murkowski's office to craft a solution that will result in an additional $65 million in federal funds for village water and sewer projects.
  • Subcabinet. Increased the Rural Subcabinet by adding the commissioner of the Department of Fish and Game.

Improved Educational Opportunities

  • Performance Scholarship. Proposed a sweeping new scholarship program for Alaska students to better prepare them for college, encourage them to stay in Alaska for college and careers, and help pay for tuition based on academic achievement. The Governor's Performance Scholarship would be available for Alaska universities and accredited Alaska trade schools.
  • Stay in School. Encouraged all students to stay in school through public service announcements, classroom visits, and assemblies.
  • Reduce Dropout Rate. Inventoried state and private prevention and early intervention programs that target middle school youth in anticipation of an initiative to reduce dropout rates.
  • Fitness. Introduced nutrition/fitness initiative. Participated in fitness activities with elementary students and encouraged them to keep personal activity logs.
  • Rural Education. Appointed the state's first rural education director. The director will be instrumental in education reform through a variety of approaches including bridging the cultural differences between rural communities and the public education system.

Improve Public Safety

Governor Parnell visited with VPSOs at the Alaska Federation Natives Convention.

  • Domestic Violence. Called for an end to domestic violence by addressing the culture of silence through education and awareness.
  • VPSOs. The Department of Public Safety (DPS) is working toward filling existing Village Public Safety Officer (VPSO) positions and obtaining authorization for new positions.
  • Training. The administration is currently exploring opportunities to enhance the training of Village Police Officers (VPO) and tribal police.

Worked to Improve Quality of Life

First annual Capital City Governor's Picnic.

  • Nutrition Assistance. The Division of Public Assistance received recognition from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and a $273,584 High Performance Bonus for having the most improved program access for its Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
  • Picnic. Held first annual Capital City Governor's Picnic.
  • Reduced Recidivism. The Department of Corrections has moved into the final stage of complete implementation of a revised and revamped program plan designed to directly improve recidivism rates. When the program plan is final, close to 1,000 Alaska inmates will have access to substance abuse treatment, anger management, parenting skills training, vocational certification, and GED completion.
  • Strykers. Welcomed home our Arctic Warriors/Stryker Brigade – 4,000 strong.
  • Physical Fitness. Alaska took first place in the National President's Challenge on physical activity (for the second year in a row). Alaska had the highest per capita rate of participation among all states and territories at the end of the challenge.
  • Appointments. Appointed 100 Alaskans to boards and commissions.

Quick Response to Emergencies

Governor Parnell visited flooded communities.

  • H1N1. Conducted an unprecedented collaboration with the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and the Department of Education and Early Development in outlining and executing Alaska's Pandemic Influenza plan. To date, more than 50,000 doses of H1N1 vaccine have been distributed.
  • Yukon River Flood Response. All homes that were damaged and destroyed have been repaired or replaced from the spring floods that affected Eagle and many other communities across the state. The entire housing mission was completed in 106 days; 14 homes were rebuilt and 40 were repaired.
  • Pelican Disaster. Signed Administrative Order 251, granting the City of Pelican access to disaster relief funds. Severe rainfall in August collapsed the city's water flume. Pelican was without drinking water for several days until a temporary bypass line and gasoline-powered pump restored the water-supply system.
  • Wildfires. Met with state fire officials to discuss solutions to summer wildfires.
  • Analysis Center. The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs collaborated with the Department of Public Safety to establish a Fusion Center and Alaska Information Analysis Center for information sharing and analysis and to become part of the national Information Sharing Environment. This resulted in faster and more efficient response to threats to Alaska and infrastructure.