Write-in Bill Passes

Denali KidCare Expansion Fails

April 13, 2011|By Ted Land | Channel 2 News

KTUU/Carolyn Hall Jensen

JUNEAU, Alaska — There are four days left for the Alaska Legislature to finish its work this session.

With a plan to cut oil taxes stalled, lawmakers are now focusing on other bills, like a measure to change election law in the wake of the disputed 2010 U.S. Senate race between Joe Miller and Lisa Murkowski.

The House approved a plan Wednesday, that would allow misspellings and abbreviations on write-in ballots where voter intent is clear.

The bill (SB 31) also declares that it's up to the Division of Elections director to make the call on whether or not a ballot is valid.

Supporters say the changes are meant to avoid any future confusion and to save money spent on court battles.

"This change was recommended by the Alaska Superior Court, the Alaska Supreme Court and the Federal District Court and now by the Lt. Governor," read Rep. Steve Thompson (D-Fairbanks) on the House floor.

The vote was 38-1. The lone "no" vote came from Rep. Wes Keller (R-Wasilla), who said it's very difficult to define voter intent.

"My 'no' vote is not a negative statement on the director, or the court case, or anything else," he said, "but I think that there's more that we could have done here."

The Senate already passed the write-in bill, which will go to Gov. Parnell's desk once lawmakers concur on a few changes.

DENALI KID CARE

Meanwhile, in the Senate, there was a disagreement over Denali KidCare, the state's health insurance program for low-income women and children.

A bill to expand the program failed, in a 10-10 vote.

A similar expansion was vetoed last year by Gov. Parnell over concerns that funds would be used to provide abortions for some women.

Lawmakers who voted against the latest expansion shared that concern.

"I think there are just a lot of unknowns about what is 'medically necessary,' what is considered an abortion," said Sen. Kevin Meyer (R-Anchorage), who did not support the bill.

Sen. Bettye Davis (D-Anchorage) is the bill sponsor and says she'll ask for reconsideration, to see if she can sway a few votes in her favor.

"It's one of the most effective programs that we have and there's nothing better that we could do to increase the health standards of our children," she said.

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