Mark Begich

I want to commend you guys for doing it, one, that there was unanimous support of the report.

Let me say this, I am over my time. I did have questions for the Commissioners, but I will submit those.

If you have more flexibility, less lack of access or ability, you can do a lot of things.

I have had my criticisms, to be frank with you, of the State's inability to really see this as an opportunity.

I think it is important.

That would be low-hanging fruit for a new Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs.

Do you support that repeal or not?

I have a piece of legislation pending on the Safe Villages and Families Act, which talks about coordination.

I understand. I wanted to make sure there is nothing illegal.

Thank you very much. Thanks to both of you for being here.

I thank Senator Begich for his leadership in trying to address that.

I appreciate your honoring that request and having this hearing today.

I will be brief, because I know we have some great witnesses.

The challenges facing Native communities require a comprehensive approach to law enforcement.

If there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that it adjourn under the previous order. There being no objection, the Senate, at 6:38 p.m., adjourned until Tuesday, February 11, 2014, at 10 a.m…

Senator-designate Walsh from Montana will be sworn in at 12:15 p.m. tomorrow. Senators will be notified when the next vote is scheduled. ____________________

And even the fact that, last year, when other cities were still suffering from the recession, we were getting an upgrade, and hopefully this year we will get another upgrade.

I am a supporter of budget autonomy. I think it is important.

I would hope that--let us hope there is not another shutdown, but in the hopes of another shutdown that we have more review of how we approach this, recognizing that they are national treasures.

The government shutdown was totally unnecessary and inflicted needless economic damage on families and businesses across this country.

The way to approach this is creating budget autonomy is the first step.

I am assuming in the world of Wall Street that the more stability, certainty with your budgetary revenue streams or control that you have, makes them much more comfortable in the long term for working with you folks.

I think budget autonomy, also as a former mayor, makes a lot of sense in the sense of the work you need to do.

That uncertainty hits Alaska families hard.

I could not imagine me sending my local ordinances to the State legislature for their rejection or review. It would be ridiculous.