Don Young: Taxpayer hero
Posted by Alaska_Politics
Posted: June 29, 2008 - 4:47 pm
Update, Monday morning, 6/30:
CORRECTION***Rep. Young Wins Numerous Awards
Washington, D.C. – The office of Alaskan Congressman Don Young was informed this morning by the Alliance for Worker Freedom that in error, our office was confused with that of the office of Rep. Bill Young of Florida in the receipt of their “Guardian of Worker Freedom” award. Rep. Don Young was not a recipient of this award, but still maintains awards from Americans for Tax Reform, American Shareholders Association, and the 60 Plus Association.
From David Hulen in Anchorage --
It's the season for political endorsements, and the announcement below came in Friday from Alaska's congressman, under the heading "Rep. Young Named Hero of the American Taxpayer." He was honored the other night, the announcement says, by a group of organizations, including Americans for Tax Reform. The news produced something of a backlash in the blogosphere, including a critical piece on the conservative site redstate.com (Headline: "Earmarxist Don Young Named American Taxpayer Hero/He might be good on taxes, but he's horrible on spending.")
Also below is a statement from Young's office, "Rep. Young Secures Millions in Key Funding for Alaskans," describing $57.9 million in funding in various appropriations bills moving through Congress.
Young is Alaska this week during the July 4 recess. Here's the public schedule issued by his office (sorry for posting after the first Anchorage event):
Sunday, Anchorage
· 12:30 pm – 2008 Solidarity Picnic, Anchorage Delaney Park Strip, west end
· 6:00 pm – Annual Family Picnic and Carnival, Anchorage Baptist Temple.
Monday, June 30, 2008 – Kodiak
· Day trip to meet with constituents regarding fishing issues and the recent Exxon Valdez Supreme Court decision
Tuesday, July 1, 2008 – Fairbanks
· 12:00 pm – Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce luncheon, Carlson Center
Friday, July 4, 2008 – Seward
All day Fourth of July activities including:
· 11:15 am - Official starter, Women’s Mount Marathon Race
· 3:00 pm – Official starter, Men’s Mount Marathon Race
***
Rep. Young Named Hero of the American Taxpayer
Recognized for Hard Work in Congress
Washington, D.C. – Alaskan Congressman Don Young attended a reception last night where he received an award from each of the following groups: Americans for Tax Reform, American Shareholders Association, Alliance for Worker Freedom, and the 60 Plus Association. These awards are based off of various votes that fall in line with the ideals of the individual groups.
“Commitment and dedication to taxpayer’s interests, has been imperative in the fight against excessive taxation in the 1st session of the 110th Congress,” said Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform and prominent D.C.-based activist. “These Congressional Ratings allow taxpayers to see, when it comes to their hard-earned money, exactly who the heroes and the ‘villains’ are in Congress. It is clear that Don Young has proven to be a hero.”
“It is an honor to be the recipient of each of these awards,” said Rep. Young. “Making sure that the hard-earned money of the American people stays in the pockets of those who earn it and not the government coffers, has always been a priority of mine. Additionally, these awards were for protecting shareholders, caring about the working man and woman, and protecting our elders. These issues are all near and dear to my heart and I thank each of these organizations for recognizing that. I will continue to fight for all of them, and for all Alaskans with every vote I cast.”
To link to the website of each organization:
Americans for Tax Reform
American Shareholders Association
Alliance for Worker Freedom
60 Plus Association
***
Rep. Young Secures Millions in Key Funding for Alaskans
Washington, D.C. – This week the U.S. House Appropriations Committee continued working on spending bills for Fiscal Year 2009. Alaskan Congressman Don Young has secured a total of $57.964 million in the appropriations bills for Energy and Water; Commerce, Justice, and Science; and Labor, Education and Health and Human Services.
“I never take the ability to get funding for these projects for granted,” said Rep. Young. “Every one of these projects was either requested by an Alaskan community or organization in need, or will directly benefit Alaskans. I am grateful that my Colleagues on both sides of the aisle saw the need for funding for all of these projects, and always proud to be able to serve my Alaskan constituents.”
Energy and Water
Department of Energy
· $750,000 - Anchorage Regional Landfill: This project is to recover methane gas from the Anchorage landfill and convert it into electrical power. This funding would provide the infrastructure (transmission line and electrical generators) to convert methane to electrical power generation for 2500 homes for 40 years.
· $1 million - Unalaska Geothermal Energy: This funding would allow Unalaska Geothermal Energy for exploratory drilling and site investigations in order to see how much is available.
Army Corps Projects
· $550,000 - Alaska statewide ports to study and develop a system of ports to improve Alaska’s success with federal grants and funding
· $1 million - Sitka harbor breakwater correcting a design deficiency
· $16.721 - million Anchorage Harbor (dredging)
· $798,000 - Dillingham Harbor (operations & maintenance)
· $589,000 - Homer Harbor (operations & maintenance)
· $741,000 - Nome Harbor (improvements)
Commerce, Justice, State
· $700,000 - Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Research
· $500,000 - Public Safety Planning and Village Public Safety Officer Hiring and Training in the NW Borough
· $300,000 - Steller Sea Lion Co-Management, B·io-Sampling and Outreach/Education
Labor, Education and Health and Human Services
· $85,000 - Literacy Council of Fairbanks - afterschool tutoring program
· $400,000 - Providence Hospital Residency Program in Anchorage - train physicians and improve health care in underserved areas
· $300,000 - Galena City Schools - boarding school operation
· $215,000 – Alaska Addictions Rehabilitation Services/Nugen’s Ranch - construction of new facility at Point McKenzie
· $33.315 million - Alaska Native Education Equity Act
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8 July 7, 2008 - 11:43am | rfn
By way of qualification,
I have had occasion to interview Don Young in years past and always enjoyed the experience. He's done a lot for Alaska and his plain-spoken ways are rarely encountered.
That said, it's time for him to retire. The attacks on him are, of course, motivated primarily by outside interests who care not at all for Alaska. In fact, would prefer we be removed from statehood status and relegated to something less than a colony; just a "pristine playground" for the very wealthy. With all of us, of course, remaining as their lackeys.
We must face a couple of unpleasant realities:
Most of his vocal supporters also have the interests of the state low on their list. They see Don Young as a sort of anti-Palin and are using him to denigrate our governor. Unfortunately, he's accepting and encouraging their bad attitudes. Their support, alone, is a reason to wish him gone.
The most serious negative is based in actuarial tables and the tides of politics. A Democrat sweep is upon us and Alaska is destined to suffer. Electing Democrats does nothing to save us from that; it's party policy to keep Alaska down. A Democrat from Alaska would be either a lap dog or an object of ridicule. Mr. Young isn't getting any younger. There are four to eight years at hand when all the seniority he has built is without meaning. True, any Republican from Alaska will also be an object of ridicule and without power during that period. However, sanity will ultimately return. A NEW Republican from Alaska who is able to maintain dignity through a time of ineffectiveness will be using those wilderness years to build seniority. Seniority that will last into the period of recovery. Unfortunately Mr. Young's age argues that seniority he might accrue during that period would be short-lived. He just can't live long enough. Sad but true.
This leaves us with one solid alternative. Lt. Governor Parnell. Young enough and resilient enough to maintain dignity through the dark years ahead. Intelligent enough to develop strong networks among other new members of Congress to assume a strong leadership position when better days come again.
No question, Mr. Young, it's time to depart gracefully and make way for Alaska's future.
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