eNews from Sen. Lisa Murkowski

Press Release

Murkowski Proposes Changes to No Child Left Behind

Last week, I introduced the "School Accountability Improvements Act." This legislation amends No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) in order to address Alaska's needs. The bill: allows states to use a growth model that tracks individual student progress; provides flexibility on highly qualified teacher
requirements; provides flexibility in calculating average yearly progress for special education and Limited English Proficient students; and improves the method on how schools count students who are enrolled in Native American Heritage Language Programs.

While NCLB has helped to bring about some positive changes to school policies and procedures, and has ensured that more students are getting the help they need to succeed in schools, we also know that there are areas that are in need of significant improvement. This is not surprising, as it is
difficult to write one law that will work well for both New York City and Nuiqsuit, Alaska. I am hopeful that my legislation will provide the necessary flexibility that educators and parents throughout Alaska have told me are needed to improve the educational opportunities for all of our children.

Specifically, this legislation addresses Highly Qualified Teachers in Small Schools; Growth Models; School Choice and Supplemental Services; Calculating Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) for Students with Disabilities and Students with Limited English Proficiency; Native American Heritage Language Programs; and Improving Parental Involvement.

Alaskans Accept Admission to Service Academies

I am excited that 10 of the outstanding Alaska candidates I nominated for admission to the United States Air Force, Naval, and Military Academies have been accepted to the class of 2011. Competition for appointment to the service academies is rigorous. The selected nominees and their families have every reason to be proud of this significant accomplishment. With their fine
records and outstanding qualities that led to their nomination and selection, I am sure they will serve with honor and distinction. I offer each student my congratulations and best wishes for continued success in the pursuit of a service career.

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Murkowski Adds Renewable Energy Construction Grants to Senate Energy Bill

In an effort to increase funding for renewable energy power projects, I won Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee approval for an amendment to comprehensive energy legislation that will provide federal grants to help utilities build renewable energy projects. The amendment, which I drafted with Senator Stevens, creates a Renewable Energy Construction Grant program that will provide up to 50-50 federal matching grants for the construction of wind, geothermal and ocean energy projects nationwide and small hydroelectric projects exclusively in Alaska.

The use of renewable energy provides a host of benefits to the nation through reducing our dependence on imported oil and cutting greenhouse gas emissions. Unfortunately, renewable projects are more costly to build than conventional power plants. This grant program will provide federal assistance to make renewable energy more affordable for utilities and local governments which will aid electricity consumers nationwide.

Projects in Alaska that could benefit from the grant program include the Fire Island wind farm in Anchorage, Chena Hot Springs geothermal project outside of Fairbanks, and several other geothermal, biomass, ocean energy and small hydro projects statewide.

Moose Creek Celebrated as One of Ten Waters to Watch

Moose Creek, in the Mat-Su Basin, was named one of the "10 Waters to Watch" by the National Fish Habitat Board, a group of the nation's leading authorities on aquatic conservation. The waterways on the list were chosen to demonstrate the collaborative conservation efforts of the National Fish Habitat Action Plan, a new initiative to reverse persistent declines in the quality of our nation's aquatic habitat.

The Moose Creek fish passage and restoration project will result in 3,450 feet of restored river channel and floodplain characteristics and 5 miles improved fish access for Pacific salmon. To learn more visit fishhabitat.org.

Alaskan Entrepreneurs Honored at the White House

Roy Ardern and Carlos Nelson, owners of Pegasus Aircraft Maintenance, were in D.C. last week to be recognized as Alaska Small Business of the Year. For more than 40 years, the U.S. Small Business Administration has recognized outstanding small business owners for their contributions to the nation's economy and for their personal achievements during small business week.
Since 1963, every President has declared National Small Business Week to formally recognize the important role of America's small business community.

Senate Passes America COMPETES Act

The United States Senate recently passed the America COMPETES Act (S. 761), legislation I cosponsored with Senator Stevens. The bill will increase research investment; improve educational opportunities in science, math, technology, and engineering; and help develop an innovation infrastructure.

Keeping America competitive in the 21st century requires a serious investment in research and education. The America COMPETES Act will help prepare the next generation of entrepreneurs to compete in a more global marketplace by increasing support for math and science education.

Specifically the bill will:
• Double funding for the National Science Foundation by 2011;
• Put the Department of Energy's Office of Science on track to double in funding over ten years;
• Authorize increased funding for the National Institute of Standards and Technology;
• Establish training and education programs for science and math teachers;
• Increase enrollment in Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate classes by
increasing the number of teachers who are prepared to teach these classes;
• Provide grants to improve elementary and middle school math instruction and assist students
who are struggling with math;
• Expand National Science Foundation graduate research fellowship and traineeship programs;
and
• Increase the number of students who study critical foreign languages.

Senator Murkowski was recently honored with the National Breast Cancer Coalition's Annual Advocacy Conference Congressional Award

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