The Nome Nugget

Legislature Still Undecided On Home Rule Provisions as Halfway Mark Nears

JUNEAU, (AP)- The legislature, nearing the halfway mark of its second session, has not reached agreement on carrying out home rule provisions of the state constitution.

Friday the Joint Local Affairs Committee, which is conducting public hearings on boundary matters, heard three witnesses, each with a different opinion. Their testimony concerned establishment of the constitutionally-prescribed borough, which will carry out governmental functions between the state and municipal level.

Rep. Peter Deveau of Kodiak suggested organizing boroughs along the lines of election districts.

Henry Camarot of Fairbanks, a member of the Local Boundary Commission, said some attention should be paid to election districts, but he thought economic, political and social considerations were more important.

Both said they felt the legislature, acting on the Boundary Commission's recommendations, should set the boundary lines.

Two types of boroughs have been mentioned-organized boroughs, which would have their own governing bodies and taxing powers similar to counties in most states, and unorganized boroughs.

The latter would be administered by the state and the legislature would act as the governing body.

Robert Sharp, city manager of Ketchikan, said he didn't think the state should establish organized boroughs at all unless the affected areas consented. He suggested local areas be permitted to establish organized boroughs in the same way cities are allowed to incorporate.

Sharp said he felt unorganized boroughs should be established in those areas where the state is providing local service.

"There is no reason," he said, "why the rest of the state should pay for their services. But if an area is paying its local services itself, why force it into a borough?"