Claman-AKMatters

Dear Friends and Neighbors, The latest bill to fund public education is House Bill 57. Introduced as a bill to regulate the use of cell phones in schools, the Senate added a $700 Base Student Allocation increase, a 10% increase in student transportation, improved policies for charter schools, and more.

Dear Friends and Neighbors, Last week, Governor Dunleavy vetoed House Bill 69, which would have permanently raised the Base Student Allocation by $1,000. Yesterday, the House and Senate met in Joint Session to consider overriding that veto. The override vote failed 33 -27, as the Alaska Constitution requires 40 votes needed to override the Governor.

Dear Friends and Neighbors, This week, the House passed the operating budget and the Senate passed the capital budget. The legislation includes a $1,000 Base Student Allocation increase, a $1,400 dividend, and a $450 million deficit. There is more work to be done on budget, which will be done when each chamber exchanges their approved budget.

Dear Friends and Neighbors, On Friday afternoon, the Senate passed House Bill 69 with a $1,000 increase to the Base Student Allocation. The House approved the same legislation soon after the Senate vote. The legislation now goes to Governor Dunleavy for his consideration. There is more work to be done to support public education in Alaska.

Dear Friends and Neighbors, This week, we take another look at the West Anchorage constituent survey responses and overall trends in budget priorities. Over several years, the dividend has become a lower priority and state services – including public education and public safety – have become more important to Alaskans.

Woof woof! This week, my dad, Senator Claman, let me visit the Legislature. I got to sit in on his committees and learn about the Legislature. I also got lots of tummy scratches from friendly legislators and staff.

The last day of the Anchorage Municipal Election is April 1st. Voters in West Anchorage will decide an Assembly seat, two School Board seats, multiple bond propositions, and two special tax levies. Please be sure to vote!

This week, the House and Senate met in Joint Session three times: to hear the annual Legislative addresses from U.S. Senators Murkowski and Sullivan and to vote on the Governor’s executive order to create a Department of Agriculture. Read on for more information.

This week, the House passed House Bill 69, which will increase education funding. The House approved several amendments in the House Rules Committee and on the House Floor. A bipartisan group of representatives passed the bill 24-16. It raises the Base Student Allocation by $1,000 and contains policy changes for public and charter schools.

Dear Friends and Neighbors, Last week, Senate President Gary Stevens and House Speaker Bryce Edgmon sent a joint letter to Alaska’s Congressional Delegation urging them to block cuts to federal programs and grants in Alaska.