Dunbar-Newsletter

I hope your summer has been as fulfilling as mine has! This July I had the opportunity to attend the State Legislative Foundation’s Emerging Legislative Leaders Program in Charlottesville, Virginia. In addition to discussion about policy challenges in our respective states, the program provided a valuable opportunity to share best practices in our legislative work […]

Governor Dunleavy signed the budget over the weekend and released the list of line-item vetoes yesterday. Unfortunately, Dunleavy vetoed half of the education funding increase we appropriated in May—effectively reducing next year’s BSA increase from $680 to $340—and targeted a number of other pro-family and pro-education programs with his cuts. Increasing education funding was a

Last Thursday, after one day in Special Session, the Legislature passed the operating and capital budget and adjourned sine die. Adjourning “sine die” means that unless the Governor calls us into a Special Session, we won’t meet again until January 2024.

I am pleased to announce that my first bill, SB 77: Muni Property Tax Exemption/Tax Blighted Property, has passed the Senate! It is now being heard in House Community and Regional Affairs. Thank you to Rep. Sumner for cross-sponsoring! If you have any comments or questions about this bill, feel free to reach out to

Greetings! If you’re able, I’d love to have you join me for upcoming constituent meetings. Come let me know what your priorities are for this session and learn about what I’ve been working on. Please invite your friends and colleagues. I look forward to seeing you this weekend!

Sunday, March 5th: Please join us at the Anchorage Legislative Town Hall on from 2-4pm at UAA Rasmuson Hall (3416 Seawolf Dr, Anchorage). This is your opportunity to hear from Anchorage legislators in person, ask questions, and see what we’re up to.

It is such an honor to serve and represent Senate District J during this 33rd Legislature. I’m down in Juneau now, getting acclimated to this new organization; I’m thankful for those that have shared their advice and support, and for my new colleagues that are helping me “learn the ropes.”