Kaufman-Newsletter

October is here and I can’t believe it! I hope you have had a great week—hopefully not too much raking!

Hard to believe that fall is already here. Seems like I blinked and half the trees are well into losing their leaves! I’m sure like most of you, the summer was a busy one. After a busy and successful session, things really haven’t slowed down.

This year is going by quick! Hope you are enjoying your Alaskan summer. Rep. Coulombe and I are hosting an event at the Alaska Zoo this Wednesday and we hope to see you there! Other community leaders as well as officials from various state departments will be there to discuss issues important to the Hillside

The 33rd legislature is now one for the books! The Senate gaveled out right before midnight on May 15th after passing a balanced budget with a respectable level of capital spending to begin addressing the longstanding backlog of deferred maintenance and crumbling infrastructure around the state.

We are getting to that point in the legislative session where the days are longer, the snow has mostly disappeared in Juneau, and the early blooms of crocus, daffodil, and hyacinth are popping out. We have even seen the first of many cruise ships that will visit Juneau, so the feel has shifted firmly to

Education, energy, the STIP, and tightening budgets are the big issues in the legislature right now. As always, there is much more below, but I’ll try to give a quick summary!  

I hope that everyone is enjoying the slightly more moderate weather. Personally speaking, I’m enjoying the lengthening days and that some of the snow load on my roof is disappearing. It’s been quite a winter.

Oh my goodness, what a winter! And what a start to the second session of the 33rd legislature. Between Anchorage and Juneau we’ve experienced everything from epic snowfall, howling winds, crazy low temperatures, and then (this week in Juneau) heavy, driving rain. This winter is certainly one for the books, and its not showing any

Happy New Year! Hope you had a great holiday season. I am preparing to head back down to Juneau for the 2024 Legislative Session. Before I do, I invite you to join Rep. Julie Coulombe and me TOMORROW MORNING for a cup of coffee and a chance to catch up.

Wishing you a joyous and restful holiday season with the people in your life who make it special. And here’s to a new year of serving our community and state together!