Kawasaki-JuneauNote

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I hope your holiday season was an enjoyable and relaxing time with friends, family and loved ones. 2025 ended with a ‘bang’ due to the record cold month of December weather though we have also begun to see noticeable daylight as we gain a few minutes of sunshine on the horizon. The Alaska Legislative Education Funding Task Force will meet in Fairbanks and Nenana to understand how the model of school funding differs regionally to better understand the foundation funding formula that drives the per pupil state support. The Legislative Office in Fairbanks will close next week as we are transported to the State Capitol to do the business of the people. But before we leave, my office is hosting THREE intimate coffee talks on three different days over the next week! Check out the new year edition of the e-newsletter below.

As we head into Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanzaa, I am reminded of the generosity of our friends and neighbors in the Golden Heart City. From helping someone who might have broken down on the side of the road to plowing the driveway of a neighbor to donating food or gifts to families who are struggling this holiday season, Fairbanksans open their hearts and give their time and resources to their community.

You Don’t Want to Miss It!!!

I am so excited about the Town Hall Representative Dibert and I are holding Tomorrow, December 3rd, at the Noel Wien Library Auditorium from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm.

Hey Neighbors,

As we head into the Season of Giving, I am thankful to my family, friends and neighbors who have entrusted me with the honor to represent you in the Alaska Senate. This time of the year makes me acutely aware of the importance of connections. We have seen a spate of violent crimes in our community recently along with increased economic hardship with increased attention toward affordability. It is more important than ever to reach out and support one other. We are in this great community together and no one should feel alone.

Hey Neighbors,

The Golden Heart City saw its first ‘sticking’ snow of the year and we have officially transitioned from fall to winter. We have many good things happening in our community.

Hey Neighbors,

With the crisp air and snow falling, the Interior is making its quick transition from Fall to Winter. Time to bring in the vegetables, make sure the vehicle is ready, prepare for the many nights of great Aurora viewing and winterize the house. Also, after the tragedy of a few weeks ago, remember we can disagree, but not be disagreeable. There is never a time when political violence is acceptable. We are all Alaskans and Americans and as sad as 9/11 was I saw our country unify. We must continue to fight for our common good.

Hey Neighbors,

Summers in the Interior are short, beautiful and packed with barbeques for family and friends, fishing, attending the Midnight Sun Run activities, watching Gold Panner baseball games and making trips to the Salmon Bake and the Tanana Valley State Fair. My legislative office was also quite busy as we held multiple Picnics in the Park and door knocking to hear from you our friends and neighbors.

Here is the historic fight and win for education over the last six months. Alaska schools have not been failing-they have been starving due to more than 10 years of no increase to the base student allocation per kid. With a decline in the total number of students and a decade of inflation, it meant that schools have had to close, classroom sizes have increased, and students have had less opportunities than we had growing up.

Dan started his career at UAF in 1993 and was hired in 1995 as a professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering. In 2017, he was selected as Chancellor and after 30 years he is stepping down from at the end of the month. Chancellor White is unique as the national average for chancellors is four years and he stayed at our institution for eight years.

As President Trump’s signature budget passes the House, there are real concerns for the nation and especially our state. The bill represents the largest redistribution of wealth in modern US history giving the wealthiest the largest tax breaks while middle class and lower income citizens receive the brunt of the negative impacts and fewer breaks. The bill is over 1018 pages long and tucked into it there are many areas that will impact Alaskans. Below are some of the lowlights from the legislation: