Kawasaki-JuneauNote

Yesterday was the shortest day of the year and winter solstice. Today and every day after will be a little bit brighter! Christmas and then the New Year is almost upon us, which means the Legislative Offices will soon be closed in Fairbanks and then reopened in Juneau. I wanted to let you know of a few items before we fly south for the legislative session. Alaskans had a first peak at Governor Dunleavy’s budget last week leading to many questions surrounding items such as senior benefit funding. The holidays are a time for joy and happiness but also a time to watch for your neighbors and there is a future constituent town hall meeting and coffee chat coming your way!

The Holidays are upon us! There are many exciting things happening in and around town, but there are also important things awaiting us in the new year as the Legislature sets the agenda. The Governor will introduce his budget in a little over a week and priorities of education, energy and the economy will dominate the legislative session-again!

As Fairbanks approaches the ‘holiday’ season, it has been exceptionally busy. In the city, the election was finalized and new members of the School Board and Borough Assembly were sworn in and seated, the holiday season means that some vulnerable families are in need and you can help, time keeps on ticking-or backwards if you were on Daylight Savings Time (is it ‘time’ for change?), school and child support will be a huge and important lift this year. Check out the holiday beginning enewsletter today!

Winter is finally in full swing. The latest snow will stick and the temperatures are regularly below freezing all day long. With temperatures dropping, more and more people are turning on their heaters and wood stoves

Interior Alaskans have really had a blessed autumn. We have had warmer days, over a longer span of time and these longer seasons are certainly welcome to folks who wish to recreate or finish up the last-minute summer projects. But winter is coming. Are you prepared? The e-newsletter contains information about your notes about getting ready for winter, safety for drivers and pedestrians, the Permanent Fund Dividend amount and why it is important to vote next week!

Last week I was honored as the Co-Chair of the Joint Armed Services Committee to host members of the United States Air Force, Army, members of DOD, and members of our legislature in a joint meeting on the future of Alaska, our relationship to the U.S Military and new and exciting energy opportunities at the Fairbanks LIO.

Dear Neighbors,

The fireweed blossoms continue to move up their stems signaling that summer is coming to an end. For youth, parents and teachers, school has started and kindergarten to college, middle school to grad school, students are returning to an environment of in-person learning.

Dear Neighbors,

Summer has been flying by and these last couple of weeks has been busy! I hope you all were able to enjoy the intermittent sunshine among the clouds and rain and stifling heat.

Dear Neighbors,

Since I last wrote, my staff and I have fully relocated back to my Fairbanks office, Governor Dunleavy has released his budget vetoes, the artisan license plate competition is in full swing and our neighbors are in need. Read on to learn more!

Dear Neighbors,

After a nine hour special the House and Senate reached a final agreement—and final passage—on the state’s operating, capital, and mental health budgets. As the green up begins in Fairbanks my mother and I are looking forward to seeing our neighbors and friends enjoying all the Interior has to offer. In this report I will give highlights of what the budgets includes for the Interior and update the status of bills that will make Alaska a better place to live and grow. I also would like to extend a special thank you to those who have written, called, and testified during this session. Thank you for your involvement.