In the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee this week we considered whether the State’s retirement plan is effective in retaining the employees which provide crucial services. It’s important that any changes we make to improve recruitment and retention do not add to the unfunded liability of our state’s retirement system. 

Dr. Keith Hamilton is a great resource for our Kenai Peninsula community. I appreciate the work he and the Alaska Christian College do to to meet the needs of Alaskan students and prepare them to serve their communities, and I’m honored to support their mission.  

Alaska state agencies must be managed more strategically to get Alaskans more bang for the buck. I appreciate Senator Kauffman’s proposal to update how state government plans its work and measures success. State of Alaska employees must be empowered to set strategic goals and then execute the plan to achieve them. 

My local lumber grading bill, SB 87, has a second hearing in the Senate Resources Committee on Friday, March 24. I'm pleased with the support we've received from stakeholders and members of the Committee. They will be taking public testimony on Friday, and you can email or phone in your support!