Hello!

 

President Trump’s Executive Order calling for opening ANWR and building the AKLNG Pipeline, has many Alaskans excited that we’ll see increased production of our petroleum and mining resources.

 

However, the U.S. Congress has gone back on the promise it made when Alaska became a state. Alaska, by birthright, should receive 90 percent of the royalty revenues from production on federal land.

 

I introduced Senate Joint Resolution 19 asking Congress to uphold the 90/10 promise made in the Alaska Statehood Act. It has been well received by my fellow Senators, and I expect it to pass the Senate in the near future. 

 

If the State of Alaska receives its promised 90 percent share, there will be more revenue to meet the needs of Alaskans, including public safety, roads, schools, and PFDs. 

 

Conversations continue about how much the Legislature is willing to fund K12 education in Alaska. Last week, the Legislature passed a bill to the Governor’s desk that is a 4.6% increase from last year’s budget. Because of the expected Governor’s veto, I continue to work with my colleagues on solutions that will encourage the best learning outcomes possible.

 

I am honored to be your effective advocate in Juneau. Please contact my office when you have ideas or concerns by calling 907-283-7996 or by email at sen.jesse.bjorkman@akleg.gov

It is important to note that even if the Legislature passes a bill with funding equivalent to the 4.6% increase that the legislature prefers, the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District will need to make significant cuts to educational opportunities if the local contribution remains at proposed levels. I continue to advocate for correcting chronic absenteeism, low test scores, and lack of definitive standards for Alaska High School Graduates. I strongly believe that we need to invest strategically and raise standards if we expect results to improve.

I had the opportunity to tour the engine room of the Alaska Ferry Columbia while it was docked in Juneau last week. I was impressed by the hard work and dedication of the ferry’s crew members, especially the engineers who hosted us on our tour. Ferries don’t play as big a role in the Kenai Peninsula’s transportation network as other parts of the state, but they are an important link to the road system for our neighbors in Kodiak. 

It was great to see Kenai Peninsula residents Mike Crawford and Ted Spraker here in the Capitol Building today. We had a good conversation about the State's approach to managing and allowing for harvesting of our fish and wildlife, and where we can improve our policies and procedures.

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Senator Jesse Bjorkman | State Capitol Room 3, Juneau, AK 99801-1182