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I strongly support homeschool families’ ability to use State funded allotments to teach their kids in the way they feel is best. Many families use this funding for college classes, athletic sports, and arts education, all of which benefits our local businesses and vendors. I am working with my colleagues to ensure that homeschool opportunities are protected in Alaska and that families can continue with this valuable way to directly educate their kids. Please reach out with your thoughts and ideas about how the legislature can best support homeschool families.
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The loss of a family member is difficult, made even more difficult when that person was lost in the line of duty. This week the Senate Community and Regional Affairs Committee passed Senate Bill 174, which establishes the Honor and Remember and Honor and Sacrifice Flags to recognize those lost in the line of duty while serving in the U.S. military or in local police or fire fighting forces. Implementation of Senate Bill 174 would not create additional costs for the State of Alaska, as it designates where the flags may be displayed but does not require State offices to do so.
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The Senate Finance Committee passed Senate Bill 183 this week, which I sponsored through the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee. When a person is injured on the job and is dealing with pain and the loss of income, their problems shouldn’t be compounded by having to wait for the benefits they are entitled to receive. This bill would ensure that injured workers receive timely benefits payments from the Workers Compensation Benefits Guaranty Fund by allowing the Fund to carry over any remaining balance from one fiscal year to the next. Without this change, workers presenting claims early in the year may have to wait as long as six months for payment while the Fund accumulates enough revenues to make payouts.
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SB 161, my bill which gives property tax reductions for farm buildings and streamlines the qualification process, passed the House Community and Regional Affairs Committee. I worked with the farming community and borough governments to draft a bill that balances the concerns of all parties while encouraging the production of locally grown food in our communities. It is vital that we support Alaska's farmers in order to increase our state's food security.
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