Protecting Your Rights: Serving West Anchorage | |
|
Breanna is our Chief of Staff and the Senate Judiciary Committee Aide. This is her fourth year working in the Legislature. She grew up in Anchorage, graduating from West Anchorage High School. Breanna received a degree in Business Management from Oregon State University.
Carly grew up on Dena'ina lands in Eagle River and studied politics at Pitzer College. She has worked for environmental nonprofits in Anchorage and Sitka and can be found outside recreating on Alaska's lands and waters in all seasons. This year is her second year working in the legislature.
Sarena was raised in Fairbanks and studied International Studies and Business at the University of Alaska Anchorage. Outside of work, she likes to packraft, hike, and explore Alaska's wilderness. This year is her second year working in the legislature.
| |
The Office of Senator Claman, Lisa Rieger, and Lt. Dahlstrom. | |
Lisa Rieger pinning a boutonniere on her husband, Senator Claman. | Senator Bjorkman, Senator Claman, Senator Kiehl, and Senator Kaufman taking the oath of office with Lt. Governor Nancy Dahlstrom. | Sentor Claman speaking on the Senate Floor. | |
|
Our office is primarily located in Juneau for the legislative session. We remain committed to our constituents and welcome meetings and conversations at any time. There are also tools online to help you stay engaged and informed about what we're working on.
Keep Track of Bills – Interested in tracking bills through the legislative process? You can follow along on BASIS: http://www.akleg.gov/basis/Home/BillsandLaws. Just type in a bill number in the search bar (ex: HB 60) at the top of the page.
-
Bill Tracking Management Facility (BTMF) – Track the status of bills as they pass through the legislative process. BTMF will display the status of bills you are interested in and can also send you email updates as the bill's status changes. BTMF is a free service and only requires you to set up an account.
- SMS Bill Tracking – Text a bill number (ex: HB 60) to 559-245-2529 to enroll in text alerts. You will receive an enrollment confirmation and instructions on how to stop receiving the alerts.
Watch Committee Meetings – Most committee hearings are broadcast on Gavel Alaska at www.360north.org or through the Live Now tab on the BASIS home page. House and Senate floor sessions are also available on Gavel Alaska.
Starting this year, when you use the Live Now tab of BASIS, a new streaming service with video and enhanced closed-captions will pop-up in a new tab.
Access Budget Materials – The Governor’s Office of Management and Budget website has helpful tools and presentations relating to the budget.
Use Your Legislative Information Office (LIO) – LIOs are a great local resource. The staff at the LIO can help you research bills and issues, navigate the state computer system, and participate in hearings by providing public testimony. You can reach the Anchorage LIO by phone at (907) 269-0111 or email at LIO.Anchorage@akleg.gov.
Chat with Legislative Information Staff – Monday-Friday between 8:30 AM and 4:00 PM, you will find a new chat interface in the lower right corner of AKLeg.gov. The LIO staff can help answer questions about finding things on the website, answer questions relating to tracking legislation, and help you get in touch with your legislator. Let us know how we can help you!
| |
Pre-Session Constituent Meeting | |
Thank you to everyone who attended our pre-session constituent meeting! I appreciated the opportunity to discuss constituent priorities and give a preview of the upcoming session. Thank you to Representatives Carolyn Hall and Mia Costello for participating.
If you missed the meeting, you can always contact our office with your questions and concerns using the contact information listed above.
Stay Tuned: Upcoming Constituent Survey Opportunity
Each year, our office releases a constituent survey via email and online. There will be questions relating to your priorities on issues including education, energy, pensions, and the dividend. Check your email inbox and mailbox for that survey in the coming weeks!
| |
Apply for your Permanent Fund Dividend
The 2025 dividend application filing season is now open! The online application is available from 9:00 AM on January 1, 2025, through 11:59 PM on March 31, 2025. For more information and to file online, click here.
Online SNAP Applications are Live
The Division of Public Assistance (DPA) has launched the online application for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The mobile-friendly application is now available on the DPA website.
To learn more about the online SNAP application or to apply, click here.
Youth Employment in Parks Opportunities
The Youth Employment in Parks (YEP) 2025 Summer Positions
are now open! These are great jobs where teens can make lifelong friends and
get paid to work outside.
| |
|
Community Events
Mark your calendar for these upcoming events:
| |
|
Mayor's City-Wide Job Fair
When: Thursday, January 23 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Where: Dena'ina Civic & Convention Center (600 W 7th Ave, Anchorage AK 99501)
Mayor Suzanne LaFrance invites all community members seeking employment opportunities to the Dena'ina Civic and Convention Center on Thursday, January 23, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for the 2nd Annual Mayor's Citywide Job Fair. More than 130 businesses, organizations, and municipal departments will be gathered to meet and find new hires. The fair is free and open to all.
Thanks to support from partners at EasyPark, vendors and job seekers can park for free on the day of the fair at the garages at 6th & H Street and JCPenney (6th & E) from 8 AM to 5 PM.
For more information, click here.
| |
|
Anchorage Folk Festival
Anchorage’s free festival celebrating the folk arts with free live performances at UAA’s Wendy Williamson Auditorium takes place over two weekends! There will be free workshops and live music throughout Anchorage. For more information and schedule of events, visit the Anchorage Folk Festival website.
When: January 23 – February 2
Where: Wendy Williamson Auditorium (2533 Providence Dr, Anchorage, AK 99508) and other select locations.
| |
|
Ski 4 Kids
When: Saturday February 15 at 2 PM
Where: Kincaid Park (9401 Raspberry Rd, Anchorage, AK 99502)
Nearly 500 children participate in the Ski 4 Kids event annually, with over half coming from Title 1 schools and receiving free bus transportation to the event, which includes lunch. Supported through their community fundraising efforts, Ski 4 Kids has given out over $100,000 in ski equipment grants over the program’s 20+ year history, providing a legacy of ski equipment and instruction to schools and youth organizations that far outlasts the day itself.
Ski 4 Kids registration is free, but donations help make sure all kids, regardless of family income level, have access to cross-country ski programs and equipment. Net proceeds directly benefit local schools, youth organizations, and programs by providing new ski equipment and other needed resources. Funds also cover transportation costs to Ski 4 Kids for over 200 kids from 11 different schools, many Title 1, ensuring many students an outdoor experience that would not otherwise be available to them. A primary objective of Ski 4 Kids is to award grants to schools and programs to purchase ski equipment.
To learn more or register, click here.
| |
|
CONTACT INFORMATION
(907) 465-4919
Sen.Matt.Claman@akleg.gov
State Capitol Bldg. Rm 429
Juneau, Alaska 99801
https://www.alaskasenate.org/matt-claman/
| |
CONTACT THE GOVERNOR
(907) 465-3500
550 West 7th Ave. Suite 1700
Anchorage, Alaska 99501
STATE OF ALASKA
State Info: (907) 269-5111
| |
CONTACT THE ADN
Write a Letter to the Editor
Submit your letter to the Anchorage Daily News via email or web form.
attn: Letters to the Editor
| | | | |
