Protecting Your Rights: Serving West Anchorage

January 29, 2026

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Last week, we started the 2nd regular session of the 34th Legislature. Soon afterwards, we met in Joint Session to consider overriding Senate Bill 113, as required by Article II, Section 16 of the Constitution. That evening, Governor Dunleavy gave his final State of the State address and talked about his package for a fiscal plan.

It was a busy first week. Read on to learn more!

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The Legislature Meets in Joint Session

On Thursday, we met in Joint Session to consider overriding the Governor’s veto of Senate Bill 113. That bill modernized the corporate income tax for out-of-state companies that make sales in Alaska, such as Netflix and L.L. Bean. The bill was not a new tax. It would have raised between twenty-five and sixty-five million dollars per year from out-of-state corporations with no presence in Alaska.

The bill passed in May and the Governor vetoed it in September. Article II, Section 16 of the Alaska Constitution requires that the Legislature meet in the first five days of the second regular session to consider bills vetoed over the interim. The vote to override the veto failed thirty-five to twenty-five. As a revenue measure, the constitution requires forty-five votes to override the veto.

The Governor Releases a Fiscal Plan

The State budget remains in a deficit. In December, the Governor announced his plans to release a fiscal package addressing the revenue shortfall. This week, he finally released that bill.

Senate Bill 227 would raise about $922 million in fiscal year 2028, but would ultimately result in revenue loss. The legislation includes a statewide seasonal sales tax of 4% in the summer and 2% in the winter, but the sales tax would end in 2034. It adopts the multi-state tax compact, which is a component of the vetoed SB 113 changing the income tax formula for out-of-state or digital companies. The corporate income tax would end in 2031. The bill also increases the minimum tax on oil and gas production from 4% to 6%, and that tax would end in 2032.

Senate Bill 227 relies on passage of several other bills, including the Governor's spending cap bill. The bill would help bridge a budget deficit in the short term, but it raises many questions about fiscal sustainability in the long term.

State of the State Address

Last week, Governor Dunleavy gave his 8^th and final State of the State address. In the annual Joint Session, Governor Dunleavy addressed the Legislature as he gave a recap of his time as Governor and shared his priorities for his last Legislative Session.

Governor Dunleavy drew attention to all the first responders that were called to action during Typhoon Halong. The recent typhoon that hit the Kuskokwim Delta was a serious natural disaster and without the help of many agencies, Alaska would have suffered irreparable damages. Governor Dunleavy recognized agencies such as our National Guard, the United States Coast Guard, our State Defense Forces, and our Department of Transportation and Public Facilities for their hard work. He noted that we cannot control natural disasters, but we can control how we react. The swift action of the brave men and women that responded allows Alaska to move past this natural disaster in a progressive manner.

Governor Dunleavy recognized the accomplishments of Scotty Gomez. Gomez is an Anchorage born NHL player that made history as the first Alaska-born NHL player. After his hockey career, Gomez returned to Alaska. Growing up playing hockey, he understood the burden that the cost of the sport and the equipment can place on families. Alongside his father, he started the Scotty Gomez Foundation. This foundation funds young Alaskan hockey players, sponsoring 140 children and a few teams annually, covering all costs that come with the sport. Recognizing his success during his time in the NHL and his donations to local youth hockey, Scotty Gomez was inducted into the USA Hockey Hall of Fame. Governor Dunleavy highlighted the work Scotty has done and applauded his example of what Alaskans can accomplish.

Another Alaskan that Governor Dunleavy spotlighted was John Sturgeon. Sturgeon, like many Alaskans, was an avid hunter. He would frequently use his hovercraft on the Nation River of the Yukon Charley Preserve. The National Parks Service responded to his hovercraft use with a citation, stating a federal ban on such craft usage. Sturgeon took his citation all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, where the court sided with Sturgeon, and the usage of Alaskan lands, in a 9-0 decision, twice. This fight cost time and money but it was crucial in protecting the usage of Alaskan resources. The Governor admired Sturgeon’s fight to protect Alaskan’s access to Alaskan land.

You can view the full archived address on KTOO's Gavel Alaska here.

Recommendations to Reduce

Alaska Native Over-Representation in

the Alaska Criminal Justice System

In 2023, the Legislature passed House Bill 66, a consolidated crime bill. A portion of HB 66 recognized that Alaska Natives are 14% of the general population, but 40% of the incarcerated population in Alaska, and required the Department of Corrections (DOC) to contract with an Alaska Native organization to study the reasons why Alaska Natives make up a large, disproportionate percentage of our state's prison population. DOC partnered with the Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) and the University of Alaska (UA) to collect and analyze information and put forward recommendations.

Below is a summary of identified recommendations:

Expand Restorative Justice Programs

Increasing support of Tribal Courts and therapeutic courts

Early Intervention for At-Risk Youth

Increasing support for prenatal care
Reducing costs of culturally relevant childcare and home visit programs
Investing in early childhood and youth mental health screening
Supporting free or low cost culturally-grounded parental support
Funding programs strengthening cultural identity

Improve Mental Health Diagnosis and Treatment

Funding early mental health screening, diagnosis, and treatment
Supporting trauma-engaged and culturally responsive services

Increase Housing to Reduce Homelessness and Justice Contact

Expanding reentry housing and integrated services
Expanding Housing First and low barrier-housing models
Supporting tenant success workshops
Allowing remote probation and parole supervision so individuals can live where housing exists

Increase Access to Alcohol and Drug Misuse Treatment

Providing substance misuse treatment options for incarcerated persons
Increasing funding for Native-led treatment programs
Reducing wait times and expanding telehealth options for rural communities

Strengthen Job Training and Mentoring

Supporting programs for Alaska Natives interested in the legal and public safety field
Expanding education and professional training programs during incarcerations and reentry

Improve Digital Skills and Access to Service

Expanding telehealth and virtual counseling
Expanding funding for reliable internet

Sustainable Funding

Funding state matches for federal funds

Additional Community-Identified Recommendations (Beyond HB 66)

Addressing low-wage DOC employment
Enhancing communication, transparency, and consistency across sectors
Supporting culturally grounded recovery

You can view the full report here.

Community Information

→ National Unclaimed Property Day

Saturday, February 1st is National Unclaimed Property Day! 1 in 7 Americans have property waiting to be claimed. Each state has a program that works to reunite property with its rightful owner. In fact, from July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024, Alaska returned over $13 million dollars through its program. Nationally, states and counties return over $4 billion dollars to rightful owners each year.

In honor of National Unclaimed Property Day, the Alaska Unclaimed Property Program encourages all State of Alaska residents to search for property on our website at unclaimedproperty.alaska.gov. Filing a claim is simple and can be completed online.

Click here to check for unclaimed property online

Community Events

Skater Tots

When: Wednesdays in February, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM

Where: Cuddy Family Midtown Park Oval

Get ready to lace up and glide into some epic winter weekday fun! Join us as we pop up at our favorite skating rinks for a fun evening of FREE ice skating to groovy tunes. Don’t miss this chance to celebrate winter, meet your neighbors, and enjoy some time on the ice. Youth ice skates and helmets are available to borrow, we provide skate-assist seals for a little extra help, and there is free hot chocolate!

For more information and the full schedule, click here.

30th Anniversary Alaska Ski For Women

When: Sunday, February 1st, starting at 10:00 AM

Where: Kincaid Park (9401 Raspberry Rd)

The Alaska Ski for Women is North America’s largest women’s cross-country ski event, with close to 1,000 Alaska women coming together to celebrate skiing in beautiful Kincaid Park. On the first Sunday in February, women of all ages and abilities- many in colorful costumes-come out to ski approximately 4 km (2.4 miles) of decorated course. The event supports the Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage and nonprofits working to stop domestic violence in Alaska.

10am-1pm: Bib pick-up and registration.

Ski Races and Events:

12:00 pm: Freestyle Skate Race

12:30 pm: Classic Race

1:30 pm: Costume Contest Parade

1:40 pm: Party Wave (untimed "fun" 4km ski)

For more information or to register, click here.