Protecting Your Rights: Serving West Anchorage | |
Governor Dunleavy's Executive Orders
This week, the Senate introduced 12 Special Senate Concurrent Resolutions (SSCRs) disapproving each of the Governor's 12 Executive Orders. For the legislature to reject an Executive Order, a legislative committee must consider the corresponding SSCR, much like regular legislation. To reject an executive order, a majority of the legislature in a Joint Session of the House and Senate must support the SSCR. If the SSCR rejecting the Governor's Executive Order does not pass this process, then the Executive Order will become effective after 60 days. This year, the 60th day is March 16, 2024.
This week, the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee voted to reject three executive orders:
- EO 127, eliminating the Board of Massage Therapists
- EO 129, eliminating the Board of Barbers and Hairdressers
- EO 130, eliminating the Board of Certified Direct-Entry Midwives
The Senate Resources Committee voted to reject four executive orders:
- EO 124, regarding the regulations for live capture, possession, transport, or release of native 8 or exotic game or their eggs
- EO 126, eliminating the Wood-Tikchik State Park Management Council
- EO 132, eliminating the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve Advisory Council
- EO 134, eliminating the Recreation Rivers Advisory Board
The Senate State Affairs Committee voted to reject one executive order:
- EO 128, separating the boards of the Alaska Energy Authority and the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority
And the Senate Judiciary Committee voted to reject one executive order:
- EO 135, eliminating the Alaska Safety Advisory Council
Of the 12 executive orders, one has received little comment from the public. Executive Order 133 would eliminate the Criminal Justice Information Advisory Board. That advisory board has met only a few times in the past 20 years, and transferring its duties to the Department of Public Safety would likely increase government efficiency without infringing on public processes.
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In my latest video, I discuss the governor's executive orders and some of the concerns we have with them. To view the full list of the governor's executive orders, please click here. | |
Senator Murkowski Addresses the Legislature | |
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On Thursday, Senator Lisa Murkowski addressed the House and Senate in a Joint Session. It's always a pleasure to hear from our senior Senator about her commitment to and priorities for Alaska.
This year, Senator Murkowski highlighted education as a priority for the Legislature. In order to keep Alaskans in the state, we must invest in our kids at both the K-12 and the university level. As Senator Murkowski noted, UA grads stay in Alaska at a rate of 70-90%, far above the rate for Alaskans who attend college outside of Alaska. As Senator Murkowski explained, it is critical that we fund our public schools:
"Ask yourself what can we do to keep Alaskans here, to attract those who might move here but will worry about whether they can find a home or childcare. ... We have to invest in our kids' education."
Senator Murkowski encouraged the Legislature to capture federal funds through the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships Act (GRIP). As the Railbelt faces an impending shortage of natural gas, it is more important than ever that we update and diversify our energy infrastructure, including transmission and storage, so that it is capable of serving the needs of a dynamic energy portfolio.
The Legislature understands the importance of working with our Congressional Delegation to ensure that the State maximizes federal funding for everything from education to the Alaska Marine Highway System to Railbelt transmission upgrades. We appreciate the Senator Murkowski taking the time to address the Legislature and look forward to working with her.
To watch her full address, please click here.
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This week, food security advocates from across Alaska visited the capital to discuss the challenges we face in feeding all Alaskans. Advocacy groups included the Alaska Food Coalition, the Food Bank of Alaska, the Alaska Food Policy Council, the Alaska Farmers Market Association, and the Alaska Farm Bureau. My highlights from Food Security Week 2024 include:
- Meeting with two constituents who work in the anti-hunger sector.
- Learning about and signing on as a cosponsor to SB 149, which would improve administrative efficiency and improve access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
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Listening to the Alaska Food Strategy Task Force's presentation in the Senate Resources Committee. The Legislature created the Alaska Food Strategy Task Force through the passage of HB 298 in 2022. The Task Force has 36 members who are experts across Alaska's food and farming sectors. You can read their 2023 report here.
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Constituents Mel Buhr, client services manager at Food Bank of Alaska, and Dwayne Patterson, director at Catholic Social Services' St. Francis House Food Pantry, met with me at the Capitol to discuss anti-hunger policies. | |
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Food Security Micro-Grants Available
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has awarded funding through the Micro Grant for Food Security Program to the Alaska Division of Agriculture for the purpose of increasing the quantity and quality of locally-grown food through small-scale gardening, herding, and livestock operations in food insecure communities in areas of the State that have significant levels of food insecurity and import significant quantity of foods. The Alaska Division of Agriculture competitively distributes funds from this grant program through subawards to eligible individuals and organizations for select project types.
The Alaska Division of Agriculture has $2.6 million available in funding for the 2024 Micro Grant for Food Security Program. The maximum amount for each Micro-Grant awarded is $5,000 per individual and $10,000 per qualifying organization. A 10% cost match will be required for each organization approved grant. The award amounts for individuals will depend on the project type selected.
The application is open now through March 15th. For more information, visit this website.
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Anchorage Municipal Elections
The Anchorage Municipal Election is Tuesday, April 2nd. Anchorage Elections are held by mail, with some options to vote in-person. The last day to register to vote in the election is Sunday, March 3rd.
To register to vote, visit this page. To change or update your voter registration, visit this page. For more information on election dates and candidates, visit this page.
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Community Events
Mark your calendar for these upcoming events:
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Alaska Native Language Celebration
When: Wednesday, February 21st 5PM - 8PM
Where: Williwaw Social, 609 F St. Anchorage AK 99501
Join the Alaska Public Interest Research Group and the AKPIRG Language Panelists for a celebration of Alaska Native languages and cultures!
The AKPIRG Language Panelists are coming together in Anchorage to share culture with one another and with our community. We will share stories, songs, and good food, and celebrate and uplift Alaska Native language revitalization work being done around the state. This event is free and open to the public - all are welcome to come celebrate! Dinner will be provided. RSVP appreciated. For more information, visit this page.
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As always, please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
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CONTACT INFORMATION
(907) 465-4919
Sen.Matt.Claman@akleg.gov
State Capitol Bldg. Rm 429
Juneau, Alaska 99801
https://www.alaskasenate.org/matt-claman/
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CONTACT THE GOVERNOR
(907) 465-3500
550 West 7th Ave. Suite 1700
Anchorage, Alaska 99501
STATE OF ALASKA
State Info: (907) 269-5111
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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
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