Protecting Your Rights: Serving West Anchorage

February 23, 2024

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Each year, we send a constituent survey to get feedback on the legislative priorities for our district. By filling out the survey, you can weigh in on important issues such as public education, public safety, the dividend, and essential services.

Please take a few minutes to take the survey at the link below.

Annual Constituent Survey

Last year, 455 people completed our constituent survey. Our survey focusses on the questions that face legislators each year, including which state services should receive priority. Funding prioritization is particularly important as the State continues to face financial challenges. The results of our survey will help inform us about legislation we decide to support and how to vote on key issues this session.

We hope you will take a moment to share your opinions. You can take the survey by clicking this link.

Senator Sullivan Addresses the Legislature

On Wednesday, U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan addressed the House and Senate in a Joint Session. Senator Sullivan spoke about his priorities for Alaska, including the importance of addressing the housing crisis in Alaska, ocean clean up initiatives, and new jobs in Alaska.

I asked Senator Sullivan about the mental health challenges facing young Alaskans. The Senator cited a report from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention that found nearly 30% of adolescent girls in in the United States have contemplated suicide. Rates of depression and suicide in Alaska are particularly high, and social media may play a role in the depth of mental illness among young people.

To watch his full address, please click here.

Amending the Budget Veto Override Standard

Each year, passing a budget is the legislature's only constitutionally-mandated responsibility. After passing the legislature, the governor must sign the budget before it before it becomes effective. He can also veto specific items from the budget by using the line-item veto. The legislature has the power to override those vetoes and maintain the original appropriation. Overriding the veto requires a 3/4 vote in a Joint Legislative Session. In the Alaska Constitution, the 3/4 vote to override a budget veto differs from a vote to override the veto of a non-budget bill. Overriding ordinary legislation requires a 2/3 vote in a Joint Legislative Session.

The 3/4 vote is a very high threshold: Alaska may be the only state that requires a 3/4 vote to override a fiscal veto. Getting 45 of 60 legislators to vote to override the governor is extremely difficult and is one reason that analysts describe Alaska’s structure as a “strong executive” form of government.

To change this constitutional requirement, we introduced Senate Joint Resolution 15 (SJR 15). SJR 15 proposes an amendment to the Alaska Constitution that would change the requirement to override a veto on revenue and appropriation bills from 3/4 of the legislature to 2/3 of the legislature in joint session—the same as ordinary legislation. If SJR 15 passes the legislature, the question will be on the ballot for all registered Alaskan voters to consider in the next general election. Amending this provision in our constitution will strengthen the legislature and improve the public’s ability to influence executive and legislative decisions on revenue matters.

Community Information

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.

AMATS Seward to Glenn Highway Connection Pedestrian and Bicycle Study

The Seward Highway to Glenn Highway Connection Planning & Environmental Linkage Study (SG PEL) is identifying and evaluating options to improve transportation mobility, safety, access, and connectivity between the Seward Highway, near 20th Avenue and the Glenn Highway, east of Airport Heights. The study is also examining ways to improve access to and from the Port of Alaska (POA) to the highway network. The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) engaged a consultant team including HDR and RSG to conduct the study. The current highway-to-highway connection is made through downtown Anchorage via Ingra and Gambell Streets, which together form a one-way couplet.

The AMATS Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee will meet to discuss the Study. The public is welcome to join that meeting on Tuesday, February 27th at 4:00 PM by using this virtual meeting link.

You can also submit comments on the draft plan at this link.

Community Events

Mark your calendar for these upcoming events:

Anchorage Fur Rondy

When: February 23 - March 3

Where: Various locations around Anchorage

Fur Rondy events will include snow sculptures, a carnival, and, of course, the iconic dog race. For the full list of events and details, visit the Fur Rondy website.

Spenard Community Council

When: Wednesday, March 6th from 7:00 to 8:00 PM

Where: In person at Spenard Recreation Center (2020 W 48th Ave). Click here for more information .

Turnagain Community Council

When: Thursday, March 7th, from 6:30 to 9:00 PM

Where: Online only via Zoom. Click here for more information.

Sand Lake Community Council

When: Monday, March 11th from 6:30 - 8:30 PM

Where: In person at Sand Lake Elementary School (7500 Jewel Lake Rd). Click here for details.

Bayshore/Klatt Community Council

When: Thursday, March 21st starting at 7:00 PM

Where: In person at Bayshore Clubhouse (3131 Amber Bay Loop). Click here for details.