Protecting Your Rights: Serving West Anchorage

March 13, 2026

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

This week, the Senate unanimously passed the Supplemental Budget to fund transportation, wildfire and Western Alaska disaster response, and the Higher Education Investment Fund. This $373 million appropriation will fill a deficit in the current fiscal year and will be paid from the Constitutional Budget Reserve with other increased expenses paid from increased oil revenue. The House is still considering the supplemental budget.

Please read on for more.

Senate Passes the Supplemental Budget

On Wednesday, the Senate unanimously passed the supplemental budget to cover unforeseen costs in the current fiscal year, FY 2026. Governor Dunleavy requested all of the items in the supplemental budget. The $373 million appropriation includes:

$70 million to secure a 9-1 federal match and over $600 million in federal funding for Department of Transportation construction projects. The Legislature initially included this money in last year's budget, but Governor Dunleavy vetoed it. Then the Governor later requested the same $70 million in the Supplemental Budget.
$98 million for the wildfire response fund
Up to $75 million of the Disaster Relief Fund for Typhoon Halong recovery
$130 million to refund the Higher Education Investment Fund, which was used to balance the budget last year

The House passed a larger version of the supplemental budget in February that called for $531 million in supplemental spending. Working together, the Senate Majority and the Senate Minority reached an agreement to remove over $150 million from the supplemental budget. The deleted funding includes requests from the Department of Health and the Department of Corrections for additional spending.

The Senate recognized a recent spike in oil prices due to the war in Iran that has led to increased revenue projections for the State. This revenue increase means that the State can pay part of the supplemental budget without using our savings account, the Constitutional Budget Reserve (CBR). Withdrawal from the Constitutional Budget Reserve fund requires a vote of 3/4 of each body. The Senate voted unanimously, 20-0, to use the CBR to fund the supplemental budget.

On Thursday, the House agreed with the Senate reductions to $373 million in the supplemental budget, but 3/4 of the House—30 Representatives—did not agree to fund the supplemental budget from the Constitutional Budget Reserve. That vote failed, 22-18. The House then returned the bill to the House Rules Committee so that it can further consider funding for the supplemental budget to fill the budget deficit.

Congressman Begich Addresses the Legislature

On March 10th, U.S. Representative Nick Begich gave his second annual address to the Legislature.

He focused on expanding Alaska’s energy production and resource development. His goal is to lower the time it takes for projects to begin and urged the Legislature to support the construction of the LNG pipeline and prevent further delays. Rep. Begich also discussed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, HR 1. He highlighted no tax on tips and overtime provisions in the Act as well as the tax deduction for seniors because it eliminated tax on social security.

Rep. Begich also discussed Alaska’s lack of affordable, accessible healthcare and prescription medicine. HR 1, which Rep. Begich supported, made sweeping changes to the Supplemental Food Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid for thousands of Alaskans and removed millions in federal funding for these programs. Rep. Begich did not address his vote to end the Affordable Care Act subsidies. These subsidies granted more than 10 million Americans access to affordable healthcare. Alaska Legislators recently passed a bipartisan resolution to support the extension of the subsidies.

Finally, Rep. Begich called for increased security along the southern border and commended the Trump Administrations' efforts to do so. But Rep. Begich did not address the increased dissatisfaction with the actions of the Department of Homeland Security from many Americans, including many Alaskans.

Civics Education Bill Passes the Senate

This week, the Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 23, which directs the State Board of Education to adopt a curriculum covering various aspects of government and politics for high school students in Alaska. This legislation is a longtime priority of Senate President Gary Stevens, who will be retiring this year.

Senate President Gary Stevens (R-Kodiak) presiding over the State Senate on February 27, 2026

March 13th is the last day to complete the 2026 Constituent Survey

Community Information

→ Municipal Election: Bond Guide

The Anchorage Municipal Election will be held on April 7th. Make sure you're ready to vote by mail! For more information on how to vote, click here.

This year, there are 12 bond proposals and a special school tax levy.

School Maintenance and Education funding

Proposition 1 is the largest bond, which would authorize $79 million in capital improvements for the Anchorage School District. This bond includes maintenance for Romig Middle School, Klatt Elementary, Tudor Elementary, Ursa Major Elementary School, and others.
Proposition 9 proposes a one-time tax levy, not to exceed $11.8 million, for the Anchorage school district. If the tax levy passes, the school district will be able to hire teachers and reduce the expected increase to class sizes.

Parks and Recreation and Community Facilities

Proposition 3 proposes $6 million in improvements for parks and recreation, including $600,000 for the Fish Creek trail and $200,000 for Spenard Recreation Center.
Proposition 5 would pay $7.1 million to maintain community facilities including our libraries and senior centers.
Proposition 8 will authorize $1.7 million for trail access and improvements including the Basher Trailhead.

Public safety

Proposition 4 would pay $350,000 for Anchorage Police Department maintenance.
Proposition 6 would pay $9 million for ambulances and traffic signals.
Proposition 7 would pay $2.5 million for fire engine replacements.

Roads and Transportation

Proposition 2 would pay $38.5 million for road and transportation improvements across Anchorage, including pedestrian safety and maintenance for Tasha Drive and Turnagain Street.

For a full description of the bond proposals, visit this page.

Community Events

Anchorage Town Hall

When: Saturday, March 14th from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Where: Wendy Williams Auditorium at UAA

We want to hear from you! The Anchorage Delegation, state legislators whose districts are in Anchorage, is hosting its annual town hall on March 14th at the Wendy Williamson Auditorium on the UAA campus. Delegation co-chairs Rep. Donna Mears and Sen. James Kaufman are excited to present this forum for the public to voice their concerns about our city and our state.

For those who can't join us live, an online testimony submission form is available here.

You can also livestream the event remotely here.

To learn more, visit the event page here.