Protecting Your Rights: Serving West Anchorage | |
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Legislature will consider veto override for
Senate Bill 140
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Senate President Stevens and House Speaker Tilton exchange comments during a joint session of the Legislature in February 2024. | |
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On Thursday night, Governor Dunleavy vetoed SB 140, a bill that included a $680 increase to the Base Student Allocation. SB 140 passed the legislature by substantial majorities: 38-2 in the House and 18-1 in the Senate. This bill was a result of weeks of negotiations between the House and the Senate and represents a hard-earned compromise for Alaska's students.
When the bill went to Governor Dunleavy for consideration two weeks ago, he warned that he would veto the bill unless the Legislature amended the bill to include two of his education priorities: a teacher bonus program and transfer of the authority to authorize charter schools from local school boards to the State Board of Education.
In his veto message about SB 140 on Thursday night, Governor Dunleavy further emphasized his desire to create more charter schools by giving the state power to authorize them. There is little support for this proposal in the legislature because of equity and management challenges that would likely arise between charter schools and the local school boards. Local school districts are responsible for providing charter schools with administrative support and tracking their compliance with educational standards.
The Legislature is scheduled to meet in joint session on Monday, March 18 at 2:15pm to consider overriding the Governor's veto of SB 140. I will vote to override the Governor's veto and encourage my colleagues in both bodies to do the same.
While the compromise version of SB 140 does not fully make up for seven years of flat-funding public education, it provides Alaska's schools and students with the financial support they desperately need this year.
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Executive Orders
On Tuesday, the Legislature convened in joint session to consider the governor's twelve executive orders. This year is the first time in Alaska history that the Legislature had this many executive orders to consider. The Legislature rejected eight of the twelve executive orders. As a result, many important boards and advisory councils will continue their work: the Wood-Tikchik State Park Management Council, the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve Advisory Council, the Alaska Marine Highway Operations Board, the Board of Barbers and Hairdressers, the Board of Massage Therapists, and the Board of Certified Direct-Entry Midwives.
Over the past two months, our office received many calls and emails from constituents about the executive orders. The overwhelming majority of those who contacted our office opposed the executive orders that remove experts from sitting on advisory boards and councils, many of whom volunteer their time and experience.
Here is a list of the eight rejected executive orders:
- SSCR 3, disapproving EO 126 – Eliminating Wood Tikchik-State Park Management Council (passed 38-21)
- SSCR 9, disapproving EO 132 – Eliminating the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve Advisory Council (passed 40-19)
- SSCR 8, disapproving EO 131 – Reorganizing Alaska Marine Highway Operations Board (passed 33-26)
- SSCR 6, disapproving EO 129 – Eliminating the Board of Barbers and Hairdressers (passed 34-25)
- SSCR 1, disapproving EO 124 – Prohibiting by regulation live capture, possession, transport, or release of native/exotic game or eggs (passed 36-23)
- SSCR 4, disapproving EO 127 – Eliminating the Board of Massage Therapists (passed 43-16)
- SSCR 5, disapproving EO 128 – Separate membership of AEA and AIDEA (passed 36-23)
- SSCR 7, disapproving EO 130 – Eliminating the Board of Certified Direct Entry Midwives (passed 58-1)
Here is the list of the four approved executive orders:
- SSCR 2, which disapproves EO 125 Eliminating Alaska Medical Emergency Board (failed 0-59)
- SSCR 10, which disapproves EO 133 Eliminating the Criminal Justice Information Advisory Board (failed 0-59)
- SSCR 11, which disapproves EO 134, Eliminating the Recreation Rivers Advisory Board (failed 29-30)
- SSCR 12, which disapproves EO 135, Eliminating Alaska Safety Advisory Council (failed 30-29)
The joint session represented an important check on the power of the executive branch. I appreciate the process and consideration that went into each executive order and am grateful to all who contacted our office about these measures.
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AWWU Gets Federal Funding | |
This week, United States Senator Lisa Murkowski announced big wins for infrastructure investments in West Anchorage and Alaska. | |
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The United States Congress recently passed HR 4366, the 2024 Consolidated Appropriations Act, with strong bipartisan support. The Act combines 6 funding bills for Fiscal Year 2024, with significant funding for Alaskan infrastructure projects including roads, bridges, ports, and airports.
West Anchorage neighborhoods will benefit from these appropriations. The Anchorage Water and Wastewater Utility, or AWWU, received 5.3 million dollars for public water pipelines in the Sand Lake neighborhood. AWWU has committed to match the federal grant funds.
This high-density neighborhood has historical problems with private water wells containing arsenic that increases the risk of health problems for residents. The neighborhood also lacks fire hydrants, which impacts public safety. Federal grant funds will make it possible for AWWU to construct public water pipelines and allow residents to affordably connect to safe public water service. It will eliminate concerns about potential contamination, increase neighborhood fire protection, and spur economic development.
Our office was pleased to learn that the Seacliff, Seaview, Wilcox, and Endicott neighborhoods will be getting much-needed improvements.
To read more details about this funding for Alaska, please visit Senator Murkowski’s website.
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Just Transition Lunch and Learn | |
Our office will host a lunch and learn about the impact of renewable energy on our economy in Alaska's Just Transition on March 21st at 12:00 PM. The event will feature speakers from the Just Transition Collective, and will streamed. You can watch the presentation at 12:00 on Thursday, March 21st at this link. | |
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The Anchorage Municipal Election is Tuesday, April 2nd.
The League of Women's Voters published a helpful guide to candidates and propositions on the ballot. You can view their guide at this link:
League of Women Voters Anchorage
To vote in this year's election, you must return your ballot by mail (postmarked by April 2nd) or in one of the Municipal drop boxes. Check out the Muni's elections webpage or call 907-243-VOTE (8683) if you have questions.
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Community Events
Mark your calendar for these upcoming events:
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UAA 2024 Restorative Justice Symposium
When: March 21 and 22nd
Where: Online via zoom
UAA is hosting the 2nd annual restorative justice symposium on March 21st and 22nd. The sessions will focus on the nuts and bolts of starting and maintaining restorative justice programs. It includes in-depth dives into building community buy-in, an information session about the September 2023 judicial order outlining the legal process in Alaska for using restorative justice programs, lessons learned from existing programs, and much, much more. The event website includes the detailed schedule and speaker bios. Register here.
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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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