Protecting Your Rights: Serving West Anchorage

April 3, 2026

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

This week, we released our constituent survey results. Over 400 West Anchorage residents responded to our survey. Thank you to all who participated!

Also this week, the Senate passed Senate Joint Resolution 2 about lowering the fiscal veto override threshold from 3/4 to 2/3, and Senator Murkowski addressed the Legislature. And a reminder that the Anchorage Municipal Election is Tuesday, April 7th.

Please read on for more information.

Constituent Survey Results

This year, 435 friends and neighbors from across Senate District H completed our constituent survey!

We appreciate your input and will keep your views in mind as the session continues. Having compiled the information and analyzed the results, we have key takeaways in this email:

76% of West Anchorage constituents support Alaska lowering the threshold for a veto override of a revenue or appropriations bill from three-fourths to two-thirds.
69% of West Anchorage constituents support using Permanent Fund earnings to help pay for essential services.
50% of West Anchorage constituents support and 31% are neutral about repealing the Base Student Allocation to make the Department of Education and Early Development funding process similar to other state departments.

Here are the detailed results:

Question #1

The Alaska Constitution requires a 3/4 vote of the legislature sitting in joint session to override a veto for revenue and appropriations bills or items. It requires only 2/3 of the legislature to override a policy bill. All other states have requirements lower than 3/4 to override revenue and appropriations vetoes. Do you support a constitutional amendment that would change the requirement for veto override for revenue and appropriation bills or items from 3/4 to 2/3 so that a uniform 2/3 standard would apply to all vetoes?

Question #2

Governor Dunleavy’s FY2027 proposed budget largely flat funds services and includes a Permanent Fund dividend of $3,650 (costing approximately $2.3 billion). The Governor’s budget would leave us with a $1.8 billion deficit to be paid from savings accounts. What grade do you give the Governor’s FY2027 budget proposal?

Question #3

In 2018, Senate Bill 26 (AS 37.13.140) established a cap on the annual withdrawal from the Permanent Fund Earnings Reserve Account (ERA) to ensure the ERA is available for future generations to support the costs of state government. Understanding that the principal of the Permanent Fund is constitutionally protected, do you support or oppose using Permanent Fund earnings to pay for essential services, even if it means limiting the dividend payment?

Question #4

To address the revenue shortfalls, Governor Dunleavy has introduced a fiscal plan, including Senate Bill 227. Three components of the Governor’s fiscal plan include: a seasonal sales tax, an increased oil and gas production tax, and a spending cap. For the following components (A, B, and C), what best reflects your position?

4A: Seasonal sales tax of 4% in the summer and 2% in the winter

4B: Increasing oil and gas production taxes from 4% to 6%

4C: Spending cap

Question #8

The Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) is the only department in Alaska that has a different funding formula (the Base Student Allocation) than any other department. The Legislature meaningfully raised the BSA only once in the last decade. Do you support repealing the BSA to make DEED’s funding mechanism similar to other state departments?

Weighted Average Questions

For questions 5, 6, and 7 we analyzed results using a “weighted average” formula in which the lower number shows stronger support. The weighted average formula calculates the average value of particular responses. Applied to the ranked choices, the lower number reflects greater support for the choice and the higher number reflects less support.

For example, on question 6, “Pay for public education” response has a weighted average of 1.63, which shows that many constituents ranked this option as one of their top choices. The least supported choice “Increase the dividend payment” has a weighted average of 3.23

Weighted Average = [Sum of (Number * Weighing Factor)] / Sum of all the Weights

Question #5

Which of the following new revenue measures would you support?

Corporate income tax on out-of-state companies: 1.55 weighted average
Increased oil and gas production tax: 1.69 weighted average
Income tax: 2.49 weighted average
Sales tax: 2.59 weighted average

*35 constituents voted for no new revenue measures

Question #6

If we raise new revenue through a sales tax, income tax, modifications to oil and gas taxes, or other revenue measure, we should use the new revenue to:

Pay for public education: teachers, schools, and training: 1.63 weighted average
Pay for capital projects: roads, bridges, and ports: 2.17 weighted average
Pay for public safety: police, troopers, and prosecutors: 2.22 weighted average
Increase the dividend payment: 3.23 weighted average

Question #7

Cook Inlet gas producers have forecast a gas shortage that will impact Railbelt utilities’ ability to deliver electricity and heating fuel in the future. What energy solutions do you support moving forward?

Expansion of renewable energy and conservation: 1.83 weighted average
Alaska natural gas from the North Slope: 1.88 weighted average
Royalty relief for Cook Inlet producers: 2.49 weighted average
Imported natural gas: 2.72 weighted average

Senate Joint Resolution 2

On March 31, the Senate passed Senate Joint Resolution 2. If approved by voters in the 2026 general election, SJR 2 lowers the threshold for veto override on appropriation or revenue legislation from 3/4 to 2/3, aligning it with the 2/3 veto override threshold for all other legislation. Alaska’s 3/4 requirement is the highest of any state. SJR 2 now moves to the House of Representatives for further review.

→ To read more about polling results on SJR 2, click here.

→ To read more about the history of this constitutional provision, click here.

→ To read more about other states' override requirements, click here.

Senator Lisa Murkowski Address to the Legislature

On Tuesday, March 31^st, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski gave her annual address to the Alaska Legislature. Senator Murkowski began by acknowledging Senator Stevens and Senator Hoffman’s hard work during their time in the Legislature and congratulated them on their upcoming retirement.

Senator Lisa Murkowski called for Alaska to develop a responsible fiscal plan. “We cannot rely on anything to save Alaska’s fiscal situation, until there is a strong budget that ends the cycle.” She reminded the Legislature that the recent increased oil revenue is temporary. Senator Murkowski acknowledged that the federal government is facing fiscal restraints and urged Alaskan Legislators to create a fiscal plan that works for the state.

Senator Murkowski called for Alaska to fund federal match grants. When the U.S. Congress secures federal funding for states, it is essential that Alaska meet the required funding match in a timely manner. She mentioned not only the transportation match, but also smaller projects like the USGS Shake Alert match. Senator Murkowski also spoke to the importance of state and federal collaboration to provide essential services to Americans.

Senator Murkowski emphasized the importance of the Rural Health Transformation Program as Alaska healthcare accessibility worries her and many Alaskans. She worked to ensure that Alaska was a priority in this program and allocated $1.3 billion to Alaska. Senator Murkowski applied pressure for Alaska to show improvement throughout the five years funded by the Act, as the funds may be redistributed if Alaska fails to show progress.

Senator Murkowski also mentioned immigration enforcement. She began by commending President Trump for securing the southern border as she believes it improves our nations safety. Senator Murkowski then highlighted that Alaska has historically relied on outsiders to populate our workforce. She explained that the recent actions of immigration enforcement in Soldotna show the need for significant immigration policy reform, as the deportation of the mother and the arrest of her oldest son was unacceptable.

Community Information

→ Anchorage Municipal Election

The Anchorage Municipal Election is Tuesday, April 7th. Make sure you're ready to vote!

→ For more information on how to vote, please visit our last e-news

→ For information on the bond proposals, click here

→ For the official elections website, click here

Community Events

Top 40 Under 40

When: April 10, 6pm -11pm

Where: Hotel Captain Cook (939 W 5th Ave)

Since 1998, the Alaska Journal of Commerce has recognized the state’s top professionals under 40 through Alaska’s Top Forty Under 40—honoring individuals who demonstrate excellence in their careers and a strong commitment to their communities.

Cocktails & Networking | 6 - 7pm

Dinner & Ceremony | 7 - 8:30pm

Drinks & Dancing | 8:30 - 11pm

Dress is cocktail attire

If you would like more information regarding the Top Forty Under 40, contact topforty@alaskajournal.com. For tickets and more information, click here.

Amblin' for Alzheimer's

When: Saturday May 2nd at 9am

Where: Anchorage Golf Course (3651 O'Malley Rd)

The 21st Amblin’ for Alzheimer’s is just around the corner, marking another powerful year of community, compassion, and commitment across Alaska. As Alzheimer’s Resource Alaska’s largest fundraiser of the year, Amblin’ brings together families, friends, businesses, and advocates to raise awareness and critical funds for Alaskans impacted by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. This 21st celebration builds on more than two decades of impact, and we are determined to make it our most impactful yet.

Amblin’ for Alzheimer’s is more than a walk. It is a statewide movement grounded in connection and purpose. On May 2, participants will gather at the Anchorage Golf Course for a morning filled with inspiration, music, and meaningful steps forward. Whether you join us in Anchorage or participate virtually from anywhere in Alaska, every dollar raised stays right here in our state, supporting education, support groups, care coordination, and vital resources for individuals living with dementia and the families and caregivers who walk alongside them.

We are actively seeking community partners to help make this event a success. Sponsorships and silent auction donations are essential to Amblin’ 2026. Local businesses, organizations, and individuals can make a tangible difference by becoming a sponsor, donating auction items, or forming a team. Your support ensures that essential services remain available to every Alaskan who needs them.

The excitement begins at our official Kick Off Event at The Nave, where teams will register, sponsors will connect, and our community will build momentum together. Step up for care. Step up for community. Step up for Alaska. Join us by sponsoring, donating, and walking at the 21st Amblin’ for Alzheimer’s.

For more information or to become a sponsor, reach out to April Powers at apowers@alzalaska.org. For more information or tickets, click here.