Protecting Your Rights: Serving West Anchorage

May 20, 2023

Legislature Passes Balanced Budget

The approved versions of the combined operating and capital budget bill and the mental health budget bill contain approximately $14.3 billion in total spending. $6 billion came from the state’s unrestricted general fund; $968 million in designated general funds, and $1.7 billion in other state funds, and $5.3 billion in federal funds. The state’s operating budget is approximately $11.4 billion — with $5.6 billion from the unrestricted general fund — while the capital budget is $2.7 billion with $369 billion from the unrestricted general fund. This balanced budget leaves the state with a $84.2 million surplus with oil at $73 per barrel.

Here are some highlights:

• Not drawing from our savings ($2.4 billion currently in the Constitutional Budget Reserve);
• Includes a $175 million one-time school funding boost, equating to a $680 increase to the Base Student Allocation, the per-student funding formula;
• If oil prices are higher than the Spring Forecast ($73 barrel), the first $636.4 million gets split between the dividend fund to make an FY25 energy relief payment (up to $500 per person) and the Constitutional Budget Reserve;
• If oil revenue does come in higher than projected, we would have an opportunity to invest any extra revenue in capital projects next spring;
• Does not require new taxes or withdrawals from savings;
• Moves $5 million for the Alaska Travel Industry Association from the capital budget to the operating budget;
• Adds $7.5 million for child-care block grants to increase wages for childcare workers and provide more childcare services to help people get back to work;
• Increases Head-Start grants by $5 million; and
• Adds $7.5 million unrestricted general funds and $7.5 million federal receipts for increased reimbursement to home and community-based waiver services to keep those who need assistance out of more costly institutions.

Legislation Update

The Senate has adjourned until January. Below, find an update on three key items at the conclusion of the first year of the two-year session.

Senate Bill 53

SB 53, sponsored by our office, proposes closing a loophole between our criminal justice system and behavioral health system that allows violent offenders to be released back to the public. The legislation stalled in the House in our final weeks of session. We are hopeful that when we return in January, the legislation will move through its two final committees in the House: the House Judiciary Committee and House Finance Committee.

Senate Bill 52

SB 52 proposes increasing the Base Student Allocation by $680 per student. It has passed the Senate and rests in the House. During the busy schedule of the last few weeks, the House Finance Committee amended another piece of legislation, Senate Bill 140 that increases broadband access for schools, to include the Base Student Allocation provisions in Senate Bill 52. SB 140, as amended, currently rests in the House Rules Committee. We are hopeful that the House will take up this issue next session.

Senate Bill 88

SB 88 proposes returning State of Alaska employees and teachers to a defined benefit pension plan. For more detailed information about the legislation, watch a previous week's video below. The legislation is currently resting in the Senate Finance Committee. A comprehensive overhaul of the state's retirement system for public employees, we understand that the committee is doing its due diligence in analyzing the fiscal impact.

Senate Bill 88 would establish an improved retirement system for public employees and teachers. I discussed this legislation in a recent video update.

Community Information

→ Northlink Aviation South Airpark Cargo Improvement Project

Public Comment Period

The public comment period for Northlink Aviation South Airpark Cargo Improvement project is open. Published documents available for comment are: Environmental Assessment (EA), Draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), & Record of Decision (ROD). The comment period will remain open from Friday, April 28 through Tuesday, May 30.

View the published documents here. Comments and questions may be submitted to info@northlinkaviation.com or via phone at 907-931-6350. All comments and questions will be shared with the FAA and ANC Airport.

Public Meeting Notice

The public meeting for Northlink Aviation South Airpark Cargo Improvements project is taking place at the end of the month. The open meeting will include a project update and allow members of the public to provide public comments. Representatives from the FAA and ANC Airport will be present.

When: Tuesday, May 30 from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM

Where: The Lakefront Anchorage Hotel, 4800 Spenard Rd.

→ Public Comment Period: 2024-2025 Unified Planning Work Program

The Draft 2024-2025 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) Narrative defines the transportation planning activities and products to be developed by AMATS and other transportation planning agencies during the federal fiscal years of 2024 & 2025 (October - September). The public comment period is open May 1 through June 1 this year.

Review the document here.

Submit comments:

Email - upwp_comments@publicinput.com

Voicemail - 855-925-2801, project code 6355

Mail - Permit & Development Center, 4700 Elmore Road PO Box 196650,

Anchorage, AK 99519

→ Free Spruce Trees

The Anchorage Audubon Society will be giving away 10,000 free 12-inch seedlings starting May 25. Anchorage has lost hundreds of thousands of White Spruce trees because of the Spruce Bark Beetle infestation. The Audubon Society is doing their part to restore the lost habitat for birds and wildlife. Trees will be distributed at markets, public events, and garden sales around Anchorage.

The first tree distribution event will be held on Thursday, May 25 at the Westchester Lagoon. Updated information about distribution, planting instructions, and full details of the project are available here.

Community Events

Mark your calendar for this upcoming event:

Sand Lake Community Council Special Meeting

When: Monday, May 22, starting at 5:30 PM

Where: BP Energy Center, 1014 Energy Ct

Join Zoom Meeting:  https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82910221088

Meeting ID: 829 1022 1088 

CLICK HERE for the agenda.

For Discussion and Vote:

• SLCC Resolution 2023-02 NorthLink Aviation Land Lease ADA-32351
• SLCC Resolution 2023-03 Northlink Aviation Center Draft Finding No Significant Impact Record of Decision



Additional documents can be found at on the website at Airport Expansion - South Air Cargo Terminal by Northlink Aviation (NLA)

Sen. Matt Claman

CONTACT INFORMATION

(907) 465-4919

Sen.Matt.Claman@akleg.gov

State Capitol Bldg. Rm 429

Juneau, Alaska 99801

https://www.alaskasenate.org/matt-claman/