Protecting Your Rights: Serving West Anchorage

August 31, 2023

Legislation Highlight: Senate Bill 88

Senate Bill 88

This session, Senator Cathy Giessel introduced Senate Bill 88, legislation I am proud to co-sponsor. SB 88 proposes an improved retirement system for public employees and teachers. The legislation would create a new pension system for public employees and teachers and provide an option for current Tier IV employees to convert their defined contribution plan to the new pension (defined benefit) system.

During session, the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee thoroughly reviewed SB 88 and adopted a committee substitute (CS). The Senate Finance Committee held several hearings on the CS to SB 88, and we expect the bill to continue to be priority legislation when the legislature returns to Juneau in January.

Community Information

→ Draft 2050 Metropolitan Transportation Plan

The DRAFT 2050 Metropolitan Transportation Plan has been released for a 60-day public comment period through October 9, 2023.

Please visit publicinput.com/2050_mtp to review the plan, related planning documents, and an interactive map of recommended projects.

The Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) is the primary tool used by AMATS to plan for long-range transportation needs and recommend solutions based on anticipated funding availability over a 20-year horizon. The MTP includes the whole transportation system in the Anchorage Bowl and Chugiak-Eagle River: streets, sidewalks and pathways, trails, public transit, freeways, highways, and freight mobility.

→ Construction at the Airport & Lake Hood

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) plans to approve the permit for the NorthLink Aviation project at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. This project which will develop an e-commerce and express air cargo terminal that will significantly enhance Anchorage’s air cargo traffic capacity and establish the international airport as the first port of entry for air cargo entering the United States from Asia. 

The NorthLink Aviation project received a Finding of No Significant Impact and Record of Decision (FONSI/ROD) from the FAA related to the Environmental Assessment issued as part of the review process required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The receipt of the FONSI/ROD allows NorthLink, in coordination with Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport and other State of Alaska agencies, to begin construction on the 120-acre plot of land NorthLink has leased for 55 years. They plan to start construction on the air cargo terminal project soon. 

→ Municipality of Anchorage - Views of Anchorage Residents Survey

The Office of the Mayor has created a survey and would like to hear from the community. They're asking Anchorage residents to fill out this survey, share the survey with your network, and let the Mayor's office know what issues are most important to you. Visit: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VF9F8NF.

Community Events

Mark your calendar for these upcoming events:

Fire Station 5 New Truck Push-In Ceremony

Senior Captain Tom Upchurch and Fire Station 5 are having a ceremonial push-in of their new firetruck. 

Please join in support of our local firefighters who protect our community!

When: TODAY, Thursday, August 31 from 10:00 to 11:00 AM

Where: Fire Station 5, 2207 McRae Rd

Alaska State Fair

The annual Alaska State Fair is ongoing through this weekend!

With hundreds of retail vendors, food stands, and rides, the Fair is a great activity for the family over Labor Day Weekend.

When: Through Monday, September 4 from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM

Where: Alaska State Fairgrounds, 2075 Glenn Hwy, Palmer, AK 99645

To view more information about vendors, concerts, and buying tickets, please go to the Alaska State Fair's website: https://www.alaskastatefair.org/site/#home

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/