Update on loss of federal funds for Alaska

Protecting Your Rights: Serving West Anchorage

September 27, 2024

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

This month, we received disappointing news that Alaska will miss important opportunities for federal funds. The U.S. Department of Transportation rejected $52 million for statewide transportation funds, and U.S. Department of Education withheld $17.5 million from the Alaska Department of Education for our public schools. The administration's failure to secure these funds to maintain our public schools and roads is deeply concerning.

In other news, the General Election is approaching! Sunday, October 6th is the last day to register to vote or change your voting address.

General Election Information

The General Election is November 5th, and you must be registered to vote by October 6th! Unlike Anchorage Municipal elections, the general election is not conducted by mail - if you would like your ballot mailed to you, you'll need to fill out a vote-by-mail application.

This election is a ranked-choice election, meaning you can rank the candidates in order of preference. Watch the video below to understand how ranking works!

Who can register to vote?

A U.S. Citizen
An Alaskan resident
Anyone who is 18 years of age or will be 18 on or before election day
You cannot be convicted of a felony involving moral turpitude, unless your voting rights have been restored.
You cannot be registered to vote in another state unless you are willing to cancel your registration in that state.

For voting purposes, you are considered an Alaska resident if you reside in the state and intend to remain a resident or, if you temporarily leave the state, you have intention to return. (Active military members, spouses, or dependents are exempt from the intent to return requirement.)

When do I need to register to vote?

Most Alaskans are automatically registered to vote when they apply for their Permanent Fund dividend. But if you recently moved to Alaska and don't yet receive a Permanent Fund dividend, or if you didn't apply for one, you'll need to register before October 6th. If you moved within Alaska and will be voting from a new residence, you'll need to update your voter registration.

To register to vote online, click here.

To check your registration status, click here.

Check your voter registration

Can I vote early?

Absentee In-Person and Early Voting locations are open for voting starting 15 days prior and through Election Day. Each location has different hours and district ballots available.

Absentee In-Person voting requires you to complete an envelope with your voted ballot and drop the envelope in a ballot box. These ballots are not scanned at the voting location and are instead reviewed by the Absentee Review Board to make sure you are eligible and that you have not already voted.

At Early Voting locations, election workers determine your eligibility at the time you vote by verifying that the information on your voter registration record is current. If everything is correct, you will vote your ballot and insert it into scanner. If your information is not current, you will have to vote using the Absentee In-Person method.

A list of early voting locations and times can be found here.

Can I vote by mail?

To vote by mail, you must fill out an absentee ballot application and return it to the Division of Elections by October 26th. You can apply for your absentee ballot at this link.

Ballots will be mailed to voters 25 days prior to election day. Remember, the statewide election is not a mail-only election. The Division of Elections will not mail your ballot to you unless you apply for it.

For more information, visit the Division of Elections Website

The general election uses ranked-choice voting. RCV gives Alaskans more agency to choose candidates that will best represent them. For an explanation of how RCV works, please watch the video above.

Missing the Mark on Federal Funding

This month, we received the disappointing news that Alaska will miss out on two different federal funding opportunities.

Alaska continues to face challenges with recruiting and retaining professionals, funding K-12 public education and postsecondary education, and maintaining public infrastructure, which impacts public safety. It is critical for Alaska to take advantage of all federal funding opportunities in order to address these and other areas where we are struggling. The Dunleavy Administration's continued failure to address and mitigate these shortcomings have set Alaska back on a national level.

In her 2023 Joint Address to the Alaska Legislature, Senator Lisa Murkowski implored legislators to prioritize support for public employees and public service. Senator Murkowksi and the entire federal delegation worked hard to secure funding for Alaska through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. This Act brings federal funding for roads, bridges, the Alaska Marine Highway System, health care, water and sewer in rural Alaska, and broadband. If the State does not match these federal dollars and submit the required documentation, we risk losing the opportunity to provide much needed resources for Alaska. Unfortunately, that risk has become a reality.

Department of Transportation & Public Facilities Failures

In February, the Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) submitted the Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP) to the U.S. Department of Transportation (US DOT), outlining transportation projects through 2027. Federal administrators found significant errors and rejected that plan. The Legislature pressured DOT&PF to address and fix these errors in multiple Transportation Committee meetings in both the House and Senate. DOTP&F finally made revisions and resubmitted the STIP, but the US DOT only gave partial approval in March. DOT&PF made another resubmission in late August, and we are waiting for the US DOT review.

In August, the federal government announced they would be redistributing a record $8.7 billion to state transportation departments across the country. Alaska applied for $71.4 million, but the US DOT only awarded $19 million to Alaska--the lowest amount in the nation. This amount is also far below what the State received in recent years. DOT&PF stated that the reduced redistribution came from factors such as changes in federal requirements and increased scrutiny towards Alaska's transportation spending.

This lack of funding for transportation projects may significantly impact our ability to maintain state roads and critical infrastructure. And it is a blow to the construction industry, which receives much of its work from government contracts. The Legislature works hard to make Alaska open and ready for business, and it is disappointing when the Executive Branch does not capitalize on available federal funding opportunities.

To learn more about the recent DOT&PF federal allocation, the Anchorage Daily News published a detailed article that you can read by clicking here.

Department of Education & Early Development Continues to Act Out of Compliance with Federal Requirements

This month, the U.S. Department of Education (US DOE) said it will withhold $17.5 million in federal grant funds because Alaska does not comply with federal guidelines. In March, the US DOE designated Alaska as a "high-risk" state due to lack of compliance with rules surrounding the American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA), which distributed funds to schools in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. The federal government gave funds to states with an accompanying Maintenance of Equity requirement that they could not reduce funding to the lowest-income districts to offset the federal grants. The US DOE asserts that Alaska improperly reduced funding for several school districts in 2022 and 2023, and now owes money to the Anchorage School District, the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District, the Juneau School District, and the Fairbanks Northstar Borough School District.

This May, the Legislature approved an operating budget that appropriated $11.89 million to the Anchorage and Kenai school districts, allowing the State to come into compliance with the federal guidelines. But in June, Governor Dunleavy vetoed that appropriation. While some other states had difficulty coming into compliance and receiving their ARPA funds, Alaska is the only state that has not come into compliance with the federal Maintenance of Equity requirements.

The Alaska Department of Early Education and Development (DEED) provided minimal information to the Legislature and maintains that it did nothing wrong in how it distributed funds. Throughout the last legislative session, the Senate Education Committee requested DEED present on how they were handling this Maintenance of Equity issue. DEED did not comply with these legislative requests.

To learn more about the Maintenance of Equity issue, the Alaska Beacon published a detailed article that you can read by clicking here.

Between the lost transportation funds and the rejected education funds, Alaska is losing nearly $70 million in federal funds. It is deeply concerning that this administration did not secure these important funds that would benefit all Alaskans.

Orange Shirt Day

Monday, September 30th is Orange Shirt Day.

Orange Shirt Day was established to commemorate the Indigenous experience at residential boarding schools and honor survivors and their families in their healing journey.

Historically, residential schools forced Indigenous children apart from their homes and families. While under residential school custody, the boarding schools forced children to give up their cultural practices and self-expression and punished them if they were not compliant. Not only did they force children to forget their traditional ways of life under the residential school systems, but many children went missing and were never found or lost their lives. Indigenous communities everywhere are still recovering from the legacy of assimilation and cultural genocide that the U.S. residential boarding school system left behind.

To honor those impacted by these tragedies, the Legislature passed HJR 17, urging the U.S. Congress to pass the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act. Thank you to Representative CJ McCormick for sponsoring this resolution.

Please join us in wearing orange to honor the Indigenous children and families impacted by residential boarding schools. #EveryChildMatters

Community Information

→ Ted Stevens Legislative Internship

The Ted Stevens Legislative Internship is a fantastic opportunity for students in the University of Alaska system to get experience in the Alaska State Legislature and to learn more about State policy.

If you or anyone you know attending UAA or another UA campus is interested in serving in a state legislative office, earning 12 credits, and gaining invaluable work experience that can supercharge their transition to a career after graduation, please learn more about this program. Any major is welcome!

Applications are accepted online and are due on November 1st by 11:59 PM. To learn more and apply, please click here.

→ People Mover Service Changes in October

People Mover is reducing service as part of the October 28, 2024 Service Change due to significant workforce shortages and challenges. Public comment was open between July 5th and August 5th, 2024.

People Mover considered all the votes, comments, and suggestions received during the Public Comment Period, which ended on August 5, 2024. As a result, PTD has made the difficult decision to implement "Option B" for the October Service Change. This means Route 25 will soon operate with a 30-minute frequency throughout the day.

Unfortunately, to better align service with current operator and staff levels, additional reductions were also necessary:

Routes 11, 31, 41, and 51 will end service between 10 PM and 11 PM on weekdays.
Route 85 will return to 60-minute frequency throughout the day.
Weekend service for Routes 31 & 51 will be reduced to 60-minute frequency.

Final schedules will be posted on September 27, 2024. Click the button below for more information, including the survey results and all public comments.

Service Changes Information

→ Hunger Action Month

For many of us, choosing what to eat each day is a simple decision. But for those facing hunger, it’s an impossible choice between food and other critical needs—like childcare, electricity or medicine. Despite the abundance of food in America, 1 in 8 people, including 1 in 6 children in Alaska, still struggle to get the nourishment they need to thrive. This stark reality is why the Food Bank of Alaska joins Feeding America® food banks across the country each September for Hunger Action Month. This nationwide campaign is dedicated to raising awareness and inspiring action to combat food insecurity in our communities.

This September, join the Food Bank of Alaska’s movement to end hunger. Your voice, your actions, and your commitment can ensure that every community has the food they need to thrive. When people are nourished, so are their futures.

Here’s how you can take action:

Donate: Every dollar counts in the fight against hunger. Your contribution can help provide meals to those in need.
Volunteer: Your time is a valuable resource. Volunteering at Food Bank of Alaska can make a significant impact.
Advocate: Use your voice to raise awareness. Share your stories and photos on social media with #HungerActionMonth, #FeedingAlaska, @FoodBankofAlaska, and @FeedingAmerica. You can also order a Hunger Action Month T-shirt and wear it to help spread the message in your community and online.
Attend Events: Dine out at one of the participating restaurants during Anchorage Restaurant Week. Your participation helps us continue our mission.

No action is too small—each step brings us closer to an Alaska where no one goes hungry. Together, we can create a future where everyone has access to the food they need to thrive. Join the nationwide movement to end hunger this September.

Community Events

Anchorage Restaurant Week

When: September 23rd - 28th

Where: Various locations in Anchorage. Click here for participating restaurants.

Anchorage Restaurant Week, formerly known as Dine Out Against Hunger, is an exciting event, taking place September 23-28. Indulge in delicious meals while supporting a crucial cause—combating food insecurity in Alaska.

Anchorage Restaurant Week is community effort to raise awareness about hunger in Alaska. By dining out, you’re not only treating yourself to delicious food at one of the participating restaurants, you're contributing to the fight against food insecurity.

For more information and a donation link, please click here.

UAA Spirit Run Against Hunger

When: Saturday, September 28 starting at 9:00 AM

Where: Alaska Airlines Center (3550 Providence Dr)

The UAA Spirit Run 5k is back this fall as the UAA Spirit Run: Run Against Hunger. The annual Spirit Run is a fun, community-based race held at the beginning of the academic year to bring new and returning UAA community members together! This year, join the Seawolf Community for a fun 5K through the UAA Campus and surrounding trails. Nearly 45% of students at UAA experience some type of food insecurity. Challenge proceeds will be donated to the UAA Food Insecurity fund to fight food insecurity among UAA students through programs such as the newly established UAA Food Pantry.

For more information and to register, click here.

Taku Skatepark Ribbon cutting

When: Sunday, September 29th from 2:00 - 3:00 PM

Where: Taku Lake Park (8200 Stormy Place)

The Taku Skatepark reopens after massive upgrades, making it the largest and most expansive skatepark in Anchorage. The in-ground concrete skatepark includes flow and plaza-style features with uniquely Alaskan elements like a whale’s tail-shaped bowl and inlaid Big Dipper. The new skatepark is a dynamic recreational environment made for learning new maneuvers and practicing tricks on a skateboard, scooter, BMX bike, or rollerblades. It has something for all ages and abilities in the Taku/Campbell neighborhood of Anchorage.

Grindline Skateparks designed the park. They are Seattle-based specialists in the planning, design, and construction of cast-in-place concrete skateparks. The custom skatepark design incorporates recommendations from the Anchorage skating community and offers lots of opportunities to transfer between a variety of elements.

The renovation was a true community effort with strong support from the skating community and funded by many individual donations; two voter-approved park bonds; a grant from the Rasmuson Foundation; support from the Blue & Gold Boardshop and local artists; and a grant from The Skatepark Project (formerly the Tony Hawk Foundation).

Join the Anchorage Park Foundation, Anchorage Parks & Recreation, and the Blue & Gold Boardshop in celebrating the reopening of Taku Skatepark. For more information, click here.

A Conversation with NPR's Planet Money

When: Thursday, October 3rd at 8:00 PM

Where: Bear Tooth Theater (1230 W 27th Ave)

Join NPR Planet Money’s Jess Jiang and Jeff Guo as they share their experiences reporting on the economic forces that shape our lives. Whether you’re an economics enthusiast or simply curious about how the world works, this one hour conversation promises to entertain and inform through engaging storytelling and an interactive Q&A. The event is presented by the UAA Economics Department, with ticket proceeds going towards support of UAA economics students. For more information, click here.

Alaska Children's Trust Child and Family Policy Series

When: October 16, 23, and 30 from 9:00 - 10:00 AM

Where: Online. Register here.

Join ACT for a policy webinar series designed to spark conversations about policies to support Alaska's children and families.

Continuous Medicaid Eligibility for Children Birth-6

October 16th from 9:00 - 10:00 AM
Elisabeth Wright Burak will discuss how continuous eligibility could benefit Alaska's youngest children and ease the challenges around eligibility determinations.

Medicaid Coverage for Health-Related Needs

October 23rd from 9:00 - 10:00 AM
Leo Cuello will explore how a new waiver could address specific health-related needs for children and families through Medicaid.

Paid Family and Medical Leave

October 30th from 9:00 - 10:00 AM
Dr. Cynthia Osborne will present evidence-based approaches for implementing paid family leave policies and what Alaska can do to better support working families.