Representative Matt Claman's Alaska Matters

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Protecting Your Rights: Serving Sand Lake, Spenard, and Turnagain

 

January 18, 2019

In this issue:

•  Tomorrow: Start of Session Constituent Meeting

•  Tools to Stay Informed

•  Meet Our Staff

•  Sharp Decline in Anchorage Vehicle Thefts

•  Community Events

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

This week, I took the Oath of Office and am honored to start my third term representing House District 21. We face many challenges as a state, and over the next 90 days, the Legislature will make decisions that will have an impact for many years to come. We must focus on the future of Alaska by finding solutions that serve all Alaskans—addressing the issues today and not leaving them for the next generation.

 

TOMORROW: Start of Session Constituent Meeting

Please join me tomorrow, Saturday, January 19  from 12:00 1:30 PM at the Anchorage Legislative Information Office for our Start of Session Constituent Meeting. Food and drinks will be served!

For more information and to RSVP, visit: https://www.facebook.com/events/545774559266013/.

 

Tools to Stay Informed

 

This legislative session will be busy as we work to address issues, including the state’s ongoing financial challenges. We will strive to keep you informed as we move forward. For weekly updates on legislation and constituent issues, you can check out past e-newsletters on my website. As always, you can follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and email me at Rep.Matt.Claman@akleg.gov.

 

Below are some additional resources for staying up-to-date and engaged:

 

  • Keep Track of Bills – Interested in tracking my bills through the legislative process? You can follow along on BASIS: http://www.akleg.gov/basis/Home/BillsandLaws. Just type in a bill number in the search bar (ex: HB1) at the top of the page.

 

  • Bill Tracking Management Facility (BTMF) – Track the status of bills as they pass through the legislative process. BTMF will display the status of bills you are interested in, and can also send you email updates as the bill's status changes. BTMF is a free service and only requires you to set up an account

 

  • SMS Bill Tracking – Text a bill number (ex: HB1) to 559-245-2529 to enroll in text alerts. You will receive an enrollment confirmation and instructions on how to stop receiving the alerts.

 

  • Watch Committee Meetings – Most committee hearings are broadcast on Gavel Alaska at www.360north.org or through the Live Now tab on the BASIS home page. House and Senate floor sessions are also available on Gavel Alaska.

 

 

  • Use Your Legislative Information Office (LIO) – LIOs are a great local resource. The staff at the LIO can help you: research bills and issues, navigate the state computer system, and participate in hearings by providing public testimony.

 

  • Chat with Legislative Information Staff – Monday-Friday between 8:30am and 4pm you will find a new chat interface in the lower right corner of AKLeg.gov. The LIO staff can help answer questions about finding things on the website, answer questions relating to tracking legislation and help you get in touch with your legislator. Let us know how we can help you!

 

  • Visit the Anchorage LIO – The LIO is on the 2nd floor of the Wells Fargo Building at 1500 W. Benson Blvd., on the corner of Minnesota and Benson. Parking permits are not needed to park in our lot for Legislative business:

Address: 1500 W. Benson Blvd. Anchorage, AK 99503

Phone: 907-269-0111

Email: LIO.Anchorage@akleg.gov

 

 

Meet Our Staff


From left to right: Lizzie Kubitz, Lt. Governor Kevin Meyer, Rep. Claman, and Ceri Godinez.

We welcome back two returning staffers to our office: Lizzie Kubitz and Ceri Godinez. Lizzie is our Chief of Staff and this is her fourth session with the Legislature. She is a graduate of West Anchorage High School and received degrees in Politics and American Studies from Willamette University. Ceri joins us again for the second year. Originally from California, she graduated from Yale with a degree in Film and Media Studies and made the move to Alaska.

When you call, write, or email my office, Lizzie and Ceri will be available and happy to assist you.

Sharp Decline in Anchorage Vehicle Thefts

 

This week, the Anchorage Daily News reported that vehicle thefts in Anchorage have been in decline for over a year. According to the article, “vehicle thefts hit an 18-month low in October, with 189 reports. That’s down from a high of 370 in January 2018 and the fewest since May 2017, when 179 vehicles were reported stolen.” The Anchorage Police Department credits aggressive law enforcement and federal help as contributing factors.

 

Community Events

Mark your calendar for these upcoming events:

Spenard Jazz Fest Series

Spenard Jazz Fest warms up your winter with this series of six fun and educational concerts at the Writer’s Block Bookstore and Cafe! Part lecture, part concert, part interactive exchange about music you love.

 

 

When: See the detailed schedule of events for more information.

Where: The Writer’s Block Bookstore & Café, 3956 Spenard Rd.

 

For more information and to RSVP, visit the Facebook event page. Suggested donation is $5.00.

Anchorage Climate Action Plan Vision Workshop

You’re invited to join the Anchorage Climate Action Plan team, NAACP Anchorage Branch, and The Alaska Center for an exciting community event on January 22nd at the Mountain View Neighborhood Library. Jacqui Patterson, Director of the NAACP Environmental and Climate Justice Program, will kick off the event with a brief talk, and then participants will have the opportunity to share ideas and feedback on the Anchorage Climate Action Plan.  Community organizations will also share energy efficiency resources and other information. Children of all ages are welcome.

 

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Free pizza will be provided for participants, and we will provide childcare and interpretation as needed. Please email ClimateActionPlan@anchorageak.gov or call 343-7170 to request an interpreter or other accommodations at least 72 hours in advance.

 

When: Tuesday, January 22 from 5:30 – 8:00 PM

Where: Mountain View Neighborhood Library, 120 Bragaw St.

For more information and to RSVP, visit the Facebook event page.

 

As always, please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

signed: Matt Claman

Rep. Matt Claman

P.S. follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Contact Information

(907) 465-4919

Rep.Matt.Claman@akleg.gov

State Capitol Bldg. Rm 118
Juneau, Alaska 99801

www.repmattclaman.com

Contact the Governor

550 West 7th Avenue, Suite 1700
Anchorage, AK 99501
T (907) 269-7450 F (907) 269-7461
EMAIL: Governor Mike Dunleavy

STATE of ALASKA
http://alaska.gov/
State Info (907) 269-5111

Serving the Anchorage Neighborhoods of
Sand Lake, Spenard, and Turnagain

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