Protecting Your Rights: Serving Sand Lake, Spenard and Turnagain
|
|
In this issue:
• The Permanent Fund Dividend: History and Laws
• Honoring Cynthia Toohey
• Anchorage Airport Update
• COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments
• ICYMI: State of the State
• Community Events
|
|
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Today, the House elected Representative Josiah Patkotak, a freshman legislator from Utqiagvik, as Speaker Pro Tempore. While the House remains unorganized, election of a Speaker Pro Tempore is a positive step towards organization and I appreciate Rep. Patkotak's willingness to serve in this important role.
|
|
The Permanent Fund Dividend: History and Laws
All of our discussions on the budget and Alaska's financial challenges come back to the same topic: protecting the Permanent Fund and whether we can afford to pay a dividend. The governor is proposing a $5,000 dividend this year.
|
|
|
This would require breaking the law that limits how much we can withdraw from the Permanent Fund and would force us to choose between paying more taxes and receiving a dividend. As we continue to debate these questions, it's good to keep in mind the history establishing the Permanent Fund in the Alaska Constitution and statutes that provide for dividends.
|
|
Honoring Cynthia Toohey
On Tuesday, the Alaska flag flew at half staff to commemorate the life of former State House Representative Cynthia Toohey. Cynthia passed away last week at the age of 86 after battling cancer. Originally born in New York City, Toohey moved to Alaska in 1958 as a teenager in search of adventure. Toohey soon met her future husband, Barney, and the two moved to Crow Creek Mine in Girdwood with their three children in 1969. Prior to serving in the State House of Representatives from 1993 to 1997, Toohey worked as an emergency room nurse, pipeline medic, ski patrol medic at Alyeska, and flight attendant. Cynthia will be remembered for her leadership, selflessness, determination, and commitment to Alaska.
|
|
COVID-19 Vaccination Appointments
As of February 2, 96,858 Alaskans (about 13% of our population) have received the vaccination and 28,911 have received both doses.
Please continue to reach out to Alaskans age 65+ to help them schedule an appointment by calling (907) 646-3322 or go to covidvax.alaska.gov.
|
|
Anchorage Airport Update: Alaska Cold Cargo and Storage Signs Lease
Alaska Cargo and Cold Storage (ACCS) and the State of Alaska recently executed a 55-year lease agreement at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC), positioning ANC to be transformed into a key cold chain transfer hub for global air cargo carriers. This facility will allow perishables to be consolidated from North America and Latin America and then distributed to freighters bringing perishables closer to the consumer, cutting the time from field or sea to the consumer.
In September 2020, the US Department of Transportation awarded the Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) a $21 million BUILD grant to administer in support of the ACCS project. The facility will be constructed in phases. The first phase will be roughly 190,000 square feet with plans to begin construction in the second half of 2021. When fully completed, the facility will offer cold and warm storage, quick cargo, general warehousing options, logistics services, and auxiliary space for tenant offices.
- Location: Postmark Bog. Borders on the south side of Taxiway P on the west side of Postmark Drive.
- Approximate Acreage: 30 acres.
- Development Proposed: 700,000-square-foot, climate-controlled warehouse facility, for cargo transfer operations and cold storage, and employee parking.
|
|
In Case You Missed It: Reflections on State of the State
Last week, Governor Dunleavy delivered his 2021 State of the State address. I took a few minutes to reflect on the governor's address and the economic and budget challenges we face during the upcoming legislative session.
|
|
|
Community Events
Mark your calendars for these upcoming events:
Turnagain Community Council
When: Thursday, February 4 at 7:00 PM
Sand Lake Community Council
When: Monday, February 8 at 6:30 PM
|
|
2021 Alaska Ski for Women
The 4k course at Kincaid will be decorated starting Sunday, February 7, with participants invited to ski any time over a five-day period.
This is a great event for all ages and abilities to ski 4km in colorful costumes, while raising funds for local non-profits that help stop the cycle of domestic abuse in our community. Special for the 25th Anniversary, Alaska Ski for Women is inviting the whole family to participate. While Ski for Women is traditionally a women-only event, this year, registration is open to everyone – including men!
When: Sunday, February 7 – Thursday, February 11
Visit the event website to learn more about the following:
-Costume Contest
-Peer to Peer Fundraising
-Raffle
-Distance Challenge
-Rental Discounts
|
|
As always, please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
|
|
CONTACT INFORMATION
(907) 465-4919
State Capitol Bldg. Rm 118
Juneau, Alaska 99801
|
|
CONTACT THE GOVERNOR
(907) 465-3500
550 West 7th Ave. Suite 1700
Anchorage, Alaska 99501
STATE OF ALASKA
State Info: (907) 269-5111
|
|
CONTACT THE ADN
Write a Letter to the Editor
Submit your letter to the Anchorage Daily News via email or web form.
attn: Letters to the Editor
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
