Protecting Your Rights: Serving Sand Lake, Spenard and Turnagain

March 3, 2022

Public Testimony on the Operating Budget

Share your thoughts on the budget with the House Finance Committee!

When: Friday, March 4 at 1:30 PM

How: Click here for details.

Phone in: 907-563-9085. Be sure to call in early to get a spot on the list.
Attend in-person at the Anchorage LIO, located at 1500 W. Benson Blvd.
Watch the hearing at akleg.gov by clicking on the "Live Now" tab.
Submit written comments via email to house.finance@akleg.gov

This week, the House Finance Committee is hearing public testimony on the FY23 Operating Budget. Every year, we must approve a budget. And every year, it is important to hear from members of our community. In a previous e-newsletter, we explained the governor's proposed budget in-depth and discussed the Department of Revenue Fall 2021 Revenue Sources Book.

The Legislature maintains the power to appropriate, allocate, and transact the budget. There are three phases of the budget: pre-session, session, and post-session. We are currently in the session phase. At this point, the Office of Management and Budget has received the agency budget requests and sent its recommendations to the governor. In December of 2021, the governor put forward his appropriation bill and budget documents. The House and Senate then introduced companion bills, which are referred to the House (HFIN) and Senate (SFIN) Finance Committees. Finance subcommittees then took up each department's budget. These subcommittees finished their work last week and submitted final reports that will be taken up by the House Finance Committee. After public testimony, HFIN will continue to work on the bill before approving the bill for consideration by the full House. After the House approves the budget, including any amendments that may be added on the Floor, the bill will go to the Senate for its consideration.

To contact your regional Legislative Information Office, click here.

For more information about the budget process, click here.

For a layman's guide to the budget, click here.

Public Testimony on the Operating Budget

I took a few minutes to talk about the budget process and share my thoughts on this year's budget.

Click here to watch my latest video update

Constituent Survey

Last week, we launched our electronic Constituent Survey!

Please take a moment to share your thoughts and suggestions. I always appreciate your feedback!

The survey will remain open until March 7.

Legislation Update

→ House Bill 58

This week, the House Labor and Commerce Committee heard House Bill 58 — the contraceptive insurance coverage bill. My office is sponsoring HB 58, which requires health care insurers that provide health care insurance plans to provide coverage for birth control and requires that they cover dispersal of a one year of supply at a time. Studies have shown that access to reliable, consistent contraceptives and services is the best way to prevent unintended pregnancy. One in four women say they have missed contraceptive pills because they could not receive the next pack in time. In Alaska, access to healthcare is an increased challenge, particularly in rural parts of the state that rely on shipments of goods. HB 58 provides Alaskans with easier and more accessible family planning options and, in doing so, saves money by reducing repeat trips to the clinic and pharmacy.

HB 58 will head next to the House Rules Committee and our office will be working to gain the necessary votes for passage by the full House.

In related news, I had the pleasure of speaking with Alaska Public Media reporter Sage Smiley for her recent story on contraceptives access in Alaska. To read the story, click here. We will continue to work to secure birth control coverage for Alaskans and appreciate all of the support we have received for this legislation.

→ House Bill 172

Last month, the House Judiciary Committee heard House Bill 172 — the crisis stabilization center and crisis residential center bill — and passed it out of committee. The Crisis Now framework connects individuals experiencing a mental or behavioral health crisis to appropriate care. In our current system, when a person is in crisis and 9-1-1 is called, the person is taken either to the hospital or to jail. When Crisis Now is operational in Alaska, a person will be able to access: 23-hour stabilization centers (called Crisis Stabilization Centers), 7-day residential centers (called Crisis Residential Centers), and the already-existing 30-day treatment facilities like API.

The version of HB 172 that passed out of House Judiciary reflects work by my office in partnership with the Department of Health and Social Services and the Alaska Mental Health Trust to engage with a variety of stakeholders. The bill approved by the Judiciary Committee addresses concerns about patient rights by maintaining existing patient rights in Crisis Stabilization and Crisis Residential Centers, increases the length of stay at Crisis Residential Centers form 5 to 7 days to allow individuals to get the help they need, and makes sure that guardians receive notice of involuntary commitment hearings.

To learn more about the Crisis Now framework, please check out the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority resources — including fact sheets, an info video, and more.

Learn more about the Crisis Now Framework

Behavioral Health Crisis System of Care in Alaska (Crisis Now)

Community Information

→ Anchorage Municipal Election

The Anchorage Municipal Election is on April 5, 2022. The last day to register to vote or update your voter registration is this Sunday, March 6, 2022. This election includes Anchorage Assembly seats, including West Anchorage and Midtown, and Anchorage School Board seats, which are at-large positions.

To learn more about upcoming deadlines, how to vote by mail, and other election related information, visit the Anchorage Municipal Elections Homepage. From there you can track your ballot, apply to vote at a temporary address, check your voter registration, and learn who the candidates are.

The West Anchorage area Community Councils are hosting an Anchorage Assembly and School Board candidates forum. Information about the event is at the bottom of this email in "Community Events."

Update your voter registration

Track your ballot

→ Building Resilient Infrastructure for Alaska

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities has a NEW map survey for Alaskans to provide feedback. The survey allows individuals to select areas of interest and input information about modes of transportation in those areas. The survey can be taken multiple times — just zoom into the area of the map you have interest in or use the search feature. The survey closes March 31, 2022.

Click here to take the survey!

If you would like to sign up to receive updates on the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act for Alaska, click here. Subscribers will receive updates on the survey results.

→ Anchorage Assembly Advances Reapportionment Map

The Anchorage Assembly unanimously approved a proposed map on Tuesday of this week. This came after tabling the three other proposed draft maps. The final map that moves forward is Map 11v2 and was put forward by Assembly member John Weddleton and community member Denny Wells.

The Assembly will hold a meeting March 15 and hear public testimony about the proposed map at that time. A recent article in the ADN highlights concerns that have been voiced by members of our community about the map.

Submit a comment

View the new map

In Case You Missed It: Senator Murkowski Addresses Legislature

Last week, I took a few minutes to reflect on Sen. Murkowski's address to the legislature and her message of what we can achieve when we work together. Click below to watch the video.

Click here to watch

Community Events

Mark your calendars for these upcoming events:

Turnagain Community Council

When: Thursday, March 3 at 7:00 PM

Where: Virtual Zoom Meeting. Click here for details.

SPECIAL Turnagain Community Council Meeting

The Turnagain Community Council is holding a special meeting to discuss the proposed disposal of parcels south of West Northern Lights Blvd. The ordinance was heard at a February 15 Assembly meeting and action has been postponed to March 15. The meeting agenda includes: overview presentation from Muni Community and Economic Development Director; provide history and prior records of parcels, discuss and identify the Council's questions and desired next steps; and potentially take action as a Council in order to report to the Assembly at the March 15 meeting.

To read the ordinance, click here.

To view a map of the proposed area, click here.

To read TCC President Anna Brawley's letter about the issue, click here.

To read a recent ADN article about the plan, click here.

When: Thursday, March 7 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM

Where: Virtual Zoom Meeting. Click here for details.

Alaska Indigenous Leaders: Visions for the Future

March is Women's History Month and March 8th is International Women's Day. Join Alaska World Affairs Council as they honor and celebrate the indigenous women leaders in our community. Panelists include: Melissa Kookesh, Board Chair of Kootznoowoo; Marit Carlson, President of Far West; and Dena Pedebone, CEO of Gana A Yoo. The panel will be moderated by Hallie Bissett.

When: Tuesday, March 8 from 12:00 to 1:00 PM

Where: Bear Tooth Theatre. Click here for details, including information about the panelists and how to buy tickets.

West Anchorage Candidates Forum

The West Anchorage area community councils are hosting a forum for Anchorage Assembly and Anchorage School Board candidates. The Anchorage Municipal Election is coming soon, with voting on April 5th. Vote By Mail ballots are mailed March 15 to voters and the voter registration deadline for this election is March 6. Join in to hear from candidates!

For information about voting, tracking ballots, and dates of importance, check out the Anchorage Municipal Election website.

When: Thursday, March 10 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM

Where: Virtual Zoom Meeting. Click here for details.