Protecting Your Rights: Serving Sand Lake, Spenard and Turnagain

March 10, 2022

Legislators Urge Divestment from Russia

Last week, seventeen of my colleagues and I signed onto a letter urging the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation Board of Trustees to divest from Russian government, state-owned, and state-allied institutions. You can find the House member letter here.

The House Majority Coalition is also working on House Bill 396, legislation that would require the state to divest and would block future investments through the start of 2024. HB 396's scope would include both the $81 billion Alaska Permanent Fund as well as Alaska’s $34 billion in pension funds. HB 396, sponsored by the House State Affairs Committee chaired by Representative Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, will be considered in House State Affairs Committee today.

The Alaska Permanent Fund Board responded this week to the House members' letter and stated that APFC is "closely monitoring the events that are still developing and is continually assessing the appropriate response." While the Permanent Fund Board has not yet divested from Russia, on Tuesday of this week, Governor Dunleavy joined our calls to divest from Russia. Revenue Commissioner Lucinda Mahoney joined his press conference in agreement.

Save the Date: Anchorage Caucus

It's time for Anchorage Caucus! Join us for a virtual meeting with the Anchorage delegation. Registration is required for this event.

View the Facebook event page

Constituent Survey

Last week, we closed our electronic Constituent Survey. Thank you for taking a few minutes to share your thoughts. Our office is working to compile the results as mail-in responses trickle in. Stay tuned for an update!

Apply for Your Dividend

The Permanent Fund Dividend application season is January 1 through March 31 each year. All applicants can conveniently file online and electronically sign a Permanent Fund Dividend application.

Pick.Click.Give

Pick.Click.Give. was created by the Alaska State Legislature in 2008 to allow Alaskans filing for their Permanent Fund Dividend online to donate a portion or all of their dividend to eligible charitable and educational organizations. Applicants may choose to contribute to one or more organizations in $25 increments up to the entire amount of the dividend. Donations are tax deductible and the State of Alaska issues a 1099-MISC, which you can use to report both your dividend and charitable contributions to the IRS. The 1099-MISC is available online at pfd.alaska.gov. You can access your 1099-MISC by clicking here.

Permanent Fund Dividend applications are available from January 1 to March 31 at 11:59 PM, though Alaskans may choose to add or adjust their pledges online through August 31. For a list of 623 organizations you can donate to, click here.

Community Information

→ NorthLink Aviation South Airpark Cargo Expansion

NorthLink Aviation is soliciting comments and information on a proposal to construct air cargo infrastructure at the South Airpark Campus of Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. The project requires an Airport Layout Plan approval from the Federal Aviation Administration and is subject to the National Environmental Policy Act.

The proposed work requiring federal approval would include:

Construct new aircraft parking apron
Construct taxilane connectors to taxiways

Construction of the project is proposed to start in summer 2022. Comments are due March 31, 2022 to the following email: info@NorthLinkaviation.com. To download the flyer, click here.

→ Building Resilient Infrastructure for Alaska

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities has a NEW map-based survey for Alaskans to provide feedback on building resilient transportation infrastructure in Alaska through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). 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 March 2. 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

Community Events

Mark your calendars for this upcoming event:

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: TONIGHT, Thursday, March 10 from 6:00 – 8:00 PM

Where: Virtual Zoom Meeting. Click here for details.