Protecting Your Rights: Serving Sand Lake, Spenard and Turnagain

May 12, 2021

Operating Budget Passes House

On Monday evening, the House passed an operating budget that calls for $4.2 billion in Undesignated General Funds (UGF) spending through a funding structure that is boosted by one-time federal pandemic relief funds. When federal money and fee-funded programs are included, the budget exceeds $10 billion. Our limited resources combined with relief funding from the federal government will help advance and protect important public services that Alaskans depend on every day.

Rep. Claman speaks to the operating budget on the House floor (legislators are now allowed to stand and remove their masks when addressing the body).

This year's budget is a compromise budget and largely a flat budget compared to last year. It protects essential services and fulfills the legislature's constitutional mandates to provide funding for K-12 education, the University of Alaska, and public health and welfare. Pre-K programs received $5 million in funding, and K-12 schools are funded ahead of time through House Bill 169, which passed earlier this year to prevent the distribution of pink slips and to provide certainty for students, parents, and teachers; the University of

Alaska is funded in the amount agreed to during a compact reached between UA leaders and the administration; and communities that previously issued bonds to build schools, with the expectation of being partially reimbursed by the State of Alaska, will receive bond debt reimbursement.

Our budget also makes new investments: funding for domestic violence relief and treatment programs and shelter centers, which lost funding due to federal funds being cut, would be fully funded; and Tribal Child Welfare Compact funding, allowing the State of Alaska to continue advancing efforts to protect the well-being of every vulnerable child in our state.

The budget also provides the following:

$124.5 million in one-time federal COVID-19 emergency funds available through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) will be directed to community relief to help avoid local tax hikes, to help seasonal businesses stay afloat ($30 million), to help offset lost small business revenue ($30 million), and to help offset lost nonprofit revenue ($30 million).
Forward funding the Alaska Marine Highway System for 18 months, a plan that will allow our state ferries to set their schedules.
Funding for Power Cost Equalization, scholarships provided through the Higher Education Fund, alcohol safety and chronic disease prevention programs, substance abuse grants, domestic violence and sexual assault prevention programs, and oil spill prevention and response.

I was disappointed to see the following budget amendments adopted on the House floor:

An amendment intended to defund state-provided abortion services by targeting the approximately $334,000 the state pays for abortions covered under Medicaid. The Alaska Supreme Court has repeatedly struck down state laws and regulations limiting access to publicly funded abortions. Another lawsuit is likely.
An amendment that cuts $126,000 in state and $126,000 in federal funds for supplies for the Division of Public Assistance as part of the move to more online applications. This amendment was offered in response to House Bill 168, legislation that has not passed and which is not expected to be fully enacted this following year.

The House's operating budget did not include a dividend amount. The dividend appropriation will be addressed in a different bill this session. Details of the budget will be finalized through negotiations with the governor and the Senate, where House Bill 69 now heads for consideration.

COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments Available for Children 12 and Up

Alaska parents may now schedule COVID-19 vaccine appointments for their children aged 12 and older. This move is in response to a decision by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to grant an Emergency Use Authorization to Pfizer for use of its new vaccine for people ages 12 through 15.

Parents can now start scheduling vaccine appointments for Wednesday and beyond for their children by visiting covidvax.alaska.gov or calling 907-646-3322. Parents should make sure the clinic they’re selecting has Pfizer vaccine available, as it is the only vaccine that has been authorized for use in children. Many pediatricians and doctors' offices will be able to provide the vaccine to children, and parents can contact their child’s doctor to see if that’s an option.

Private Mobile Vaccination Clinics Available Now

The Anchorage Emergency Operations Center has contracted with Visit Healthcare to provide vaccination services in the MOA. Visit Healthcare can offer private mobile vaccination clinics for non-MOA agencies and businesses where at least ten people can be expected to be vaccinated.

Registration for Mobile Vaccination Clinics

Anchorage COVID-19 Webpage

Teacher Appreciation

In a year marked by challenges, the dedication and sacrifice of our teachers has been an inspiration.

Thank you, teachers!

Community Events

Mark your calendar for these upcoming events:

Spenard Road - Stakeholder Site Walk

The Spenard Road Rehab project (Benson to Minnesota) is hosting a Stakeholder Site Walk. They will walk the Spenard Road project corridor and you'll provide input on your experience and preferences for improving the project area.

To participate in person:

When: Tuesday, May 18 from 3:30 – 5:30 PM

Where: The Nave (former Church of Love) parking lot, 3502 Spenard Rd.

Start any time between 3:30 and 5:30 PM at the tent. Bring your smartphone to take the survey online, or grab a paper version and return it when you’re finished.

To participate on your own:

For more details, visit: http://www.spenardroad.com/meetings.html

Instructions and the online survey will be linked on the project website by May 18, or email the team for a paper version of the survey to be mailed to you: spenardroad@dowl.com.

Truckin' Tuesday

Truckin' Tuesday happens every Tuesday. There will be a different roster each week and the Spenard Food Truck Carnival will post the roster on their event page every week.

When: Tuesday, May 18 from 5:00 – 8:00 PM

Where: Chilkoot Charlie's Parking Lot, 2435 Spenard Rd .

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