Protecting Your Rights: Serving Sand Lake, Spenard and Turnagain

May 20, 2022

Legislature Passes Budget

The approved versions of the combined operating and capital budget bill and the mental health budget bill contain approximately $17.8 billion in total spending. $9.5 billion came from the state’s unrestricted general fund; $972 million the designated general funds, and $5.4 billion in federal spending. The state’s operating budget is approximately $13.4 billion — with $7 billion from the unrestricted general fund — while the capital budget is $3.7 billion with $1.1 billion from the unrestricted general fund. Based on the current projections for oil revenue, this budget allows us to put $1 billion into our savings account.

Here are some highlights:

In addition to a $2,550 dividend payment, each Alaskan will also receive a $650 Energy Relief Check to help those struggling with high fuel prices and record inflation;
$2.4 billion total will be left in our FY22 savings accounts, with $1.1 billion in the Statutory Budget Reserve and $1.2 billion in the Constitutional Budget Reserve, helping our state prepare for a drop in revenue when the price of oil drops
$711 million will be spent to forward fund K-12 education, which will help prevent teachers from receiving pink slips and providing certainty to Alaskan families and educators that classes will start on time, with adequate funding;
$395 million will be spent to refill the Higher Education Investment Fund, which helps Alaskan students looking to further their education, both for merit scholarships and needs-based assistance;
$2.5 million for Pre-Kindergarten, giving Alaskan children entering school a head start in their learning and better preparing them for every stage of their education;
Paid the formula amount for FY23 school bond debt reimbursement and Regional Educational Attendance Areas (REAA) and repaid the previous years amounts that were reduced or vetoed, totaling $299 million for school bond debt, and $117 million for REAA;
Added seven new Alaska State Troopers positions, primarily in rural areas;
Increased funding for the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault;
Provided pay raises for Alaska's Village Public Safety Officers; and
Provided pay raises and bonuses for prosecutors and other professionals in the criminal justice system.

Personal Legislation Update

Over the last few days, my office passed multiple pieces of personal legislation. Below are a few highlights.

→ House Bill 62

House Bill 62 modernizes Alaska’s marriage statutes to keep Alaska open for business and address archaic child marriage statues. HB 62 raises the legal minimum age to marry in Alaska from 14 to 16. Minors who have reached the age of 16 or 17 may only marry if the other party to the marriage is not more than three years older. In addition, a minor may only marry if (1) they are an emancipated minor; (2) they have parental consent and court approval; or (3) they have court approval after the court finds that the parents are arbitrarily and capriciously withholding consent, absent or otherwise unaccountable, in disagreement among themselves on the question, or unfit to decide the matter.

At present, during the solemnization of marriage in Alaska, couples must assent to the marriage in the presence of each other, the person solemnizing the marriage, and at least two additional witnesses. Afterward, all parties must sign the marriage certificates. HB 62 modifies the two witness requirement for wedding ceremonies and reduces it to one witness to help support Alaska’s destination wedding industry while preserving the integrity of marriage.

→ House Bill 416

House Bill 416 is a Temporary Act amending uncodified law to allow the legislature to make appropriations for one-time retention bonuses for nonunion State employees identified in the FY 2023 operating budget appropriation bill.

The budget includes retention bonuses for Department of Law, Public Defender Agency, and Office of Public Advocacy staff who are employed on June 30, 2022.

Agencies are experiencing a recruiting and retention crisis. It is imperative for public safety that we take action to show our support and appreciation for the hard work of nonunion staff.

→ House Bill 99

House Bill 99 amends and updates the governing laws for physical therapists, physical therapy assistants, occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants practicing in Alaska. The legislation makes changes designed to bring Alaska statutes in line with national standards and terminology and improves the administrative experience of these professionals.

Community Information

→ Special Election for U.S. Congress

A special primary election will be held on Saturday, June 11, 2022. Ballots for this election were mailed automatically to all registered voters starting on April 27. On this ballot, voters choose one candidate in the primary and the top four will proceed to the August 16 special election. A special election will be held on Tuesday, August 16, 2022. This election will occur on the same ballot as the regular primary election. This election will be the first to use the ranked-choice voting system.

Special Election Information

ADN Candidate Questionnaire

→ Spenard Community Council Survey of Members about Capital Improvement Program and Format of Council Meetings

Spenard needs your input! The Anchorage Municipality assesses every community's highest priority capital projects (roads, paths, parks, etc.) to determine which ones will move forward to secure funding and development. This process gets our projects on lists that cost big bucks and would be moved forward through a Bond or some other way. Priority projects will be moved forward into the 2023-2028 Capital Improvement Program. For more information and descriptions visit:

https://www.muni.org/communitycouncilsurveys/homepage/

Complete this CIP survey by Tuesday, May 24. Link to survey:

https://forms.gle/GiUCbbi7nBddonCr7

Spenard Survey about In-Person/Virtual Meetings

Secondly, the Spenard Community Council Executive Board is seeking your feedback regarding the format of our monthly meetings. We need your guidance to move forward.

Complete the survey by Tuesday, May 24. Link to survey:

https://forms.gle/7W3FmyrahfhdH5Hz9

→ Foraker Group Pre-Development Toolkit

The Foraker Group recently shared their Pre-Development Toolkit, which provides Alaska organizations (local and regional governments, tribes, nonprofits, and collaboratives) taking on capital projects with the information they need to succeed.

It is very easy to use with simple navigation and packed with step by step guidance and resources. This tool is the first in the country and it’s available at no charge to anyone who wants to use it.

Community Events

Mark your calendars for this upcoming event:

Turnagain Community Council - Community Meeting

The Municipality of Anchorage is proposing to dispose (sell to a private party) parcels on the south side of West Northern lights between Turnagain Street and the Alaska Railroad Overpass Bridge (legal name: Woodland Park subdivision). The Muni ordinance is being considered and will be voted on June 7, 2022: AO 2022-21.

When: Saturday, May 21 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Where: 2801 Turnagain Street

Click here to take Turnagain Community Council's online survey about the proposal. View the property. Download the ordinance.