Protecting Your Rights: Serving Sand Lake, Spenard and Turnagain

May 28, 2021

Memorial Day

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, was created after the Civil War to honor those who died in the service of the United States of America. On May 5th, 1868, General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, proclaimed that the 30th of May be designated as a day to honor and decorate with flowers the graves of fallen soldiers of the Civil War. Following World War I, Decoration Day

Rep. Claman preparing to play taps at a Memorial Day Ceremony on the Delaney Park Strip.

was changed to Memorial Day to honor all Americans who died in defense of their country. In 1971, Congress passed the National Holiday Act of 1971, designating Memorial Day as a federal holiday every last Monday in May.

Free Entrance to National Parks for Active Duty, Veteran, and Gold Star Families

The Interagency Annual Military Pass is available to current U.S. Military, Veterans, and Gold Star families. Documentation is required. If you or someone you know qualifies, visit: https://store.usgs.gov/faq#US-Military.

House Judiciary Committee Chair Claman listening to testimony from the Department of Law about the Alaska Constitution.

Special Session Update

The Conference Committee is working on a compromise between the House and Senate versions of the budget. Meanwhile, the House Judiciary Committee considered House Joint Resolution 7, legislation that would constitutionally guarantee an annual Permanent Fund dividend, cap annual transfers from the Permanent Fund to the state treasury, and constitutionally guarantee a subsidy for energy prices in parts of the state.

House Joint Resolution 7

The House Judiciary Committee hearings held last week show that HJR 7 proposal presents a number of concerns for all Alaskans. The Alaska Statutes limit withdrawals from the Permanent Fund Earnings Reserve (ERA) to 5% of the total value of the Permanent Fund principal and the ERA, but the governor has proposed breaking the law and overdrawing the ERA. The governor wants a $1.5 billion overdraw to pay for a $2,300 dividend and an additional overdraw of $3 billion as a bridge fund. He suggests we overdraw this savings account now and later amend the constitution and the law as part of a financial plan.

On Wednesday, I invited the Department of Law and Attorney Joe Geldhof to speak to constitutional and statutory issues raised by a potential overdraw of the ERA. The Department of Law argues that the POMV law passed by the legislature is merely a guideline because the Alaska Constitution’s prohibition on dedicated funds allow the governor and the legislature to ignore Alaska Statutes. Mr. Geldhof argues that the legislature should follow the law––if not, the legislature should change or suspend the law if it wishes to overdraw the ERA.

Click here to watch the Wednesday, May 26 committee hearing.

I believe we should not break the law in order to make the law. Based on analysis from multiple experts, the governor's proposal is not fiscally sustainable without substantial budget cuts, substantial new revenue, or a reduced dividend. Overdrawing the ERA is a short-term solution––not a responsible action plan for Alaska.

In the coming weeks, I’m optimistic that we will pass a budget, and give Alaskans a measure of certainty for the upcoming year.

End of First Regular Session

In accordance with the Alaska constitution, the legislature may meet for up to 121 days as part of its regular session. Wednesday, May 19 was the 121st and final day of the regular legislative session.

Click here to hear about what we've accomplished

End of First Regular Session of the 32nd Legislature

Community Events

Mark your calendars for these upcoming events:

Spenard Community Council

When: Wednesday, June 2 at 7:00 PM

Where: Virtual Zoom Meeting. Click here for details.

Turnagain Community Council

When: Thursday, June 3 at 7:00 PM

Where: Virtual Zoom Meeting. Click here for details.

Anchorage Remembers: Memorial Day Ceremony

The Municipality of Anchorage (MOA) invites the public to a free Memorial Day ceremony to remember the men and women whose lives were lost in service to their country.

The one-hour event includes patriotic music, spiritual words, and laying of the wreaths to honor the fallen.

Keynote speakers include Anchorage Acting Mayor Austin Quinn-Davidson and U.S. Army Alaska Commanding General and U.S. Alaskan Command Deputy Commander Maj. Gen. Peter Andrysiak.

When: Monday, May 31 from 9:30 – 10:30 AM

Where: Veterans Memorial, Delaney Park Strip, W. 9th Ave. and I St.

For more information, visit the Anchorage Remembers its Military & Vets Facebook page.