Protecting Your Rights: Serving Sand Lake, Spenard and Turnagain

June 29, 2021

Legislature Averts Government Shutdown

While the budget approved on June 16 did not include the two-thirds supermajority vote to establish the budget's effective date as July 1, representatives had the opportunity to re-vote on when House Bill 69 takes effect during a floor session on Monday. Without the clause, the governor had argued that the budget was "defective" and Alaska would not have an operating budget at the start of the state’s fiscal year. State government would have laid off thousands of state workers and suspended many state services, and many state-paid contractors would have stopped work. The effective date provision was approved 28-10. The House made no changes to the budget other than approval of the effective date clause, and the Senate had already approved the effective date clause.

The House also approved a "sense of the house" document that details a commitment by the legislature to continue working toward solutions to the state's long-term budget problems. Approval of the effective date clause occurred after the "sense of the house " that describes working toward a possible solution to Alaska’s long-term financial challenges by the next special session.

Alaskans no longer need to worry about the disruption of a shutdown. Thank you to all of my colleagues who voted to eliminate any uncertainty about the budget’s effective date. It reassures thousands of state workers and countless people across our state.

I remain optimistic that we can make progress during the August special session toward a responsible action plan for Alaska that will address our state’s long-term financial challenges. The increasing divisiveness surrounding protecting the Permanent Fund, paying dividends from Permanent Fund earnings, and maintaining essential services highlights the importance of working together for Alaska.

HB 69 now heads to the desk of Governor Dunleavy for final approval. With the effective date finally approved, the legislature formally ended the second special session by adjourning sine die.

Ice Cream in the Park

When we're not in Juneau, we make it a priority to meet with constituents and listen to what matters to you! Please join us for our Ice Cream in the Park event next week to share any questions or concerns on your mind.

When: Thursday, July 8 from 5:30 – 7:00 PM

Where: Lynn Ary Park, 2009 Foraker Dr.

Alaska State Park Regulations: Opportunity to Comment on Proposed Regulations

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is proposing to revise its regulations to allow additional use of Alaska State Parks and improve clarity within existing regulations. The Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation (DPOR) wants to allow use of snowmobiles, bicycles including electric bicycles, hunting, and use of trolling motors in areas in state parks that are currently closed to these activities. DPOR also wants to improve definitions, provide clarity to several other sets of park regulations, and improve management of state parks.

Opportunity for Public Comment

Interested parties are encouraged to review the proposed regulations and submit any comments to DNR. The Public Notice for Proposed Regulations provides details regarding the submission of public comments. Click here to view the Proposed Regulations. You can also visit DPOR’s Current Events website for more information.

You are invited to comment on these proposed regulation changes. For your comments to be considered, the department must receive them no later than 5:00 PM on July 29, 2021. Comments must be in writing, and may be mailed, faxed, or e-mailed to dpor.regulations@alaska.gov. Please send questions to dpor.regulations@alaska.gov.

Anchorage Airport Update: South Air Cargo Campus

The South Air Cargo Campus is a large proposed development on airport property. It will be adjacent to Raspberry Road near the entrance of Kincaid Park. IC Alaska has launched their website (as promised) to share their draft plan for their "South Air Cargo Campus" so community members can connect with the proposed developers directly and learn of their plans. Click here to visit the IC Alaska website.

DOT&PF Long-Range Transportation Plan and Freight Plan (LRTP/FP)

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) has launched a short survey and virtual public meeting as part of the Statewide Long-Range Transportation Plan and Freight Plan (LRTP/FP).

The survey and virtual public meeting will be available until TOMORROW, June 30, 2021.