Protecting Your Rights: Serving Sand Lake, Spenard and Turnagain

September 21, 2021

Legislature Passes Appropriations Bill

On September 14, the legislature passed House Bill 3003, which includes funding for an affordable dividend without overdrawing the Permanent Fund Earnings Reserve. HB 3003 also includes $16 million in federal aid for COVID pandemic responses (including more public health nurses), $4.8 million for renewable energy projects, $10.5 million for tourism marketing, and restores funding the governor had vetoed from Alaska Legal Services Corporation. The governor has since signed the bill into law.

HB 3003 appropriates funds from the General Fund and the Statutory Budget Reserve (SBR) to pay for the dividend. The SBR is typically swept into another state savings account, but as we discussed in our previous e-newsletter, the Alaska Superior Court ruled against the governor in Alaska Federation of Natives v. Dunleavy and specified that the SBR would be available to spend. Prior to approval of HB 3003 by the legislature, based on the superior court’s decision, the governor flip-flopped his position on higher education programs, including WWAMI, and those programs are now funded for the current fiscal year. The governor has reversed his initial position on the SBR funds by agreeing that they were not swept.

The governor called the legislature back for a fourth special session to begin on October 1. Click here to view the proclamation. Moving forward, we will continue to focus on developing a fiscal plan.

Redistricting Public Comment Period

Under Alaska’s constitution, a five-member board must redraw the boundaries of Alaska’s 40 legislative districts after every census. On August 12, the U.S. Census Bureau released the 2020 data. The Alaska Redistricting Board, which has members appointed by the governor, the legislature, and the chief justice of the Alaska Supreme Court, began its mapping work last month.

During a recent public meeting, the restricting board adopted two board drafted plans: Proposed Plan v.3 and Proposed Plan v.4. These replace the previously adopted plans board Composite v.1 and v.2. New interactive maps and PDF files for all plans will be posted to the map gallery as soon as they are prepared. By November 10, 2021 the board must approve a final draft that will set the borders of Alaska’s new state House and Senate districts.

The process for redistricting is still ongoing. You may provide public testimony via email at testimony@akredistrict.org or by webform. The public comment period is open until the final map is selected on November 10, 2021.

Alaska Housing Relief

Alaska Housing Finance Corporation is accepting new applications for Alaska Housing Rent Relief until October 1, 2021, providing up to three months of rent relief to eligible applicants who meet the federal requirements. Click here to check eligibility and apply.

For more information, view the Rent Relief FAQs or visit alaskahousingrelief.org.

New Bus Route

Route 85 began service this wek. The new route will travel between City Hall and the Dimond Transit Center. It will provide direct service to the Loussac Library winding through West Anchorage and along the Old Seward Highway. For more information about this route, including a map, click here.

People Mover will be providing free samples of Route 85 all week! Explore West Anchorage. Visit your favorite spot along the Old Seward. Check out the Loussac Library. Any trip on Route 85, all week long, for free.

Community Events

Mark your calendars for these upcoming events:

Spenard Community Council

When: Wednesday, October 6 at 7:00 PM

Where: Virtual Zoom Meeting. Click here for details.

Turnagain Community Council

When: Thursday, October 7 at 7:00 PM

Where: Virtual Zoom Meeting. Click here for details.

Sand Lake Community Council

When: Monday, October 11 at 6:30 PM

Where: Click here for details.

AMATS Open House: Spenard Road Rehabilitation (Minnesota to Benson)

Join the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) and the Municipality of Anchorage (MOA) for an update on the Spenard Road Rehabilitation Minnesota Dr. to Benson Blvd. project. The DOT&PF is proposing to rehabilitate Spenard Road to improve safety and drainage, and to bring the roadway and non-motorized facilities up to current design standards. Project design is led by DOT&PF with support from the MOA.

Members of the team will be present to answer questions and take comments. This will be an outside-only event. COVID-19 mitigation measures are encouraged and appreciated.

Meeting materials, including a pre-recorded presentation, will be posted to the project website by September 24. Please visit www.spenardroad.com for more information. To contact the project team directly, send an email to spenardroad@dowl.com.

When: Monday, September 27 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM

Where: The Nave, 3502 Spenard Rd.

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