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State Senator District E
Senate Majority Leader
Senator Cathy Giessel Newsletter
UPDATES
Issues affecting
your family, community and jobs.
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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Welcome to the 2nd session of the 33rd Legislature! Things are busy already; everyone is here to work and get things done.
You see first item is analysis of Governor's Budget. You can see on the first "spreadsheet" that FY 25 Governor budget has "full" PFD (line 15) costing $2.303.7 Billion. That leaves a deficit (line 20) of $982.3 Million.
The Governor proposes getting that nearly $1 Billion shortfall out of the savings accounts; you see those balances at the right (Reserve Balances). The SBR (Statutory Budget Reserve) is empty. The CBR (Constitutional Budget Reserve has about $2.3 Billion in it; it would be nearly cut in half by a $1 Billion withdrawal. The CBR is used to cover cash flow during the fiscal year and should have a minimum of about $2.5 Billion in it; many states have required minimums in their reserve accounts but we do not have that requirement. The ERA (Earnings Reserve Account) is the spendable part of the Permanent Fund.
The graph below the spread sheet is labeled "Swoop Graph". This compares the budget we are in right now (FY24) in red to the Governor's proposed budget for next year (FY25) in blue. Nearly all departments are reduced or same as last year, except for PFD which is twice last year's cost (farthest left bars).
The rest of the report takes you into the details of the proposed budget.
Items in this Newsletter:
· Legislative Analyst's Overview of Gov.'s Budget
· Legislative Audit Released Reports
· DOT Snow Removal Information
· Alaska Upcoming Health Fairs
· Youth Employment in Parks 2024
· Senate Committee Meetings
· Current Topics: Education, Economy, Minerals,
Health Care, Politics
· Resource Values, Permanent Fund
· Alaska History
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Audit Report Release
The Legislative Budget and Audit Committee approved the following report for public release at its January 15, 2024, meeting:
· Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development, Board of Massage Therapists, August 14, 2023
· Department of Health, Alaska Commission on Aging, October 6, 2023
· Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Technical Vocational Education Program, October 10, 2023
· Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development, Marijuana Control Board, October 30, 2023
· Department of Family and Community Services, Office of Children’s Services Compliance with Foster Care Reform Laws, Part 2, November 10, 2023
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Alaska DOT Questions on Snow Removal
· What to communicate to constituents about how to report sidewalks needing to be plowed?
To report sidewalks in need of plowing and other snow removal needs on state roads, residents can call the Anchorage District Maintenance Station at (907) 338-1466 or email the department at dot.ask@alaska.gov.
· What additional funding is needed to do snow removal better? What are the incremental improvements for additional funding amounts that can be provided to help in funding decisions?
Thank you for the opportunity to answer this question due to the issues we’ve been experiencing in Anchorage this winter. Governor Dunleavy’s proposed budget includes nearly $1M in proposed funding for emergency snow removal. This is a good starting point for a conversation on snow removal needs and we look forward to engaging with legislators on this topic during the upcoming session.
· How do roads get moved up on the priority list? What additional information can be provided on this? Can the results of last year’s winter maintenance priority survey be shared?
Winter maintenance road priorities are determined by many factors such as traffic volume, emergency services, school, and business access, and have to be balanced against the needs on other roads and operational logistics. In general, moving roads up on the priority list will mean others will have to move down.
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Public Webinar on the Turnagain Pass Corridor Master Plan Project
As a follow up the engagement work we did in the summer and fall of 2023, the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, US Forest Service, and the Federal Highway Administration would like to invite you to public webinar on the Turnagain Pass Corridor Master Plan project scheduled for January 22nd, 2024 from 12PM-1PM (Alaska Time).
The webinar will re-introduce the project, the findings from Phase 1 of the project, and outline planned work and engagement opportunities in 2024. There will also be plenty of time for questions and discussion between attendees and the project team. The purpose is to provide a check in with everyone who is interested in the project on what we have heard through the existing conditions, data collection, and engagement activities in 2023 and how this information informs Phase 2 (identifying a needs and opportunities list, developing conceptual designs and cost estimates, and engagement throughout). More importantly, we want to hear what you think, how you would like to engage in 2024, and how you would like to be engaged in 2024.
Join ZoomGov Meeting
Meeting ID: 161 354 9442
Passcode: 768588
Additionally, the project website will be updated with the three Phase 1 deliverables of existing conditions (currently posted), data collection, and engagement activities summary.
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Dear Friends, Happy New Year!
As we step into 2024, we're thrilled to unveil our new schedule of health fairs and affordable blood tests, kicking off in just a couple of weeks! This season is all about renewal, wellness, and community spirit. We eagerly invite you to be a part of our journey, whether as an attendee, volunteer, or exhibitor.
January is also Mental Health Awareness Month, a vital reminder to care for our mental well-being. We encourage you to explore our article on this topic offering simple practices for daily joy and balance.
Affordable Blood Tests Available at All Events
· 27 panels - Comprehensive Blood Chemistry Screen - covers infection, anemia, liver disease, clotting ability, kidney and adrenal function, liver function, bone disease, tissue disease or damage, heart function, liver function, muscle function, coronary heart disease, & more - $45
· Thyroid Screen - $35
· Prostate Disease Screen - $25
· Vitamin D Screen - $50
· A1C diabetes - $25
· Blood Typing - $20
More tests and details on our website, www.alaskahealthfair.org.
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Youth Employment in Parks (YEP) is a 10 week summer program that hires Anchorage teens to complete park improvement projects. Teens learn natural resource management job skills by building trails and restoring stream banks while increasing civic engagement, environmental awareness, and leadership skills. YEP is designed to positively engage a new generation of diverse young leaders as conservation stewards of public lands through meaningful job training, employment and education.
YEP crew members represent all neighborhoods and communities in Anchorage. To become a YEP crew member you must meet the following qualifications:
• A resident of the Municipality of Anchorage
• 16-19 years old
• Completed or pursuing your high school or GED education
YEP crew members develop job skills by working on Anchorage municipal park improvement projects. Projects may include soft-surface trail construction and rehabilitation, stream bank and habitat restoration, park beautification, and landscaping. Check out the 2021 YEP Annual Report to learn more about past completed projects and crew members.
YEP Crew Member – Position Closes 3/17/2024
YEP Senior Crew Member- Position Closes 3/17/2024
YEP Crew Leader - Open Until Filled
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Current Topics
Participating in Dry January? Anchorage has more options then ever. ADN
Alaska beekeepers kill their colonies every fall, but an Anchorage man has another way. Alaska Public Media
Why flying is safest. Axios
No one credibly complained that safety culture had gone too far.
(My comment: Under-appreciated are the skilled pilots and flight attendants who respond to challenges, large and small, every day.)
Major winter storm hits Juneau, sinking 3 docked boats. Alaska's News Source
A prolonged winter storm is piling multiple feet of snow in some areas of Southeast Alaska, leading the National Weather Service to issue a winter storm warning for Juneau and Petersburg. NWS described the storm as a “long duration snow event.” The quick accumulation of snow is contributing to dangerous winter conditions like heavy snow, ice and low visibility in the area, prompting Juneau officials to urge residents to avoid driving or leaving home if possible.
Following back-to-back avalanches, Juneau officials warn of potential future dangers. Alaska's News Source
Tips to avoid slipping on ice. KSRM
“Research out of Nordic countries and the UK shows that there’s double to triple the number of emergency room visits and hospitalizations due to falls from ice and snow.” said Phelan.
Energy
As ConocoPhillips' Willow project advances, two local governments have withdrawn their criticism. Northern Journal
Economy
New legislation aims to address $1.5B University of Alaska maintenance backlog. Alaska Public Media
Alaska's working-age population continues its long decline, a headwind for the economy. ADN
Alaska’s working-age population continued its long-term decline in 2023 as more people continue to leave the state than move here, according to annual data released this month by the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The shortage of working-age residents, those between the ages of 18 and 64, is holding back economic growth, economists and business leaders say.
(My comment: This is affecting our snow removal crews, professional licensing staff, police forces, teachers, firefighting response and much, much more.)
Alaska population remained similar in size from 2022-2023. Alaska Department of Labor
The 2023 bank bailout bill arrives. Axios
America's biggest banks each took a 10-figure hit to their earnings last quarter to cover the cost of bailing out uninsured depositors at Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation is designed to reassure banks' customers that their deposits are safe. Its insurance fund held $119.3 billion at the end of the third quarter, including $3.2 billion that banks paid into the fund as their regular quarterly insurance premiums. That means the fund stands at 1.13% of America's insured deposits, below its target of 1.35%.
Fisheries
Salmon compete with mining companies as melting glaciers reveal new habitat. Alaska Public Media
Politics
New ballot initiative aims to increase Alaska's minimum wage and require sick leave. Alaska's News Source
Kodiak Island's legislators highlight education funding and state employee pensions during preview of legislative session. KMXT
State legislators, governor speak on priorities in preparation for session's start. Alaska's News Source
Senate Majority Discusses Second Legislative Session. KSRM
Alaska Legislature convenes session focused on education and energy issues. ADN
As legislative session opens, Alaska House Republicans reject attempt to override school funds veto. Alaska Beacon
“That will be one of the key points, the bellwether of where things are going, if we can come to some reasonable accommodation and agreement on that issue,”
U.S. Supreme Court decision kills controversial Alaska union dues plan for now. Alaska Beacon
The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected an appeal by the state of Alaska in a long-running dispute with the state’s public employees unions, likely ending an attempt by Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s administration to unilaterally rewrite the rules governing public employees’ membership in their unions.
Health Care
State report: Adult Protective Services allowed an elderly Alaskan to die 'alone, in squalor, or hypothermia'. ADN
Alaska adults of childbearing age advised to get frequent testing for syphilis. Alaska Beacon
With cases of syphilis skyrocketing, including dangerous infections that are passed from pregnant women to their infants, new recommendations have been issued for much more widespread testing for the disease.
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Alaska History
· January 18, 1959, Direct long-distance phone service to Alaska began.
· January 23, First SUNRISE of the year in Utqiagvik
· January 24, 1921, Alaska's first pulp mill opened in Juneau
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