Dear Friends,

March is here and spring is that much closer! After a long winter, we will begin to welcome the signs of new growth, longer days, and warmer weather. Daffodils and tulips will soon begin emerging from the ground to spread their cheerful colors across our community. Birds are returning from their southern migrations and their songs fill the morning air with renewed energy and promise.

As we turn the calendar to March, I want to thank you for your ongoing support and involvement over these past months. It continues to be my honor to serve as your Senator in Juneau. To those who aren't my constituents, I always remind myself that decisions we make affect everyone within our State.

This month, my office will be focusing on the passage of Senate Bill 22 (Making Juneteenth a State Holiday) and moving Senate Bill 24 (Mental Health Instruction in Schools) out of the Senate and to the House. I welcome your feedback and input. 

Wishing you all the very best as we begin to welcome the season of rebirth and renewal. Thank you for all you do to make our community such a special place to live.
Office Happenings

This month I have been busy welcoming communities throughout Alaska. I've enjoyed meeting with many dedicated community members and learning about the important issues facing different regions. 

I'm continuously amazed by the passion and initiative of non-profits, advocates, and everyday Alaskans. As your Senator, I'm committed to elevating your voices and bringing creative solutions to the table. It's an honor to engage with communities and see what issues most need addressing.

I look forward to visiting with more of you before the session ends.

This photo was taken shortly after I met with the Governor's Disability Council. The Council shared the importance of having well-funded programs and resources for those who experience disabilities. Through my position on the Health and Family Services Finance Sub-committees, I will continue to advocate for those in our community who need it most.
Every year since being in office, I have had the pleasure of meeting with the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). The group continues to advocate for older Alaskans here in Juneau.
For their annual fly-in, Teen Council visits legislative offices to stress the importance of comprehensive sex education, reproductive health, and access to birth control. This year, I was joined by young people from all over Anchorage.
Recently, I met with members of the Anchorage Assembly to discuss their legislative priorities. The Assembly spoke of funding the Don Young Port of Alaska and other important projects.
Here I am meeting with 2 constituents from the MMIWG2S Alaska Working Group to discuss issues relating to Alaska Native women.

The Alaska Job Center

Employment and training services available through the Alaska Job Center can prepare Alaskans for a great job! Alaska’s Job Centers can help you overcome barriers that may have prevented you from finding sustainable, rewarding employment.
 
At an Alaska Job Center, you can access free:
  • Aptitude, skill, and interest assessments
  • Funding for training and support services using state and federal grants with ongoing case management.
  • Occupational skills training
  • Short-term training to upgrade or enhance your current job skills
  • Apprenticeship opportunities with key trades
  • On-the-job training with private employers
  • Relocation assistance for full-time permanent employment
  • Support services during training or to obtain/maintain employment
  • Workshops to enhance your job search, resume, and cover letters
  • Resource rooms that provide easy access to computers, copiers, fax machines, and phones
  • Internet access to current job listings that exist locally, statewide, and nationwide
  • Assistance from trained staff with your job search activities

Referrals to Community Partner Services for:
  • Adult education and GED services
  • Young Alaskans age 14-24
  • Mature Alaskans Seeking Skills Training (known as MASST for workers age 55 and older)
  • English language learners

Our programs are for everyone! We also have programs specifically for people exiting incarceration, youth transitioning out of foster care, veterans, people experiencing disabilities, Alaskans whose industry has been impacted by an economic downturn – such as the cancelation of a commercial fisheries opener, and more!

If you are interested in learning more about job training, and the free resources that exist to help you find or advance in your career, contact the Anchorage Midtown Job Center at (907) 269-4800, or in person at 3301 Eagle Street, Suite 101.

Senate Bill 140

Senate Bill 140, introduced by Senator Lyman Hoffman of Bethel, originally sought to provide a funding increase for internet that schools get under the federal universal services program and the Biden Administration. Rural and remote schools would be eligible to receive an amount for each school that is equal to the amount needed to quadruple the download speeds. The Senate approved SB140 which then went to the House.

This bill was then turned into something much more - a turducken stuffed full of different priorities and additional legislation during the first few days of the legislative session. The bill was significantly different than that approved by the Senate and lacked the required number of votes to pass in the House. It included a governor-proposed plan ($58 million) to offer cash bonuses to certified teachers. The plan would've given teachers bonuses ranging from $5,000 for teachers in urban Alaska to $15,000 for teachers in rural Alaska. Also included in the House version of the bill was a proposal for a statewide board that the Governor appoints to authorize new charter schools limiting the authority of local school districts. Fortunately, with three members from the Senate and three members from the House, meetings were held and a compromised bill was drafted.

The House voted 38-2 to approve it on Thursday, February 22nd. On February 26th with an 18-1 vote, the Senate agreed to the state House version of Senate Bill 140, a multipart bill that would increase public school funding by more than $246 million per year. Notable changes include:

  • $175 million increase to school formula funding which means a permanent $680 increase to the Base Student Allocation
  • $500 per K-3 Student for the Alaska READS Act implementation which equates to $10 million per year
  • Provides for a Charter School termination appeal
  • Creation of a Statewide Charter School Coordinator
  • $14.5 million increase in Correspondence School Funding
  • $ 7.3 million increase in Pupil transportation
  • Includes funding increase for internet in rural and remote areas
Municipal Elections

Reminder to register to vote or update your voter registration on or before the Sunday, March 3, 2024, deadline to vote in the April 2, 2024, Regular Municipal Election! 
 
Register to Vote
Any qualified Alaska voter and Anchorage resident at least seventeen years and nine months old may register, but you must be eighteen years old on April 2, 2024, for your vote to count in the Municipal Election. A voter registration application is online at voterregistration.alaska.gov. For more information about registering to vote, call the State of Alaska, Division of Elections at 907-522-8683.
 
Update your Voter Registration
If your voter information has changed since you last voted, you must update your information with the State of Alaska Division of Elections by Sunday, March 3, 2024, for the change to take effect in time for the Municipal Election on April 2, 2024. (Updated information provided during the 2024 PFD application process will not update voter registration information in time for the Municipal Election.) To update your voter registration, the application is online at voterregistration.alaska.gov. For more information about updating your voter information, call the State of Alaska, Division of Elections at 907-522-8683.
 
The April 2, 2024 Regular Municipal Election is a Vote at Home/Vote by Mail election where voters can vote in the convenience of their home! The Municipal Clerk’s Office reminds voters that ballot packages will be mailed to qualified, registered voters on March 12, 2024 - 21 days before Election Day. Voters will have the opportunity to study their ballot, research with trusted resources, mark their choices, sign the voter declaration, and return their ballot to a secure drop box, an Anchorage Vote Center (AVC), or by mailing it through the USPS with first-class postage. Specific hours and locations for Drop Boxes and AVCs can be found at www.muni.org/elections/dropbox.
 
Additional Election Information
 
 
For additional Municipal Election information, please visit muni.org/elections, call 907-243-VOTE (8683), or email 

In the Community

Each year, The Alaska Black Caucus celebrates Black History Month by holding its Annual Bettye Davis Summit. I'm here with youth who dressed as their favorite African American heroes. In the photo, you'll find everyone from Martin Luther King Jr. to Gabby Douglas.
Throughout the past year, I've been able to build a great friendship with Park Joongsuk, Consulate of the Republic of Korea in Anchorage and Vice Consul Nam Seunghwan. Here we are joined by Anchorage Assembly Chair Chris Constant.
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to my office at:

Besse Odom
Chief of Staff
907-465-6853


Luma Diaz
Legislative Aide
907-465-4930


Jeff Stepp
Legislative Council Aide
907-465-4068


I’m Senator Elvi, always.....
"Listening and Representing Your Interests!”