Elvi's Updates- March 2025 Happy Women's History Month!

Education Funding: A Top Priority This Legislative Session

Alaska’s public schools are facing financial challenges due to nearly a decade of stagnant Base Student Allocation (BSA) funding. Rising inflation, higher operational costs, and growing student needs have forced many districts to cut teaching positions and reduce course offerings. Without a meaningful BSA increase, school boards across the state are left making budget decisions that directly impact students, teachers, and communities.

Recognizing this, both the Senate and House Majority Caucuses have made increasing the BSA a priority this session. HB 69, a bill to raise the BSA, has already passed the House and is now under consideration in the Senate Education Committee. My staff and I are closely tracking any proposed changes, and I look forward to voting on this critical bill once it reaches the Senate Floor.

Ensuring adequate school funding is essential to providing students with the education they deserve. I remain committed to supporting efforts that invest in our schools and communities.

Budget Debates and Key Priorities in Alaska

The budget is the most debated topic in every legislative session. This year, discussions are currently underway in the House Finance Committee, where the eleven-member committee continues to consider amendments to help balance the budget.

The House Finance Committee is considering 96 amendments, where we are seeing proposed cuts to various state agencies, trying to formulate a balanced budget, and once the amendment process is completed, I will post a summary of what changes were applied to the bill.

With the base student allocation discussion being at the forefront of this year’s budget discussions, I remain committed to supporting an increase in the BSA, which would help support our schools across the state.

The proposed budget includes allocations for public safety, education, energy development, and transportation, to name a few, and I look forward to finding solutions to make sure that our most essential services are available for the citizens of Alaska.

Legislative Updates: Progress on Key Bills

SB 43 (Women's History Month) was carried in the House by Representative Carolyn Hall. We were able to get this bill passed through both bodies! Its next step is to be transmitted to the Governor.

SB8 (Education for Deaf and Hearing Impaired) had its first bill hearing in the Senate Education Committee. I’m looking forward to seeing this bill advance through the committee process and then to the Senate and House floors for a vote.

SB20 (CPR Curriculum) also had a first bill hearing in the Senate Education Committee. This bill was suggested by Captain Jason Dolph, who works within the Anchorage Fire Department. With continued support throughout the Fire Department, the Heart and Vascular Institute at Providence and many others, I look forward to the bill making it to the finish line prior to the end of this session.

SB120 (Climate Change Commission) is currently making its way through the committee process. This bill can bring awareness to the climate issues effecting our state currently, and in the future. I remain committed to advocating for a Climate Change Commission.

SJR 8 (International Relations with Taiwan) had a great first hearing in the Senate Resources Committee where we heard the broad support this resolution has from communities across the state. Alaska formerly had a Trade Office in Taiwan for several years and this resolution would reinstate that trade office helping to promote the relationship between the Alaskan and Taiwan markets.

This session has been busy for myself and my staff - I have numerous other bills working through the committee process. Hispanic Heritage Month, Asian American Pacific Islander history curriculum, are just a couple of the other bills we are working on and will continue to provide updates as we get them.

Events in April

NYO Games – Native Youth Olympic Games will be held from April 24^th to April 26^th, 2025 at the Alaska Airlines Center on UAA’s Campus. During the April competition, the statewide Senior Games will host athletes from across the state in the age bracket of 7-12^th grade, with the maximum athlete age of nineteen. These Native Olympic Games are a great reminder about the traditions of our beautiful state and the culture that is represented in the NYO Games, each year in Alaska.

The Empty Bowl Project will be held on April 5^th, 2025, from 11:30am-1:00pm at the Dena’ina Convention Center in Downtown Anchorage. The Empty Bowl Project is a grassroots initiative aimed at raising awareness and funds to combat hunger. For more than 25 years, this event has brough together more than 1,400 Alaskans who come to enjoy soup and cornbread prepared by the chefs and clients at Bean’s Café, hand crafted bowls donated by the community, a silent auction, and most importantly learning about the mission of deeding our hungry population in Anchorage. Contributions ensure that every dollar donated through ticket sales, silent auction, and merchandise sales, goes directly to feeding those most in need.

Meeting Mania!

I’m proud to be back in Juneau this year representing your interests. I’ve had the privilege of meeting with passionate advocates that are making a real difference in the lives of Alaskans. These are just a handful of the many meetings I’ve had, including conversations with the Alaska Deaf Council, MMIW Working Group, Alaska Regional Coalition, Alaska Section of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and Alaska Behavioral Health Association. Each discussion has been invaluable in shaping the work we do.

I'm honored to be back in Juneau for another legislative session, working hard to represent your interests. There’s important work ahead, and I’m committed to finding solutions that uplift our communities and move our state forward!

As always, it is my honor to work for you!