Fairbanks: Off to a Rocky Start, Let Me Hear You and The Future of Education!

January 17, 2024

Dear Neighbors,

The first day of the 2^nd Session of the 33^rd Alaska Legislature began yesterday afternoon with some excitement. The 2nd Session is a new start to the end of the session in May and so all of the legislation and committee assignments start where they ended and the legislators get to review how the budget met expectations midway through the budget year. The 2^nd Session is usually much faster and more of a challenge to keep up with as we near the end of a two-year period and it will be even more challenging to follow because it is also an election year. My door is literally and virtually always open to you and I encourage you to contact me at any time this year if you have questions, concerns or suggestions.

The Legislature Greets the Education Session

The Legislature opened with a bit of anticipation and excitement yesterday afternoon. The Constitution and Uniform Rules allow for the Legislature to override a veto by the Governor within the first five days of a meeting. The legislature overwhelmingly supported a one-time increase to help students, teachers and school boards across Alaska that are now nearing a critical situation when it comes to education support. With overwhelming support last year, a motion to call a joint session for the purpose of a veto override to fund education failed yesterday in the House by only one vote! Democrats, Independents, one Republican of both the Majority and Minority Caucus voted to hold the joint session, while all other republicans voted against the chance to support education. But there are still a few days left! Contact your legislator to ask for a joint session to hold a veto override supporting education.

The Legislature will hear more about education funding, how school districts are coping with declining funding and a teacher shortage and some of the elements from the Governor. Expect that focus will be on education from Pre-K to UA from the legislature over the next few weeks.

Let's Meet Up This Weekend!

Though I will be down in Juneau for most of the entirety of the legislative session, I will be home this Saturday, January 20^th to host an in-person town hall meeting. It will be held from 11:30-1:30pm at the Fairbanks Legislative Information Office in the Global USA Building near Home Depot. This will be a special chance for constituents and neighbors who are unable to travel to Juneau to learn more about the legislative session. I will also host a coffee chat on Sunday, January 21^st from 9-11am at the Alaska Coffee Roasting Company off of Geist Road. The informal meeting will be held to catch up to chat and have a cup of coffee on me! I hope to see you at either or both public events.

Personal Legislation On the Move!

My agenda is driven by my goal to make Alaska a better place to live, work, raise a family and retire. Much of the legislation that I have introduced has been to that end and many bills have been offered by my office because of great suggestions and comments from everyday Alaskans. Here is a snapshot of just a few bills that I introduced to be considered this session. If you have comments, questions or want to submit any public comments on the following, please just reply to the email.

SB17 Defining Campaign Contribution Limits: The bill would create limits to how much money a donor can make to a political candidate. Alaskans are tired of the attack ads, outside money and junk mail during elections. One way to get rid of it is to get rid of big money in politics and SB17 would create some limits like there was prior to 2018.
SB170 and SB189 Extending Senior Benefits and the Commission on Aging: Alaska faces a silver tsunami as pioneers begin to age and remain here in state. Senior Benefits allow for senior citizens who only make a moderate sum to live in place with a small stipend that can be used for heating oil, medicine or food. The Commission on Aging is the premier advocacy arm that helps the Governor and Legislators understand how seniors are aging and what Alaska needs to do to keep up with healthcare and transportation needs.
SB180 The “Taylor Swift” Bill: The bill ensures that Alaskans know up front how much something will cost from a seller. These ‘junk fees’ that are often added unknowingly to a bill at the last minute have been discussed at the federal level but Alaskans have an opportunity to ensure that consumers know exactly how much a good or service will be up front.
SB184 Daylight Savings Time: The bill would set Alaska to a permanent Standard Time which means that we will not be forced in to making a clock change twice per year. Studies show that the one hour time changes can cause health problems including irritability, heart attacks and insomnia and has no value to the economy or energy consumption since it was adopted in World War II.

My New Contact Information for a New Session

My office is located on the 1^st floor of the Alaska Capitol in Juneau. If you can’t make it to Juneau, there are several ways to keep in contact with me and let me know your priorities. You can check out the Capitol with this virtual tour and see where your lawmakers are working each and every day.

Gavel Alaska programming is online at www.ktoo.org/gavel and can also be watched on your favorite public television channel or rebroadcast on cable networks. E-newsletters will be available frequently during the session to keep people informed of important topics that may be nearing a vote. My legislative office will be open every day during the session and I am available by phone at 907.456.7423 or by email at senator.scott.kawasaki@akleg.gov. The Fairbanks Legislative Information Office is also staffed during the entire session to help you navigate the schedules, provide testimony opportunities or help track legislation. You may also track me regularly posting tidbits of information on various social media sites including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Threads, YouTube and even TikTok!

Finally, Alaska Airlines has once again made a ‘Constituent Fare’ available to Alaskans who are flying in state to the Capital City during the legislative session. Discounts of up to 30% are available for either one-way or roundtrip flights to Juneau through May 20, 2024.

Celebrating 10 Years of the Alaska Youth Law Guide

This year is the 10-year anniversary of the Alaska Youth Law Guide! The guide is a resource written for teens and young adults, full of information on many of the laws that affect them. From what rights you have if you’re a victim of a crime, to your rights as a student, the youth law guide provides valuable knowledge for young Alaskans to have.

Rural Alaska Honors Institute Helps Kids

The Rural Alaska Honors Institute (RAHI) has opened the 2024 application! This application is open for any Alaska Native or rural Alaskan who is currently a high school junior or senior. RAHI has been preparing rural and Alaska Native high school students for academic excellence and college success since 1983. There have been almost 2000 RAHI graduates and every year that number continues to grow. The program helps strengthen our communities and helps to educate the next generation of leaders. The application is open until March 1^st 2024, you can find more about the program as well as the online and mail in applications here.

My Staff and I are Here for You

As always, I and my staff are are still working for you. Feel free to contact my office and we will assist you with issues important to you and your family.

Working Hard for Fairbanks Families,