Fairbanks: BSA Increase, Senior Benefits Extended, Theater and More!

February 23, 2024

Dear Neighbors,

It is day 39 of session which means we are over a third of the way through session! Bills are moving, even if slowly, in both bodies! After much negotiation in the State House, a historical increase to the BSA was passed last night by a vote of 38-2. The next step will be for the Senate to ratify the changes and then for the Governor to sign the bill before next Tuesday. The Senate also passed my bill to honor and provide a small benefit to our pioneering seniors who are in need. The Senate will also take up legislation in upcoming weeks including my legislation on an electronic driver license, setting our clocks to a Permanent Standard Time and support for the military and families. Check out the latest edition of the E-newsletter straight from Juneau!

Public Education is a Constitutional Priority

SB140, introduced by Senator Hoffman of Bethel, simply aimed to provide an increase to the amount of funding 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.

Unfortunately, the House turned this bill into a turducken stuffed full of different priorities and additional legislation in the first few days of the legislative session. One of the best things about the legislative process is the fact that most bills are vetted by professionals and subject-matter experts and the public also has the opportunity to advise. Finally, after four days of back and forth between democratic leaders in the Senate and the House Republican Majority, SB 140 has been passed by the House! Notable changes include:

A permanent $680 increase to the Base Student Allocation
$500 per K-3 Students for the Alaska READS Act implementation
Creation of a Statewide Charter School Coordinator
Increased Homeschool Funding
Increased Pupil Bussing Funding
Intent Language on Teacher Retention Bonuses

The BSA increase is historical and absolutely a step in the right direction for education and families around Alaska! However, it is just the beginning. State support for schools had been stagnant for 10 years and more directed funds should go to our number one priority in a future budget.

Alaskan Workers Deserve a Retirement with Dignity

SB 170 originally extended the Senior Benefits Program another 8 years, without legislative action the program would have ended this year. Thanks to the Senate Finance Committee, the sunset date has been done away with completely. I was very pleased that all members present in the Senate voted unanimously to pass my bill. The bill was given a House Finance Committee referral where our fight for Senior Benefits continues! Please send your words of encouragement to our House Finance colleagues to vote for the legislation soon. Many of your older friends and neighbors who rely on these funds are waiting for action at the legislative level.

McLovin Electronic Driver Licenses

Have you ever left the house without your license? Wish it was on your phone? You may be in luck! My bill, Senate Bill 18, allows Alaskans to have their driver’s license available on their phones. Alaska already allows proof of auto insurance via smartphone as well as hunting and fishing licenses, why shouldn't drivers licenses be included? Some concerns arose over the potential cost, security and theft of an electronic ID and these comments are extremely helpful in crafting a better bill. SB 18 was heard in the Senate State Affairs Committee this past Thursday, but you can still submit your thoughts and ideas to senatestateaffairs@akleg.gov.

Giving the Military a Voice in the Legislature

This upcoming Tuesday, on February 27th, the Senate State Affairs Committee will hold the first hearing of SB 185, which aims to establish an Alaska Military Affairs Commission. Groups such as the one described in SB 185 exist in several other states, and with Alaska's significant military presence, the contribution of military activity to Alaska's economy and the growing tactical importance of the arctic, it is highly necessary to have a legislative advisory group for military matters in our state. Not only would this group provide legislative recommendations but would focus on quality-of-life matters and the expansion of military presence as well.

The University is a Commanding Leader in Research

My father and mother came up to Alaska as graduate students in the early 70’s because the University of Alaska is a known top notch science and research institution. I am here because of the draw of the premier research institution and all the economic value that it brings to the city I represent. As a proud UAF Nanook myself, my focus is to continue a strong, first-rate university that builds a better future for all Alaskans.

On Tuesday, February 20th, the Senate State Affairs Committee heard a presentation from university administration and graduate students on the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ goal of achieving Research 1, or R1, status by 2028. R1 status is the top tier of the Carnegie Classification, which categorizes U.S. doctoral universities into one of three categories: doctoral/professional universities, R2 or high research activity (UAF is currently ranked at R2), and R1 or very high research activity. UAF is striving for R1 status not only because of the positive impact that it would have on the university, but because of the positive impact it would have on our State. For example, the University at Colorado Boulder estimated R1 research produced $1.2 billion in state economic activity. The University is a staple in the Fairbanks community and with support from the legislature, we can help UAF make the push to become part of the top 4% of research doctoral institutions in the country.

Did you Remember to Set Your Clock back? Or forward?

The public contacted my office early in the year to discuss the changing seasons and the concept of ‘Daylight Savings Time’ in Alaska. For some who may remember, Alaska used to have six unique time zones on account of our northern latitude and the large size of the state. We now only have one major time zone that is one hour off of Pacific Time that observes daylight savings time twice a year as most every other state in the United States. I introduced Senate Bill 184 to set Alaska to permanent Standard Time which means 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, insomnia and hasn’t had value to the economy or energy consumption since it was adopted in World War II.

Visual Arts This Weekend!

If you are looking for something to do this weekend, this is the last opportunity to see Fairbanks Drama Association’s production of Native Gardens, a smart and funny play that pokes fun at imperfections in human nature and concerns two neighbors divided by class, age, politics and everything else in between. At the core, Native Gardens is a play about a property dispute in which both sets of neighbors have a use for the property. The play, written by Karen Zaharias, is a new play written in 2019 and this is the first time the production has graced the stage of the Hap Ryder Theatre. This weekend’s shows will be Friday and Saturday with the house opening at 7 PM and the show beginning at 7:30 PM, and the Sunday matinee show begins at 2 PM with the house opening at 1:30 PM. Get out and support the arts within our community and the volunteer actors and crew that have worked so hard to put on Native Gardens!

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,