Fairbanks: Sen. Kawasaki- Serving Those Who Serve, ALS Awareness, Lowering Veto Threshold and More!

March 28, 2024

Dear Neighbors,

The Joint Armed Services Committee had a very successful meeting yesterday. The Committee heard from multiple branches of the military and were able to ask pressing questions of the military. I will be in Fairbanks this weekend hosting an Easter Open House at the Fairbanks LIO on Saturday from 12-2:00pm as well as some other events, check out my Facebook for updates!

Our Military Serve Our State and Our Country

The Joint Armed Services Committee or JASC met this week to get an update from the military in and near Alaska. I have served on this committee for many years and this year I am honored to be named the Senate Co-Chair of JASC alongside Representative Laddie Shaw. As the Senator representing the soldiers and families at Fort Wainwright, it is important to me to hear from our armed service leaders who serve our country and learn how the state may best support their efforts.

I was also recently named the Vice Chairman of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Military and Veterans Affairs Task Force. 29 other states are represented in the Task Force, it serves as a way to examine issues affecting military community relations and the well-being of service members, veterans and their families.

One Step Closer to a Cure

By a vote of 19-0, SB 256 passed the Senate and now moves to the House! SB 256 aims to establish May as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) month in Alaska. Raising awareness about ALS and shining a light on the Alaskans who are battling this disease is important to help bring understanding to the challenge. ALS is also known as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis or Lou Gehrig's disease which affects the nervous system of the brain and spine. The exact cause of the disease is still not known though people of an advanced age, exposed to toxins and veterans tend to have the disease at higher rates. There is no cure for this fatal disease – yet.

Overriding an Executive Branch Veto

Last week, the Senate State Affairs Committee reported Senate Joint Resolution 15 out of committee to the next referred committee. SJR15, introduced by Senator Matt Claman, aims to amend the Alaska Constitution to lower the veto threshold for a budgetary veto override making the threshold equal across all legislation.

As it stands, to override a veto by the Governor, the Legislature needs a 2/3 majority, or 40 votes in favor out of 60 Legislators, to override for non-spending bills. For the budget, the Legislature needs a 3/4 majority, or 45 out of 60 Legislators. The 3/4 majority requirement is the highest in the nation which gives the executive branch a tremendous power over the legislative branch, also known as the “people’s branch.” SJR15 would call for a statewide vote to decide whether to lower the veto override threshold from 3/4 to 2/3. What do you think? Would you vote to lower the veto threshold and strengthen the coequal branch of the state government?

Righting Wrongs, Returning PFDs to the Wrongfully Convicted

The mission of the Department of Law Criminal Division is to “assure safe and healthy communities by prosecuting and convicting criminal offenders throughout Alaska.” Likewise, the State has a responsibility to ensure that those convicted of crimes are prosecuted fairly and justly. But if the State finds an offender was wrongfully convicted, the State should do right by those who have had their convictions overturned.

Incarcerated Alaskans forgo their Permanent Fund Dividends to the State. SB258 seeks to repay PFDs to Alaskans whose convictions were vacated or reversed and dismissed. If passed, any Alaskan who is wrongfully convicted could be eligible to receive their PFD which they were denied. Almost half of all the states have a wrongful conviction compensation statute that would repay those who are wrongfully incarcerated.

In 2017, my earlier version of the bill passed the Alaska House of Representatives with overwhelming bipartisan support 38-1 but was ‘buried’ by Senate leadership. Now that I am in the Senate Majority, I am hopeful that this crucial legislation can make it through both bodies and do a little to help repair a fragile justice system. My republican colleague, Rep. Frank Tomaszewski, has filed companion legislation in the House. To watch the hearing from today in Senate Judiciary Committee, click 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,