Fairbanks: Sen. Kawasaki- Education, Potholes, Keeping Healthy and More!

April 22, 2024

Dear Neighbors,

The Alaska Legislature is rounding out the remaining three weeks of the 33^rd Legislature. The State Constitution only obligates the Legislature to pass a balanced state operating budget. There are many legislative priorities in the form of bills/resolutions and the budget must contain crucial constitutionally-required items like public education, public health and welfare, public safety, University of Alaska funding as well as funding for general infrastructure like roads, rails and runways. With the springtime also comes a rebirth of events and potholes which I will speak about in the e-newsletter. Some of my personal legislation to help our pioneering seniors remains in committees and just needs one final push before Alaska celebrates Older Persons Action Month. Finally, the discussion on education has hit a snag in the remaining time in the Legislature with a Superior Court ruling that invalidates several existing laws that were deemed unconstitutional. Check out my latest edition of the e-newsletter.

Save a Tire, Report a Pothole!

Spring is upon us, bringing with it life, the sun and … potholes! The Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities Maintenance and Operations Crews are working hard to fill our potholes and keep us moving. Help them out by reporting potholes on state roads at dot.potholes@alaska.gov, and remember to give the roadcrews plenty of room to work safely.

The Budget Exchange and Light at the End of the Tunnel

Last week the state Operating and Capital Budgets were passed and transmitted to the other chambers for consideration. The Operating Budget was passed from the House to the Senate after much debate and discussion. The Senate, in return, passed the Capital Budget to the House for consideration and amendments. The Operating Budget allocates money to people, agencies and departments for the day-to-day operations of state government while the Capital Budget goes towards direct, generally single-year projects like roads, bridges and buildings. For example, the House Operating Budget includes a $2,300 dividend and $175 million in one-time school funding. Given the expected size of the Capital Budget, that would leave a $276 million deficit in the budget. The Capital budget contained some of the state essentials that our office requested including funding for the Fairbanks Memorial Hospital Pediatric Psychiatric wing, the Riverboat Nenana restoration, the Moore Street Senior Center, the UAF Childcare Development Center and Morris Thompson Cultural Visitor Center to name a few.

The two budgets were ceremonially exchanged in the second-floor hall, between the House and the Senate Chambers. Now both finance committees will go through the budgets, amend how they see fit and the bodies will vote on them again. Usually, this leads to a conference committee. This budget swap marks the light at the end of the tunnel that is session and one of the last times for the public to comment on the proposals.

Children Should Have Every Educational Opportunity

As a kid who grew up and attended our Fairbanks public schools, I have always been a strong advocate for our students, our teachers and our school board as a member of the Senate. Our Fairbanks schools should be commended because every child has a way to learn, whether through neighborhood public schools, private schools, public charters, correspondence and homeschool. A Superior Court ruling recently has put a pause on some school funding laws that were deemed unconstitutional. The judge used the Constitution provision in Article VII, section 1 which states that: No money shall be paid from public funds for the direct benefit of any religious or other private educational institution.

While we do not yet know what will become of the ruling, the administration would likely request a ‘stay’ which would put on hold the ruling. The Legislature would then have to work within the confine of the Constitution to work through the ruling and ensure that kids are able to continue their education without pause. I hope that kids will continue to have all of the opportunities afforded to them and that all of our public schools are adequately funded.

Supporting Our Pioneering Alaskans

Older Persons Action Month is next month and the Fairbanks North Star Borough will be hosting the annual Senior Citizens Recognition Day luncheon at the Carlson Center on May 9, from 10-1pm. More details will be forthcoming on this joyous event. My commitment to Seniors while in the Senate has been unwavering. I introduced two bills at the beginning of the legislative session that have passed the Senate and are awaiting action in the House of Representatives. The goal of both bills is to ensure that our grandmas and grandpas can continue to live, work and retire right here in the state they have built.

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.

SB 189 will continue the Commission on Aging which is a valuable addition to state government. As the number of seniors continues to rise, the task of the commission will be to help advise state government in how to make our state more inviting, attractive and adaptive for Alaskans as they age. The commission helps direct federal government spending on everything from Low Income Heating and Energy Assistance to accessibility issues for older Alaskans who may have mobility issues.

Both bills were given a House Finance Committee referral where our fight for Senior Benefits and the Commission on Aging 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. Send emails to: housefinance@akleg.gov.

Stress Can Kill

April is Stress Awareness Month, while it is easy to disregard stress as something that is just a part of life, constant stress can have some very detrimental health effects. Stress can lead to poor health behaviors which can then lead to increased risk for heart disease and stroke. This chain reaction can be stopped by taking time for yourself, talking to someone, whether a therapist or a friend, can help work through what’s stressing you out. In the theme of moving more, going on a walk is a great way to mitigate some of that stress.

Free Health Pop-Up Clinic!

The Mountain View Lions Club and Remote Area Medical are partnering to offer a free pop-up clinic at Ryan Middle School (1450 Cowles St, Fairbanks, AK 99701) from April 27 at 6am until April 28 at 5:30pm. Remote Area Medical is providing a tractor trailer of medical equipment and supplies, expert administrative and volunteer coordination, a pool of volunteer medical professionals, and is ensuring full logistical support for the pop-up clinics at no cost to Alaskans.

The two-day event will provide hundreds of Alaskans with free, proactive health care services (dental, vision, medical) so they can get help now with undiagnosed, debilitating, or life-threatening health issues, regardless of ability to pay. Patient parking is offered at the Ryan Middle School parking lot which will be opened no later than 11:59pm (midnight) on Friday night. Click here to learn more.

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,