Fairbanks: Bills are moving! AAPI Month, Graduations and More!

May 2, 2023

Dear Neighbors,

We’ve made it to May! There are about two weeks before we pack up and leave Juneau. While that does not seem like a lot of time to get things done, bills are still moving quickly and even being introduced. Session is not over and most of the 360 bills that have been introduced this 33^rd Legislature will not pass and be taken back up when the Legislature reconvenes in January of 2024. There is only one item that MUST pass before May 17^th and that is the Operating and Capital Budget to keep the state running.

The Governor has made an overture that the Legislature may be called in to a Special Session soon or later this fall to address revenues and the huge budget deficit. The House Republican leadership, has passed over a budget that does not have any additional support for education and is roughly $800 underfunded which would require layoffs midway through the year to compensate. The Senate Bipartisan leadership has instead funded a capital and operating budget that is balanced and does not dip into savings but only has a $1300 PFD at this time. The law requires and Alaskans deserve a balanced budget. Whether sales or income tax, oil tax reforms or massive cuts to troopers, teachers and maintenance, the budget still has work to do between the Republican House leaders and the Bipartisan Senate-this time, working with Governor Dunleavy in his second term.

A Few Bills are Moving!

The Senate State Affairs Committee ‘omnibus’ elections reform bill, SB 138, is in State Affairs today at 3:30pm! I’m very glad to see all the hard work me, Senator Mike Showers, Representative Sarah Vance, Representative Laddie Shaw and Lt. Governor Nancy Dahlstrom have done come to life in the bill before the Legislature. There will be an opportunity for public testimony and the numbers will be listed below and public testimony may always be received via email to be part of the official record at senator.scott.kawasaki@akleg.gov. The elections reform legislation is still a ‘must-do’ this year because it will have an impact on the elections in 2024.

Also rolling into Senate State Affairs today is HB 8, the E-Bikes Bill that Representative Carrick and I have been working hard on. Once it passes out of State Affairs, the representative will have to peddle her bill to members of the Senate for their support and vote to come to the Senate Floor for a final vote. If the bill is passed with a majority, then it will come back to the House to concur and be signed into law by Governor Dunleavy.

Alaska-made lumber is an important part of the economy and the state of Alaska contains nearly 15% of the forested land in the United States! While many Alaskans go to Lowe’s and Home Depot for lumber needs, SB87 was passed to help grow the small-scale industry by creating our own lumber grading system for local area forests and builders to utilize. Freshman Senator Jesse Bjorkman (R-Nikiski) passed the bill that I cosponsored and was supported by the timber industry, builders, environmental organizations and the Cold Climate Housing Research Center. Check out the article from the Fairbanks Daily Newsminer HERE!

Senator Kawasaki and Senator Claman in State Affairs

April Showers Bring May Flowers!

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. According to the 2020 census, approximately 20.6 million people of Asian or Pacific Islander descent in the United States and Alaska has more than 5% per capita making it one of the top five states in terms of people of Asian descent. My father is Japanese and was born in Stockton, California and my mother is Chinese and was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. My grandfather (father side) and grandmother (mothers side) were both born in Hawaii. The Anchorage School district is one of the most diverse in the country with hundreds of languages spoken-many of which are from parts of East and Southeast Asia. In the Alaska Legislature, there are now two other members of Asian descent, which includes Rep. Neal Foster (D-Nome) who is part Vietnamese and Rep. Genevieve Mina (D-Anchorage) who is Filipino.

Senator Kawasaki and Rep. Mina

Also recognized in May is Missing and Murdered Indigenous People month, with the National Week of Action being May 1-7^th. May 5^th is the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous people, people are encouraged to wear red on May 5^th to bring attention to this still present issue.

Alongside those two important topics, an equally important awareness is brought to Mental Health this month. Mental Health Awareness Month has been recognized since 1949 and is a great time to further break the stigma around mental health issues that affect many Alaskans. The Alaska Careline is a Fairbanks based suicide prevention and someone to talk to line. Their number for those in Fairbanks is (907)-452-4357. Their toll-Free statewide number is (877)-266-4357. The Alaska Careline is available 24/7 and can provide support to both people who are dealing with suicidal thoughts as well as those who know others who may be struggling. If you’re in need of assistance and outside of the state or prefer the national suicide prevention lifeline that number is simply 988.

Congratulations to Our Graduates! Our Hats are Off to You!

Graduation Schedule

Education is such an important part to our state economy and well-being. Early education provide young children the tools they need to succeed in primary schools. The appropriate level of funding in the Base Student Allocation helps our School Boards and parents direct budgets to increase performance and opportunities for our secondary students. The University of Alaska Fairbanks is the premier higher education outlet for post-secondary students, lifelong learning adults and Alaskans entering the trades. Every step of education is an important investment in the future of our young state and graduation is emblematic of scholastic achievement and reaching an important goal. Below are some of the graduations in the Fairbanks area.

May 6^th is UAFs 101^st commencement ceremony! On Saturday beginning at 1pm, the Carlson Center will be hosting the UAF Class of 2023 graduation. For more information, where and how to watch, 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,