Fairbanks: Education Funding, Bill Movement, Federal Concerns

May 2, 2025

Dear Neighbors,

There are a mere 20 days remaining in the first session of the 34^th Alaska Legislature! A lot can happen in these next two weeks and there is much activity that has already begun to slow assuming we will take it back up next year or even over the summer and early fall. I’ll try to keep folks informed on a frequent basis, but as things can change daily, it would also be great to send an email or contact me directly at the office at 907.456.7423.

Many of the bills I've sponsored have been making their way through committees and I'll give you an update on their progress later in this newsletter. This week was an important week for education funding with the Majority and Minority working together to come up with legislation that the Govenor would support as well as a permanent increase in the BSA of $700. Keep reading for more information on that piece of legislation.

A few weeks ago, I along with Representative Dibert hosted a constituent coffee at McCafferty's and an Easter Town Hall at the Tanana Valley Fairground. I then hosted a Pizza and Politics event at House of Fire Pizza in Badger Plaza. It was wonderful getting back to the Fairbanks/North Pole area to hear from my constituents to ensure that during this last push of session I know exactly what I need to do to better represent Senate District P. As I tell my office during every staff meeting, we work for our constituents and these events are a way for me to check in with my bosses to ensure I am truly representing their interests here in Juneau.

I also had the pleasure of hosting both Borough Mayor Grier Hopkins and the Lathrop Softball Team at the capitol this past week. Municipal and State governments work closely together to ensure that our shared constituents are getting the maximum amount of support from both levels of government. Getting to meet the Lathrop High Varsity Softball team was a great, especially since they came with pertinent questions about what the legislature was doing to fund their educations. They were a precocious crew, and I was honored to meet with them and answer their questions.

Education Funding Bill AGAIN Goes to Governor!

As expected, Governor Dunleavy vetoed the $1000 for education very quickly which sent the legislature to a joint session to override after the Easter recess. The override of the veto failed mostly along party lines, although my Senate Bipartisan Majority and the House Bipartisan Majority voted for the override. The Senate went immediately to find another piece of legislation relating to the signature issue of the year: EDUCATION!

HB57 was a simple bill that passed the House in the prior week. It contains a very basic ‘school cell phone’ bill that would create a statewide school cellphone ban that can be preempted by a local school district if they were to write their own policy. I personally do not like these type of blanket bans of technology-but it does make it exceedingly difficult to focus or teach with the disruptions these devices cause.

HB57 was then combined with some more of the fundamental changes that had already gone through the Education Committees of both chambers. In the end, the bill on the Senate Floor contained the following:

· A $700 permanent increase to the per pupil formula

· 10% increase to student transportation

· Charter school provisions to shorten approval/appeal times

· Track K12 graduates on their work

· Task for on Legislative Funding for Education

There were a series of amendments during a lengthy floor session that included:

· Limited school class sizes

· Increased funding for special needs

· Increased funding for CTE (career and technical ed)

· Increased $450/student for reading proficiency in K-3

There were two other amendments offered by colleagues I would have like to see in the bill including one that would have ensured school boards would either deny/approve a local charter school application within a timely manner. The amendment sponsored by Senator Myers failed to get enough votes.

Education Next Steps? Veto? Override?

Governor Dunleavy was sent the bill and now has a limited number of days in which to either veto the bill, sign the bill or allow it to go into effect without a signature. Since he is still absent from the state capital this week, it is unlikely that a decision will be made until the following week. It is my hope that the new compromise bill (was at $1800 and now is at $700) will get his signature.

In an event that the Governor will veto the bill, giving schools less security and potentially harming local government decisions, the legislature should once again take up an override vote. With 50 of the 60 members supporting this bill it would be set for a override. Please continue to contact state leaders here in Juneau until the bill has become law!

Here is how your legislators voted on education funding, accountability measures and reading/CTE grants to students:

Wrongful Conviction Deserves Compassion, Compensation

While there are ongoing disagreements about how much of the potential PFD should be used for state services, I think that we can all agree that receiving a PFD is an important Alaskan right.

Under state law, those who are incarcerated are ineligible to receive their PFD. Those who were previously deemed ineligible to apply for their PFD currently have no recourse to get reimbursed after their conviction is overturned or thrown out. For this reason, I have introduced Senate Bill 167, which pay back PFDs to Alaskans who have been wrongfully imprisoned.

The bill first passed one house in 2017, shortly after the Fairbanks Four were found to be innocent after having spent 18 years in jail for a murder they did not commit. Upon their release, Marvin Roberts, George Freese, Kevin Pease and Eugene Vent they received no compensation by either the state or the city. We cannot return the opportunities missed or time not spent with family due to wrongful imprisonment; at the very least, we should reimburse the PFD money that they missed out on to help them start rebuilding their lives.

Let's Take Big Money Out of Politics

On Tuesday, my office presented Senate Bill 116, which seeks to reinstate fair, reasonable and campaign contribution limits adjusted for inflation, which would ensure that the limits remain constitutional

Alaska has historically touted some of the strongest, most effective campaign finance laws in the nation which served to promote better accountability and trust in our elections and elected officials. In recent years, Alaskans have shown their support for fair and reasonable contribution limits, including a 2006 ballot initiative that passed overwhelmingly with 73% support. But, in 2021, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals struck down the statutory campaign contribution limits, opening our state and local elections to the threat of unlimited political contributions directly to candidates from anyone, anywhere in the country. SB116 was moved out of the State Affairs committee on April 23^rd and my office has requested a bill hearing in the next committee of referral which is the Senate Finance Committee to join HB16 which does the same and is the House Companion Bill.

The limits are based on the state initiative which will proceed unless we pass law that substantially does the same thing to curb spending in elections. The maximum that a person can donate will be $2000 in a two-year period and that amount will be adjusted for inflation. I am hopeful that this bill will pass soon so that the new law would take effect before the next election.

Probate and Easy Transition

For anyone who has lost a loved one who may not have had a will or even had an extensive amount of personal property, you know that it can be complex, untimely and stressful during a time of pain and sorrow. SB104 extends the legal mechanism of Transfer on Death Deeds to boats and vehicles. This bill will lessen the burden of the probate process for Alaskans. The average cost of probate is $14,225 according to a 2021 study on estate planning done by www.seniorliving.organd Atticus. Also, it would allow beneficiaries of boats and vehicles to gain access to the asset sooner rather than later. The average amount of time to get through the probate process is 6 to 24 months and during that time a beneficiary is not permitted access. A vehicle or boat left idle for that long may not be functional by the time the beneficiary is allowed take possession or might be the only mode of transportation for the remaining family.

SB104 was passed out of the Transportation Committee on April 25^th and sent to a second committee of referral, which is the Senate State Affairs Committee. With me being the chairman of that committee, I was able to quickly schedule this piece of legislation for a hearing right away and it was recently heard on May 1^st. The members of the committee are considering this bill to see if any changes need to be made to ensure this is a good piece of legislation. I am looking forward to working with my colleges to ensure that TOD deeds can be used for boats and vehicles ensuring that all Alaskans have easy access to estate planning tools.

More Federal Funding Cut Fears

Early on this session, in the Arctic Affairs Committee, we heard from Julie Kitka, who is the co-chair of the Arctic Affairs Committee, which coordinates rural Alaska infrastructure and economic development planning and is dependent on Federal funding.

The Denali Commission distributes federal funding to rural villages for crucial projects in six core areas: bulk fuel storage, power generation, health care facilities, surface transportation and waterfront facilities, communication systems, and special housing such as elder housing and domestic violence shelters. Kitka is worried both about the Denali Commission’s ability to continue their projects, as well as the Denali Commission existing at all in the future which would be very difficult to Alaska, especially those who live or work in rural areas and where most of our minerals and natural resources exist.

At the beginning of the week, President Trump also said that he would be gutting HeadStart funding to states. HeadStart education is helping some of the most vulnerable young children get the necessary early learning and is sponsored by Fairbanks Native Association and several other groups in town. HeadStart funding also provides for the ability working people to have a safe and educational place for their children during the daytimes and early evenings. By the end of the week, President Trump had also used his executive orders to gut public media through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. In some parts of Alaska, public television and radio is the only way for communications, safety announcements and educational programing. Cuts this steep will undeniably harm local radio/tv stations.

All of these radical and thoughtless cuts will be felt in the next two years and even longer. The Senate Majority Bipartisan Caucus has said that it intends to rise above the politics and try to find the operating funding if federal support dries up in the best way possible. However, with the chaos and instability in the stock market, oil prices that a dropping and federal funding ending, it will be exceptionally challenging. I just wanted to leave you with the graphic about where our revenues come from, so you’ll understand that these decisions on priorities are going to be challenge this year and leaning into the future!

Public Testimony Opportunities

Next week, many bill hearings will be taking public testimony. You can check out the full week’s schedule by following this link.

Below is a list of bills that I think you might be most interested in testifying for:

SB 132: Insurance Omnibus Bill

Monday, May 5 at 9:00 am

This bill improves consumer protections, simplifies the computation of premium tax, broadens the type of health care insurance plans that may be offered to an employer and addresses financial reporting of insurers. The bill also corrects a few problematic errors from previous insurance bills and improves the requirement for being licensed in Alaska.

HJR 10: Proposing Amendments to the Constitution Relating to the PFD

Monday, May 5 at 1:00 pm

This resolution is proposing amendments to the Alaskan Constitution that would change the structure of the Permanent Fund to safeguard its existence for future Alaskans.

HB 191: Invasive Species Management

Monday, May 5 at 1:00 pm

This legislation would establish the Alaska Invasive Species Council in the Department of Fish and Game. This council would help with the management of the invasive species in Alaska such as Bird Vetch.

SB 134: Licensure of Third-Party Administrators and Pharmacy Benefits Managers

Monday, May 5 at 1:30 pm

Currently Third-Party Administrators and Pharmacy Benefits Managers only need to register with the state to dispense pharmacy medications. This legislation would require these groups to get licensed through the state. This would ensure stricter regulation of these parties to ensure the safety of Alaskans.

HB 167: Harold Esmailka Airport at Ruby

Tuesday, May 6 at 1:00 pm

This legislation would rename the Ruby airport to the Harold Esmailka Airport in honor to his contributions to the aviation in the town of Ruby and Alaska at large.

SB 34: To Repeal the 90-day Session Limit

Wednesday, May 7 at 9:00 am

Since the passage of Ballot Measure #1 in 2006, which limited legislative sessions to 90 days, the Alaska Legislature has completed its work within that timeframe on only three occasions. This legislation would repeal the 90-day limit saving the state of Alaska money when numerous special sessions must be called to complete the work of the legislature.

There is Always Something Going on in Fairbanks

4th Annual Mom's DaBomb Bazaar: May 3 - 4 at the Bentley Mall where local small business vendors will show off their art, creativity and products all in the name of awesome moms everywhere!

Kentucky Derby Watch Party: Saturday, May 3 from 1:30 to 4:30 at Lavelle's Bistro

Enjoy this national tradition at Lavelle's Bistro. There will be custom Derby-themed cocktails, plus a hat contest with prizes. Dress to impress, bring your friends, and celebrate the Derby in style!

Comedian Jessica Michelle Singleton: Saturday, May 3 at 6:00 pm at The Basement

Enjoy the comedic stylings of Jessica Michelle Singleton who is a powerhouse of comedy in a teeny tiny package. She is known for her high energy, overly honest, always silly, and often dark & dirty performances.

My Staff and I are Here for You

As always, I will continue to keep you updated on what I’m working on in Juneau throughout the session. If you have any questions about anything going on in the Capitol or at home, feel free to give me a call or shoot me an email – as always, my staff and I are working for you. We will assist you with the issues important to you and your family.

Working Hard for Fairbanks Families,