Sen. Kawasaki - Wildfires, The Budget and Correspondence Schools

July 1, 2024

Dear Neighbors,

It’s the middle of the summer, and, unfortunately, it is getting smokier by the minute. This is due to the numerous wildfires throughout the Interior. The McDonald fire, which is located south of the Tanana River and west of North Pole and Salcha, has grown to over 130,000 acres. Within the past few days, a fire has begun in Denali National Park and grown to the point where visitors had to be evacuated. Furthermore, the Governor has signed the FY 2025 operating and capital budgets with plenty of vetoed items and the Alaska Supreme Court has made a decision regarding correspondence school funding with many families wondering what lies in the future of education.

In this edition, I’ll provide updates on upcoming events, information on how to stay safe during wildfire season, how to check the air quality, how to find information on nearby wildfires, a breakdown of some of the vetoes made by the Governor on the budget and discuss the Alaska Supreme Court decision on correspondence school allotments.

Senator Kawasaki tailgating at the Annual Midnight Sun Goldpanners baseball game.

Today's Picnic in the Park Canceled

I had a Picnic in the Park planned for today in Nussbaumer Park, but the event will be rescheduled due to the smoke and poor weather. The event is rescheduled for Monday, July 8 from 4-6 PM. Hope to see you there and crossing my fingers for great weather!

Senator Kawasaki talking with community members at a recent Picnic in the Park.

Wildfires: Safety, Prevention, Information and Causes

Wildfires are currently ablaze throughout Alaska’s interior, which can be harmful for people of all ages, regardless of current health status. During times when smoke is thick in the air, it is recommended that people avoid going outside. If you must, wearing a mask can be helpful for blocking smoke from entering the lungs. When driving your vehicle, avoid driving with the windows down and close the vents, as smoke can enter your vehicle through them. While home, keep windows and doors closed. If you are experiencing breathing issues, the Fairbanks Memorial Hospital has a room with purified air being pumped continuously into it.

What causes wildfires? There are several primary causes, but it is estimated by the National Park Service that around 85% of wildfires are caused by humans, whether it be by unattended campfires, discarded cigarette butts, the burning of debris or even intentional acts of arson. Climate change also plays a role in the frequency of wildfires; according to National Geographic, scientists have found that every degree bump in temperature increases lightning activity by 12%. Since 1975, the number of fires started by lightning strikes has increased between 2 and 5%. Additionally, a NASA study from 2016 found that forest fires can heat up the entire planet.

With the Fourth of July this week, I’m sure many of you are planning fun activities with friends and family. While it may be tempting to have a campfire or light some fireworks, make sure to check with local ordinances to check for burn bans or laws regarding fireworks. If you are looking for a way to celebrate but want to avoid the smoke, an indoor cookout is a great alternative.

For more information on wildfire safety and response procedure, visit the Red Cross Website. For information on the location and status of wildfires, visit the Alaska Wildland Fire Information Map Series website. To check the Air Quality Index (AQI) of your area, visit this site. To report a wildfire, call 1 (800) 237-3633 and to opt in for text updates on wildfires, text “FNSBWildfireAlerts” to 67283.

Smog from nearby wildfires hovering in the Fairbanks skyline.

The FY25 Budget: Line-Item Vetoes

This last Friday, the Governor signed the $12.2 billion budget, but not before trimming $225 million with line-item vetoes. Fortunately, the one-time $175 million boost in funding for K-12 education, or the $680 boost to the base student allocation (BSA), was left untouched. The following cuts were made to the budget:

$5.2 million for young students in low-income schools and $2.6 million for Head Start
$11.9 million for settling a dispute with the U.S. Department of Education over how funds were distributed throughout the COVID-19 pandemic
$11 million for faster internet and increased broadband in rural AK communities
25%, or $5 million, cut to Research 1 funding for the University of Alaska Fairbanks
More than $125 million to the planned $3.5 billion for capital projects across the state

Senator Kawasaki with Seo Eunji, Consul General of the Republic of Korea.

An Early Decision Made on Correspondence Schools

The Alaska Supreme Court overruled a decision made back in April by a Superior Court relating to homeschool and correspondence study allotments. Right now over 22,000 children are enrolled in homeschool and correspondence programs in the state and this number has grown significantly since COVID. A suit brought by parents essentially requested the laws be invalidated on the grounds that they are unconstitutional and would allow to pseudo-vouchers that are being used by religious and private schools. The Alaska Constitution strictly and unequivocally states that state money cannot be used for these education purposes.

The Supreme Court remanded the decision back to the lower court but said that allotments are not in-themselves unconstitutional. The lower court also declined to decide whether the use of state funds at private schools is unconstitutional. The court decision still leaves a significant cloud over the issue as many families who either homeschool or use correspondence studies are just now selecting their tools or choosing particular schools-like the Catholic Schools of Fairbanks who I represent in the Senate.

The conclusion of the case will likely not be settled until after the fall or winter, and the Alaska State School Board is possibly still looking at the issue. As you may know, the Alaska Legislature passed HB400 on the last night of session that would allow the administration to establish emergency regulations to ensure that no child is left without a classroom. Alaskans are lucky to have many, many options for the education of their children whether that be public neighborhood school, private school, homeschool, correspondence, public charters, a state boarding school or even online learning academies.

Senator Kawasaki with Major General Eifler at the "Arctic Wolves" 11th Airborne Division Change of Command Ceremony on June 20, 2024.

My Staff and I are Here for You

As always, I and my staff 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,