Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Happy New Year! I hope you had a happy, healthy holiday season and spent some time with people you like.

The Capitol's starting to buzz again as we get ready for session. I'm digging into the governor's proposed budget now. You can take a look too. With a $1.5 billion proposed deficit, we have a huge job ahead of us.

Do you have questions about the budget or bills coming up this session? Ideas on what to push for or what to stop? Come to the pre-session town hall on Jan. 13 or give me a call any time!

Got Our Poultry In A Row

For the first time in in a while, both the Alaska House and Senate announced organizations before Turkey Day. In the past the Senate’s cut it down to the wire—including going well past the Christmas goose in 2020. You may recall the House took into the session itself more than once.

The speed is good news for efficiency but getting it right is more important than doing it fast. People impact policy, after all. But you can take heart: the Senate will look very similar to the last two years. Most leadership positions will stay the same, and it will be a large, bipartisan majority.

The House will see bigger changes. For the first time I can recall, we’ll have genuinely bipartisan majorities in both the House and the Senate simultaneously, with robust power sharing between Democrats and Republicans across the institution.

So does this mean nothing but good news from here on in? An immediate school funding increase, a return to pensions for public employees next month, and a chicken in every pot? Unfortunately this is where I remind you it takes at least 40 votes to override the governor’s veto—45 for spending or revenue measures.

That couples with the fact that the governor's allies will have a slightly stronger hand in the Senate and only a slightly weaker one in the House. Six Senate Republicans formed a formal Minority caucus, so they'll all have seats on committees, including two on both Resources and Finance. The House Majority organization so far has only the minimum 21 members, so there will be a strong Minority on that side. (Albeit one that has already weakened itself by issuing ugly snubs to a couple of its less radical members.)

Put it all together, and there's room to get a lot of real work done. But we’ll really have to rise with the rooster to do it.

Speaking with folks at the Alaska Travel Industry Association conference. I joined some of my colleagues from around the state to talk about why stabilizing the state budget is so important for the private sector economy.

Labor Day in November

This year Alaska voters delivered an extra labor day at the election. Ballot Measure 1 increases the minimum wage, provides paid sick leave, and prohibits “captive audience” meetings unrelated to the job itself. They're good changes for Alaska.

During the campaign, there were a lot of questions about the paid sick leave rules. The initiative lets a worker use sick leave when they need to care for a family member or someone “whose close association is the equivalent of a family relationship.” Employers are looking for clarity on what precisely that means.

Employees will also get to keep their accrued sick leave when “an employer succeeds or takes the place of an existing employer.” That language prevents some foreseeable loopholes that could stiff workers, but might also need some clarifying so it doesn't unintentionally twist the business landscape.

I understand there are conversations happening with the Department of Labor and business groups now to try and fine-tune the rules by regulation. That's probably the most efficient approach. If for some reason a question can't be settled that way, the legislature can get involved.

While Alaska law stops the legislature from repealing a ballot measure until two years after the voters pass it, we can amend it. That's happened several times. Hopefully, we'll soon see the benefits for Alaska workers and our economy without the need for any big political gyrations.

JEDC hosted a night where we discussed the state oif the capital city's economy and what's ahead. Thanks to Brian Holst and the JEDC staff for all their hard work for Southeast workers and businesses!

Sweet 16?

After putting out his budget proposal for next year, the governor surprised us in late December with a planned new executive order. On December 20 he announced he'll create a shiny new Department of Agriculture. It's to take effect with the new budget year, but there was no mention of the price.

There's no question Alaska agriculture could use a boost. We can grow more of our own food in the Great Land, and we probably should. We can certainly stand to diversify our export economy, too. At the same time, there's no such thing as a free lunch. Not even if you grow it yourself.

Creating a new department with its own commissioner's office, budget team, etc. adds at least $1.9 million to the state's yearly spending. I base that on the cheapest commissioner's offices and administrative services shops I can find in the budget for the other 15 principal departments of the executive branch. Of course, that's just the ongoing price—it doesn't account for the multi-million dollar upfront costs of disentangling departments. That doesn't show up on the books. It just gets wrung out of other work people used to do. (The work of splitting the former Department of Health & Social Services into two is still years from completion, and consumes quite a few state workers' full-time duties, to say nothing of IT contractors, etc...)

Consider the fact Alaska spends about $7.2 million on agriculture each year right now. A department split boosts that by more than 26%.

It makes me wonder: is millions of dollars' worth of new letterhead and executives the way to go? Might we get farther spending the same amount on workers who actually sell farm land or issue aquaculture leases? Marketers who help connect Alaska products to buyers? Techs and vets to do fast, cheap inspections of plant and animal products so farmers, ranchers, and growers can get their products to market quickly and at good prices?

There is a decent argument for splitting the Department of Natural Resources in two. Since before I was born, oil, gas, and mining have dominated every commissioner's time and work. Agriculture, parks, forestry, land management, fire prevention, and water issues have taken a very distant backseat for a long, long time. Maybe dividing DNR into a department focused on renewable resources, separate from one dedicated to resource extraction, would really bring benefits to all Alaskans. But even that's a big question mark. It's your money, what do you think?

Juneau Contra Dance

On Jan. 11, dance the night away to live music! You don’t need a partner or any experience. Just come and have a good time!

Juneau Baby Raven Reads

Bring the kids (under 5) on Jan. 11 for stories and songs exploring Alaska Native culture!

Juneau Author Talk

On Jan. 15, hear Juneau author Ken Post talk about his book based on his career in the Forest Service in Alaska!

Juneau Alaska Theater Festival

From Jan. 31-Feb. 2, join the fun with the Alaska Theater Festival! You can listen to live plays (including new group-written plays by Juneau high school students performed by professional actors) either on the radio, or get in-studio tickets. 

Gustavus 70’s Dance Party

Time to get groovy (& support the kids too!) This student trip fundraiser on Jan. 18 will be a blast with 70’s music, dancing, a best-dressed contest, and more!

Gustavus Second Saturday Market

On Jan. 11, come to the Community Center to check out January’s Second Saturday Market!

Gustavus Maker Meeting

Come to the library Wednesday evenings to work on art projects, get inspiration, and socialize with other makers!

Skagway Music Saturday

On Jan. 11, head to the Skagway library to make music. Open to all and you don’t even need your own instrument!

Skagway Book Club

On. Jan. 26 join a great discussion about this month’s book: Snow Falling on Ceders.

Haines River Talk

On Jan. 15, come listen to (or share) a seven minute story. This month’s theme: Holiday Hullabaloo!

Haines RISK

Come to the library for a game of RISK on Jan. 10. Learn geography, cooperation, and strategy and have a great time too!

Haines Game Day for Kids

Want to solve a mystery? Bring the kids on Jan. 15 for Clue & other board games.

Haines Armchair Travelers

Come hear about Bushwacks from Hell and learn about Southeast adventures on Jan. 15.

Klukwan Beading Class

On Jan. 11, join introduction to beading!

Klukwan HARK

HARK will be back on Jan. 16 to do nail clippings and vaccinations for our furry friends!

Is there an event in our district I should know about? Please call or email!

Want to Send Snail Mail?

Alaska State Capitol

Room 514

Juneau, AK 99801

You Can Call:

800 550 4947

907 465 4947

Or Email Me!