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Merry Marmot Day

February 5, 2023

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Happy (belated) marmot day! Alaska law encourages us all to participate in "suitable observances and exercises." If you did that on Thursday, please send a snapshot. I'm really curious.

Read on for some education news, a bill update, and a big 'get' for Southeast Alaska— an important step back toward statewide balance!

I reviewed the most important area of Alaska geography during an important meeting in my office recently. Reed lives in Anchorage most of the year, so it's important to school him up on Southeast.

A Price Well Worth Paying

I had a hearing Thursday on SB12, my address protection bill. It creates an address protection program for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence. It also protects peace and correctional officers. The program gives a substitute P.O. box a person can use any time their address might create a public record: registering to vote, registering a vehicle, getting a property tax bill—things you and I might take for granted. Then the state forwards their mail confidentially to a participant's actual address.

The bill has no opposition so far. But it’s a new state program, and those cost money. more than forty states have some form of address protection program in place. With Alaska's worst-in-the-nation rates of sexual assault and domestic violence it's a price worth paying. I look forward to moving the bill on to the next committee.

Zoom in—you can see Sens. Tobin, Dunbar, & I are all wearing Star Trek insignia. We're thinking of calling it 'the Federation caucus.' Because while corporate brand logos aren't allowed on the Senate floor, there's no rule against displaying nerdy fandoms.

The Third Branch of Government

I don’t write too much about Alaska's third branch of government. We interact with the courts in lots of ways, but almost always at a distance. This past week we spent some time a little closer together.

Retiring Chief Justice Daniel Winfree gave the annual State of The Judiciary speech on Wednesday. He turns 70 in a few days. That's the constitutionally-mandated retirement age for Alaska judges, so he called it the “last stop on the Chief Justice Winfree Farewell Speaking Tour.”

Far funnier than most speeches of its type, this year's SOJ was also more touching and more thought-provoking. The Chief Justice is the first Alaska-born person to hold the job. His affection for the Great Land is clear.

He also took the chance to tell legislators a lot about how Alaska judges approach their jobs, and speak to the importance of the separation of powers. It was a thought-provoking talk, centered on how he and his colleagues strive to deliver justice despite the troubles of our time.

I appreciated hearing about how Alaska's merit-based system of selecting judges frees them from politics and transactional thinking in their decisions. I also rankled at his contention that legislators look at every issue as transactional. Compromise is required in what we do. But his assertion, if true, would leave no role for principle in how we serve Alaskans. And principles do in fact matter.

The 33d Alaska Legislature has a whole lot of brand-new legislators. I think the Chief Justice's educational efforts were time well spent. He sparked more thought and discussion about how we all do our constitutional duties than we usually have time for. That's a good thing in and of itself!

I presided over the Senate technical session Friday morning.

Southeast Opportunity

Last week, people from all over Southeast Alaska came to the capital city for Southeast Conference's annual Mid-Session Summit. While our region's economy isn't 100% recovered, it's improving steadily. So the watchword throughout the conference was 'opportunity.'

Unemployment is down, wages are up, tourism is back, and fisheries are holding steady. But there are also challenges—including attracting enough people to fill the jobs a rebounding economy creates.

Southeast Alaska's unmatched beauty, ample outdoor recreation, and vibrant communities give us an edge. But people also look for stable economies, affordable housing, and good schools when they consider where to live. We're working actively on all three of those issues.

The latest news on schools is that the Senate Education Committee (of which I'm a member) introduced a bill last week to substantially increase education funding for the first time in almost a decade: Senate Bill 54. Alaska schools have suffered from flat funding for years now. That really means they've faced cuts as inflation hollows out the buying power of the school dollar.

It's well past time to fix that. SB 54 adds $1,000 to the base student allocation. That's enough to keep our class sizes from ballooning and our teachers fairly paid.

Well-educated people not only fill today's jobs, they start tomorrow's businesses and build houses and make art and volunteer and do the thousand other things that make our communities amazing. Schools are the bedrock for creating opportunity. My Senate Majority colleagues and I are committed to funding them.

Past Due

When the chief justice spoke last week, he began by introducing his Supreme Court colleagues. That included the person who will fill the vacancy he himself is about to create: Sitka Superior Court Judge Jude Pate.

Soon-to-be Justice Pate plans to keep his chambers at the Dimond Courthouse in Juneau. That means there will be a Southeast Alaska perspective back on our state's highest court. It's been just over a decade since Justice Bud Carpeneti retired, and the First Judicial District's particular perspectives have been missing through that time. I'm excited to see the newest justice's work.

All my best,

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Events & Happenings Around District B

Skagway Story Time

Remember story time with Ms. Anna! It's perfect for kids up to age 3—a fun romp with songs, books, and more. Each Wednesday at the library, 10:30am.

Skagway Late Night Library

Friday nights at 6pm, come to the library for a different activity each week! Crafts, games, and more for ages 10-18!

Juneau Chamber Series

For one performance only, hear Flautist Sally Schlichting play Bach, Verdi, Takemitsu, and more at SLAM on Feb. 11.

Juneau Pawlentines Day

Shop with your furry friend! Downtown merchants are celebrating puppy love February 11 with specials and free belly rubs & head scratches from Noon to 3. (Belly rub offer not available to humans.)

Gustavus Valentine’s Day

What better way to prepare for Valentine’s than baked goods? Come by the Community Center Feb. 12^th at noon for sweets and good company. If you can, bring some baked goods of your own, or kick in a $5 donation.

Gustavus Fiberpaloosa

Learn from and work with fellow fiber artists on Feb. 18^th at 2 pm and on Feb. 19^th at 10am! Come to the Community Center & work on unfinished projects, swap materials, upcycle, and potluck!

Gustavus Health and Social Needs

Learn more about resources and agencies that can help with health and social issues. Visit the Community Center February 10^th at 7pm.