Whatever Floats Your Budget
April 14, 2023
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Dear Friends and Neighbors, |
Today was the 88th day of session. With just under five weeks left, some stress cracks are starting to show. But we won't let those get in the way of the work we're doing!
Probably.
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Three hours of public testimony can leave you looking tired, but there are few things more important. |
Two Places at Once
Next year's budget is pulling off a magic trick right now: it’s in two places at once.
For reasons I don't quite get, the House amended and fought over the budget, but they haven’t voted to send a bill over to the Senate yet so we can do our part. It's been on their calendar eight times over the past two weeks, but hasn't passed.
So, since we’re getting tight on time, the Senate is moving our version of the budget forward anyway. Subcommittees on each department finished this week. The nonpartisan Legislative Finance folks are rolling them all together and we'll work on tweaks to that next week.
In the committees I chaired, we recommended adding funding for rural public radio, housing help for for people getting out of prison, and a plan for the Department of Corrections to handle folks who show up at prison with serious health problems.
I also sit on the Fish & Game subcommittee, where we added money for DIPAC to keep brooding king salmon for roadside sport fishing opportunities. (The department had reduced that long-time arrangement without consulting the legislature.)
Other subcommittees made good changes too: adding funding for AMHS to make up for federal money we can’t use to run the boats, more funding for Alaska Legal Services, and denying the request to put money towards our state defense force to (mostly) duplicate work the National Guard already does.
Of course, some things need fixing, too. ASMI funding got reduced, and the governor's request to take over wetland dredge & fill permits stayed in. There's no new help for child care.
This is where you come in.
On Thursday morning at 9am, we're taking public testimony on the operating and capital budgets. It's your chance to call in or stop by and tell us—in two minutes or less—what matters to you. The details are below.
Eventually, the two versions of the budget will connect. I want to make sure it meets Alaskans' needs. The best way to do that is for Alaskans to show up and tell us what those are!
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Finalizing the Department of Corrections budget. |
Drowning in Money?
This week the Finance Committee took public testimony on the bill to increase education funding. The education advocates—especially Montessori kids who came to the Capitol—were excellent.
There were also several questions. Predictably, some folks asked whether we should prioritize catching up on education funding, or paying larger PFDs. That's not an either/or, but most testifiers encouraged the legislature to focus on our constitutional obligation: schools.
A more intriguing question was whether schools could even spend the kind of money SB 52 proposes giving them. It's been so long since we inflation-adjusted school funding that the bill proposes about a 17% bump in year one. Can districts handle that sort of deluge of cash responsibly?
Well… yes.
School districts' fixed costs are skyrocketing. Buying insurance for buildings isn't optional. Neither is filling the school heating fuel tank, or putting food in the cafeteria. Like everything these days, those costs are rising fast.
Bus companies around the state have been raising driver pay. They pass that—along with the rising cost of diesel fuel—along to districts, too.
The cost of health insurance is also up. In theory a district might pass some of that one along to employees. But Alaska schools are sinking quickly out of the range of competitive pay as other education systems around the country hike compensation. If we want to keep the classrooms staffed with teachers and aides, part of an education funding boost needs to go into pay and benefits.
All of that is before a school district looks at bringing back a vocational program it cut to save money. Or an art class. Or lowering class sizes.
So it turns out we don’t need to worry about drowning our schools with dough. It would be nice if we had that kind of cash. For today, our classrooms need enough money to float them back up off the rocks.
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Thanks and congratulations to the 2023 UA/Ted Stevens Foundation interns for their work at the Capitol! From left to right: Christopher Morse, Gaby Gonzalez, Emilie Vigneau, Kali Spencer, Almeria Alcantra, Griffen Sukkaew, Caleb Yabes, Billy Henthorn, & Jon Hough. Not pictured: Sky Meersman. |
First Goodbyes
In the Capitol, interns work full-time as staff in a legislative office during session while attending academic seminars and conducting a research project.
With day 90 approaching, most 2023 interns will conclude their time with the program. On the bright side for Capitol denizens, four of the ten will stay with until the constitutional end of session. I'm thrilled that includes Caleb Yabes, who does excellent work in my office.
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Did someone forward you this newsletter and now you want your very own copy?
Did you fall into it through the series of tubes but now you want it sent straight to you?
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Events & Happenings Around District B |
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Juneau Coast Guard Band
The US Coast Guard Band will perform at Thunder Mountain High School April 22! It’s free, but you need to register.
Juneau Totem Pole Trail Ceremony
On April 22, come celebrate the completion of 12 totem poles for Kootéeya Deiyí! Be sure to watch the Grand Entrance at 11am!
Juneau Alzheimer’s Association
On May 1, visit the Mendenhall Valley Library at 6:30pm to learn more about the latest in Alzheimers and Dementia research.
Juneau Little Women
UAA Theater & Dance has a fresh take on the classic coming of age story! Show runs April 7 to April 23!
Juneau Maritime Festival
Juneau Travel Fair
Stop by the JAHC from 10am to 2pm April 22 to attend this annual event! Connect with the tourism industry and see what this summer season has in store.
Juneau Open Mic & Art Night
Gustavus Talent Show
Make the most of your 10 minutes to impress the crowd at the Community Center! 6pm on May 5.
Gustavus Community Clean Up
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Skagway Spring Festival
Skagway Art Show
See artist’s pieces at the annual Spring Show of Winter Work! Artists can drop off their work Thursday, April 18. The show will be held April 20 - 23 at the AB Hall.
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!
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.
Haines River Talk
Seven speakers, seven stories, (seven minutes each), and seven dollars at 7 o’clock. Drop by the Chilkat Center on April 21 for stories and music!
Haines Spring Fling
Haines Story Time
Stories and songs for children and the young-at-heart! Every Monday and Friday in the library at 11:00 am.
Haines Portable Southeast
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Is there an event in our district I should know about? Please call or email!
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Want to Send Snail Mail?
Alaska State Capitol
Room 514
Juneau, AK 99801
You Can Call:
800 550 4947
907 465 4947
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Contact My Staff,
the people who power the work:
Aurora Hauke
907 465 5051
Caleb Yabes
907 465 4947
Ella Adkison
907 465 6419
Cathy Schlingheyde
907 465 6827
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