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February 2024
Hello from Juneau,
With the legislative session now in its second month, the Capitol is a busy place. It’s great to be meeting with constituents from across Senate District C.
In the Senate, our objective remains steadfast in seeking solutions to provide essential resources for public schools, ensuring the best possible education for our youngest Alaskans. Additionally, we aim to attract individuals back to the state to bolster our economy through a livable and reasonable retirement. Lastly, finding long-term solutions to address Alaska's railbelt energy needs is paramount to ensuring residents have the energy to heat their homes. As we go through this legislative session, we will continue to work with our counterparts in the House and the Governor while navigating these challenges Alaska faces.
Retention & Retirement
I voted in support of SB 88 which passed the Senate earlier this month. Alaska has been losing valuable teachers, police, and firefighters due to our poor retirement system. Reports show that new employees are less likely to remain in Alaska and more are likely to leave for jobs in other states that provide better retirement programs. Retaining quality employees is a top priority for our Senate Majority. SB 88 allows public employees and teachers to choose between a defined contribution and defined benefit program. The contribution rate can be adjusted to keep the new retirement program solvent. The bill is now in the House and has been referred to the House State Affairs, Labor & Commerce and Finance committees.
Executive Orders
Thank you to everyone who has called in for public testimony and shared their comments with my office regarding the Governor’s 12 Executive Orders which he introduced early this session. I am particularly concerned about the proposed changes to the Alaska Marine Highway Board. Currently, two members are appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, two by the President of the Senate, and two by the governor. The governor’s executive order would give him the authority to appoint all six members.
All 12 executive orders were referred to Senate committees for hearings and public testimony. We have only 60 days (up to March 14th) to approve or disapprove them in a Joint Session. In preparation to potentially reject some or all of the executive orders, the Senate has introduced 12 resolutions of disapproval. These resolutions have also been referred to Senate committees for hearings and each is subject to an up or down vote. Rejection of an executive order takes a majority of the members present in a Joint Session. I am working with the House to coordinate a time where both bodies can have the opportunity to vote.
If you have comments regarding any of these Executive Orders, please share them with my office and the Senate Committee of referral. Our LIOs have been doing a wonderful job including the Executive Order hearings and public testimony schedules in their weekly updates each Friday. Please contact them to get on their email list.
FY 2025 Budget
The Governor released his amended budget on Feb. 15th. Some new additions include:
- $655,000 Seward Bear Creek Service Area Flood Mitigation
- $31.8 million Kodiak Airport Drainage and Ramp Repave - Stage 2
- $4.8 million Seward Highway and Sterling Highway Intersection Improvements
- $11.6 million Seward Highway Milepost 14 Railroad Crossing Reconstruction
- $1 million for Geothermal Energy research surveys
- Funding for a full time Division Director for Victim Services to improve work with troopers and partnering agencies and salary increases for Child Support Enforcement Specialists
- $15 million Broadband Equity grant program for pass-through awards to entities that will implement solutions identified in the AK Digital Equity plan.
I look forward to my work on the Senate Finance Subcommittees to review the budgets and advocate for the services that are important for our district and the state.
Senate Finance will be holding public testimony on the Fiscal year 2025 SB 186 Operating Budget, SB 187 Capital Budget, and SB 188 Mental Health Budget this upcoming week:
- Wednesday Feb. 21 at 9am: Kodiak, Prince William Sound, South East, and Offnet (statewide call in). Sign up by 10:15am.
- Wednesday Feb. 21 at 1pm: Fairbanks, Interior, Copper River Valley, and Offnet (statewide call in). Sign up by 2:45pm.
- Thursday Feb. 22 at 9am: Northern and Western AK, Nome, Dillingham, Bethel, etc. Sign up by 10:15am.
- Thursday Feb. 22 at 1pm: Kenai Peninsula, Anchorage, and Matsu. Please sign up by 2:45pm.
There are 3 ways you can testify:
• Email committee: Senate.Finance.Committee@akleg.gov
• Testify from your local LIO: https://akleg.gov/lios.php
• Call in from own phone: 1-844-586-9085
I anticipate the House Finance committee will also have public testimony on the budget in early to mid-March. You can follow the committee schedules and public testimony opportunities on akleg.gov or contact your regional Legislative Information Office (LIO).
Your comments during public testimony hearings are crucial to helping create a balanced budget that provides services and infrastructure needed in our district and state. You can review the Governor’s proposed and amended budget here: omg.alaska.gov. The House and Senate Finance Committee and subcommittee reports will be posted here once completed: legfin.akleg.gov.
Education Funding
Earlier this month, the House and Senate started discussions on education bill SB 140 to explore options on how the legislature can move forward. This bill now includes a $300 BSA increase and significant policy changes including the loss of control by local school boards, increased classroom sizes, and continued hardship on our dedicated educators. To get to an agreement on the big issues, we may need to wait for the House to pass the bill back to the Senate, then work out the differences in a more formal conference committee. The Senate has continued to advocate for a larger BSA increase to support our schools.
Any further delay in passing SB 140 jeopardizes the bill’s original intent of providing broadband internet funding for schools. This portion of the bill needs to pass by late February or grant funds will be lost. I was pleased to see that the House Finance committee recently held public testimony for HB 193 which contains only the broadband internet funding. Our Senate Finance committee has scheduled this bill for a hearing this coming week pending passage from the House Floor. Our schools deserve support for improved broadband services.
Fisheries & Seafood
The Senate and House sent a joint letter last month to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to request action on the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute’s (ASMI’s) request to purchase Alaska seafood through the USDA Section 32 program. These purchases can help stabilize the seafood market conditions and decrease inventories prior to our upcoming 2024 fishing season. We shared the letter with our Federal legislators, Senators Murkowski and Sullivan and Rep. Peltola, and have been told that they are meeting with USDA officials to discuss the matter.
I have also cosponsored SJR 14 which calls on the U.S. Congress and all federal agencies to adopt policies and engage in efforts to improve the competitiveness and resiliency of Alaska’s seafood industry. This resolution has a hearing in Senate Finance on Feb. 23.
AMHS Funding & Summer Schedule
I was pleased to see the Governor included the $23 million in matching funds for a federal grant of $92 million to replace the Tustumena. An additional $38 million in federal funds has been allocated for improvements to the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS).
The summer AMHS schedule is out. I’m disappointed to see that routes have been scaled back again due to ongoing staffing shortages and maintenance. The schedule is similar to last year with the Kennicott potentially out of service from May to September. If there is an increase in new recruitments, the Kennicott could be placed back on the schedule. May-September the Aurora is scheduled to sail its usual route to Cordova and Tatitlek, including monthly service to Chenega Bay. The Tustumena is scheduled to sail its usual Kodiak route including Homer, Port Lions, Ouzinkie, Old Harbor, and Seldovia. Click here for scheduling.
2024 PFD Applications
Applications for this year’s PFD can be submitted through March 31. You can apply through your My Alaska Account, pfd.alaska.gov, or fill out a paper application and mail in. Our LIOs have paper applications available and can help answer questions you may have. If you do apply by mail, please send your application by certified mail, and request a return receipt.
For Updates on Legislation & Budgets
Senate District C’s Legislative Information Offices (LIOs)
• Cordova LIO (907) 424-5461 LIO.Cordova@akleg.gov
• Homer LIO (907) 235-7878 LIO.Homer@akleg.gov
• Kenai LIO (907) 283-2030 LIO.Kenai@akleg.gov
• Kodiak LIO (907) 486-8116 LIO.Kodiak@akleg.gov
• Seward LIO (907) 224-5066 LIO.Seward@akleg.gov
Gavel Alaska: 360north.org
Live TV - AKleg: akleg.gov/LiveNow.
Bills & Laws: akleg.gov/basis/Home/BillsandLaws
Bill Tracking at akleg.gov/basis/btmf
Legislative Finance: legfin.akleg.gov.
Please keep in touch!
I appreciate hearing from you about legislation, budgets and other state issues. Please do not hesitate to reach out to my office if we can be of assistance to you with state agency matters.
Phone: 907-465-4925
Toll Free: 1-800-821-4925
Email: Sen.Gary.Stevens@akleg.gov
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