Hey East Anchorage,

The legislative session came to an end one day early on Tuesday, May 20. In fact, the two bipartisan coalitions in charge of the House and Senate adjourned "on time and under budget." Here are a few updates on what happened this year and what we can continue to work on during in the interim.

Education Funding

To kick things off on the last day of session, the legislature met in a very brief joint session to override the Governor's veto of HB 57, the education bill, by a vote of 46-14. This is the first successful override of a governor's veto in nearly 20 years. This legislation included increased funding for neighborhood, charter and home schools. While only a $20 per student increase over last year’s education funding, the key difference is the funding formula was permanently increased to reflect eight years of inflation. This formula increase is critical because it allows schools to better plan for the future and to hire teachers and reduce class sizes. Among other things, the new bill included a 10% increase in student transportation costs, provisions for charter schools to have shortened approval & appeal times, and a task force to study ways to improve educational outcomes. The underlying bill also became law, which was a companion to what I introduced in SB 18: all school districts will now be required to establish their own policies limiting the use of electronic devices in classrooms.

HB 57 also included a provision that required funding from my bill, SB 113, to fund career and technical education -- more on SB 113 below.

Immediately following adjournment, members of the Senate met with the press to talk about our accomplishments and next priorities.

Budget update

Both the House and Senate worked hard to pass fiscally conservative operating and capital budgets. The Governor initially handed the legislature a $1.5 billion deficit, and unfortunately refused to assist or provide ideas to help balance the budget - instead telling legislators he just expected us to cut the PFD to balance the budget.

The Governor’s refusals to offer cuts, including cutting billions in oil tax credits and deductions, unfortunately have put the Legislature and the people of Alaska in a precarious position . After years of flat-funding and cuts to state agencies, let alone the Permanent Fund Dividend, it is beyond time to modernize our corporate income tax structures to ensure out-of-state businesses pay their share to Alaska, instead of another state. I will continue to work with my colleagues on passing additional revenue in the year ahead.

Legislation Update

As Senate Rules Chair, I'm in charge of calendaring bills that go before the full Senate for consideration. To see a full list of bills passed by either the House, Senate, or both chambers, click here. I'll soon share further details about Senate Majority accomplishments in 2025. Below are some highlights of my personal legislation.

SJR 10 - My resolution to support granting Congressional Medals of Honor to Hmong Veterans passed the Legislature unanimously.

SB 113 - This bill passed both the House and Senate on bipartisan lines, and is estimated to generate $25 million to $65 million in revenue from outside corporations doing business in Alaska online. Click below to watch my floor speech. With the bill's revenue tied to career and technical education funding, I hope the governor will allow it to be come law.

SB 64 - I have been working closely with all caucuses and the Division of Elections to find a compromise on Elections Reform. It is our hope to pass this bill early next session. It is currently in the House Finance Committee.

SR 3 - My resolution to urge Congress to grant American Samoans the ability to serve as commissioned officers and the right to vote in federal elections had wide bipartisan support. This is the beginning of a longer term discussion to ensure our Samoan neighbors have the same rights as citizens of the United States as residents in other American territories.

SB 21 - The Alaska Work & Save Program was passed out of the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee earlier this spring. Over the interim, my staff and I plan to continue to work on this bill ahead of a Senate Finance hearing next session.

SB 22 - The Financial Literacy program bill will be picked up again next year in the Senate Finance Committee. HB 90, the companion bill introduced by Rep. Eischeid, is poised to move from the House Finance Committee and before consideration by the full House early next session.

SB 112 - My legislation to reduce the per-barrel credit for oil companies from a maximum of $8 to $5 is currently in the Senate Resources Committee. Alaskans across the state have made it clear: continuing to subsidize oil corporations and out-of-state billionaires is no longer sustainable. This is legislation was originally offered by Gov. Dunleavy through his Department of Revenue said would have no impact on investment by oil corporations.

SB 149 - I introduced a Renewable Portfolio Standards bill, alongside Rep. Holland's HB 153, to help address the Cook Inlet energy crisis. By diversifying our energy sources, we can reduce our dependence on imported natural gas and enhance our energy security. I will continue to work with all stakeholders on this bill over the interim to find common ground.

SB 186 - I introduced a bill to request a waiver from the U.S. Dept of Agriculture to remove soda as being eligible for purchase using SNAP (food stamps). Restricting soda purchases is a cost-free way to curb the consumption of unhealthy beverages and reduce the risk of obesity, diabetes, and other chronic diseases in Alaska. 

SB 187 - I also introduced a bill to prohibit food dyes in meals provided in public schools. Food dyes are an often overlooked allergen for many people across the nation, and it would benefit kids and adults of all ages to have less exposure to processed chemicals in our food supply.

I spoke on the Senate floor about SB 113. If this bill becomes law, it will help fund an increase to the base student allocation.

Community Events

Save the Date! Rep. Donna Mears and I plan to host a Pizza in the Park on Tuesday, June 17, in the district. I will share additional information when confirmed.

Muldoon Farmers Market opens for the season on Saturday, June 28, from 9:30AM to 3PM at Chanshtnu Park. The "market by the mountains" will be open every Saturday through September 27.

I am looking forward to getting back home in East Anchorage and seeing neighbors throughout the summer. Keep an eye out for events, updates, and more. As always, please feel free to drop me a line via email, Facebook, phone (269-0120), or stop by the Anchorage Legislative Information Office at 1500 W. Benson, room 315. My staff and I are happy to hear from you.

Warmly,