Hey East Anchorage,

I hope you and your family are enjoying the fall season. This is a quick update on the PFD, election reminder, bills I passed this year, UA internship opportunity, and community councils in the district.

PFD Season is Here

On October 3, eligible Alaskans will start receiving their PFD check by direct deposit. Paper checks will be mailed 24 for applicants who filed by hard copy or chose to receive a paper check. This year, the combined total of the PFD and energy relief check will be $1,702.

The statutory formula would have made the PFD $3,570. But with the State giving the oil industry $800 million in oil tax credits, $400 million in tax write-offs for the Willow project, and another $175 million to Hilcorp for the S-corporation tax loophole, every man, woman and child in Alaska is giving about $1,800 of their PFD to the oil industry.

You can still register to vote!

The last day to register to vote or change your current registration before the next election is October 6. Absentee and Early voting begins on October 21, through Election Day of November 5. 

Learn more about election deadlines, ranked choice voting, find your precinct and polling places, and much more at elections.alaska.gov. 

Turning Grants into Trails

After groundbreaking the construction last year (pictured above), Eklutna Lakeside Trail officially reopened this week. The legislature approved a grant to repair this multi-use trail that had collapsed into the lake due to erosion. Big thanks to Alaska Trails for their advocacy and work, and to Alaska State Parks for expanding the parking area for ATVs at the trailhead.

Turning Bills into Law

This summer, two bills I passed this session became law. SB 152 was signed into law at the site of a future Chugach Electric community energy project, pictured below. It allows for virtual net metering, enabling multiple ratepayers to pool resources and benefit from a single renewable energy project. This will enable homeowners and tenants who lack access to individual renewable energy installations to enjoy cost savings and reliability benefits. Thanks to AKPIRG, Chugach Electric, GVEA, Alaska Center, the Governor and staff, and many more for making this possible. 

Another bill I sponsored this legislature, SB 154, became law without signature this summer. This bill established a bidder preference for state contracts to support veterans and servicemembers transitioning to civilian employment. Thanks to the provision added by my colleagues Rep. Groh and Senator Kawasaki, the bill also established the Military Family Help Desk to serve as a central point of contact for military families to access state services. 

Learn more about the Alaska Senate's accomplishments here.

Ted Stevens Legislative Intern Kaleb Callahan helped pass SB 154 into law during his internship in my office this session. If you or someone you know is a UA student interested in serving in a state legislative office, where they can earn 12 credits, please learn more about this program. Any major is welcome. Applications are accepted online and are due at the end of October. To learn more and apply, please click here.

Meet Your Neighbors, Get Involved

Community Councils are also back in full swing. Below are links and info for the next community council meetings of Senate District K:

Russian Jack: Wed, October 9, 6:30 PM at Zion Lutheran Church and Zoom.

Northeast: Thursday, October 17, 7:00 PM at Creekside Park Elementary and Zoom.

Scenic Foothills: Thursday, November 7, 6:30 PM, at Congregation Beth Sholom and Zoom.

Senator Wielechowski speaking at the August meeting of Northeast Community Council

Senators Tobin, Dunbar, Wielechowski and Reps. Gray and Mears present a citation honoring Pena Place Market last weekend, Sept 21

Please feel free to reach out to my office if you need assistance or want to share an idea or have a question. I’m always happy to help.

Warmly,