Hey East Anchorage,

This is a quick update before the holidays on Anchorage School District school closures, the Governor's proposed FY2026 budget, Senate Majority organization, and more.

Anchorage School District Will Keep Wonder Park and Baxter Elementary Schools Open, Close Nunaka Valley Elementary School

I've had numerous meetings with Anchorage School Board members and School District Administration officials in recent weeks about the proposed school closures in East Anchorage. While I was happy the School Board recognized how important it is to keep Wonder Park Elementary and Baxter Elementary open, on Dec 17, the ASD School Board voted to close Lake Hood and Nunaka Valley Elementary schools following summer 2025. School District Administration officials cited there are only 39 children in the Nunaka Valley school boundary who attend the school as a major reason they sought to repurpose it.

I reached out to ASD immediately after the closure vote about what will happen at Nunaka Valley Elementary now that it is slated for closure. Decisions have not yet been made, but there is discussion about placing a charter school there.

ASD will also consider using school facilities for a pilot child care program, which could be a great help not only to our local families, but our neighborhood educators as well.

The School Board passed an amendment committing to revisit their decision on school closures if the legislature passes an increase to the base student allocation (BSA) next session. This session, the Senate Majority has again made adequate funding for public education a top priority.

Rep. Donna Mears, Sen. Bill Wielechowski, and Rep.-elect Ted Eischeid pause for a Senate District K selfie at Bartlett High School. They attended many community dialogues about ASD school closures to advocate for East Anchorage schools.

Proposed FY26 Budget

On Thursday, December 12, the Governor released his proposed FY2026 budget. The $14.2 billion budget included a full statutory PFD and a $1.52 billion budget deficit that relies on savings to balance it.

While oil prices are projected to drop slightly and oil production is projected to drop over 10,000 barrels per day, the largest causes of the deficit include roughly $500+ million in tax breaks granted for the Willow project. This project is on federal land, for which the State of Alaska gets zero royalties. Another issue is that the State continues to allow another $600+ million in oil tax credits. Further, the State is losing roughly $175 million per year in revenue from the Hilcorp S-Corp loophole, which allows them to pay zero corporate income taxes

The Governor's proposed budget is the "first draft" of our state's spending plan that the Legislature will deliberate and amend throughout the legislative session. The Legislature convenes in Juneau on Tuesday, January 21.

Senate Majority Coalition

For the second term in a row, the Senate organized a bipartisan coalition and my colleagues again selected me as the Senate Rules Chair, a senior member of the Senate leadership team.

In my role as the Rules Chair, I am in charge of calendaring bills for a full vote of the Senate when they have enough support. I also ensure the administrative and day-to-day business of the Senate run smoothly.

Below are the Senate Committee Chairs for the 34th Alaska State Legislature (2025-2026):

• Community & Regional Affairs: Sen. Kelly Merrick (R-Eagle River)
• Education: Sen. Löki Tobin (D-Anchorage) 
• Health & Social Services: Sen. Forrest Dunbar (D-Anchorage)
• Judiciary: Sen. Matt Claman (D-Anchorage)
• Labor & Commerce: Sen. Jesse Bjorkman (R-Nikiski)
• Resources: Sen. Cathy Giessel (R-Anchorage)
• State Affairs: Sen. Scott Kawasaki (D-Fairbanks)
• Transportation: Sen. Jesse Bjorkman (R-Nikiski)
• Legislative Budget & Audit: Sen. Elvi Gray-Jackson (D-Anchorage)
• Legislative Council: Vice-Chair, Sen. Gary Stevens (R-Kodiak)
• Joint Armed Services: Co-Chair - Sen. Scott Kawasaki (D-Fairbanks)
• Special Committee on World Trade: Sen. Gary Stevens (R-Kodiak), Sen. Cathy Giessel (R-Anchorage)
• Special Committee on Arctic Affairs: Sen. Gary Stevens (R-Kodiak), Sen. Cathy Giessel (R-Anchorage)

Full committee membership will be released on the first day of the legislative session.

Coming Soon to Your Mailbox

My annual survey will be hitting mailboxes soon with hard copy and digital options to complete by Sunday, February 16. These surveys are very helpful for me to help represent East-siders in Juneau.

Senator Wielechowski presents a legislative citation to Mary Pignalberi, thanking her for over 50 years of work in the Alaska tourism industry.

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. Wishing you and yours a happy and safe holiday season!

Warmly,