Standing with Students Standing with Students January 31, 2020 Dear Friends and Neighbors, Session is in full swing. You can tell because I'm already swamped enough I didn't get this newsletter out until after the weekend. As tempting as it is to make a Groundhog Day joke about the big issues repeating themselves for another year, 1) In Alaska we celebrate Marmot Day, and 2) unlike in the cheesy Bill Murray movie, we don't get to do this over and over until we get it right. The ticking clock actually means something! Floyd Dryden Middle School students gave me a real grilling on the Senate floor. Middle School Musings This week, all the eighth graders from Floyd Dryden Middle school visited their Capitol. They came equipped with great questions on topics from the roles and reach of government, to key issues facing Alaska this session, to the impacts of government on our community and daily lives. These kids were sharp. Some were looking for answers to tough questions, and some were ready to push back on what they thought Alaska's government has wrong. The best conversations are sometimes with people who don't see things the same way, and the students get full marks for their respectful, serious approach. (Their parents and teachers deserve some credit, too!) My special thanks to the League of Women Voters for their dedication and hard work setting up these visits each year. I look forward to meeting students from DZ, Montessori, and Juneau Community Charter school in the coming weeks. Talking with this year's legislative interns -- from UAS and around the state -- about their interests and what's coming up this session. College Considerations I've had a lot of meetings about University of Alaska this week. We avoided a full fledged fiasco last year, but our problems are far from over. The 'compact' the governor signed with the University means more and more cuts for higher ed, from diesel mechanics to PhDs in fisheries. The Regents signed it to prevent immediate devastation, and so they're not pushing for adequate funding this year. But a compact between the chief executive and an executive branch agency isn't how the state writes budgets. That's the legislature's job. (I wonder if we can find a professor of politics or history to go over that with them?) The university is working on creative ways to bring in more funding from outside the general fund. They know they can't jack up tuition to the point where UA isn't accessible to Alaskans. At the same time, the legislature needs to fund a budget that lets the University provide quality education all around our state. That budget discussion should be between us, the governor, and the voters. Ultimately, this is about Alaska students. We need to make sure they're getting a good education. That's how we build the workforce and the entrepreneurs who will grow our economy into the future. These exchange students from around the world are spending the year in Southeast. It was great to hear their impressions of our country and state. They had some particularly great questions about the unique history of working across the aisle in Alaska! All my best, Did someone forward you this newsletter? Did you fall into it through the series of tubes? Want more? SUBSCRIBE Events around District Q Gustavus First Friday Coffee with the Mayor Come talk one-on-one with Mayor Casipit at the Fireweed on Feb. 7 from 10am to 12pm. Juneau Native Issues Forum I’ll be speaking with Reps. Hannan and Story about the priorities for the legislative session on Feb. 3. Please come and bring your questions! Here are more details. Juneau Veterans Town Hall Come to this town hall with the Alaska VA Healthcare System Director on Feb. 4. See more here. Juneau World Quest Have fun with this quiz game on geography and world affairs on Feb. 7. Here are details. Haines Inner Tube Water Polo Join the fun at the pool on Feb. 1. See all the details here. Haines Father Daughter Dance Dance the night away at this event for all ages on Feb. 1. Here’s more information. Haines Dick Hotch Memorial Basketball Tournament Cheer on the home town this weekend. Games start tonight and the championship is on Sunday! See all the details here. Skagway Mom, Dad, and Me Toddler Time Bring the little ones for a fun time at the Rec Center on Feb. 3. See More here. Is there an event in our district I should know about? Please call or email! Visit Me! Alaska State Capitol Room 419 Juneau, AK 99801 800 550 4947 907 465 4947 Email Me! ‌ ‌ ‌ Contact My Staff: Edric Carrillo 907 465 6419 [email protected] Cathy Schlingheyde 907 465 6827 [email protected] Senator Jesse Kiehl | Alaska State Capitol, Rm. 419, 4th Avenue & Main Street, Juneau, AK 99801 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | About Constant Contact Sent by [email protected]