A Bit of Progress A Bit of Progress February 14, 2020 Dear Friends and Neighbors, Happy Friday! This year is the 75th anniversary of passage of the Alaska Territorial Legislature passing the 1945 Anti-Discrimination Act. (Don't miss Elizabeth Peratrovich Day celebrations. Supporting our ferries on the Capitol steps. Bettye Today we honored an extraordinary Alaska woman, naming a committee room after the late Sen. Bettye Davis. She was a tireless advocate for Alaska kids. Even when the going got tough, she always stood up for what's right. I worked for and around Bettye, and I'm so very glad we will have a committee room named in her honor. I made a few comments on the Senate Floor today when the resolution came up for a vote (including her...challenging...travel schedule.) Remembering Sen. (also Vice Chair, School Board Member, Rep., ...) Bettye Davis Bad Roll The governor's proposed bill to run lotteries (plus) in Alaska is snake eyes in my book. There's no question Alaska needs diverse revenue measures. But this idea is like stepping out in front of a bus to pick up 50 cents in the gutter. The many other states who've tried lotteries as a revenue idea give us all the evidence we need: a lottery acts as a tax on the poor. And it preys on people with gambling addictions. The last thing our state needs is another addiction problem adding to public costs. Then there's the economic impact of wringing more money out of low-income Alaskans (who tend to spend it in our local economies) than anyone else. That means lottery revenue would hurt the economy more than other forms of tax. The Department of Revenue doesn't estimate a lottery could bring anything near enough money to fill the budget gap. Though they do expect we'd get more revenue if we used more habit-forming games. That may help explain why the bill says a "lottery" is whatever the proposed new board says it is: like video casino terminals, or animated roulette. And how much would it cost to set up this new operation? The estimate is $3 million in cash but then the brand-new board would have to borrow the (indeterminate) rest. Alaska needs revenue. But not at the cost of a new, expensive addiction crisis that targets the most vulnerable Alaskans. And not at the price of $3 million+ just to debt-finance a tax on people who are bad at math. This was our last week of visits from Juneau eighth graders. It's always great to get their ideas on building a better future for our state. Recall Recap Just a quick update on the recall effort: the Supreme Court hears oral arguments on March 25. In the meantime, they decided today the recall campaign can collect signatures after all. I imagine those booklets to be on the streets for signatures in the next few weeks. Celebrating the vote in Senate Resources Committee to move Rep. Hannan's bill protecting the Funter Bay cemetery. Moving Memorial I couldn't be more pleased to help advance Rep. Sara Hannan's bill to protect the Unangax cemetery in Funter Bay. During World War II, the Unangax people were forced off the Pribilof Islands to live in poorly maintained camps in Southeast Alaska. Families were separated, men forced into labor, and homes and villages razed. Too many died. The bill will protect the graveyard at Funter and provide a memorial for—and a reminder of—these Alaskans. We moved the bill from the Senate Resources committee Wednesday, one step closer to passing. Let's Talk Numbers This coming week is your first chance to comment on next year's budget. The House Finance Subcommittees have proposed some pretty substantial changes to the governor's proposal, from adding $18.7 million for AMHS to putting back $1 million for public broadcasting. The House Finance Committee takes testimony on the following dates: In Juneau - Wednesday, Feb. 19 from 5-6pm. Come to the Capitol or call 907-586-9085. From Haines, Skagway, Gustavus, or Klukwan - Saturday, Feb. 22 from 12-3pm. Call 844-586-9085. 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 Juneau Capital City Fire and Rescue Ice Safety Presentation Learn tips and tricks to stay safe on the ice on Feb. 15. Here’s everything you need. Juneau Elizabeth Peratrovich Day Celebration Join ANS & ANB to celebrate Elizabeth Peratrovich Day on Feb. 16. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Anti-Discrimination Act. See all the event details here. Juneau Rainforest Classic Hockey Tournament Register as an individual or as a team for this tournament on Feb. 21-23. See details here. Haines History Day Awards Ceremony Come to the Sheldon Museum for this great event and see the History Day Projects of Mrs. Andriesen’s social studies class on Feb. 24. Here are the details. Haines AHA First Aid CPR AED Join the Haines Volunteer Fire Department to learn how to provide first aid, CPR, and use a defibrillator on Feb. 27. See the details. Skagway Save Our Ferries Rally Bring your posters and join community members to rally for our ferries on Feb. 15. Plus send postcards to my colleagues about how much the ferries mean to our communities. See more information. Skagway Skate Night Have fun at this skate night for all ages at the Rec Center on Feb. 15. Here are the details. Gustavus Moose Information Meeting ADF&G’s hosting an informational meeting on moose hunting and they’re looking for community input on how to cut down on illegal moose harvest on Feb. 27. See more here. Klukwan Holiday Observance Just a reminder–the Tribal office and Library will be closed on Monday Feb. 17 in observance of Elizabeth Peratrovich Day. Haines Chamber of Commerce Casino Night & Dance Party Join in for dancing and a casino night after the (already sold out) auction on Feb. 15. I’ll be there helping with the auction. Hope to see you while I’m in town! Here are the details. 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]