Dept. of Transportation released the road projects that will be funded in the next four years, we welcome a new team member, and more.

View this email in your browser ([link removed])
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** Abbott Loop: We Need Your Feedback!
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The Abbott Loop Community Council and Anchorage Parks and Rec are working together to collect ideas for improvements to the Spruce and Winchester parks. Once they have gathered community input, they plan to prioritize the ideas which are most important to the neighborhood and seek out municipal funding in the coming years.

If you live in the area and have thoughts, your voice is important to the process: Please take a moment to submit your comments here >> ([link removed])
September 6, 2023
This legislative interim continues to be unusually busy! We have had community meetings about transportation, many conferences, local events, and trips within Alaska, not to mention a few committee hearings in the mix and all of the many conversations with constituents and stakeholders across our magnificent state.

A few highlights include having been among the fortunate few to participate in a legislative delegation that made a visit to Unalaska/Dutch Harbor. While there, we were able to hear from members of the community and see the many prospects and projects that are under way. They are doing great work out there in the incredible setting of the Aleutians!

Chugach Electric invited me to take a tour of their facilities to get a better understanding of what they are doing to improve the production and delivery of electrical power. It was a great tour, and I was truly impressed by the quality of the maintenance and improvement projects that they are doing.

Lastly, I was quite honored to be the only Alaska legislator to participate in the guided tour of the Port of Alaska during Transportation Secretary Buttigieg's visit to Alaska. It was a great tour, and I believe that the Secretary and his team received a very useful download of information
–almost say a masterclass presentation–on the reality of living and working in Alaska. It seemed to me that eyes were opened during his visit.

The main theme of all of this activity continues to be how we can maximize opportunity in our state via responsible resource development while exploring how we can leverage improved mobility along with emerging and developing energy technologies to continue to drive our economy into the future.

As many of you know, I am relentlessly optimistic that the future is bright for Alaska if we collectively get our priorities straight and work together to achieve them!

There's much more below, so as always, please take a look, and let me know if you have any questions or comments!

Thank you for subscribing and taking the time to review our updates. Please remember that you can keep up with day-to-day things on our Facebook page. ([link removed]) As always, feel free to reach out if there is anything I or my team can do for you!



** Sharing the Importance of the Port of Alaska with our Federal Partners
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Earlier this month, I joined Mayor Bronson, members of his team, and a few members of the Anchorage Assembly to meet with US Secretary of Transportation, Pete Buttigieg, and show him around the Port of Alaska.

As expected, the ongoing Port of Alaska Modernization Program was the focus of our conversation. Secretary Buttigieg received a very informative briefing from our combined delegation on the project’s work, how critically important the Port of Alaska is for food and goods security for our entire state, and the port’s strategic role in our national defense.

We stressed the failing condition of the existing port structure which is now necessitating the need for federal funding. We also emphasized the need for more streamlined federal permitting processes to ensure that critical infrastructure and development projects can more reliably move from the planning to construction phases.

I was very encouraged by Secretary Buttegieg's closing comments at the press conference which I took to be very supportive of the ongoing port improvements. I look forward to seeing progress in Washington on these issues that are so important to Alaska.

If you are interested in learning more about the Port of Alaska and the ongoing project, I encourage you to check out this informative video >> ([link removed])
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This is a piling taken from the Port of Alaska's main cargo terminal dock. Many of the pilings are in a similar state of corrosion, making the docks incredibly susceptible to earthquakes and even large tides and storms. With 60% of the state's goods coming through the Port of Alaska in Anchorage, the need for the replacement project to move forward swiftly has never been greater.


** Help us Welcome Edison!
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This year, I have the great pleasure of mentoring a student through Anchorage School District's Gifted Mentorship Program ([link removed]) . My team and I are excited to have Edison Wallace Moyer join us this winter to get a behind-the-scenes look at public service and the legislative process.

While her mentorship officially begins in November, look out for her at some of our upcoming events! Welcome to the team, Edison!


** Chugach Electric Visit and Energy Topics
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Chugach Electric invited me to tour their Southcentral Power plant facilities. I learned about their ongoing projects to improve reliability while also addressing cost and emissions. The grouping of white boxes in the background are brand new Tesla battery modules that will be used to improve grid reliability! Providing reliable and affordable energy to residents of Southcentral Alaska is critical to the economic development of our state.

I was impressed with the level of maturity of the organization's project portfolio and management of that portfolio. I have had many conversations with departments, organizations, and other groups regarding project management and various ways that projects can be managed, sometimes organizations don't have fully developed project management processes. With Chugach Electric, I was pleased with how knowledgeable the project teams were and my confidence in these energy projects only grew after these conversations.

On a similar topic, I have my final two energy conferences to attend this fall, one in Colorado in September, and the last in October in Washington DC. As promised in my last edition, I will give a much more detailed report later in the year, when I have fully processed what will be almost a month's worth of lectures, workshops, and presentations!


** Transportation Projects Coming to Anchorage in 2024
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The Senate and House Transportation Committees held a joint hearing on August 22nd to discuss the Department of Transportation's new 2024-2030 Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP). The STIP is prepared and released every four years and formalizes upcoming transportation projects around the state and finalizes a funding schedule for the next four years.

DOT has done good work this year to make the STIP easier to access and read. There are a number of Anchorage-specific projects planned and I encourage you to take a look to see if any of these projects affect you: Check out the STIP here >> ([link removed])

Go back and watch the committee meeting here >> ([link removed])
Look through the Presentation Slide Deck here >> ([link removed])

If you have questions or concerns about any of these projects, please don't hesitate to reach out.
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** It Was Great to See You!
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Earlier in August, Representative Coulombe and I hosted a Community Event at the Zoo. It was great to go into more depth about the issues that are on your mind. Ongoing road projects (the Seward Highway upgrades from O'Malley to Dimond in particular) and Firewise were top issues of the evening. The money we secured for fire mitigation and fuel reduction on the Hillside is en route—work on the project should begin in the next year. My office will continue to work on these issues and is always available to be a resource for you. Feel free to give me a call or send me an email anytime!

A big thank you to Rep Coulombe, HALO, Hillside Community Council, Huffman/O'Malley Community Council, and Abbott Loop Community Council. And thanks to the Alaska Department of Transportation, Dept. of Public Safety, Dept. of Natural Resources, Firewise, Fire Station 8, and the Anchorage Police Department for coming out to be a resource for our community!


** Community Bulletin
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** 📌
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** Hillside Community Council, September Meeting
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TODAY, September 6, 6:30-8:00PM
In-person at Shepherd of the Hills Church, 11600 Elmore Rd, Anchorage, AK 99516
Also available on Zoom: Zoom Link ([link removed]) | Passcode: 372912

Agenda items include: Updates from elected officials, Department of Transportation & Public Facilities Projects discussion (presented by Sean Baski, P.E., Highway Design Chief
Central Region Highway Design Section), and more.
Full agenda available here >> ([link removed])


** 📌
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** Hillside Home & Land Owners (HALO) Meeting
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TOMORROW, Thursday, September 7, Begins 7:00PM
In-person at Shepherd of the Hills Church, 11600 Elmore Rd, Anchorage, AK 99516
Also available on Zoom: Meeting ID 455 419 5765, Passcode HALO

Agenda items include: Presentation by Dr. Jen Schmidt of UAA's ISER office on her new program which shows wildfire behavior and movement throughout the Hillside.
Full agenda available here >> ([link removed])


** 📌
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** Huffman/O'Malley Community Council Meeting
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Thursday, September 21, Begins 7:00PM
In-person at Huffman Elementary School, 12000 Lorraine St, Anchorage, AK 99516
Also available on Zoom: Zoom Link ([link removed]) | Meeting ID: 941 5287 1929 | Passcode: 320438

Full agenda will be available here >> ([link removed])


** 📌
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** Abbott Loop Community Council Meeting
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Thursday, September 28, 6:30-8:30PM
In-person at Trailside Elementary, 5151 Abbott Rd, Anchorage, AK 99507

Full agenda will be available here >> ([link removed])
AKLeg Contacts:
Rep. Julie Coulombe ( ([link removed]) HD 11 ([link removed]) ) ([link removed]) - 465-3879 (tel:907-465-3879)
Rep. Calvin Schrage ( ([link removed]) HD 12 ([link removed]) ) ([link removed]) - 465-4931 (tel:907-465-4931)

Find your Community Council: Online here ([link removed])
or call 277-1977 (tel:907-277-1977)

-Municipality of Anchorage ([link removed]) -
-Assembly Members ([link removed]) -

Anc School District: 742-4000 (tel:907-742-4000)
Anc School Board: 742-1101 (tel:907-742-1101)
Anc Pothole Hotline: 343-8277 (tel:907-343-8277)

My bills
SB 20/SJR 4: ([link removed]) Proposes functional spending cap which constructively links our private sector performance (measured by GDP) and government spending.
SB 21: ([link removed]) Reorganizes the Executive Budget Act to integrate the planning and budgeting processes used by the executive and legislative branches.
SB 25 (PASSED): ([link removed]) Repealing statutory funds that have been replaced or have long been unused.
SB 26: ([link removed]) Creating a specialty license plate honoring peace officers who have died in the line of duty.
SB 33 (PASSED AS HB 62): ([link removed] 33) Extends the Renewable Energy Grant Fund which allows communities across Alaska to pursue renewable projects that reduce the high cost of gas.
SB 34: ([link removed] 34) Reauthorizes CACFA ([link removed]) which helps Alaskans navigate complex federal land access and land use regulations and works with federal agencies to ensure Congressional intent is implemented with respect to Alaska’s interests.
SJR 9: ([link removed]) Protects the Permanent Fund and dividend through a constitutional amendment. Solidifying a POMV structure and dividend split which would both be set out in law.
SB 134: ([link removed]) Sets up a system to better protect sensitive personal information held by insurance companies from cyberattacks.
Learn more about the work we are doing at SenatorKaufman. ([link removed]) com ([link removed])
Track bills by texting a bill number to 559-245-2529 (tel:559-245-2529) or by visiting akleg.gov

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The Vision
A state where our society thrives, our people prosper, and our constituents experience a high-level of wellbeing. We will achieve this through a limited, accountable, efficient, and transparent government which provides opportunities and respects personal freedoms.

The Mission
Champion continuous improvement and best management practices to balance Alaska’s budget, protect the Permanent Fund, and lay the groundwork for prosperity for years to come.

Get ahold of us!
** [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]?subject=Newsletter%3A%20&body=Dear%20Senator%20Kaufman%2C%0A%0A%0A%0A%0A%5BYour%20name%5D%0A%5BYour%20street%20address%5D%0A%5BGood%20ways%20for%20us%20to%20contact%20you%5D)
| ** (907) 465-4949 (tel:907-465-4949)
| ** Check out our Website ([link removed])


We still like Snail-Mail:
During Session (January - May): Alaska State Capitol, Room 115, Juneau, AK 99801
During Interim (June-December): 1500 W Benson Blvd, Anchorage, AK 99503
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