School Books & Ferry Tales School Books & Ferry Tales September 27, 2023 Dear Friends and Neighbors, It's been a minute! I hope you enjoyed our unusually sunny summer. I haven't sent an e-newsletter in a bit, so to help catch up I'll include some summer updates along with the new news in each of the next few editions. Read on for some surprising support for public pensions & a high-powered ferry ride. I got to meet with Marine Exchange of Alaska interns this summer. From high school students to Coast Guard Academy Cadets, they put in some good work and learned a lot about improving Alaska maritime safety. By the Book Great teachers are vital to good education. Once we attract and hire them, we invest in ongoing training to do the best for our kids. But then how do we keep them from taking their experience and moving away? This week, the Department of Education and Early Development released their Teacher Recruitment and Retention Playbook—with a list of what we as a state need to do for our teachers. It recommends things to improve working conditions, giving teachers leadership opportunities, better certification processes, and—surprise—a better retirement package, including a real pension. None of these really come as any shock. Educators have said the same for years. Perhaps it's time we learn some lessons? We need to maintain schools so they’re safe and healthy. We need to certify good educators efficiently. And we must pass SB 88 to give all Alaska public servants a retirement plan that actually works for them. That'll make a real difference in our schools. I’m glad to see the executive branch recognizes this. Of course, we still need to fund schools with enough money to cover the rising costs of heat, insurance, and salaries. That and a good retirement system should be on top of their legislative to-do list in January—they're certainly on the top of mine. On the M/V Hubbard with Secretary Pete Buttigieg, U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, and Rep. Louise Stutes. A Ferry Tale Sen. Murkowski brought U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to Southeast this summer. We gave him the full experience. First his flight to Haines was delayed by weather. Then it was cancelled. His team had to rearrange his meetings because he took the ferry instead. Then the ferry had mechanical trouble. Finally, the Seaplanes flight back to Juneau just made it out during a narrow weather window. Sen. Murkowski joked that while the Secretary's team brought a 'backup plan B,' the day actually ended on plan D or E. None of this is news to those of us who live here. But the folks visiting from Washington D.C. learned a lot. Sec. Buttigieg saw first-hand how lower 48 transportation solutions (i.e. asphalt everywhere,) often don't fit Alaska. While the mercurial logistics sent the strongest message, I also talked in depth with Sec. Buttigieg, both at community meetings and aboard the Hubbard. He heard from community leaders, AMHS employees and ferry passengers, and aviation experts in both Juneau and Haines. along with Tribal representatives from T&H, the Chilkoot Indian Association, and Klukwan. That’s something we Alaskans could stand to learn: tribal consultation shouldn’t be limited to the feds. I spent a lot of time talking about the work to modernize the ferry fleet, head off future maintenance backlogs, and crew the vessels. I think the Secretary left with a strong sense of Alaska's commitment to use the once-in-a-generation Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding responsibly. Sen. Murkowski did a great job making this trip happen. Alaska has serious, often unique transportation needs and our federal partners need to understand them. All my best, Did someone forward you this newsletter and now you want your very own copy? Did you fall into it through the series of tubes but now you want it sent straight to you? SUBSCRIBE Events & Happenings Around District B Haines Gold Fever Festival Join the Lynn Canal Community Players for this celebration of the 125th anniversary of Gold Fever in Haines on Oct. 6 & 7. Haines Backcountry Games On Oct. 8, competitors of all ages can join the fun at the fair grounds! Skagway Health Fair Get a check up at the health fair Sept. 30. Skagway Fall Festival It’s almost October so get ready for next month’s fall festival from Oct. 20-22! Skagway Bea Lingle Celebrative Bar Tour It was my honor to present a citation honoring Bea Lingle's incredible life earlier this summer. Celebrate her legacy Oct. 20 with the first annual bar tour in her honor. Skagway Late Night Library What to do on a Friday night? If you’re 10-18, check out the fun at late night library (no boring adults allowed.) Gustavus Jazz & Classics Juneau Jazz & Classics will have a live show in Gustavus on Oct. 5 with cellist Zuill Bailey! Juneau Con Brio Chamber Series Listen to violinist Franz Felkl and pianist Sue Kazama at the State Museum on Sept. 30. Juneau Puttin’ on the Ritz This will be a fun night in the Juneau Jazz and Classics fall festival on Oct. 6. Juneau Weaving Our Pride This mentor-youth community weaving project is going every Wednesday to Saturday at the Zach Gordon Youth Center. Is there an event in our district I should know about? Please call or email! Want to Send Snail Mail? Alaska State Capitol Room 514 Juneau, AK 99801 You Can Call: 800 550 4947 907 465 4947 Or Email Me! ‌ ‌ ‌ Contact My Staff, the people who power the work: Aurora Hauke 907 465 5051 [email protected] Ella Adkison 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] Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected]