Helpful snow-related information and contacts, Housing Action Week, my visit to the Alaska Marine Highway headquarters, and more

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The Snow is here and it arrived with a vengeance! Folks have been reaching out to me about school closures, inaccessible roads, and power outages. Read on for helpful snow-related resources and contacts.
November 10, 2023
Well November is here, clocks have been rolled back (don't get me started) and the snow has certainly arrived in force! It's that time of the year when I sometimes feel that Alaska is its own little planet, spiraling away from the sun, only to be rescued by the force of gravity and slowly reeled back in after the depths of the winter solstice.

This is a great time of the year for taking stock of things, thinking about the past and hoping for the future. Here's a few thing that are currently on our minds, and on our office radar:

Energy: As noted in previous newsletters, I committed to doing a deep dive into alternative (renewables and low emissions) energy. In pursuit of that commitment, I attended over 4 weeks of classes, seminars and workshops. What I learned was summarized and reported in the form of this opinion editorial published in the ADN ([link removed]) . the thrust of the article is that there is genuine opportunity for alternative energy in Alaska, but we have to be very careful about managing transitional risks, while assuring that we keep our focus on cost and reliability as we pursue lower emissions.

A Focus on Anchorage: One of the things that the Senators and Representatives from other regions of the state have done well is to work cooperatively together to address common goals in areas such as the Interior, Southeast, and Bush. For a long time, in Anchorage, we just didn't seem to work well together to pursue a short list of key goals and objectives that would help our region.

To remedy this, I spearheaded and now co-chair the Anchorage Delegation. The delegation is a bipartisan, and bicameral effort. Its core purpose is to focus on and address a few big picture policy areas that, as Anchorage-based legislators, we can all agree upon. At present, this includes funding for the ongoing Alaska Port Modernization project, housing and homelessness, and mental healthcare priorities. So far the group is working well, we have met with municipal leaders such as the mayor, assembly, school board and others. When we get back in legislative session beginning in mid-January, the work we've done over the interim to learn and communicate about the really important local issues should help us be more productive.

New bills: We have been hard at work on new legislative proposals that are designed to create private sector opportunity and drive government efficiency, two key policy areas that we continue to pursue! There will be more information about this after we return to Juneau in January!

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!



** Winter Resources
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Hope everyone is staying safe out there! Our State, Muni, and Chugach Electric crews have been out around the clock but there is a lot more to do. Here are some resources to help answer some questions in the meantime:

Municipality of Anchorage
• Snow plow maps & information ([link removed]) here >> ([link removed])

State of Alaska
• Snow plow map & information (priority levels & timelines) ([link removed]) h ([link removed]) ere >>

Alaska 511
• Information and live video feed of travel conditions >> ([link removed])

Chugach Electric
• Facebook updates here (periodic edits are made to this post) >> ([link removed])
• See outage map here >> ([link removed])
• Report an outage by calling 907-762-7888 (tel:907-762-7888) (Anchorage numbers) or 800-478-7494 (tel:800-478-7494) (outside Anchorage)

Anchorage School District school closure/remote learning day notices:
• Click here to see if there is an update on the main page >> ([link removed])
• Notices are also posted on Facebook here ([link removed]) or on Twitter here ([link removed])


** Visiting the Alaska Marine Highway Headquarters
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In October, I went down to Ketchikan and spent the day with the the Alaska Marine Highway Director Craig Tornga at the AMHS Headquarters. We went saw/went aboard several of the ferries in port, talked with the captain of the Matanuska, and met staff at the AMHS Headquarters. For the bulk of the the time, however, Director Tornga and I went into depth about the work he and his team have been doing to target the greatest needs of the system and to improve its overall efficiency and reliability.

One change that particularly stood out to me is that Director Tornga and his leadership team now have a goal to get “boots on every ship” every month to specifically engage with staff to better understand the issues they're facing. He's then been implementing changes that can be made immediately, and working on how to address larger ones in the DOT and AMHS’s Long Range Plan.

I left Ketchikan very encouraged that DOT and the Marine Highway System are moving in a good direction. There is still a long way to go toward building a reliable system that our coastal communities can rely on, but from what I saw we are moving in that direction.

The Alaska Marine Highway has released a draft 2045 AMHS Long Range Plan ([link removed]) . They are taking time to consider the response of Alaskans who rely on the system and will be making changes ahead of adopting a final version of the plan next year. Please consider taking a look and sending in your thoughts >> ([link removed])


** Read my Latest Op-Eds
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In case you missed them, I published two op-eds recently.

The first piece is about a broader vision for Alaska. In the recent past, we've been very focused on fiscal issues (and rightfully so) but I wanted to take a step back and discuss what the future of Alaska could look like and how to get there.

Here's a quote from the article: "The guiding vision for our future could look like this: We are an increasingly strategic and commercially powerful trading and transportation center. We are creatively leveraging our position as both a strategic frontier and a landscape of opportunity. We welcome smart new developments that will not harm Alaska or the Alaskan way of life. Our economy is growing rapidly because we have combined the best of geographic opportunity with economic and recreational opportunity." Read my thoughts on Alaska's Future here >> ([link removed])

My second piece is about Alaska's journey to sustainable energy. This piece discusses the energy transition and how we must make real, measurable progress while continuously assessing and addressing risks. We can't move too slowly because we are facing very real energy issues, but we also can't rush forward without proper risk management. Any level of 'collapse' in our energy system would be catastrophic. Read my Energy Opinion Piece here >> ([link removed])


** Housing Action Summit
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Last week my office attended the Housing Action Summit. The Assembly presented their Housing Strategic Plan and keynote speaker Charles Marohn from StrongTowns.org ([link removed]) spoke on national best practices applied to Alaska. It was a good opportunity for stakeholders get in the same room to raise awareness of the problems we are facing and progress ideas. I look forward to supporting actionable policy changes toward meeting our city's critical housing needs.

The first draft of the Assembly’s Housing Strategic Plan is now available for your review ([link removed]) . This document sets the vision for policy actions of the Assembly focused on making housing opportunities more abundant and attainable.

Email your comments to [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) by December 4.

If you attended the Housing Action Summit and would like to provide feedback on the event, you can fill out this survey >> ([link removed])

Alaska Food Security Report
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In August, the Alaska Food Security and Independence Task Force released a report on Alaska's food systems and how vulnerable they are to disruptions in supply chains. The goal of this task force was to research how to best improve Alaska's food security with a focus on
* Sustainably growing the agriculture industry
* Sustainably growing markets for local products
* Improving transportation and infrastructure.

The task force's report and recommendations are laid out in the Food Security Task Force Directive ([link removed]) . I also encourage you to take a look at the task force's full final report which can be found here >> ([link removed])

The Alaska Food Systems website ([link removed]) has a ton of resources on how food is produced and used in Alaska. I encourage you to explore that website for more information about both the task force and food systems in Alaska.


** The Anchorage Delegation Advocates for UAA's ADAC Program
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The Anchorage Delegation submitted a letter supporting the University of Alaska Anchorage's application to renew and expand its Arctic Domain Awareness Center ([link removed]) (ADAC). UAA's proposed expanded center, ADAC-ARCTIC, seeks to build upon the center's achievements by reaching beyond the U.S. Coast Guard to serve all of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) components with research, innovation, and collaboration to safeguard our Arctic region. Read the letter here >> ([link removed])


** The Alaska Chamber Celebrates 70 Years!
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I had the honor to present a legislative commendation award to the Alaska Chamber during their Annual Fall Forum in September. For the last 70 years, the Chamber has been, and continues to be, a champion of business and economic growth in our state. Join me in thanking the Chamber for everything they do for business in Alaska!


** Community Bulletin
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** 📌
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** Abbott Loop Community Council Meeting & Potluck
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Thursday, November 16, 6:30-8:30PM
In-person at Trailside Elementary, 5151 Abbott Rd, Anchorage, AK 99507
Also available on Zoom: Zoom Link ([link removed]) | Meeting ID: 844 8192 6062 | Passcode: ALCC

Full agenda is available here >> ([link removed])

The Meeting will begin with a Community Potluck! Sign up ([link removed]) to bring a dish to share!

**Please bring books to donate to the Little Library at Whisper Faith Park!**


** 📌
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** Huffman/O'Malley Community Council Meeting
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Thursday, November 16, 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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** Hillside Community Council, December Meeting
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Wednesday, December 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

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


** 📌
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** Hillside Home & Land Owners (HALO) Meeting
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Thursday, December 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

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 (percent of market value) 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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