From Juneau to You! August 28, 2020 ‌ ‌ ‌ Session: Capitol Building Room 417 Juneau, AK 99801 (907) 465-4930 Interim: 1500 W Benson Blvd. Room 328 Anchorage AK 99503 (907) 269-0174 Special Session? On August 19th, Representative Geran Tarr and I called on Governor Dunleavy to convene a Special Session to correct the CARES Act funding relating to small business grants. The Governor revised the RPLs (Revised Program Legislative) to relieve some of the restrictions on the Small Business Grants and forwarded his document to the Legislative Budget and Audit Committee (LB&A) for approval. On August 27th, the LB&A Committee met and voted to give more Alaskans access to the Federal pandemic relief money made available through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The vote amends the eligibility requirements of the small business relief program originally approved on May 11th.  We are relieved that this money will now bring relief to small businesses in need and to the Alaskans who are hurting financially. [link removed] Unemployment The Federal Government has approved a grant to the State of Alaska to expand weekly unemployment benefits by $300 a week. ($19.9 million) · Payments are expected to start in about six weeks. · Payments will be retroactive to July 25th. · The additional Federal unemployment benefit will be paid for about six weeks. Currently, the maximum unemployment payment in Alaska is $370 per week. Those receiving help through the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program will not receive the additional Federal unemployment payments. The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program is for the self-employed and those in the gig economy. Alaskans can now file unemployment benefit claims on a weekly basis rather than the normal every two weeks. File online through the my.alaska.gov portal. For questions contact the nearest unemployment claim center. Anchorage: (907) 269-4700. Fairbanks: (907) 451-2871. Juneau: (907) 465-5552. Toll-free: 1-888-252-2557. Unemployed Alaskans can get help finding work through the Alaska Job Centers. Online at jobs.alaska.gov to view job openings, post resumes and access additional services. Job seekers and employers can also contact their nearest Alaska Job Center by dialing (877) 724-2539. Unemployment Benefits to Cover Dependents The State of Alaska is starting to disperse additional unemployment payments to parents with dependents. The additional money was authorized by the Alaska Legislature with the passage of the COVID-19 response bill, House Bill 308. Prior to passage unemployed parents received and extra $25 per dependent. HB 308 increased the payment up to $75. (Capped at 3 dependents) The additional money will be paid retroactively to the start of a persons unemployment. ( It's taxable) The additional payments are authorized through November 15. The Department of Labor notes that around $15 million will be paid out due to the new program being implemented. It’s estimated that around 15,000 Alaskans will be eligible for the extra benefits. Current News From Your Midtown and West Anchorage Assembly Members  [link removed] I’m Senator Elvi, always..... “Representing Your Interests!” ‌ ‌ ‌ L. Keith Bauguess Chief of Staff Phone: 907-269-0174 [email protected] Is the content of this email relevant to you? Yes Select No Select Alaska Senate Democrats | Capitol Building, 4th Avenue & Main Street, Juneau, AK 99801 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | About our service provider Sent by [email protected]