Dear friends,

Let me take this moment to wish you all a Happy Black History Month! During the 2019 Legislative Session, SB40 established the month of February as Black History Month in Alaska. What an honor it is to have this recognition permanently in State Statues. We celebrate this month by remembering the achievements and inventions of African Americans who made a difference in U.S history. For example, Otis Boykin’s work on electrical resistors, made possible the steady workings of a variety of electronic devices. Variations of his resistor models are used around the world today in televisions, computers, and radios. Most notably, however, his work enabled control functions for the first successful implantable pacemaker. I encourage everyone, regardless of heritage, to use this month as an opportunity to educate yourself and others about the vast history of the African diaspora.

Again, Happy Black History Month!

Organization

The 32^nd Legislative Session is currently underway. Recently, the Senate was able to organize and form a new majority of the Senate's 13 Republicans. Additionally, the majority selected committee chairs:

Rules: Senator Stevens

Finance: Senators Bishop and Stedman

Health and Social Services: Senator Wilson

Judiciary: Senator Reinbold

Resources: Senator Revak

State Affairs: Senator Showers

Labor and Commerce: Senator Costello

Community and Regional Affairs: Senator Hughes

Transportation: Senator Myers

Education: Senator Holland

The new Majority also chose Senator Micciche as Senate President, Senator Hughes as Majority Leader, and Senator Costello as Majority Whip. Senator Begich remains the Minority Leader for the Democratic Caucus of six.

Introduced Legislation

This session I have introduced a total of 8 bills:

SB 1: Chokehold Ban
SB 2: Peace officers: de-escalation, misconduct
SB 3: Police officers: oral warning / de-escalate
SB 4: Prohibit peace off. shoot moving vehicle
SB 5: Proclaim Juneteenth day a holiday
SB 7: State trooper policies: public access
SB 46: Law enforcement: registry; use of force
SB 47: Vehicle registration/persons w/disability

If you want to stay afloat of committee hearings and other legislative-related information, follow my Facebook page and my Twitter page. Additionally, you can watch live and recorded committee hearings by tuning in to 360N on cable or visiting the Alaska legislative website. For recordings of previous committee hearings, visit Gavel Alaska.

If you're interested in providing a letter of support for any of the bills or providing testimony, please email my staff: [email protected] and [email protected].

The Anchorage Climate Plan

Join Alaska Common Ground and our partners for a free, virtual series exploring local solutions to the climate crisis. We will discuss sectors found in the Muni’s Climate Action Plan and how we can work together to reach the goals for reducing emissions. Registration and more information on our website and Facebook pages.

Buildings & Energy

Thursday, January 28^th, 2021

7 pm to 8:30 pm

Event Page

Land Use & Transportation

Thursday, February 25^th, 2021

7 pm to 8:30 pm

Event Page

Food Systems

Thursday, March 25^th, 2021

7 pm to 8:30 pm

Event Page

Consumption & Solid Waste

Thursday, April 29^th, 2021

7 pm to 8:30 pm

Event Page

Registration and more information on our website: akcommonground.org.

Sponsored by AK Center and Renewable IPP

Partners: Anchorage Public Library, Renewable Energy Alaska Project, UAA/APU Books of the Year, Anchorage Climate Action Plan

Meet My Team

This session, I have been blessed with two wonderful staff and an intern! One of the many strengths my team possesses is the fact that we all come from different backgrounds and bring a unique perspective to both the office and the Capital as a whole. I genuinely believe that my team will move mountains this session and will do a phenomenal job in representing my constituency. Let me introduce you to my team (L to R): Besse, Keith, and Delaney (First Alaskans Institute Intern)

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to my office at any time:

L. Keith Bauguess

Chief of Staff

907.269.0174

Besse Odom

Legislative Aide

907.269.0174

I’m Senator Elvi, always.....

"Listening and Representing Your Interests!”