Re-Energizing the Bunny

April 2, 2021

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

The legislature just kicked off a long weekend after a super busy week. Frankly, my colleagues need a couple of days with their families. Working 121 days nonstop can make people too grumpy to collaborate, and we've all been hopping full speed ahead.

So recharge a little. Take a walk with people you like. I recommend calling your loved ones. (And getting vaccinated so you can get together soon!) And to those who celebrate it, Happy Easter!

Big Week for Bills

On Wednesday I introduced legislation to protect victims, survivors, and public safety workers. SB 115 creates a confidential address where a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking could sign up to get official mail like property tax notices or voter registrations. That way the actual address doesn't show up in any public records an abuser might access. Members of law enforcement would be eligible too, so their families’ address wouldn't have to be publicly available.

Forty one states have a version of this program. It's time for Alaska to do the same.

Also on Wednesday, my 'curbside consult' bill, SB 65, moved out of the Senate Judiciary Committee. I’ve written about this one before. It makes sure Alaska health care providers can give free consults to their peers without taking on new liability. With a lot of remote providers and relatively few specialists, Alaskans count on experts offering free advise to help their colleagues. I’m excited to take the bill to the Senate floor next! (I don't think I mentioned it, but my intern, CJ, is doing yeoman's work on this bill. These UAS students are impressive!)

ALSO on Wednesday, SJR 9 passed the House! My resolution calls on the feds to temporarily pause a couple of laws so cruise ships can sail to Alaska without stopping in Canada, passed the House floor. It doesn’t ask for any exemptions to the CDC’s extensive requirements about COVID health and safety. It just asks for a shot at meeting them.

All three members of Alaska's Congressional Delegation have bills to do what SJR 9 asks for. If one of them passes and the ships pass the CDC’s safety tests, there's some hope for a partial tourism season. Alaska small businesses and workers depend on it. SJR 9 passed the House 38-2.

Bottom line: I had a busy Wednesday.

I joined Sen. Micciche and Reps. Tarr, Spohnholz, & Hopkins speaking at the Go Blue Rally to prevent child abuse today. The pinwheel is a symbol of child abuse prevention.

Go Blue

Today was the annual “Go Blue Rally.” It’s an important annual tradition—gathering with advocates about how we can all help prevent child abuse in Alaska. We did our rally virtually this year, which underscores a big problem: with fewer kids going to school in person in Alaska's bigger cities, there’s less reporting of abuse and fewer safe havens for young people. That’s really scary.

It’s doubly important now to engage with the kids and families in our lives. Please take time to make sure they’re coping with all the added stresses of the waning—but still serious—pandemic.

There's good news: there are so many Alaskans working and volunteering to help our kids! From starting new activities in Skagway to parenting help in Juneau or Haines, our neighbors are there for young people.

But there’s work to be done on the policy level too. A lot of that comes down to the budget. Even in a fiscal crunch, prevention, early intervention, and pre-K pay huge dividends down the road.

Speaking of the Budget...

The House Finance Committee takes testimony on it next week. It really makes a difference when Alaskans tell legislators how budget decisions affect your lives. Think we should stabilize the ferries? Want to invest in K-12 or mental health? Just don't think it makes sense to whack highly effective crime prevention & rehabilitation programs like Youth Courts?

Call.

If you're in Juneau, call 586-9085 on Thursday the 8th at 1:30pm.

If you're in Haines, Skagway, Gustavus, or Klukwan, call 844-586-9085 on Saturday the 10th at 10am.

Be ready to keep it to two minutes. Let the House know what services you think Alaska needs more of, less of, or we should just do differently.

All my best,

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Events & Happenings Around District Q

Juneau Craig Lindh

Memorial Downhill

The Juneau Ski Club's Town Downhill returns Saturday, April 3rd! The race is in memory of Eaglecrest legend Craig Lindh. It will run on “Hilary's,” the trail named after his daughter: Olympic Silver Medalist Hilary Lindh. Don't miss out!

Juneau Easter Egg Hunt!

Join in a free, fun family Easter Egg Hunt April 3rd - 4th at Bill Overstreet park. It’s completely contactless! Enter the drawing for an Eggtastic prize by April 12^th. Happy Hunting!

Read Across Juneau

Raven and the Tide Lady is here! Don't miss the last leg of the StoryPath journey with CBJ Parks and Rec, JEA, SHI, and the Juneau Public Libraries. This is a traditional Northwest Coast Raven story, told as you walk the Rainforest Trail. Happening April 2nd - 4th.

Virtual 46th Alaska Folk Fest!

It’s not in-person, but it'll still sound great. Bring the sweet sounds of the Folk Fest to your living room this year. Tune in from April 5th - 11^th. All the details are here!

Haines Winter Farmers Market

Craving that local flavor? Look no further for your baked goods, spices, syrups, jams, & more.

The local farmers market is here April 3rd!

Haines 1984

It’s not Orwell, it’s Wonder Woman! The Southeast Alaska State Fair is showing Wonder Woman 1984 April 9th at the Fair Grounds.

Skagway Clean Sweep

Spring cleaning is right around the corner! Join the Skagway Chamber of Commerce to help clean the community. Pitch in here.

Skagway April Madness

March is done—we’re in the Finals of the Skagway Public Libraries “Tournament of Books”! It's "Leave the World Behind" by Rumaan Alam vs. "Piranesi" by Susanna Clarke. Who will win? Help decide April 10th at 4 pm.

Read up and join in!

Skagway Vaccines

The Dahl Memorial Clinic now has COVID-19 vaccines available for everyone 18 years and older. Call the clinic today to book your appointment!

Chilkat Indian Village:

Town Pick-ups

If you need help getting groceries, medicine, or packages, the good folks at the Tribe can help! Reach out here for assistance.