Universal Pre-K, College Tuition Support, Clean Energy SUBSCRIBE ‌ ‌ Dear Friends and Neighbors, This week’s newsletter theme has me imagining a sustainable future where our economy is stable and thriving, where our youngest Alaskans have access to universal, voluntary pre-K, a future where every Alaskan is able to reskill or upskill without going into debt, and a future where clean energy reduces the heavy, unfair financial burden placed on those living outside the railbelt. I imagine a future full of promise where opportunities to thrive are on the horizon. With your help, we will make this future happen. Over this final week of the regular session, I expect many things to happen very quickly. I will do my best to keep you updated, but don’t forget that you can also sign up for text message alerts on bills by texting a bill number, e.g., SB 10 or SJR 6 to 559-245-2529. You can also visit www.akleg.gov and do a deep dive into the legislation we are currently considering. All my best, Senator Tom Begich Senate District J Emergency Broadband Benefit The Federal Communications Commission recently announced that families can now start to apply for the Emergency Broadband Benefit program. Eligible families can receive up to $50 per month on broadband services and $75 per month if they’re residing on tribal lands. There is also a one-time benefit of $100 toward a desktop, laptop, or tablet. GCI, OTZ, ASTAC, and AT&T are all participating, along with many other providers, in the program! Learn more at fcc.gov How to sign up for your vaccination shot The Department of Health and Social Services is hard at work updating their website to allow parents to register their 12-15 year olds for a vaccination appointment. Learn more at dhss.alaska.gov Check Your Status If you applied for rental relief through the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation, you can check your status online and find out where your application stands. For more information and to sign up to receive updates, visit alaskahousingrelief.org Budget Update The House has passed a state operating budget. The Senate is now hearing that bill and discussions and the progress is ongoing. There have been several great write-ups as to what may happen next. As always, I promise to keep you updated as we continue to fight for Alaska. (Alaska Public Media) The House passes a budget, leaving potential gap from federal relief rules... (Anchorage Daily News) House approves state operating budget... Vaccination Hi Friend and/or Neighbor, I now have my second Pfizer vaccination and feel like a lamb in spring. Yes, every step has a bounce to it. Yes, yes, don’t worry about me—I’ll still wear a mask, social distance, and wash my hands. :) Neither shot hurt. I never even felt a pinch. My arm was sore after both shots. In the past, I’ve had shots that came with the same warning that I might have a sore arm, and my arm was no sorer this time. As for the second shot, I had a fever of 101.4 degrees and was tired for two days napping throughout the day and then sleeping through the night. I’m hearing friends tell me their reaction from Moderna was half a step up from mine. I didn’t start out so upbeat. I thought I would not want to be first in line for two reasons. First, any new vaccine has side effects that only appear after many people have been exposed to it. I’m past that. Over a billion people have been vaccinated worldwide, and there are no deaths or even severe reactions. Second, it seemed to have been developed incredibly fast. It turns out scientists were already working on a new theory for fighting viruses and just before Covid-19 struck there was a discovery which was extremely helpful in finding this specific vaccine. There has been a small percentage of problems with Johnson and Johnson, and that’s why it has gotten more scrutiny. Bottom line? What’s out there works. I’ll just say, untrue rumors have caused a lot of unnecessary harm. There is an outbreak of polio in Pakistan, but parents won't allow their children to get vaccinated. There is a new Ebola outbreak in Guinea, but many there are also refusing life-saving Ebola vaccines. In America, a woman was declared dead by social media after she received her shot. She is now unintentionally scaring people who think she must be a ghost. But if we talk about (negligible) side effects of the vaccine as a concern, we should also talk about the side effects of Covid-19, even for people who don’t have symptoms at the time. The Mayo Clinic has identified Covid-19 side effects, including heart failure, strokes, scarring on the lungs, and mental problems. And people say it's like the flu? A friend of mine’s stepson had 39 strokes after being hospitalized with Covid-19. Cases are falling. Part of this change is that anyone who had it has immunity for months, the vaccine has reached millions, and yes, more people actually have begun wearing masks and social distancing. So, there is big movement in the right direction. Please don’t hold out waiting for all your neighbors to be vaccinated so you won’t have to be. We’ll never be safe because too many people would rather risk a life-threatening, life-altering illness than take care of themselves and their neighbors. We’re all in this together, like it or not. Stay safe (both before and after), Kayla Contact Me! (907) 465-3704 (Juneau / session) (907) 269-0169 (Anchorage / interim) [email protected] ‌ ‌ Sen. Tom Begich | State Capitol Building, 120 4th St, Room 11, Juneau, AK 99801 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected]