Contest Time!

June 12, 2021

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

We're not done. The budget's just on hold for the PFD issue at this point. And disturbingly, people are starting to talk about who would blink first if the state starts wasting money preparing for a shutdown.

That approach isn't just wasteful. It also hurts Alaskans who a) use public services, or b) deliver them. Passing a compromise and adjourning works better.

Oh, and I'm having a contest! Read to the end.

At the signing for Rep. Hannan's HB 10, protecting the Unangax cemetery at Funter Bay.

Honoring their Memories

During World War II, the US government forced 480 Unangax people to leave their homes on St. Paul & St. George Islands when Japanese forces invaded the Aleutian chain. Our fellow Americans were left in an impromptu camp in Funter Bay, at an abandoned cannery. There was no running water or plumbing, little heat, and rotting structures. The overcrowding led to outbreaks of influenza and tuberculosis. More than thirty people died before internment ended.

As I pointed out when I carried Rep. Hannan's bill on the Senate floor: at the same time, the US government was providing adequate food and health care around 20 miles away in Excursion Inlet for German and Italian prisoners of war.

The Alaska Legislature can’t fix the history. We can’t change the wrongs that were done. But we can respect and protect the final resting place of more than thirty of our fellow Alaskans. On Tuesday, the governor signed Rep. Hannan’s bill to permanently protect the Unangax cemetery at Funter Bay.

I was honored to present a Legislative citation in memory of Judge Rod Pegues. His influence and legacy will live on.

Where. Is. The. Budget!?

We’ve gone through another week without bringing the budget compromise to the floor. The Conference Committee met twice since the last newsletter. There's still no deal on the PFD, but here are some highlights from the most recent meetings:

Increased pre-K grants by $2.5 million. That’s only half the House's proposal, but it’s still a step in the right direction.
Authorized using grants and local funds for a Conservation Corps to build and repair trails & cabins. It's about $200,000, but the very small dollar number can make a big impact. Juneau's pandemic-year CCC added jobs, spent money at local businesses, and made major improvements on our much used, much loved trails.
Restored $1.25 million in state funding for public health nursing. Alaska whacked the dickens out of our public health system in the budget cutting years before this pandemic hit. When COVID happened we weren't ready. This still doesn't bring us back to where we were in several years ago, but as COVID fades we need these folks to help our state combat the worst rates in the nation for tuberculosis and chlamydia, among others.

The Special Session has to end next week, so look for a final update in the next newsletter.

Honoring Walter Harper Day with Sen. Bishop, Reps. Hannan, Foster, Stutes, & Edgmon. Harper was the first person to summit Denali. He & his wife were laid to rest in Juneau after they died in the sinking of the Princess Sofia.

Vices

I’ve written about the governor’s less-than-well-thought-out fiscal proposals before. This week he put out a press release complaining the legislature isn’t going fast enough on his PFD constitutional amendment. So the Senate Finance Committee had a hearing on it Friday.

The committee wanted specifics. The answers boiled down to: 'we don’t know yet, we’ll get back to you.' It sounds like solid information is on hold until August.

One of the many outstanding questions is how to make up a $300 million annual deficit? (That's a wildly, unrealistically rosy estimate. Most of us think it'll be closer to $750 million.)

To reach even the $300 million mark the gov's revenue folks keep talking about new ideas that are ‘user fee-like’ or ‘tax-like,’ but haven't been seen in Alaska before. Apart from his proposal to massively expand (and tax) gambling, I don't know what that means. One of my colleagues, Sitka Sen. Bert Stedman, made clear in committee he’s not interested in more gambling, or legalizing and taxing prostitution either! Nobody had mentioned that particular idea, but it was an effective way to let the governor know what he thought.

Still, the notion of what sort of newfangled fees or taxes Gov. Dunleavy might have in mind (other than prostitution) has been on my mind. Will he suggest shifting to a value added tax on marijuana businesses instead of the excise fee we have now? Mileage-based fees for electric vehicles? A financial transaction tax on investors?

So it's contest time! Send me your thoughts/guesses on what he might have up his sleeve for the August special session. Remember, his team says it won't be a broad-based tax, and it's something Alaskans haven't seen in our state before. Bonus points if you estimate how much each tax/fee will raise.

I'll stand the winner to lunch here in our district. Or, if the thought of a meal with me gives you hives, I'll bake and deliver a cake anywhere in District Q.

All my best,

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Events & Happenings Around District Q

Juneau Youth Shelter Needs

CBJ and T&H partnered to open a shelter serving runaway and homeless youth & young adults Shéiyi Xaat Hít (Spruce Root House) needs pantry items to get them going so please check out the list and donate what you can!

Juneau Good Times Roll

The ice in the Treadwell Arena is gone for summer, so it’s time for some Disco Roller Skating! Happening Fridays nights through the month of June starting today at 6 pm – bring your skates and show off those moves!

Juneau Pride

Pride Month is here and there are loads of opportunities to express yourself and celebrate! Dozens of happenings June 11^th through 30^th!

Running for Local Office

Ever considered running but not sure where to start? Learn with the Juneau League of Women Voters and CBJ – The webinar is on running in Juneau, but the lessons apply to communities & school boards across the state!

Juneau Maritime Festival

Juneau’s 11^th Maritime Festival is happening June 19^th – it’s a great way to catch up with neighbors, enjoy live music, eat delicious seafood, and much more. Free and open to all ages!

Juneau True Crime

June 19^th is the first of the series of Capital Killers Historic Walking Tours with Ed Schoenfeld and Betsy Longenbaugh – two longtime Southeast Alaska crime reporters. Walk the streets of Juneau and dive into the deep and suspicious history. Benefiting the City Museum.

Haines Lutak Town Hall

Come out Thursday, June 24^th at 6:30 pm to get an overview of the new Lutak Dock concept and discuss potential future phases of this major infrastructure idea.

Skagway Summer Solstice Party

The Skagway Elks are hosting fun under the midnight sun on June 19^th: games, music, food, and a beer garden – need I say more?!

International Bike Relay

The Kluane Chilkat International Bike Relay is going virtual this year – ride between one and eight of the 30-kilometer legs. Do it individually or by team – complete the challenge between June 12^th-20^th!

Haines Treasures Abound

On June 13^th the Fort Seward Barracks Clean-up project will auction off historic treasures AND host tours. Come get your hands on things that have been stored in the barracks for decades!

Haines 4^th of July

Great Scott! The Haines 4^th of July theme is Back to the Future! – The parade starts at 12:30 pm and festivities will continue at the Southeast Alaska State Fairgrounds. It’ll be 1.21 gigawatts of fun!

Skagway coloring the world

with reading!

Summer doesn’t always mean being outside. The Summer Reading Program is good both indoors and out! Log your reading and submit the results for a chance to win monthly prizes through mid-August!

SE Alaska Cornhole Tournament

in Skagway

From backyard to competitive cornhole, all skill levels are welcome to compete at the Happy Endings Saloon June 11^th – 13^th. If you win it all you get two round trip tickets to Tampa, Florida to compete in the World Championships!

Skagway Street Scene

Street food, beer garden, and silent auction FUNdraising for Sally Stevens happening June 12 ^th! Don’t miss out on the family-friend lineup and entertainment all for a good cause!

Skagway Youth Entrepreneurs

What captures the summer spirit more than a lemonade stand? Join thousands of Alaska youth on June 19 to learn a thing or two about business and have some fun – hosted by Skagway Development Corp.