Maybe? Maybe?... YES! Maybe? Maybe?... YES! June 28, 2021 Dear Friends and Neighbors, Shutdown averted! As the legislature barreled toward the threat of an ill-advised and unnecessary government shutdown, it didn't look like anything happened in the legislature for days. But it did. Legislative leaders were negotiating. Individual legislators were talking to one another. I don't like that it happened out of public view. But this afternoon it finally happened. The end result was an agreement that prevents a shutdown. It doesn't clean up all the messes in the budget. I'm embarrassed to say that'll probably take until August. But it averts immediate crisis. Inch by Inch The governor's surprise declaration two weeks ago about what it takes to get the budget into effect brought our state closer to a shutdown than we've ever come. Let's leave aside the fact he doesn't seem to believe what he's demanding applies to him (see the video below)—he could back up his demands with a veto pen, so the legislature came back and met them. To do it, we spent the week (and weekend) crunching to get a 2/3 vote in the House to pass effective dates that meet the governor's novel demands. The Senate already got there. A working agreement on the bigger pieces of a long-term fiscal plan—queued up for the August special session the governor called last month—was the key. That's not to say the budget is now a snuggle-fest of puppies and kittens. It is not. The governor's line-item veto authority still looms between everything in it and final enactment. (He could theoretically veto the entire thing and shut down state government, but I don't expect that.) And we haven't hit the 3/4 vote threshold needed to deal with the Constitutional Budget Reserve. Without that 3/4 vote, the budget has about $130 million of holes in it. Without that, the endowment that pays for Power Cost Equalization and revenue sharing with municipalities gets re-invested in money market funds paying next to no interest, instead of the broad markets. Without that, there will be no Alaska Performance Scholarships for talented Alaska high school grads to attend the University of Alaska. But with passage of the effective dates this afternoon, we at least won't lay off state employees and stop serving Alaskans' needs. We won't waste countless dollars pulling fish and game folks out of the field and writing checks to state employees for the value of their unused leave and the countless other wastes a shutdown would cause. It's always best when debate happens in public view, and on time. The legislature as a whole fell short of those goals this year. But we will go on to work toward them another day. On the Senate Floor Wednesday I explained the governor's less-than-sincere new reading of the constitution, and how to help solve - or worsen - the imminent budget problem. Give it a watch. All my best, Did someone forward you this newsletter? Did you fall into it through the series of tubes? Want more? SUBSCRIBE 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 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 until June 30th check out this fun event and win some cool prizes too! Juneau Concert at the Marina Can't wait 'till 4th of July? The Juneau Community Bands can't either! Join them at Marine Park July 3rd for all their parade tunes! Juneau Treadwell History Walk The Juneau-Douglas City Museum has Treadwell Mine complex tours led by local historian Jim Geraghty. Only 3 chances, starting July 18th, so don't miss out! Haines Chilkat Challenge Something about the Chilkat makes physical events a norm - join the Chilkat Challenge Triathlon July 10 for a 35-mile tour! Haines 4th of July Great Scott! The Haines 4th 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 July 4th Celebrate Independence in the Garden City with a parade, games for all ages, and the annual duck derby! The theme is "Together We Can" (and the Chamber of Commerce is still looking for volunteers!) 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 or participate in these youth activities up until school starts! Gustavus Pies Yippee Pie-yay! Pie for your Independence Day breakfast! Get some local treats from your friends and neighbors and maybe a t-shirt, too. Don't miss this 4th of July tradition! Is there an event in our district I should know about? Please call or email! Snail Mail? Alaska State Capitol Room 419 Juneau, AK 99801 Call: 800 550 4947 907 465 4947 Email Me! ‌ ‌ ‌ Contact My Staff, the people who power the work: Edric Carrillo 907 465 6419 [email protected] Cathy Schlingheyde 907 465 6827 [email protected] Senator Jesse Kiehl | Alaska State Capitol, Rm. 419, 4th Avenue & Main Street, Juneau, AK 99801 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected]