The best laid plans? The best laid plans? July 24, 2021 Dear Friends and Neighbors, It’s been a couple of weeks, but it gets faster from here. We’re gearing up for the next special session, which is our chance to get the 3/4 vote currently blocking college scholarships and PCE. We also get a crack at reinstating some of what the governor vetoed. Those votes won't happen in a vacuum. They’ll all revolve around whether we get to any kind of consensus on a long-term fiscal plan. Easier said than done. There's more on that below. Astute observers will notice the newsletter went to the every-other-week Interim schedule. I'll try to send it weekly during the special. It was great to see so many folks at our in-person town halls! Rep. Hannan & I were grinning ear-to-in Haines, getting to see people in real life! The Hole Plan DOT put out a proposed winter schedule for ferry service. Shocker: it’s not great. In January and February, Haines and Skagway will get service once a week. Gustavus won’t get any ships at all during those months. Fall and spring are marginally better, but nothing like what Southeast needs for healthy communities and a strong economy. To make matters worse, DOT has once again built the schedule around a single point of failure. They’re planning to keep three ships—Columbia, Hubbard, and Tazlina—tied to the dock for the foreseeable future. The Malaspina is slated for disposal, so she’s out too. That means when the Matanuska has more mechanical problems (it's happened every year since her $40 million + re-power) there's no ship to take over for her. So once again communities will have unpredictable gaps in a winter service full gaping, regularly scheduled holes. Please, please take the time to tell DOT why our communities need regular, reliable service. I know it can be frustrating to testify again and again, but this matters. The governor vetoed ferry funding again. He and his departments need to know Alaskans care. You can submit written comments through Monday evening, July 26, to [email protected]. You can call on Thursday July 29 at 10am. The number is 1-515-604-9000, access code 279613. My view from the MAT on the way to Skagway! The Plan Behind the Curtain In the last newsletter I told you we organized an ambitious Comprehensive Fiscal Plan Working Group. It’s certainly been keeping me busy. You can watch our public meetings, where we’ve heard presentations on the state’s fiscal position, the pension funds, and proposals for PFD constitutional amendments. But there’s been a lot of work behind the scenes too. Before we can agree on any solutions, we need a shared understanding of the problem. That's kept us on the phone with one another, a lot. How big do we think the budget will be? What do we expect will happen with oil prices? How about investment earnings and our permanent fund or pension investments? Inflation? Health care costs? There are a lot of moving pieces. Those pieces matter. The assumptions behind the curtain do a lot to set the shape of the stage. If our predictions are too rosy (low inflation, high oil prices, five more years of stock market growth!) our plan will be worthless. If its ludicrously dour, Alaskans won't buy the need to raise revenues from their pockets or cut services they want. We’re at it every day—in committee and/or on the phone. So stay tuned for more updates! As always, please let me what you think. My phone and email are at the bottom of this newsletter. There’s also going to be public testimony in Juneau or by statewide call-in on Monday August 2 from 6pm-9pm. You can come to the Capitol in person, call 586-9085 from a Juneau-based number, or call 844-586-9085 from any other number. Rep. Hannan & I presented a citation honoring the memory of Mark McNamara to Mario Benassi at the Takshanuk Watershed Council. Mark was an avid environmentalist and worked closely with the council. (He also played in the NBA and was a stand-in for Chewbacca on Return of the Jedi.) 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 Capitol Tours Our awesome friends and partners at the City Museum are back and giving FREE tours of the Alaska State Capitol Building! Learn a bit about its long history and stop by my office (Rm 419) to say hi! Juneau Plant Walk Join Arboretum Manager Ginger Hudson and the Alaska Native Plant Society July 25th for this educational walk through the native plants at the Arboretum – you’ll surely learn a thing or three! Juneau Elders Talking Circles Guest speaker and Elder Della Cheney will discuss connection to one another and culture – this is a free online event that will enlighten all who listen. I hope you can tune into this circle July 29th hosted by Tlingit and Haida! Juneau Superheroes August 6th Catholic Community Service and Goldtown Theatre are teaming up to show “Spider-man: Far from home” fundraiser tickets are $20 All proceeds go towards the Safe Child Advocacy Center — a super cause! Juneau market on the docks It’s summertime – which means some fun in the liquid sun. Join the Fresh Air Markets happening in front of the Downtown Library August 7th! Haines Market You know it, you love it, and you need it for all your fresh recipes! The reoccurring farmers market happens every Saturday through mid-September 10 am – 1 pm – don’t miss out before it’s too late! Southeast Alaska State Fair! Live Free, Pie Hard! The Fair is back — which means a week jam-packed with fun for all ages. Check out all the talent! Skagway’s Garden Show The Annual Flower and Garden show is back – July 23 – 25. See these award winning garden plots at their peak. It’s the Garden City of Alaska at its best so don’t miss out! Skagway Blues, Brews, and BBQ’s This uproarious event is happening July 24th – “Extended Play” will be swinging in upper Lynn Canal with bluegrass, romps, and more! Support Skagway’s diverse set of professionals by dropping in! One weekend in Skagway The first ever Skagway Expose will be happening August 12 – 15 be dazzled by the amazing lineup of performances and activities. See the magic of the “Land of the North Wind”! 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! Klukwan Salmon Camp Learn how to prepare and process salmon ALL the ways: brine, dry, smoke, and more! This is only open to Klukwan residents/Tribal members – all ages are welcome but anyone under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Space is limited so call soon! Klukwan Book Check Every book checked out at the library gets you a chance to win “Traditional Food Guide” from the Klukwan SEARHC Health Promotion! Gustavus Bear Necessities Tidelines Institute and Gustavus Community Center are hosting a bear discussion as part of their community curiosity series – with Wildlife Biologist Tania Lewis! Learn more about their habitats and how to cohabitate. 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]