Not with a bang but a whimper Not with a bang but a whimper October 29, 2021 Dear Friends and Neighbors, Spooky things happen Halloween weekend, but in the halls of the Capitol there won't be much happening at all. So why not? And what's next? Read below for that and your last chance to weigh in on Alaska's new legislative district maps! Reps. Hannan, Story, & I honored Ed Page for his decades of work improving maritime safety. He founded and ran the Marine Exchange of Alaska—after 30 years in the Coast Guard. Alaska owes him a huge debt of gratitude. The Doomed Special Session The foredoomed—er, I mean Fourth—Special Session times out next week. It's been… less than productive. The only way anyone saw that coming was to give it even the most fleeting glance. The Fiscal Plan Working Group earlier this summer helped move the needle a little toward compromise. But no working group decides for the whole legislature, and many are not in a compromising mood. The Third Special Session made it clear the big chunks of a fiscal plan will take a game-changer to get them across the finish line. What would change the game? Gov. Dunleavy introducing a revenue bill would've been the kind of big move that shifts mindsets. So would ardent budget cutters proposing reductions that impact their own districts. Or anti-tax legislators moving forward a revenue bill. I myself let a proposed spending limit out of committee (after some moderating improvements) to try and contribute some momentum. But during the Third Special Session the governor talked only about big PFD checks. Anti-tax legislators didn't move any revenue bills along. And those who want giant cuts in state spending still haven't proposed them. If only one side compromises, nothing's doing. Against that backdrop, before the Fourth Special Session started I asked the governor if he had a plan to change the game or shift some votes. Clearly, he had neither. Many of us worked the phones and our colleagues to try and salvage something, but there's a Japanese saying: you can't catch wind in a net. So what comes next? This doesn't get easier during the regular session that starts in January. This Fourth Special Session built a lot of acrimony we're going to have to get past. And oil prices are higher. That can shrink the deficit and allow a PFD next fall without massive cuts or new revenues. It's nice. But I've lived in Alaska my entire life, and I've never seen high oil prices stick around long. A one-year sprinkling of cash from the oil price fairy doesn't leave Alaska in a stable spot for the long term. And election years don’t exactly stiffen peoples’ spines for the tough decisions. We’ll have our work cut out for us. We honored Sherry Patterson for her tremendous work for our community: founding the Juneau Black Awareness Association, the Gospel choir, the 'ROAR' Women's conference, Juneau's spiritual life, annual Martin Luther King Day observances... I'm not sure when she even sleeps! Call in Tomorrow! Didn’t get a chance to testify on redistricting? You’ve got one last chance tomorrow! Statewide call-in testimony is open for Southeast on Saturday Oct. 30 from 11am-1pm. From Juneau, call (907) 586-9085 and from anywhere else call (844) 586-9085. You can check out all of the proposed maps here. Some of them are pretty strange. One map would require people from Tee Harbor to drive through the 'downtown' district to reach a supermarket. Another manages to create a Southeast district with no docks in it. And that's before the shenanigans lumping incumbents together. I'm personally fond of the Senate Minority map for Southeast. Check that one out here, with the dividing line between Juneau districts here. I do have to give props to this redistricting board on something. They’ve done more public hearings in more places than any previous board. They genuinely travelled all over the state to listen to Alaskans. So please take advantage of this final opportunity to make your voice heard tomorrow! 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 Town Halls I’m excited to hold some town halls soon! We start Nov. 9 at 6 pm at the Gustavus Community Center. Next up is Skagway: Nov. 16 at 6 pm at the AB Hall. Other communities will follow. I hope to see you there! Juneau Food Drive The Juneau Central Labor Council is hosting a Thanksgiving Food Drive on Nov. 13th at Sandy Beach. Check out what they’re collecting here! Juneau Reading! The Juneau Public Libraries want you to “Fall in love with reading.” They made to-go crafts for all ages to encourage kids to read more about our great state! Juneau Trunk or Treating Bring the kids to the Mendenhall Mall on Oct. 31 to trick or treat at mall businesses and in the parking lot! It’ll be a spooktacular time! NEA Big Read Join in on this virtual book discussion on Nov. 3rd. (You can get the book, “An American Sunrise” at the library or through the Alaska Digital Library.) Get more information here. Juneau Halloween Fun Run Join this fun run, and other family activities, hosted by Girls on the Run and the Girl Scouts tomorrow (Oct. 30) at the covered play area at Riverbend Elementary. Haines First Friday We’re one week out from First Friday! Head downtown to join the fun! Haines Turkey Shoot The Hot Shots Turkey Shoot is on for Nov. 20! People of all ages and skill levels are invited to join in the fun and win some turkeys. Gustavus Trick or Treating! Come down to the Community Center from 4-6pm on Oct. 31 for a fun trick or treat. Make sure to check every door! 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]