NOW We're Movin' NOW We're Movin' April 15, 2022 Dear Friends and Neighbors, There's more to look forward to than just a sunny weekend and searching for eggs (or the afikomen.) The budget is coming up soon in the senate, bills are moving faster, and there are only 31 days left in the constitutional session. Happy Easter to my Christian friends. A zissen Pesach to fellow members of the Tribe. And happy springtime to everyone! Last week legislators from across Alaska and all points along the political spectrum honored Sen. Bettye Davis and her tremendous work for children, education, and so much more. We unveiled a portrait that will hang in the committee room that bears her name. I want to personally thank the Alaska Black Caucus for their work to make it happen! Playing Catch-Up Every sector of the economy is struggling to find workers right now: the public sector, the private sector, nonprofits, etc. My bill, SB 195, is a catch-up bill for non-union state employees' pay, which has fallen way behind. State employees who are in a union get negotiated pay increases. For any state employee not in a union (including the entire Department of Law, the Judicial Branch of government, and the non-legislators in the Legislative branch,) pay is set by law. Historically, there’s always been a bill to adjust the salary to keep pace with folks who have a contract—although it's pretty common for it to lag a year. But we’ve fallen a full cycle behind. That means some state procurement officers, computer programmers, and HR professionals make less than others with the same job duties. At the last hearing, there was a great conversation about fairness between union and non-union state employees. If you can spare 12 minutes you might find it interesting. Unequal pay has other issues, too. It means we stand to lose good people who do important work. Recruiting and training new employees is a significant cost to the state. The Senate State Affairs Committee has heard the bill twice, so this is your chance to weigh in and let the committee know we need to pay our state employees a fair wage so they can continue to serve Alaskans. It's time to move the bill on to its next committee. You can email [email protected]. The Alaska Legislature passed a citation honoring Blue and Deb Bergmann (seen here with two of their children, Scott & Jessica,) for all the sweetness they brought Alaska running the Alaska Fudge Co. for the past 40 years. Mighty (clean) Waters Thanks to the many people who wrote and testified, my PFAS bill, SB 121, is up for a second hearing in the Senate Finance Committee next week. Even if you’ve already reached out to the prior committee, please email the Finance Committee members and let them know why clean drinking water matters for all Alaskans. You can email them at [email protected]. Amendments Galore My colleagues in the House had a long, contentious week last week. After many hours on the floor, 88 amendments, and more amendments to the amendments than I like to think about, they sent us the operating budget. The House version of the budget adds money to fund bonuses for prosecutors and public defenders. We need to keep lawyers on the job and working cases for public safety, and we’re not paying even close to a competitive wage. (Again, write in to support my bill SB 195 if you want to fix that!) Another good provision: the House forbade using state money to pay legal settlements the governor owes personally. Usually, government officials can’t be sued in a personal capacity for something they do in the course of the job. But the governor and his past chief of staff’s decisions in 2018 to fire doctors at API who wouldn’t take a political loyalty oath were so far over the line a federal court said he was personally liable. The Department of Law agreed to settle the case using public funds. But Alaska's constitution requires a public purpose for state spending, not a private one. And then the bad. The House passed an unconstitutional, ineffectual amendment to stop Medicaid from paying for abortions. Women shouldn’t be denied the right to control their bodies because they're poor. In fact, the Alaska Supreme Court has made it clear doing so violates Alaska's constitution. The House budget also pays for dozens of new Anchorage employees to take over permitting wetland work from the Federal government. The state folks wouldn't get to operate under any different rules than the feds do. We'd just pay for the work instead of Uncle Sam. That's not a good use of Alaskans' money. I hope to get these and a few other issues fixed as the Senate works on next year's spending plan. I think (hope!) we'll be able to do it without spending multiple days on the floor. Stay tuned! 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 Guiding Highlight Looking for a little light summer volunteer opportunity? The Juneau-Douglas City Museum needs you to help guide Alaskans and Outsiders alike through the Capitol! It's a lot of fun, and visitors love it! If you’re interested fill out the form here. Juneau Egg Hunt Enjoy this free event at Mendenhall River Community School. They're hiding over 2500 eggs! Bring your own baskets and keen eyes! Juneau Dance Team Showtime This highly anticipated yearly event has a fabulous lineup of performers. It's fun for the whole family April 16th. Buy your tickets here! Juneau Project Homeless Connect This annual, free event helps those most in need by gathering resources in our community for a good cause—connecting people with the help they need! Volunteer, contribute, or refer someone who could use a hand. Juneau Wine Clink! Come support the JACC at this wine tasting fundraiser with great entertainment. Juneau Maritime Festival The 11th Annual Maritime Festival is May 7th. Catch up with neighbors! Enjoy live music, delicious seafood, and much more. Free and open to all ages! Juneau Jazz and Classics They've outdone themselves with this year's lineup. Blues! Brass! Jazz! Strings! It's May 9-14 and you don't want to miss it. Juneau Travel Fair A free, fun event April 16th connecting local tour operators with the community to learn about their businesses and see what the summer season has in store. Definitely worth it if you have guests coming! Haines Murder Agatha Christie’s play “A Murder is Announced” comes to the Chilkat Center the weekend of April 22nd. Haines River Talk Come listen to stories on the theme “Anything Goes.” Seven speakers, seven stories, seven minutes, 7 pm, for $7. Plus drinks, live music, and snacks—happening April 21st at the Chilkat Center for the Arts. Skagway Spring into Fun A free event for the whole family at the Skagway Public Library—hunt some eggs and avail yourself of take & go chocolate for the kids. Don’t miss out: April 16th! Skagway DDF Support the Drama, Debate, Forensics Team as they perform their pieces for the community—These young people are amazing! Skagway Spring Festival The annual cabin fever reliever is Easter weekend! Get out and enjoy the fresh “spring” air during a weekend full of fun events for the whole family! Skagway Babies Stories, songs, and fun with Ms. Anna! The Windy Valley Babies get together every Wednesday in the library at 10 am. Skagway Teens Get out of the house and go to the library for a weekly night when your parents aren’t allowed to come bug you - Fridays at 6:30 pm! Gustavus Teens Try the Wii, ping-pong, games, and more. Plus, there’s popcorn! It's all free and fun—stop by the Gustavus Community Center after school on Mondays. 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]