NOW We're Movin'
April 15, 2022
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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!
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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!
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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].
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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].
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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!
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Did someone forward you this newsletter?
Did you fall into it through the series of tubes? Want more?
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Events & Happenings Around District Q |
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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
Juneau Wine
Juneau Maritime Festival
Juneau Jazz and Classics
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!
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Haines Murder
Haines River Talk
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
Skagway Spring Festival
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
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. |
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Is there an event in our district I should know about? Please call or email!
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Snail Mail?
Alaska State Capitol
Room 419
Juneau, AK 99801
Call:
800 550 4947
907 465 4947
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Contact My Staff,
the people who power the work:
Edric Carrillo
907 465 6419
Cathy Schlingheyde
907 465 6827
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