SUBSCRIBE ‌ ‌ Happy Holidays! December 23, 2019 As I reflect on this past year, I have much to be thankful for and although there have been many ups and downs, I am proud of the work my office has done to move Alaska forward. I look forward to a new year and pledge to you to continue building on the goodwill of collaboration and respect between my Senate colleagues to push policies and legislation that improve the lives of all Alaskans. This will be my last newsletter of the year, and shall I say, decade, and I want to wish each and every one of you a very happy holiday season and a successful new year. All my best, Senator Tom Begich Senate District J I Need Your Help I'm considering changing how I use social media and my newsletter next year. Please answer this anonymous poll to help me decide where I should post legislative and office updates: Which one of these online platform do you prefer to receive most of your updates from me? Twitter (@TomBegich) Select Facebook (facebook.com/SenatorTomBegich) Select This newsletter (Begich Bulletin) Select Our Upcoming Session Schedule Session begins Tuesday, January 21, 2020 January 4 through January 20, 2020, my physical Anchorage office will be closed while staff and I prepare for the second half of the 31st Legislature. My Juneau office will open Tuesday, January 21. If in Juneau while we are in Session, please come visit me anytime between 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. State Capitol Room 11 Main line: (907) 465-3704 Toll-free: 888-330-3704 Email: [email protected] Throughout the year, the Anchorage Legislative Information Office is available to assist you in connecting with your representatives and senators. The Anchorage LIO is located on the 1st floor of the Anchorage Legislative Building (1500 W Benson Blvd) and it is open 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Main line: (907) 269-0111 Email: [email protected] Developing an effective education reading initiative that starts with Pre-K! For the past few months I have been working with the Commissioner of Education, the Governor, other education leaders, and other legislators to explore an effective reading strategy that will help ensure that Alaska’s kids have a real and evidence-based opportunity to be successful readers. To me the key has always been ensuring kids come to school with the skills and ability to learn and that we provide a working environment that dedicates time to identifying learning disabilities, crafting student-based strategies for learning, and that provides teachers an opportunity to teach. While we have yet to fully develop legislation to meet these needs I think we are close and remain optimistic that we will pass effective pre-K and reading policy this year. Restorative Justice Summit Updates Earlier this month, I helped sponsor Representative Tarr’s annual Restorative Justice Summit, which brought educators together from across the state to discuss appropriate and successful ways of addressing classroom conflict. I have spent much of my career training community leaders, educators, and juvenile justice advocates in Restorative Justice practice and was impressed with the quality of the program and the dedication of the teacher attendees. All Alaskans will benefit from their work. I look forward to continuing our work with educators from across the state in centering restorative practices in our schools – creating space for students and teachers to better understand each other, develop stronger relationships, address their needs effectively, and to heal. Western Legislative Academy This month I had the honor of attending the Council of State Government's Western Legislative Academy in Colorado Springs. This training gave legislators from the western United States a variety of skill-building, leadership honing, and networking opportunities. Themed classes surrounded topics on management, leadership styles, and ethics in an environment that encouraged limited phone use while in session, and intense class participation. I was able to attend this conference because of scholarships provided by the Council of State Governments. Representatives George Rauscher, Kelly Merrick, and I were also able to attend the training in Colorado Springs. Our Minority Caucus Senators Elvi Gray-Jackson (Anchorage), Bill Wielechowski (Anchorage), Donny Olson (Golovin), Scott Kawasaki (Fairbanks), and Jesse Kiehl (Juneau) met this past week and reaffirmed our strategies of working for hope and opportunity for all Alaskans. This year we will continue to promote a healthy Dividend and Permanent Fund, reasonable approaches to revenue including a reduction in oil and gas tax credits, a reaffirmation of our support for community safety - including a reexamination of crime policy to ensure we are truly reducing crime and promoting healthy and safe communities, and a sharp look at the impact of climate change on our state’s long-term future. Stay tuned to see our initiatives in each of these areas. We are looking forward to a productive session. My colleagues and I will need your support as we promote a positive vision of Alaska. Contact me! (907) 465-3704 (Juneau // session) (907) 269-0169 (Anchorage // interim) [email protected] Email ADN Send a letter to the Anchorage Daily News ‌ ‌ Sen. Tom Begich | State Capitol Building, 120 4th St, Room 11, Juneau, AK 99801 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | About Constant Contact Sent by [email protected]