New Year, New Session

January 11, 2020

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

2020! It’s a new year and we're getting in gear for the legislative session to start January 21st. Legislators and staff are already coming back to the capital city — a bunch of them will be on the same ferry I’m riding home from Haines!

View out the window on the flight to Skagway

Constituent Conversations

I spent the past week holding office hours and town halls around our district. Thanks to everyone who came out to share your ideas and concerns in Gustavus, Skagway, Klukwan, and Haines!

Every community had concerns about the budget, education, and the ferries. They’re top priorities this session. And each community had local issues and ideas for me to work on. It’s great to get them directly from you.

I'll hold one more town hall before session: Wednesday 1/15 with Reps. Sara Hannan and Andi Story. There’s more information on that below. I hope you can join us!

Recall Ruling

The Superior Court ruled Friday that the recall campaign has good enough grounds to get started on its second round of signature collection. The judge ruled from the bench after oral arguments so I haven't seen the decision yet. Once that’s out, the state seems likely to appeal to the Alaska Supreme Court, so it may be a while before we get a final verdict. Stay tuned.

All my best,

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Events around District Q

Juneau Mudrooms

Come out and hear local story tellers on Jan. 14. This month’s topic is “Animal House.” Here are details.

Juneau LunaFest

Check out this great film festival, hosted by the Juneau Pro-Choice Coalition on Jan. 17. See the info.

Juneau Music Meets the Mountain

Come for an evening of fun with dinner and music at Eaglecrest on Jan. 18. Here are details.

Skagway Writer’s Meetup

Come to the Skagway library on Jan. 21 to meet local writers and share ideas. Here’s more info.

Haines ALCAN 200

Watch the road rally and more from Jan. 17-19. See here.

Haines Trail From Long Ago

Come hear from Tim Ackerman and see his photographs from his experience documenting historic Tlingit trade routes on Jan. 18 at the Sheldon Museum. See more info.

Haines Northern Lights Showcase

Come for a fun night of music and spoken word hosted by the Haines Arts Council on Jan. 19.

Here are details.

Gustavus Pie Potluck

Bring your pie, and eat many more, at the annual pie potluck on

Jan. 12. (Why am I missing this? You don’t have to!) Details here.

Gustavus Fireman’s Ball

Come for an evening of dinner and dancing with all proceeds supporting the Gustavus Helping Hands Hospice Group on Jan. 18. Here's more information.