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January 3, 2023
 
Revak Report
Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

This will be my last newsletter as Senator. I remain honored and humbled to have had the opportunity to serve my South Anchorage constituents in the Legislature over these past 4 years. My team and I addressed thousands of emails, hundreds of constituent concerns, worked on legislation to improve our state, and have recognized outstanding citizenship in our community through legislative commendations. I have served as chairman of committees on resources, state affairs, and joint armed services. I have served as vice chairman of labor & commerce, as well as served as a member of a host of other committees.
 
We’ve experienced a lot together. While I’ve served as a member of the legislature, we have faced devastating earthquakes, forest fires, oil prices below $90 per barrel, a federal government hostile toward resource development COVID and a plethora of other challenges. I commend Governor Dunleavey and his team for their commitment through all those remarkable challenges. I also commend our federal delegation for fighting Alaska’s battles in D.C., especially as it relates to our natural resources. I’m proud to say that as a member of the 31st and 32nd we passed criminal justice reform to repeal/replace SB91. We’ve passed comprehensive alcohol and education policy updates. We’ve maintained a healthy dividend through hard financial times. We’ve protected and increased the principle of Permanent Fund for future generations of Alaskans, and made significant investments in critical our infrastructure in Alaska.
 
None of it was easy for anyone in Alaska government. It is remarkable to me how all these challenges were overcome in an environment of unusually bitter partisanship and uncommon political divides. At a conference recently, legislators received a lecture on political misinformation. I believe it to be important for you to know that both sides of some of the most divisive political issues in our state and country recently, including both Black Lives Matter and Blue Lives Matter, are believed to have been largely driven by foreign entities with the purpose of dividing the American people. We cannot allow that happen. Regardless of the nature of our political disagreements, we must do everything we can to not allow them to cultivate hatred toward one another. We need to practice active listening and seek to better understand one another wherever possible.    
 
The future will bring new and difficult challenges and, I believe as I always have, that Alaska will overcome them through the awesome resilience of our people. While my time in the legislature has come to an end, I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve our great state. I will continue to find ways to serve our community.
 
Thank you for this opportunity to serve. I hope our paths cross again. 
 

Blessings,                                                  


              
Working for you
Thanks to the incredible effort of neighbors and Alaskans, nonprofits, Alaskan small businesses, state departments, my Senate and House colleagues, and countless staff and volunteered hours, we passed 7 pieces of legislation over the last two years. Additionally, despite budget constraints that made funding for any capital projects minimal, we secured $200 million for critical Port of Alaska repairs, $2 million for road surfacing and repair, $40,000 for wildfire mitigation.
Senate Bill 21 does two things: First, it consolidates oversight and licensing of paramedics under one state agency, instead of two. This will reduce duplicative regulation and, after 20 years, paramedics will be united with their other EMS colleagues in the Department of Health and Social Services. Second, SB 21 vastly improves temporary licensing laws for active-duty military members and their spouses. Now, instead of waiting up to a year to begin working after moving to Alaska, qualified military spouses will be able to receive a temporary courtesy license within 30 days of completing their application. SB 21 passed the legislature unanimously on May 14, 2021.
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Senate Bill 22 directly supports rural and urban hunters in Alaska by allowing the state to continue leveraging millions in Federal dollars to maintain healthy populations of moose, caribou, and other big game for Alaskans to put in their freezers. SB 22 passed the legislature 56-3 on May 17, 2021.
Senate Bill 40 ensures that veterans and their families who are looking for assistance with veterans benefits services are fully informed about the free services offered by Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) before they pay for assistance. This bill will stop predatory businesses from taking advantage of veterans in need of help and increase awareness of the services VSOs offer for free. SB 40 passed the legislature 55-3 on May 19, 2021
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Senate Bill 69 helps small, private-sector renewable energy producers provide Alaskans with power, at no extra cost to consumers or the state. Even more importantly, by removing redundant regulations, SB 69 promotes energy innovation and investment in Alaska and ensures that Alaskans will have access to more diverse energy sources into the future. SB 69 passed the legislature 54-1 on May 7, 2021.
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Senate Bill 143 fixes a decades-old disparity that has been hurting homeowners in older associations. Not only that, it finally allows all associations to pursue modernizing their governing documents. This bill is the result of nearly a decade of hard work by the homeowners and associations most affected and happened because a constituent reached out to me to solve it. SB 143 passed the legislature 57-2 on May 11, 2022
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Senate Bill 203 extends the Purple Heart Trail highway designation completing a continuous 4500-mile land and ocean stretch of Purple Heart Trail from the Alaska Canada Border, through Fairbanks, to Homer and on the entire Alaska Marine Highway system. Each sign will stand as a reminder of the military members who sacrificed their health and personal safety for our freedom. In addition, SB 203 names the Bragaw Street bridge over the Glenn Highway in Anchorage after beloved community member Insook Baik who has organized and given away more than 10,000 meals to those in need around our city. SB 203 passed the legislature 51-4 on May 17, 2022.
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Senate Bill 204 allows the state to bring in more revenue for critical wildlife conservation programs and permanently gives 800 Alaskan nonprofits the option to use online charitable gaming to fundraise for their critical work. Since the bill's passage, nonprofits have already reported successful online and Governor Tag events, the proceeds from which will be poured right back into causes important to Alaskans: from humanitarian aid to Ukraine to helping to fund hundreds of wildlife conservation and outdoor educational programs across Alaska. SB 204 passed the legislature 52-2 on May 17, 2022.
Recognizing Outstanding Alaskans in our District
Throughout my time in the legislature, I have had the honor of learning about the work of dozens of Alaskans who went above and beyond to demonstrate excellence and dedication to their profession, their sport, or their volunteer work. From the late Dr. Tom Wood who volunteered many years of work to the Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center after his retirement and Meera Kohler who recently retired from a decades-long career with the Alaska Village Electric Cooperative where she spearheaded critical development projects around Alaska; to the young men who earned their Eagle Scout ranks and the talented Top 40 Under 40 laurates who are forging new paths in Alaska’s economy; these Alaskans continue to inspire me daily:
Service High School Cougars boys' swim team took home the #1 title at the 2020 State Invitational Swimming and Diving Championship. During a tough year, these young men worked hard to make their school and our district proud!
The Grace Christian Grizzlies Clay Target Team made us proud by taking home the Varsity Trap Team Champion title and numerous individual titles in the 2021 YESS State Team Trap Shooting Championship. Well done!
Service High graduate Emma Broyles was crowned Miss America, bringing the title home to Alaska for the first time in the competition's 100 years. Emma has spent the last year making our state proud by travelling the country advocating for the Special Olympics program and Asian-American and Alaska Native media representation. Thank you and well done, Emma!
Appreciating You
I have been most humbled by each and every neighbor who trusted me to help them with an issue they were facing. Dealing with government agencies can be a frustrating and lengthy process full of red tape. The government should work for you, and legislative offices like mine are often an untapped resource to help navigate those processes. Thank you to the dozens of individuals who have reached out over the years. YOU are the reason I do this job.

I encourage you to keep reaching out to your legislators. Take advantage of the resources that are available to you.

Legislative offices can help:
  • Navigate the PFD eligibility and appeals process
  • Apply for and receive professional licenses in a more timely manner
  • Get connected with municipal, state, and federal resources, small business aid, and at-home assistance
  • File complaints with state departments and Freedom of Information Requests
  • Request letters of recommendation for military academies.
  • Update voter registration
Governor's Proposed FY24 Budget
As required by law, the Governor released his FY24 budget proposal to the public and the Legislature on Dec. 15th, 2022. This proposal does does not increase overall spending, but it currently has a $200 million deficit which would be paid out of the Constitutional Budget Reserve (the state’s savings account). The 33rd Legislature will convene on January 17th and begin consideration of this budget.

The Legislature faces dual problems: The state is struggling with high inflation, fluctuating oil prices, and a long-term budget crisis that has drained the State's budget reserves and forced us to default on some of our liabilities.

The legislature will continue to work on finding a long term fiscal solution in the coming session. I encourage you to join me in following their process over the next few months. 
 
Future  Legislative Contacts
 
Senator-Elect James Kaufman (Senate District F):
[email protected]
Rep. Calvin Schrage (District 12):
[email protected]
Rep-Elect Julie Coulombe (District 11):
[email protected]
Track bills by texting a bill number to 559-245-2529 or by visiting akleg.gov

Local Anchorage contacts:
Find your Community Council: Online here or call 907-277-1977
Municipality of Anchorage website
Assembly-member contacts
Anchorage School District: 907-742-4000
Anchorage School Board: 907-742-1101
Anchorage Pothole Hotline: 907-343-8277
Mailing address:
Session:  State Capitol, Room 125, Juneau, AK  99801
Interim:  1500 West Benson, Room 410, Anchorage, AK  99503
 
[email protected]  |  Senate District M  |  907-465-3879 |  Website

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