SUBSCRIBE ‌ ‌ January 12, 2023 Dear Friends, It is nearly that time when I step down from my seat in the State Senate. It has been a “Long and Winding Road” that first led me to this door. I’ve been a community activist for most of my life. My parents and family taught me that being devoted to public service is a public good – and part of our obligation as citizens. Whether serving in the armed services, your local Little League, in your church, synagogue, or mosque, as an Elk, or a Moose, as a volunteer, or a donor, or in any way, all of us give in some manner as we journey down this path of life. That is what makes us whole. I chose to serve on the front lines of juvenile justice, substance abuse prevention, education, and in many other ways – including my work as both staff to Legislators and as your Senator. And, as your Senator, I must tell you that it has been an honor to serve you. I know at times we haven’t always agreed, but I served these years with these things in mind: we needed to improve our education system – including moving Pre-K into the Foundation Formula. We did that. We need to stop cutting and start providing more resources to our schools. We have begun that journey. We needed to work on building up the Permanent Fund – the long-term renewable resource that will fund our government into the future. Despite significant downturns in the economy and the markets that our Fund is invested in, the volatility of oil, and COVID 19, we did that too. Most importantly, we needed to find a path back to civility. We did that in the Senate as well. Democracy is a fragile thing – based on trust, the ability to see each other as people who have learned to walk together, despite our differences. Without that ability to trust each other, listen to each other, and learn from each other we cannot hold our communities together. If there is that moment when you say, “This is the work of my life,” then I have found it in fighting to hold on to that vision of who we are and how we are as neighbors and fellow citizens of a great democracy. I believe it to my core, and I know that most of you do as well. This past year a former Governor of Alaska declared that “It’s no longer Democrat versus Republican…. It’s good versus evil….” I reject that nihilistic, hate-filled view of who we are, and I hope you do as well. We choose to align with a party – if we do – based on differences in belief, upbringing, policies, and personalities - but those are choices. We make them freely, we retain the ability to change them, to reframe them, to choose differently. There is nothing inherently evil in a person's fundamental right to exercise free opinion and association in this democratic republic. In Alaska, we know this, and we practice it. For the past four years as Minority Leader, I worked with Senate Presidents Cathy Giessel and Peter Micciche to help build a better Alaska. My minority Democrats worked together with Majority Republicans on education, criminal justice, energy, budget, transportation, equity, and so many other issues. We knew that our survival as a state – and a nation – depended on breaking down the barriers that had begun to be erected between us – built on false rhetoric and a thirst for power. In the end, we found we had more in common than the political pundits wanted us to believe. Most importantly, we believed in the well-being of Alaska. As I leave this office, I am hoping you believe in Alaska as much as I know we have. I leave you in very capable hands. Reapportionment redesigned the district. Some of you on the West and North side of the District - Fairview, Downtown, Government Hill, and South Addition, will be represented by Senator-Elect Löki Tobin, my former Policy Director. On the East side – Mt. View, Russian Jack, and Airport Heights – it will be Senator-Elect Forrest Dunbar, who recently resigned from his third term on the Anchorage Assembly to serve you in the State Senate. They have joined and are helping to lead Alaska’s Bipartisan Senate Coalition, built on the relationships we have forged over the years. For me, I start on a new path. Where that road will go is uncertain. But I know this: I will not be far away from your door, nor look away from my obligation to serve the public. Thank you again for the honor and privilege of serving you. All my best, Senator Tom Begich Senate District J I would be remiss if I didn’t let you all know where the amazing folks I have been working with over the past few years have gone. My Chief of Staff, and aide to the Alaska Democratic Minority, Mercedes Colbert, has joined Senator Wielechowski’s staff as his Chief of staff and Senate Rules Committee aide. Bill is the incoming Rules Chair in the Senate and a member of the Leadership Team for the Bipartisan Coalition. Mercedes will be in a critical position with the new Majority, continuing her very effective and informative work, providing advice, and making things happen. She has the same e-mail address, as do each of my other former staff except my former Policy Director, Löki Tobin who, as I mentioned in my newsletter, has been elected to the State Senate! Effective January 17, her new email will be [email protected]. Trevor Bailly, my constituent services, front desk, and policy team member, will be joining Senator-Elect Tobin’s staff before heading off to law school (he got into the one he wanted to!). My Minority Media Team, Noah Hanson and Jenn Gifford, will continue in their roles, but for the new Majority Coalition where Noah will be leading the Majority’s press team. Kayla Epstein, who has been providing me with articles and information, as well as contributing to my newsletter as a contractor, will still be visiting offices in Juneau, as she did mine. My guess is she won’t be far from Löki if you need to find her (and Löki has my office from the past 4 years on the Ground Floor, room 11)! And my friend and most recent employee, George Gee, who has been working on a special project relating to the 9th and 10th amendments to the US Constitution, will also be enjoying a well-deserved retirement after the 17th of January. A great team, that will continue to provide service to all Alaskans in their new roles! Anchorage Transportation Fair Stop by anytime between 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm on Thursday, January 12th, to learn about road, rail, pedestrian, air, and safety projects being planned and designed near you! MOA, DOT&PF, and Alaska Railroad projects will all be there, including the AMATS: Fish Creek Trail Connection project! Event Website In-Person Event January 12th, 2022 - 3:00pm - 7:00pm Alaska Airlines Center, Auxiliary Gym 3550 Providence Drive, Anchorage Contact Me! (907) 465-3704 (Juneau / session) (907) 269-0169 (Anchorage / interim) [email protected] ‌ ‌ Sen. Tom Begich | State Capitol Building, 120 4th St, Room 11, Juneau, AK 99801 Unsubscribe [email protected] Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected]