And We're Off!

January 27, 2023

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

The second week of session is drawing to a close. It started in Skagway. There was a speech form the governor, an outcry from school supporters, and things finished with a hearing on my veterans' trapping license bill.

But that wasn't half of it. There's more below—plus your first chance this session to help out our schools!

Rep. Story helped me present the citation I sponsored for Sara Kinjo-Hischer, Alaska's 2021 Tribal Administrator of the Year. I also really love the new formline panther paw logo for the Skagway school!

Thank you Skagway!

Rep. Story and I spent last weekend in Skagway. We held a town hall, met with the school superintendent, talked to folks individually at office hours, met with city staff, and had some excellent burgers in support of the girls' basketball team at the Elks lodge.

Thanks to everyone who came out to tell us what's important to you!

In the Senate Judiciary Committee with Sens. Claman & Giessel.

Real Crime Reduction

While a lot of politicians talk about locking up criminals, very few talk about what to do when people get out. It's in everyone’s interest to get people who walk out of Alaska prisons into jobs and housing, and connected to treatment for addictions & mental health trouble.

We're mad at people who steal or hurt people. No surprise there. But once they've served their sentences, we need to shift our approach. Both because they're human beings with the same needs as everyone else, and because we're all safer when they succeed. After all, if they fail, another Alaskan becomes a victim.

The Juneau Reentry Coalition and their statewide partners visited my office this week to talk about how we can make that reentry into society work better. The former offenders and advocates said getting support from people who've done it helps a lot. They also pointed to the shortages of behavioral health, substance abuse treatment, housing, and job training make it harder.

To really illustrate the point, the coalition put on an evening reentry simulation for legislators, staff, and community members. Participants faced the huge number of things a person has to do getting out of prison, with tight timelines for each 'week.' It's tough to do as an evening event. In the real world with a real criminal record it's even harder.

I was part of one four years ago. I was amazed at how big an obstacle a simple step like getting an ID card was. Without one, you can't get housing or land a job. You can't prove your identity to take a drug screen or go to required counseling. The list goes on.

It took almost four full years to accomplish, but I'm thrilled to tell you that very soon the Department of Corrections will start issuing IDs to everyone leaving an Alaska prison who doesn't already have one. There's a long list of people who helped make it happen (including Commissioner-designee Jen Winkelman) and I thank them all.

It's a concrete step toward making people successful when they come back into society. And their success is everyone's safety.

Listening to the governor's State of the State speech with Sens. Stedman, Merrick, Claman, Hoffman, & Olson. Just out of the picture in the gallery behind me were Rep. Patkotak's adorable children, Elijah and Francine. (I may have turned around to high five them once or twice.)

Money Where Your Mouth Is

Monday night the governor gave his State of the State address. That’s his annual (constitutionally required!) speech to the legislature outlining his priorities for the year ahead. He struck a very different tone than in the past. No radical cuts. He talked sincerely about collaboration. Those are new.

So is this good news or bad? Both. I believe in the collaborative approach. I’m proud to be part of a bipartisan majority focused on exactly that. And it opens the door to improving how the state serves Alaskans without the inscrutable looming threat of an unpredictable veto at the end. It also means the governor is poised to be more effective in pushing his priorities, some of which would lead in the wrong direction.

For example: the governor wants to spend gobs more money suing the feds. Only a few of those suits are justified. But he also wants to do a lot more fisheries science along the way. I support that. He wants to invest in more post-partum healthcare and put some resources into tackling the huge problems of TB and sexually transmitted infections in our state. Those are wise decisions, too. But his proposal to draw a quarter of a billion dollars from savings (without investing any more in our schools) is unwise at best.

So the opportunity to get more done together brings with it the need to do a lot more work heading off bad ideas. I've rolled up my sleeves, and I'm looking forward to the next four months.

Speaking at the education funding rally on the Capitol steps Monday night. Thanks to everyone who came out in the cold rain!

Speak out for Schools!

The Senate Education Committee spent our first three meetings looking at funding needs.

I’ll be honest: we have a lot of work to do. Presenters detailed millions of dollars in deficits. We saw pictures of moldy classroom walls and sagging foundations. And we learned about massive turnover and burned out educators teaching huge classes.

It would be easy to feel hopeless staring at the colossal barriers facing our kids and teachers.

But that's not really an Alaska thing. Constituents aren't shying away from the problem—you’re demanding better. That clearly starts with an increased Base Student Allocation so our kids can get a strong education in safe, dynamic schools. It also means restoring a pension, so our school staff can work in Alaska communities without giving up the family's finances.

Legislators across the state are listening. Constituents' voices make a difference, so please don’t stop now. If you keep pushing from outside the Capitol, we’ll keep working inside to get it done.

The first big opportunities to make your voice heard are Monday, January 30, and Wednesday, February 1. The Senate Education Committee will take testimony on school funding from 3:30-5pm in the Beltz room. You can also call in: if you have a Juneau phone number, call 586-9085. For all others, it's 844-586-9085. I hope to see or hear you then!

All my best,

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Events & Happenings Around District B

Skagway Story Time

Remember the weekly story time with Ms. Anna! Perfect for kids up to age 3, it’s a fun romp with songs, books, and more. Wednesdays at the library, 10:30am.

Skagway Book Club

Join fellow readers at the Skagway Book Club! This month’s book is “Breakfast with Buddha.” You can join the conversation Jan. 29 at the Library!

Stalking Awareness Workshop

T&H is hosting a Stalking Awareness & Prevention Community Workshop and Resource Fair. You can participate in this important program Jan. 30 either on Zoom or in-person at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall from 12-2pm. Email Jeni Brown for more info.

Juneau Cross Stitch

On Jan. 31, the Zach Gordon Youth Center is hosting a cross stitch workshop!

Juneau Big Band

Dance the night away at the JACC on Feb. 3.

Juneau Symphony

Beethoven, Strauss, and Rimsky-Korsakov! The Juneau Symphony plays at JDHS on January 28 & 29!

Juneau Chamber Series

For more excellent music, come listen to Flautist Sally Schlichting at SLAM on Feb. 11.

Gustavus Pie

Savory? Sweet? Why not both! Whether you bring a pie or just want to eat, swing by the Community Center Feb. 5^th at 2pm for the annual Pie Potluck.

Gustavus Valentine’s Day

What better way to prepare for Valentine’s than baked goods? Come by the Community Center Feb. 12^th at noon for sweets and good company. If you can, bring some baked goods of your own, or kick in a $5 donation.

Gustavus Ping-Pong

Do you have what it takes to be the ping-pong wizard? Compete in the tournament Jan. 28^th at the Community Center and find out!

Gustavus Puzzles

Celebrate National Puzzle Day in the best way: with puzzles! Join fellow enthusiasts Jan. 29^th at the Community Center.

Haines First Friday

Come check out local art and more on Feb. 3!

Haines Clara Nevada Exhibit

Learn about this gold rush steamer that sunk off Eldred Rock at the Haines Sheldon Museum during First Friday on Feb. 3, and again Feb. 5!

Haines Afterschool Games

Come to the library Jan. 30 for a fun filled game of bananagrams!