Senator Josh Revak 

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January 2020

Revak Report ~ Legislative Session Begins
Dear Friends,

The second session of the 31st legislature started on January 21st, and I am humbled to have been appointed and confirmed to serve District M. I find myself in a unique position this session and one with big shoes to fill. I promise to listen to all of you, work hard to gain your trust, and find resolutions to keep moving the state forward and on a path of continued success.

This legislative session I will serve as Chair of the Senate State Affairs Committee, Co-Chair of the Joint Armed Services Committee, and serve as a member on Senate Resources and Labor & Commerce committees. I look forward to serving in this capacity and fully vetting any legislation that will come before my committees. Please know that I'll be working hard for you and our neighbors this session.

Again, I'm honored to serve and represent Senate District M, look forward to hearing from you during the session. Please email me (mailto:[email protected]) , call my office at 907-465-3879, or visit us anytime to share you thoughts and concerns.

Thank you,


Please Share Your Thoughts and Opinions ~

The State of Alaska has a very bright future with tremendous opportunities for new oil coming on line to fill the pipeline in the coming years. This will provide substantially new oil revenue, jobs for Alaskans, and help us overcome the fiscal challenges we are currently faced with. Please take time to complete my survey ([link removed]) to help me better serve you and understand your thoughts and concerns as we work to overcome these challenges. To take the survey click on the picture below.
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The Budget
The state budget is the number one priority of the legislature. In preparation for the budget I have reviewed the Department of Revenue's Fall 2019 Revenue Forecast ([link removed]) , the current market trends for ANS oil prices and production; and the administration's FY 2021 Budget ([link removed]) , which fully funds K-12 education and the court system; adds 3 new prosecutors to the Department of Law and 15 new Alaska State Trooper positions; increases spending for the Department of Corrections and the Pioneer Homes; adds $43 million for homeless assistance; and provides for a full PFD. The FY 2021 budget presented creates a budget shortfall of approximately $1.5 billion and requires a draw from the discretionary savings account to balance the budget.

Over the next few weeks the legislature will have an opportunity to meet with each department to evaluate priorities and look for ways to eliminate redundancy and streamline government spending.
I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass a budget that is balanced, sustainable, protects the Permanent Fund and dividend, and aligns with our caucus principles.


The Bicameral Permanent Fund Working Group

The Bicameral Permanent Fund Working Group ([link removed]) , established during the 2019 legislative session, met several times during the interim to work on a sustainable plan for the use of the permanent fund earnings in an effort to provide a long term fiscal solution for Alaska. On Monday, January 20th, 2020 the working group met and presented theirfinal recommendations ([link removed]) in a report to the to the legislature and the public.

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Staying involved with the Alaska Legislature is easy and right at your fingertips. Click on the picture above to view committee schedules and hearings, track legislation and associated documents, or email your legislator with any comments or concerns.


** Get Involved!

AMATS MTP 2040 Public Review Draft
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The AMATS Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) 2040 is the long-range planning document currently under development that will recommend improvements to the surface transportation system from today to 2040 for the Anchorage Bowl and Chugiak-Eagle River. The MTP is updated every four years.

You may review the draft plan by clicking the links below. Printed copies will be available as of January 2nd, 2020, for viewing at the following public library branches: Eagle River, Mountain View, Loussac, and Muldoon. Print copies will also be available at the Planning Counter, Municipal Planning and Development Center, 4700 Elmore Road.

For Public Review and Comment*:
* MTP Cover to Chapter 4 ([link removed])
* MTP Chapter 5 to Appendices ([link removed]) ([link removed])

*Please note the document has been separated into two files due to the overall size of the document.

The Deadline to Submit Public Comments is Close of Business Friday, February 14th, 2020.​

How to Submit a Comment
Email: (mailto:[email protected]) [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) (mailto:[email protected])
Website: MTP 2040 ([link removed])
Fax: 907.249.7712
Mail: PO BOX 196650, Anchorage, AK 99519
At one of the following events:

Upcoming Events
Anchorage Transportation Fair
January 23rd, 2020
3-7 PM
Alaska Airlines Center
3550 Providence Dr.
Anchorage, AK

MTP 2040 Public Meeting
February 5th, 2020
5-7 PM, Presentation at 6 PM
Mountain View Library
Community Meeting Room
120 Bragaw St.
Anchorage, AK
Community Council Meetings

Abbott Loop Community Council ([link removed]) generally meets the last Thursday of each month and will be holding their next monthly meeting is scheduled for January 30th from 6:30-8:30pm.
MEETING LOCATION:
Abbott Loop Elementary School Library
8427 Lake Otis Pkwy
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Huffman/O'Malley Community Council ([link removed]) meets the third Thursday of each month and will be holding their next monthly meeting on Thursday, February 20th from 7:00pm.

MEETING LOCATION:
Trinity Presbyterian Church
12310 Lorraine St.
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Hillside Community Council ([link removed]) meets the fourth Wednesday of each month and will be holding their next monthly meeting on Wednesday, January 26th from 7:00 - 9:00pm.
MEETING LOCATION:
O'Malley Elementary School - multi-purpose room
O'Malley/Rockridge Dr.



Honoring Tim Gravel

Proud to present this citation to honor entrepreneur and business owner Tim Gravel for his accomplishments in business stewardship and his remarkable contributions to the Anchorage Community. Tim reminds us that philanthropy is contagious. Give someone a helping hand when you have the opportunity.

Tour ARC of Anchorage
It was an honor to tour the ARC of Anchorage with Barbara Rodriguez-Rath, Chief Executive Office, and Clara Sanderson, Senior Public Relations ~ they have hearts of gold and do a great service for many members of our community with special needs.

Huffman Elementary

Huffman Elementary students Eli, Kayla and Kira, in the "Ignite" program, showed me their school and we enjoyed a high protein insect treat. The kids had me to taste some BBQ crickets, and made me a certified entomophagist!

They did a great job showing off their school!

Blue Ribbon School
O'Malley Elementary School Principal, Kelly Eagleton, and her students were awarded the 2019 Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the National Department of Education for Exemplary High Performance. Very impressive.

Hats off to the whole staff!
Meet Team Revak ~
Kim "The Boss" Skipper
Chief of Staff
Kim is from Eagle River and served over 30 years as an accounting and human resource manager in the private sector. She started her career in the legislature in 2007. She will assist with constituent relations, my personal legislation, and staff the Labor & Commerce and Joint Armed Services committees.
Dustin "Get 'er Done" Elsberry
Special Assistant
Dustin is from North Pole and graduated from the University of Alaska Fairbanks with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and History. He currently works as the Legislative Liaison Research Associate for the Center for Arctic Policy at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Dustin is also an ASE Master Certified diesel mechanic and utilized those skills on his family hog farm. Dustin is interested in Constitutional Law, National Security and Administrative Law, Foreign Policy and Political Philosophy and plans on attending law school.
Betty "Bunker Betty" Tangeman
Committee Aide

Betty is from Anchorage and served 20 years as a probation officer with the Department of Corrections. She started her career in the legislature in 2017 and will staff the State Affairs committee and assist with constituent relations.


Darren "Napoleon" Napoli
Special Assistant

Darren is from Dillingham and is a student at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. He will graduate Spring of 2020 with a degree in Political Science and the Performing Arts. After graduation Darren hopes to pursue an acting career and obtain his refrigerated seawater certification in to aide Bristol Bay fisherman during the summer months. He will manage my calendar, and assist with constituent relations.
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Our mailing address is:
Session: State Capitol, Room 125, Juneau, AK 99801
Interim: 1500 West Benson, Room 410, Anchorage, AK 99503

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