How do you envision the future of our Alaska Marine Highway System? The AMH Reshaping Work Group is currently taking public comment, and we need to hear from YOU! All ideas and concerns are appreciated.

In my May 28th newsletter, I stated that $100 million in CARES Act funds would be available for fisheries relief. This was the upper limit the RPL could allow the state to receive in Federal funds, however the state only received $50 million to distribute.

I hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day! Although the holiday weekend may have looked a bit different this year, what we are celebrating – the lives of those who died while serving in the United States Armed Services – has stayed the same.

Don’t forget: tomorrow morning I will be on Facebook Live at 10am, and I am hoping to hear from you! Feel free to send me questions ahead of time at Rep.Dan.Ortiz@AKLeg.gov or comment online during the live session.

I am hosting a virtual coffee hour this weekend! Join me on Facebook Live at 10am on Saturday the 25th. I’ll take questions during the conversation, but I’d also appreciate getting questions beforehand. Feel free to send me questions at Rep.Dan.Ortiz@AKLeg.gov.

This weekend, the Legislature passed a budget. Because of Covid-19 concerns and safety, we knew we had to act quickly.

The budget is relatively flat funded from last year. We continued to make some cuts, but we also fought to protect vital services, such as education and our ferries. Below is a breakdown of some of the biggest results of the budget:

Earlier this week, the Alaska House of Representative passed the operating budget. It took the House 43 days of session to pass the budget, which is the fastest we have passed one since 1993. I am proud with how quickly, efficiently, and cooperatively we worked to get it done.