RepHarrietDrummond.com

E-News
February 19, 2019

As your representative,
I am here to listen 
and to help.
Please don't hesitate
to contact me.

Rep.Harriet.Drummond
@akleg.gov

IN JUNEAU
January to April
(907) 465-3875
State Capitol Rm 108
Juneau, AK 99801

IN ANCHORAGE
May to December
(907) 269-0111
1500 W Benson
Anchorage, AK 99503

Toll Free Statewide
1-800-922-3875

Share your thoughts!
Here are some ways to make sure your voice is heard:

Letters to the Editor 
Submit up to 200 words to the Anchorage Daily News at www.adn.com/submit-letter/

Contact other officials

Governor Dunleavy,
Anchorage Office:
907-269-7450 EMAIL
www.state.ak.us

Senator Lisa Murkowski
Anchorage Office:
907-271-3735 EMAIL

Senator Dan Sullivan
Anchorage Office:
907-271-5915 EMAIL

Congressman Don Young
Anchorage Office:
907-271-5978 EMAIL

If you do not wish to receive future emails from Rep. Drummond, click here.

Make your voice heard this Saturday

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Thank you for taking the time to read my legislative updates. Recently there have been some important developments that you should know about which could affect the lives of every Alaskan for years to come.

On Thursday, after an impasse lasting several weeks, I and other members of the Alaska House of Representatives formed a coalition of Democrats, Republicans and Independents, electing Representative Bryce Edgmon from Dillingham as our Speaker of the House.

Rep. Drummond in a discussion after presenting at the Youth Advocacy Institute Luncheon on Saturday, February 9.

This development followed on the heels of the release of Governor Dunleavy’s proposal to cut over $1 billion from the state budget, and to reject $480 million in federal funds in the upcoming fiscal year.

In the years since Alaska fell into recession the legislature has cut the budget by roughly 40 percent, and there are few areas left to cut without eliminating essential services and causing irreparable harm to the economy.

The cuts the governor proposes will result in the loss of an estimated 16,000 private sector jobs. Public schools alone would be cut by an additional 25 percent, and Anchorage would likely lose over 1,000 more teachers.

A full analysis will take weeks to perform, but here is some of what we know so far:  

• K-12 education cut by 23% and previously approved forward-funding for FY21 (year after next) eliminated altogether;
• School bond debt reimbursement completely zeroed out;
• University of Alaska cut by 44%;
• Civil Air Patrol eliminated;
• Department of Law Criminal Division cut by $2.5 million;
• Power Cost Equalization fund ($1 billion) eliminated (this fund created enough money to pay for not only the PCE program, but also some community revenue sharing);
• $30 million unallocated cut to Department of Corrections;
• Pioneer Homes directed to increase rates to cover full cost of care;
• $850 million cut from Department of Health & Social Services (more than half of which is federal funding), which means a 33% cut to Medicaid Services;
• Alaska Marine Highways cut by 68.4% and encouraged to privatize;
• 14% cut to the Alaska State Troopers, 22% cut to Village Public Safety Officers;
• Parents As Teachers, Best Beginnings, Head Start, and Pre-Kindergarten Grants eliminated;
• About $440 million in oil & gas property taxes taken from communities and transferred to the state treasury;
• Community Revenue Sharing eliminated;
• Online with Libraries (OWL) and Live Homework Help eliminated;
• WWAMI Medical Education eliminated;
• Public Broadcasting eliminated;
• Senior Benefits to help destitute elderly Alaskans completely eliminated

Speak out at Anchorage Caucus and constituent meetings this Weekend

I will be returning to town this weekend to attend Anchorage Caucus and to help host a constituent meeting in the district. I am here to represent you in the legislature, so I hope you will attend one or both of these events and share your thoughts. Here are the details:

Anchorage Caucus:

This year, Anchorage Caucus will be held at the ASD Education Center at East Northern Lights Blvd. and Boniface Parkway. The event will begin with introductions, a legislative update, and public testimony, followed by breakout sessions by Senate district:

10:00 - 11:30 am:   Introductions, Legislative Update, and Public Testimony

11:30 am - 12:30 pm:   Breakout Sessions by Senate District

For more information and to RSVP, visit:

https://www.facebook.com/events/2104271706334429/

Mid-Session Constituent Meeting:

After Anchorage Caucus, please join me, Representative Matt Claman, and Senator Elvi Gray-Jackson in the afternoon for pizza, beverages, and an opportunity to discuss the legislative session. I look forward to seeing you!

Saturday, February 23, 1:30-3:00 pm
Anchorage Legislative Information Office
1500 W. Benson Blvd.

https://www.facebook.com/events/618388768605472/

As always, please stay in touch by calling, emailing, or visiting my legislative Facebook page.