Cliff Notes #9
Alaska Needs Fiscal Action
Serving House District 18
(Government Hill, JBER, and parts of North Muldoon, Downtown, Fairview, and Mountain View)

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I hope this message finds you and your loved ones safe and healthy. The end of the legislative session is approaching fast, and I must admit that I am feeling frustrated that the House Majority has not put together a real fiscal plan, or sent revenue bills to the floor for a vote. Enough talk of a fiscal plan--Alaska needs action. The House Majority leadership must act on revenues to give the people of Alaska the roads, schools, public safety, and Permanent Fund dividends we need and deserve. However, I remain hopeful that progress can still be made as we work together to secure a bright future for Alaska.

Main Priorities

As the session ends, I want to keep you informed and updated on the state of affairs of the legislature and my priorities. I have been working with other legislators--including my fellow freshmen legislators--to find meaningful solutions to our state's most pressing problems as Alaska needs action.

I introduced two measures aimed at achieving these goals. House Joint Resolution 9 is a proposed constitutional amendment that focuses on fully protecting the Alaska Permanent Fund. House Bill 153 would generate new revenue by increasing taxes on the oil industry and thereby raising an estimated $250 million each year that could be used for essential infrastructure, early education, and higher education investment.

I have written an opinion piece in the Anchorage Daily News on how Alaska needs to go beyond mere discussions of a fiscal plan and take action. To read my take on the subject, please click on the link provided.

On April 27th, my staff member Cameron Ebersold and I advocated for House Bill 153 at a hearing before the House Community and Regional Affairs Committee.

Update on HB 153

On April 27, the House Community and Regional Affairs Committee held the first hearing for HB 153. This bill proposes increasing the mill rate for oil and gas property taxes, which, if approved, could create substantial new revenue and provide much-needed relief for the strained state budget. The proposed increase in the mill rate is estimated to raise up to $250 million each year in additional revenue the State of Alaska desperately needs.

Unfortunately, like all revenue bills in the House, it has languished in its first committee of referral.

I proposed this so we may invest in Alaska's infrastructure, retirement system (returning to a Defined Benefit system statewide), and public safety. I believe we can build a brighter future for Alaska, ensuring a more secure and prosperous economy for our state for many years to come.

Joint Armed Services Committee

It is a privilege and honor to be part of the Joint Armed Services Committee and get a firsthand account of the latest news about the military’s activities in Alaska. The information gained on Alaska's role in the Arctic, the environmental changes, and the Arctic strategy against its opponents was especially enlightening. It is a great honor to represent in the Alaska Legislature those who live on our state’s largest military installation, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER).

I appreciated being able to participate in the meeting of the Joint Armed Services Committee on April 25.

Rally to Raise the BSA

It was a pleasure to stand together with educators, students, parents, and citizens at a rally to raise the Base Student Allocation (BSA) on April 20 at the State Capitol steps in Juneau. Since I began my term, a top priority of mine has been making sure that our educational system and its teachers are endowed with the tools necessary for success.

Rally for Pensions for Public Service

It was an honor to participate in the rally May 2 in support of improved pensions for our state employees. Enhancing the retirement benefits of public employees like teachers, public safety officers, and firefighters will save money in the long term. Retaining qualified personnel brings numerous benefits such as increased efficiency and improved retention, as it is usually less expensive to retain experienced staff than to find, employ, and train new ones. I am proud to be a cosponsor of House Bill 22 and a supporter of Senate Bill 88.

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Rally

Rep. Maxine Dibert echoed the sentiments of many when she declared that the community is "committed to fight the crisis" of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) in Alaska. According to a 2020 study by the Urban Indian Health Institute, Alaska is fourth in the nation in cases of missing and murdered indigenous women. I participated in a rally May 5 at the Capitol steps in order to highlight steps to prevent indigenous people from vanishing or becoming victims of homicide.

Honoring Vic Fischer

I felt honored to deliver a speech on the House floor dedicated to Vic Fischer, a paramount figure in the history of Alaska and the last living Delegate to the Constitutional Convention. A forceful champion of statehood, Vic's contributions include service as a territorial and state legislator; co-founder and first Director of the University of Alaska's Institute of Social and Economic Research; and Director of the Russian Affairs Office at the University of Alaska Anchorage. I have been lucky to know him throughout my life.

Hats Off to JBER's 90th and 525th Squadrons

I arranged for the Legislature to express its profound gratitude to the members of the 90th Fighter Squadron and the 525th Fighter Squadron. After a successful five-month deployment in Japan, the 525th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron returned to their base. Meanwhile, the 90th Fighter Squadron was on duty in Poland as part of the NATO Air Shielding mission, returning to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in December 2022. It is with great honor that I serve and represent the base, and I offer my deepest thanks to the men and women of the United States Armed Forces for their strength and valor.

My Staff and I Are Here for You!

As always, I am grateful for the opportunity to serve you in the Legislature. Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions, concerns, or ideas for our great state of Alaska. Contact my staff and me about anything you are interested in. We are always happy to help, and we are here for you!

Sincerely,
Representative Cliff Groh

- Proudly Serving House District 18 -
(Government Hill, JBER, and parts of North Muldoon, Downtown, Fairview, and Mountain View)

Cameron Ebersold

Staff
Phone: 907-465-4998
Email: Cameron.Ebersold@akleg.gov

Contact the Anchorage Legislative
Information Office

1500 W. Benson Blvd.
Anchorage, AK 99503

Office: 907-269-0111
Fax: 907-269-0229

LIO.Anchorage@akleg.gov

Cillian McDonagh

Staff
Phone: 907-465-4998
Email: Cillian.McDonagh@akleg.gov

Contact the Governor's Anchorage Office

550 West 7th Avenue,
Suite 1700, Anchorage, AK 99501

Phone (907) 269-7450
Fax (907) 269-7463

http://gov.alaska.gov

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