Elections Update -
Congratulations to George Martinez and Karen Bronga on their respective elections to represent the East Side on the Anchorage Assembly! I wish both of them the best luck as they shoulder this new responsibility.
Budget Update -
On Monday the budget passed the House on a party-line vote. This budget process was clouded with enmity after the House Majority amended the budget at the last minute to block a $680 increase in the BSA.
This budget was a disappointment to my colleagues and I of course, but more importantly it was a disappointment to all the Alaskans who wrote letters, called their representatives, and showed up to the capital to fight for decent public education. I’m sorry we couldn’t convert that outpouring of concern into a different outcome.
In addition to the fight over education funding, it was disheartening to watch my colleagues rise to the Floor dozens of times—offering thoughtful, well considered amendments to bolster critical programs or cut wasteful spending—only to be voted down along party lines. In the end the budget that passed is nearly $600 million underwater, and the House Majority has shown little interest in generating new revenue. I’m hopeful that the Senate can produce a more productive proposal that adequately provides for the needs of Alaskans.
Chugach State Park Gets a Boost-
Not that there’s not good news around here! Several weeks ago I offered an amendment in the House Natural Resources Finance Subcommittee to increase the Chugach State Park budget by $336,000 using funds from the state vehicle rental tax. This funding would help the park accommodate its dramatic increase in use since the start of the pandemic—it means fewer overflowing trashcans, cleaner bathrooms, better trail maintenance.
That original amendment failed in subcommittee on a party line vote because that’s what happens to minority amendments in subcommittee, but I was just not deterred.
I worked with Rep. Coulombe to get the amendment in the House budget in House Finance. Separately, last week the Senate Natural Resources Finance Subcommittee adopted the same language. With both chambers of the legislature agreeing on that funding, it will almost certainly be included in the final budget.