House District 19 Issues Survey

Whether it's education, the PFD, snow plowing, public assistance, or the economy, I want to know what you care about most.

Please complete this short 5-10 minute survey so that I can best serve you. You may choose to keep your responses anonymous, however there is an option to provide your contact information and/or indicate which neighborhood you live in at the end of the survey.

Legislative Update

I first want to share that HJR 4, "Honoring the Alaska-Korea Relationship", passed the House unanimously on Monday, March 20! I am so excited to have my first piece of legislation head to the Senate with over 25 co-sponsors from both bodies. We hope to present the resolution at Asian Culture Night 2023 later this month. This event is being held for the first time in three years by the Asian Alaskan Cultural Center, and this year, features cultural performances from our Korean-American community. You can watch my House Floor speech and the vote here. I want to extend my gratitude to the Consulate of South Korea in Anchorage and Senator Löki Tobin's office for working in collaboration on this resolution.

Many have expressed concern on the recent proposed legislative pay increase. I am opposed to the 67% legislative pay increase because of the rushed, opaque public process behind the recommendation. It doesn't make sense to increase legislative pay while Alaskans are starving and schools are at risk of closing. Rep. Mears, Rep. Dibert, and Rep. Groh will be introducing a bill to reject the legislative pay increase, and I plan to co-sponsor this legislation when it is read across the floor.

I know many of you are concerned about Alaska's energy resilience and have been following the progress of the Willow project. While I was excused from the House Floor when my colleagues voted on HJR 6, I did vote against joining an amicus brief that defended the Willow development. The vote passed 34-4, and I was joined by three other legislators in voting no, including fellow House Minority members, Rep. Andrew Gray and Rep. Ashley Carrick. Please know that I care deeply about Alaska's energy independence, and I am eager to support resource development that is economically feasible, curbs harmful emissions, and protects the future livelihood of Alaskans. I am optimistic that we can develop responsibly while empowering our Arctic communities and bolstering renewable energy alternatives.

Lastly, this week I introduced HB 127 as a companion bill to Senator Giessel’s SB 106, which will allow legally responsible adults to be paid caregivers to family members who are qualified to receive services under the Medicaid 1915(k) waiver program. Also known as the Community First Choice Program, the 1915(k) waiver allows States to provide home and community-based attendant services to those who might otherwise have to relocate to receive much more expensive, institutionalized care. Caregiving for family members is a compassionate sacrifice and is too often unpaid work. But in Alaska, prior to the pandemic, legally responsible individuals (like family members) are prohibited from receiving Medicaid payments for caregiving. Giving families the tools to keep their loved ones at home and near their personal support networks is a win-win: expanding caregiving options for Alaskans and saving the state great deal of money by avoiding institutionalized care.

REMINDER:

PFD Applications due by 11:59pm on March 31

The PFD offices will be open to the public on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM, except for state holidays. The PFD offices will be closed to the public on Thursdays. Register for the PFD online here!

Anchorage Elections on April 4, 2023

The next Regular Municipal Election is April 4, 2023. Ballots have been mailed.​​​​ Visit the municipal elections webpage here for more information.



P.S. ​Your Anchorage Assembly district may have changed in 2022 - make sure to double-check your assembly district!

Community events and resources

Drag Lotería 1 Year Anniversary

Friday March 24 from 6PM-8PM at Cafecito Bonito, 6307 Debarr Road Suite A

Join us for a night of community, culture, mocktails, tapas, lotería, and an all-ages drag show featuring Latine + BIPOC artists! This event is put on by Arciniega Street Productions.

Asian Culture Night

March 31st at 7PM, Alaska Center for the Performing Arts, 621 West 6th Avenue

Asian Culture Night 2023 features Korea and will take you on an exciting tour of the music and dance of Korea by the Sorigae Molgae from Seoul. Molgae has presented Korean music not only through traditional Samulnori performance but through performing with various foreign music genres (Gukak orchestra, Jazz, Classic, Flamenco, etc.).

Dance for Democracy with DJ Kimi

Saturday April 1 from 1PM – 3PM at the Nave, 3502 Spenard Rd

Come to a Dance for Democracy, a non-partisan outdoor voting education event! There will be a DJ, food trucks and a free scoop of ice cream for the first 100 people to arrive! Bring your kids, bring your friends! This event is put on by the Alaska Voter Hub, Alaska Center Education Fund, and partners.

Two upcoming shows at Cyrano's Theater

The Book Club Play

March 31-April 23, 2023

Super Sidekick, The Musical

April 8 - April 23, 2023

There are several upcoming events at the Mountain View Library for all-ages.

Listening Post, Homeschool Hangout, Movie Nights, and so much more!

Anchorage Parks Youth Employment

The best summer jobs in the world, are open! Recruitment numbers look lower than in past years, so encourage your teens to apply. Every applicant receives an interview.  

Youth Employment in Parks (YEP) Crew Leader: until filled

Rolling FAFSA applications for Alaska students

ACPE, US Department of Education Federal Student Aid (FSA), and professionals from postsecondary institutions and Alaska Native organizations across Alaska have teamed up to deliver one centralized location for you to access the information and resources necessary to complete the FAFSA.

The Future of Cook Inlet Energy Presentation & Community Event

April 13, 2023 at 6:30 pm at the Anchorage Museum, 625 C Street.

Join an in-depth discussion about the energy challenges facing Cook Inlet, the renewable energy solutions available to us, and the roadblocks that are slowing that renewable energy development.