Hello friends and neighbors in Juneau and across Alaska! Before I start with my usual newsletter business, I want to give a quick shout out to everyone who took the time to testify on HB115. We saw a great turnout with many different perspectives from all over the state. Itās great to see so many people getting involved in the political process. Thank you all!
On Wednesday Senator Lisa Murkowski delivered an address to a Joint Session of the Legislature. In her remarks, she highlighted new potential emerging in Washington, D.C., for improved federal cooperation in infrastructure and resource development in Alaska.
Throughout the first month of the session we have been holding budget subcommittees which afforded us the opportunity to do high level program overviews. We have been hearing from various departments about what is working, what they can do better, and how we can restructure programs in a way that provides services people are asking for, while making informed choices about the fiscal realities facing the state. These subcommittees are winding down and will soon be releasing their recommendations. Once that happens, we can move forward with educated decision making regarding the state budget. I am resolute in my devotion to passing a sustainable budget with consistent revenue streams that are fair and equitable for all Alaskans.
I hope everyone is having a great winter. Itās warmer but rainier here in Juneau ā I miss Fairbanks even this time of year. I appreciate the weekends Iāve been able to come home. Iāll be sending an update on legislative efforts to solve Alaskaās budget crisis soon. In the meantime I want to inform you about activities in the committees I chair and co-chair.
Hello friends and neighbors in Juneau and across Alaska! I hope you are all doing well. These first three weeks have been quite the busy ride, however I can happily say I have a great team to help me with the work!
Last weekend I traveled home to attend the Arctic Science Summit Week. The annual gathering of international scientists and policymakers from around the globe met with a common goal to advance Arctic research. Through separate but related meetings and events, the Summit provided opportunities for international coordination, collaboration and cooperation in all fields of Arctic science. I had the opportunity to attend these discussions in Fairbanks this year.
The Alaska House of Representatives met from 11:00 am last Thursday until just after 3:30 in the morning on Friday to debate amendments to the state operating budget. The House Finance Committee had greatly reduced the budget from the original version proposed by Governor Walker and his Administration.
After an āextra-helpingā of a special session, Iām glad to be back home in Fairbanks, where there is no shortage of things to do. Over the next few weeks,Governor Bill Walker will unveil his budget details, portions of a fiscal plan and set the tone for the next legislative session that begins in January. The Finance Committee, of which I am a member, will be focused on the fiscal gap and a fiscal solution. It wonāt be easy, but it will be necessary.
