Education, Energy, and Elections
What does it mean to invest in our future and build an Alaska we want for our children?
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
There's no denying it: These past few weeks have been tough on our community. We're only starting to feel the impact of federal policy decisions, and if recent actions are any indication, things are going to get tougher. The time to act is now.
Please contact our office if you experience hardship that we can help navigate and advocate for you on (tel: (907)-465-3704 or email: sen.loki.tobin@akleg.gov). Whether you are having troubles applying for SNAP or perhaps concerned about road speeds outside your door, we are awaiting your call (or email).
Along with working for you in Juneau, I am also taking a graduate-level political science course this semester. The course has been illuminating as it has been frustrating at the mis- and disinformation promoted regarding the importance and role of our federal labor force. Since 1977, the federal labor force has remained relatively stable. Of course, our federal labor force is lean here in Alaska since we rely heavily on tribal entities and nonprofits to provide the services typical of government. Abrupt firings of Alaska’s federal employees, as well as government funding freezes, hurt Alaskans. Like many of you, I have grave concerns about what is happening in Washington, D.C. Please know that I am not just concerned, but I am actively paying close attention to the situation.
Your advocacy for our schools is making a difference. Keep up the good work and encourage others to join the cause. In the coming months, I'll be creating a series of videos and social media posts about state level education policy. I'm excited to share these with you and continue our fight for better education.
With gratitude,
Answering the question: does more money equal better education outcomes?
The transformative power of increased funding in schools is undeniable. It paves the way for better education outcomes, inspiring hope and optimism for the future of our education system.
Many who challenge this belief often refer to a pivotal 1966 study, or its subsequent interpretations, which initially suggested no direct link between education funding and student outcomes, shaping early perceptions about the issue.
The landscape of educational research has evolved significantly since 1966, marked by school finance reforms and curricula updates. Economist Kirabo Jackson’s 2017 revisit of the 1966 report is a testament to this evolution, shedding new light on the positive correlation between increased funding and improved academic performance.
By 2019, dozens of studies corroborated a growing body of research. Investing more money in retaining high-quality teachers, maintaining small class sizes, addressing differences in socioeconomic backgrounds, and keeping schools clean and safe improves student outcomes.
Numerous studies have shown that sustained increases in school funding improve student outcomes.
The most quoted study shows that increasing annual spending by $1,000 per pupil for 10 years led to higher test scores and graduation rates.
Finally, in 2024, a handful of new studies showed that increased federal school spending positively increased student test scores.
These independent studies sought to isolate the impact of federal COVID-19 relief spending in our schools.
It is crucial to recognize that the federal government injected over $190 billion into schools nationwide during the pandemic. This substantial funding was instrumental in various aspects, from student meals to maintaining small class sizes, and importantly, it granted districts significant autonomy in fund allocation.
Although there were reporting requirements, the federal government did not attach any extra strings to the funding - thus allowing teachers to do what they do best: teach and not spend countless hours filling out reports.
By increasing the Base Student Allocation, funding for Alaska’s schools empowers our locally elected school boards to target resources where our unique communities need them most. This local control of funding is not just essential, but also a responsibility that ensures the most equitable distribution of resources for our schools.
Federal Funding Freeze on Energy Projects
Recent reporting has brought to light a pressing issue-over $500 million earmarked for energy projects across Alaska is currently frozen due to a halt in federal funding from Washington, D.C. This situation demands our immediate attention and action.
The uncertainty surrounding the fate of these projects is a cause for concern. Even a brief pause could lead to significant losses. These federal dollars, intended for a range of initiatives from efficiency grants to community solar projects, were designed to leverage up to $234 million in local funds. The potential loss to our efforts to reduce consumption and diversify our energy generation could be as high as $800 million.
Marmot Day: Election Reform!
(Get it? It is the Alaskan version of Groundhog Day)
As we’ve seen over the past several legislative sessions, lawmakers are again working on election reform. Reporters at the Alaska Beacon and Fairbanks News-Miner provide great coverage of the effort, so I will not rehash all that is going on here in Juneau.
While I strongly support reforms to Alaska’s election system that reduce barriers to voting, I have my concerns about efforts to remove eligible Alaskans from the voting rolls.
