It’s the final countdown…
Bills, bills, and bills.
In the coming weeks, you are going to see a flurry of activity in the Alaska State Legislature. We’ve got bills to ensure the future sustainability of the PFD, increase the base student allocation, and establish a defined benefit/pension program for state employees including teachers, peace offices, and firefighters. So far the Alaska State Legislature has passed legislation to expand postpartum Medicaid coverage, permanently reauthorize the Renewable Energy Grant Fund, and thank the hard-working community health aides across the state.
The Alaska Constitution limits the legislative session to 120 days, which means the 2023 session must end on Wednesday, May 17. We have entered the final countdown to pass this year’s operating, capital, and mental health budgets. Cue “The Final Countdown” by Europe…
Senate Bill 29 – Civics Education
Last Friday, I had the honor of carrying a timely piece of legislation on the Senate floor on behalf of Senate President Gary Stevens. The core goal behind Senate Bill 29 is to ensure every kiddo gets at least one class in civics education here in Alaska. The Senate Education Committee reviewed the bill, and every member of the committee endorsed its passage.
By custom, the Senate President does not speak in favor or against pieces of legislation on the Senate Floor, even his own, so I was given the honor of carrying the bill. During my floor speech, I addressed the most recent report from the National Assessment of Educational Progress, also known as NAEP, showing the first-ever drop in civics scores across the country.
This data illuminates something we have been experiencing for quite some time - an epidemic of apathy and division. A high-quality public education is so much more than simply learning to read, write, do math, and engage in scientific experiments. It is about learning our nation's true and accurate history, being exposed to music and arts, and learning about our democracy, our government, and what good citizenship entails It is about learning how our freedom was earned and learning who and how it became possible for us to all enjoy our unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Senate Bill 29 expands the civics curriculum across the state of Alaska and requires all high-school students to take at least one civics class or pass a civics exam before graduation. I am confident the bill will provide the needed and necessary support our community - really, our kiddos need - to develop and foster citizenship, voting, and community engagement, which is one of the fundamental purposes of our public education system.
Senate Bill 29 seeks to fulfill a promise to our children that is consistent with the state's constitutional delegation's vision to establish and maintain a system of education, open to all students, to help those students become good citizens within our great Republic.
Senate Bill 29 passed the Alaska State Senate by a unanimous 20-0 vote, and has been sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. With only a few days left in the ongoing legislative session, I doubt the bill will pass this session, but I look forward to the House swiftly considering and passing the bill in 2024.
Senate Bill 22 – Juneteenth Holiday in Alaska
Neighbors, one of the things I appreciate most about serving in the Alaska State Legislature is the opportunity it gives me to stand up and speak my mind. I did just that on Wednesday, May 3 when I spoke in support of Senate Bill 22 to establish Juneteenth Day as a legal holiday in Alaska. The bill passed the State Senate on a 16-4 vote and has been sent to the Alaska House for consideration.
During my speech, I recounted the first time I was called a racial epithet and how my mom consoled me with a book by W.E. B. Du Bois called “The Souls of Black Folk.” I cherish that book and I keep it on the table in my office. Everyone I meet in my office must see that book.
For me and my family, Juneteenth is not about commercialization, rather it is a day to celebrate freedom and the emancipation of all enslaved peoples here in the United States. Juneteenth is about recognition, acknowledgment, and sharing our stories, which are the stories of the souls of Black folk. My family has long celebrated Juneteenth and this June 19th, I hope you will join me in that celebration.
We Must Increase School Funding
Early next week, the Senate Finance Committee is expected to roll out a new version of Senate Bill 52, which is the bill I and many others have been working on to increase Alaska’s Base Student Allocation. Increasing education funding is my top priority because school districts are struggling under the weight of inflation and a nationwide labor shortage which has made it increasingly difficult to hire teachers and school support staff.
I have tried to shed light on the need to support public education through my weekly podcast, “The Empty Office Podcast,” which has featured in-depth interviews with some of Alaska’s most passionate education advocates. Below are links to some of my favorite episodes.
Episode 14 featuring Dr. Lisa Parady, Executive Director of the Alaska Council of School Administrators
Episode 12 featuring Lon Garrison, Executive Director of the Association of Alaska School boards
Episode 11 featuring Roy Getchell, Superintendent of the Haines Borough School District
Episode 10 featuring ISER Director Diane Hiershberg
Neighbors, I am convinced increasing funding for public education is the right thing to do, but I suspect Governor Dunleavy and many of my colleagues in the House and Senate remain unconvinced. Our kids need your help. Please contact the Governor’s office and ask him to support increased support for Alaska’s children and young adults by calling (907) 465-3500.
You can also find email addresses for individual lawmakers on the Alaska State Legislature’s website. Here are the email addresses for some key committees that will need to advance the education funding bill before the end of the legislative session:
House Finance Committee: House.Finance@akleg.gov
Senate Finance Committee: Senate.Finance.Committee@akleg.gov
House Rules Committee: House.Rules@akleg.gov
The bottom line is that Governor Dunleavy and every member of the Alaska State Legislature needs to recognize that Alaska’s public education system is struggling to meet the needs of students. Without additional funding, we will see school closures, continued teacher attrition, increased class sizes, and fewer class offerings.
As a state, we can do better.
Help make it so by joining the chorus of community advocates to #raisetheBSA by calling your state legislators and the Governor today.