Speak Up For Vulnerable Alaskans and Praise for a Compromise Budget Deal
The Empty Office Podcast will take a break and don't forget to get your radical rest.
State Board of Education Meeting
On Thursday, June 8th, the Alaska Board of Education and Early Development will take up a proposed new regulation that seeks to change how Alaska offers interscholastic activities. Broadly speaking, the proposed change bans trans athletes from participating on girls or boys sports teams.
This is a significant change in previously proposed regulatory changes to as it no longer affects just trans girls.
After the State Board of Education’s unethical action earlier this year when they passed Resolution 02-2023, we knew a regulatory change was on the horizon, but the gut punch during Pride Month is especially debilitating. Over the past year, there has been an orchestrated attack against our trans community members, especially our trans and gender non-binary kids. It is perplexing as it is infuriating.
I cannot help but think of my own family's history of discrimination in public schools. My family's story is in no way unique. Indigenous folks have also experienced discrimination due to immutable characteristics. It feels like the lessons of inclusion and celebrating diversity have been replaced by fear-mongering and the demonization of vulnerable children.
Erasure is present and real and there are those who are attempting to erase our trans kids. Every child develops and grows differently and has different skills - regardless of their sex organs. Quite frankly, sports are about learning teamwork, sportsmanship, and having fun. Everyone deserves to have fun.
There are many reasons to be opposed to the State Board of Education’s attempt to control how school districts, parents, and children engage in interscholastic activities. Every parent, honorary auntie or uncle, business owner, and community member should be against hate. No young family or 30-something person is going to want to move to Alaska knowing we aren’t a welcoming place.
I write today to ask you to submit public comments prior to the Alaska Board of Education and Early Development meeting on June 7 - 8 in Soldotna. At that meeting, the State Board of Education is expected to authorize a 30-day public comment period. At every step in the process, the members of the State Board of Education need to know that the more pressing issues facing Alaskas struggling public education system should take precedence over regulating hate. Instead of targeting trans athletes, the State Board of Education should be focused on the inability of school districts to retain high-quality teachers and the persistent mental health struggles of our kiddos.
122 Days to Reach a Budget Compromise
The Alaska Constitution sets the limit for legislative sessions at 121 days. Due to a number of circumstances, including some hardball negotiations between the House and Senate, the state budget didn’t pass before the clock ran out. Thankfully, a last-minute budget deal was worked out and passed during a one-day special session held on May 18.
I am not happy with all the compromises in the final budget package but governing is a collaborative process and it was critical that a budget deal be reached before layoff notices had to go out to teachers and other critical public sector workers. In the end, the budget deal ensures the continuation of essential state services and prevents a state government shutdown. (Hopefully, Congress will follow our example)
I am so proud to be a member of the Alaska Senate Majority and I will be eternally grateful to the leaders of the caucus for never wavering from our shared priority to invest in Alaska’s kids, teachers, and schools. As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, the Alaska Senate Majority did a great job of fighting for the things that matter.
The compromise budget deal included a one-time $175 million increase in K-12 funding. It’s the largest single-year increase in education funding in state history. But more importantly, I think this year’s one-time education funding represents real hope that a permanent increase in education funding will pass next year.
While the education funding increase passed the Legislature, the deal is not yet done. Governor can use his line-item veto authority to cut the hard-fought increase. Despite our political disagreements, I know Governor Dunleavy is an advocate for our schools and recognizes the value of a good quality public education. When it comes to helping our schools, I hope Governor Dunleavy puts away his red pen and instead picks up one of his ceremonial pens and signs the bill without cuts to education funding. Please consider reaching out to the Governor’s office to let him know why supporting our teachers and schools is so important for the future of Alaska.
It is Time for Some Radical Rest
This year, I took the bold step to promote the concept of radical rest with my staff and my colleagues in the Alaska Legislature.
“Many of us who work tirelessly to address social problems and improve the quality of life for communities do so without much consideration of the toll our work takes on our ability to rest. Leaders tend to devalue rest—which is dangerous for our movements, communities, and selves.” - *Excerpt from Rest: A Middle Finger to Oppression, a Road Map to Justice by Shawn Ginwright
I did the math and a conservative estimate highlights that my team has already worked 70% of a 2,000-hour work year (40 hrs a week x 50 weeks). Rest is a critical part of representing the people because it gives us time to contemplate, consider, reach out, listen, connect, and recharge. These are the things that keep us from burning out and keep us working for the people of Alaska.
Please don’t get me wrong, I am looking forward to the next legislative session. I just want to ensure my team is ready and prepared to go to Juneau with a dogged focus on education, transportation, and energy equity issues. That means they need to be rested and ready to put in the hours.
My team will be keeping regular interim office hours and available if an emergency arises, but it may be up to 48 business hours before you receive a response to non-time-sensitive issues. If you’ve been expecting a reply from me and haven’t got one - please don’t hesitate to reach out again. I’m in Anchorage and I would love to grab coffee and hear what’s going on with you and our community.
The Empty Office Podcast
I love listening to podcasts and I love that I get to co-host a podcast. Mike Mason and I have recorded 17 episodes of “The Empty Office Podcast” and this week we are going to talk to Sen. Cathy Giessel. She is a past President of the Alaska State Senate and currently serves as the Senate Majority Leader. But more importantly, Sen. Giessel is a transformational politician with a record of charting her own course through some turbulent political waters. This week’s podcast will drop on Saturday morning.
While we have a few more podcasts scheduled, Mike and I will be taking a break later in the summer. I’m a member of the Governor’s Task Force on Child Care and I have been accepted for a fellowship on youth housing/homelessness. I’m also looking forward to attending some national education policy workshops. Don’t worry, The Empty Office Podcast will be back after a short break.
District Activities
June 2nd: First Friday is hosted by downtown galleries, restaurants, and museums. You can also check out the 2nd annual D Street Pride event.
June 3rd: The Anchorage Museum is hosting the Bank of America Museum on Us event. Use your Bank of America card to get into the museum for free!
June 2nd-3rd: The Three Barons Renaissance Fair will feature juggling and pirate songs. Anyone who knows me knows I love juggling and pirate songs.
Juneteenth (June 17 & 18th): Save the date for the annual Juneteenth Celebration on the Park Strip.