Supporting Indigenous education in every public school
AMATS is accepting public comments on proposed changes to the highway safety plan to defund projects in Fairview. Plus, the Alaska Bar Association will hold a free legal help event on Monday.
Today, Senator Löki Gale Tobin pre-filed Senate Bill 210 to revise Alaska’s broad education policy to encourage all students to learn about the distinct cultural heritages of Alaska Natives and American Indians.
“Public education at its core prepares students to be college and career-ready in the place in which they live. Guaranteeing resources and support so all our public schools and educators are able to infuse their curricula with local knowledge and cultural practices prepares our students to be successful in their home communities and beyond.” - Sen. Loki Tobin
SB 210 codifies the existing practice of tribal consultation with Alaska’s school boards and districts.
In addition, Senator Tobin pre-filed a constitutional amendment committing the State of Alaska to preserving the cultural integrity of American Indians and Alaska Natives in the public school system. In order to be placed before the voters, Senate Joint Resolution 22 must be approved by a two-thirds vote of each house of the Alaska State Legislature. Once that happens, the proposed Constitutional Amendment would be placed before the voters at the next general election.
The public comment period is now open on the proposed defunding of safety projects in Fairview and downtown Anchorage.
Anchorage Metropolitan Area Transportation Solutions (AMATS) is currently accepting public comments on proposed changes to the federal highway safety improvement plan that would defund several pedestrian safety projects in Fairview and downtown Anchorage.
Amendment 4 to the 2023-2026 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) proposes reallocating $19 million away from vital transportation projects in Fairview and downtown Anchorage to other projects outside of the Anchorage area. While these other projects are important, the data is clear that the most traffic-pedestrian incidents and fatalities occur in the Gambell to Ingra corridor.
Shifting money away from projects in Anchorage to areas with much less need without ample public input and notice is both irresponsible and unfortunate.
While recent conversations with the Commissioner of the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities about why these proposed changes were made with little to no notice are ongoing, the public comment period is now open and offers an opportunity for all of us to share our thoughts about what the shifting of dollars away from the dangerous Gambell / Ingra corridor will do to pedestrian safety in one of the areas with the highest number of non-motorized road users.
In addition to Amendment 4 of the 2023-2026 TIP, AMATS is seeking public comments on the 2027-2030 TIP and Amendment 2 to the 2050 Metropolitan Transportation Plan. You can learn more about these planning documents on the AMATS project page. Public comments are due by February 15.
The Alaska Bar Association is offering free legal help on Monday.
Low-income Alaskans who need legal advice can participate in the Alaska Bar Association’s free legal help event on Monday from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the Mountain View Community Center. Volunteer attorneys will be on hand to provide free legal advice to low-income individuals facing civil (non-criminal) legal issues.
For those who need a ride, the Alaska Bar Association is offering free shuttles to the event from the Brother Francis Shelter and the shelter at 1111 E. 56th Avenue.
Monday’s free legal advice event is organized by the Alaska Bar Association in partnership with the Alaska Court System, Alaska Legal Services Corporation, ACLU of Alaska, and local bar associations.
We all know that navigating the complex legal system can be challenging, which is why I am especially thankful to all the attorneys, judges, and legal professionals who volunteer their time during the annual free legal help events across Alaska. More information is available online at alaskabar.org/mlk.
