Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Last Thursday, I voted to keep the Legislature working so we could pass a fully funded budget, provide access to affordable healthcare to all Alaskans through Medicaid expansion, and meet our constitutional duty to adequately fund public education. Instead, the House and Senate Majorities passed resolutions by straight party line votes that allow the Legislature to take a recess until May 12^th. Senate and House Finance Committees will continue to meet, but the Legislature will not convene a floor session until May 12^th. 

The House Finance Committee will be meeting in Anchorage this Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at 1pm at the Anchorage Legislative Information Office (716 W. 4th Ave) first floor auditorium to discuss the budget. Please feel free to attend and learn more about this process.

Like many Alaskans who have been calling and writing since the Legislature extended the session, I am disappointed that we did not reach a bipartisan budget agreement and finish our work within 90 days. In West Anchorage, we’re taking advantage of the recess to meet with constituents. This week, we’re holding an informal constituent meeting on Wednesday evening (5:00 pm to 6:30 pm) in Lyn Ary Park and I’ll be attending all three community council meetings.

State of the Legislature  

In last week’s newsletter, I explained why the Legislature went into an extended session and why Governor Walker called the Legislature back into a Special Session. When Governor Walker issued the Executive Proclamation for the Special Session, he asked that we address: a fully funded budget, Medicaid reform and expansion (HB 148), and the Alaska Safe Children’s Act aka “Erin’s Law” (HB 44). As we work through this Special Session, I am committed to crafting a budget that works for Alaska. Through my conversations with residents of West Anchorage and the results of our 2015 constituent survey, I am focused on the following issues:

• Investing in public education to help our parents, teachers, and schools prepare our next generation for success in a strong economy.
• Medicaid expansion and reform (HB 148) to save the state money and provide access to healthcare for 40,000 Alaskans. We have already lost $190 million since January 2014, lose another $400,000 every day without expansion, and will likely lose another $570 million over the next 6 years without expansion.
• Honoring our commitment to fair pay for state employees.
• Reducing child sexual assault by passing the Alaska Safe Children’s Act – “Erin’s Law” (House Bill 44).
• Supporting the Alaska Marine Highway System, a critical part of Alaska’s transportation infrastructure that helps our communities work together.

Throughout the legislative session and the extended session, I have been fortunate to hear from hundreds of West Anchorage residents and Alaskans across the state about these issues. Please continue to write, call, and email as we work through this critical time for Alaska.

I’ll be available at several events this week to hear your concerns and share my perspective on current events and the path forward.
 

Constituent Meeting in the Park

Please join me this Wednesday, May 6^th from 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm at Lyn Ary Park (Turnagain Parkway at Illiamna Avenue) for a constituent meeting with ice cream in the park. I will be happy to answer any questions or concerns you have about legislative happenings. Please stop by!

Please join me for ice cream Wednesday evening from 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm at Lynn Ary Park (Turnagain Parkway at Illiamna Avenue)!

Community Council Meetings  

I’ll be attending the three community council meetings in our district this week:

Sand Lake Community Council

Monday, May 4, 2015

6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at Sand Lake Elementary School

Spenard Community Council

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Spenard Recreation Center

Turnagain Community Council

Thursday, May 7, 2015

7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Turnagain Elementary School

Anchorage Mayoral Run-off Election

Please be sure to vote this Tuesday, May 5th in the Anchorage Mayoral Run-off election! Learn more information by clicking here.

As always, please let us know if you have suggestions or concerns.

    Rep. Matt Claman

    P.S. follow me on Facebook and Twitter

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