E-News No. 13
February 7, 2014

As your representative,
I am here to listen and to help. Please don't  hesitate to contact me.

Rep.Harriet.Drummond
@akleg.gov

IN JUNEAU
Mid-January to mid-April
(907) 465-3875
State Capitol Rm  112
Juneau, AK 99801

IN ANCHORAGE
May to December
(907) 269-0190
716 W. 4^th Avenue
Anchorage, AK 99501

Voice your opinions!
Here are some way to make sure your voice is heard:

Write a Letter to the Editor
It's the most read section of the newspaper. Submit up to 175 words to the Anchorage Daily News at www.adn.com

Contact the Governor
Governor Parnell's Office may be reached at 907-465-3500, or you can email him at sean.parnell@alaska.gov

You can also visit the state website at www.state.ak.us

Contact your
Congressional Delegation

Senator Mark Begich
www.begich.senate.gov
Anchorage Office
(907) 271-5915

Senator Lisa Murkowski www.murkowski.senate.gov
Anchorage Office
(907) 271-3735

Congressman Don Young
www.donyoung.house.gov
Anchorage Office
(907) 271-5978

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Opening ceremonies, closing testimonies

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

James LeBlanc-Tweedy and Rene Rouzan from AK Youth Policy visited to talk about their legislative priorities this session.

Today, the House Education committee moved House Joint Resolution 1 (HJR1) out of committee. This resolution would ask Alaskans to vote on changing our state constitution to allow public funds to go to private and religious schools. The problem is that we have no idea what  kind of fiscal impact it will have on our public schools because no one has revealed what a voucher system will look like.

HJR1 moved out of my committee today after less than an hour of public testimony. Many speakers took time off from work and were cut off or urged to speed up their testimony.  As one astute testifier from Anchorage noted today, “These bills are moving through the legislature like a greased pig.”

HJR1 is now heading for the Judiciary Committee, which will give the public another opportunity to testify. I’ll notify you of the time and date once it becomes available.  Now more than ever we need people to come forward and show their support for public education.

Spotlight on Public Education

In an effort to increase awareness for what a fantastic job Alaska’s Public Schools are doing, I introduced House Concurrent Resolution 16, a resolution making February Public Education Month. With 90% of Alaskans attending public schools, I think it’s time we start focusing on the things they are doing right instead of only picking apart areas of concern.

Ryan Stassel

Kikkan Randall

Every week this month I’m highlighting outstanding Alaskans who benefited from public education in Alaska. With the Olympics starting up in Sochi, it’s the perfect time to highlight Alaska’s very own Olympians.

Ryan Stassel graduated from Service High and is participating in the inaugural Olympic snowboard slopestyle competition. The goal of slopestyle is to perform the most difficult tricks while at the same time achieving the highest altitude off jumps.

Kikkan Randall graduated from East High School. No American woman, past or present, rivals her World Cup record, which includes 11 gold medals!

Thank you,

Harriet Drummond

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