The Drummond Dispatch from Rep. Harriet Drummond

E-News
April 22, 2015

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

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
733 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 Alaska Dispatch News at www.adn.com

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

You can also visit the state website at gov.alaska.gov

Contact your
Congressional Delegation

Senator Dan Sullivan
www.sullivan.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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Day 93 and counting

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Parents and teachers gathering at the
Capitol to protest excessive cuts

I’m sure you noticed that we’re now well past 90 days. The question is, how long will we be staying? I’ll be here until we’re done, fighting for the things my constituents want.

My email inbox has been absolutely flooded this session, and almost every one of them is about three particular subjects.

MEDICAID EXPANSION – There is overwhelming support for the expansion of Medicaid in Alaska. In fact, the emails that don’t want Medicaid expansion are so few and far between I’m a little surprised every time I come across one. I’ve support expanding Medicaid from the beginning. It’s good not just for underprivileged Alaskans who need healthcare, but will ultimately save the state money and create a lot of new high quality jobs. That’s good for everyone, and it’s the right thing to do.

EDUCATION FUNDING – I’ve never seen such outrage over the proposed $47 million dollar cut to the Base Student Allocation (BSA) and the removal of $32 million in forward funding that the legislature promised to school districts last year. Although these are large sums, it is important to bear in mind that we have a budget deficit of over $3.5 billion. The deficit is so massive that we could cut every single state employee and only save $1.5 billion. Our schools have been underfunded for years, and now it looks like we’re trying to kick them while they’re down.

ERIN’S LAW – This curriculum to help protect children from sexual abuse has not passed the Legislature for the second year in a row. Alaska is the first in the nation in child abuse and sexual assault and domestic violence, and this legislation needs to pass now. With over 1,600 allegations of abuse in this school year alone, what possible reason could the State Senate have for objecting to this law? Erin’s Law will help protect children by teaching them in an age appropriate manner about safe touch, healthy secrets, and how to identify a safe person to tell. Alaska would be the 22nd state to pass a version of Erin’s Law.

That’s primarily why we’ve gone over the normal 90 day session. In order to pay the State’s bills this year we’re going to have to dip into the Constitutional Budget Reserve, and that requires a three-fourths majority vote from the House which means the Majority needs a few of us here in the Minority to vote with them. While we recognize the state is facing trying budgetary times, we cannot cut our way out of this situation and we stand firm on our commitment to properly educating Alaska children, expand Medicaid and pass Erin’s Law

We spent over five hours in joint session Sunday to confirm Governor Walker’s appointments. Of the 89 names he submitted only five were rejected by the legislature. A few votes were very close, including the vote confirming Craig Richards as Attorney General. Due to Mr. Richards’s recent decision defending Alaska’s ban on gay marriage, I could not in good conscience vote for him.

Thank you for all your emails of support during this situation. If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact my office. We’re still here.

Thank you,

Harriet Drummond