December 17, 2014 Voice Your Opinions! Letters to the editor make a difference. You can send a letter of up to 200 words (shorter letters are more likely to be accepted) to the Alaska Dispatch News by email (letters@alaskadispatch.com); or by fax or mail (call them at 257-4308). Send letters to the Anchorage Press via e-mail editor@anchoragepress.com or by mail to 540 E. Fifth Ave, Anchorage, 99501. Feel free to call us if you need factual information to help you write a letter. Contact the Governor. The Governor can be reached at 269-7450; sean.parnell@alaska.gov; or www.alaska.gov. Contact us. My office can be reached at: 733 W. 4th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501; by phone: 269-0106; visit my website at http://gara.akdemocrats.org; or email: Rep.Les.Gara@akleg.gov

Dear Neighbors:

It's close to the Holidays. If you're like me, you don't want to talk a lot of politics.  So let’s talk about:

1.   The launch of our 2014 Holiday Laptops for Foster Youth Drive (thanks to you we've matched roughly 400 laptops with foster youth so far);

2.   A potential last??? chance for you to get State Rebate$ for upgrading the heating and energy efficiency at your homes; and,

3.  Holiday donation and volunteer needs if you haven't figured where to direct your efforts.

Oh, and welcome my new great staff, Joe Caissie and Molly Carver.

But first.  Happy Chanukah for our Jewish neighbors; and a Merry Christmas and holiday season to all.  It's an honor to represent all of you.  And, yes, the political issues that face us are daunting.  If you're chomping at the bit to talk about them you can call or e-mail me now - or you can wait until the holiday season passes so we can work on these issues together. 

Wait.  Kodiak Rocket Launch Non-Sequitor Alert: OK, just one political issue - because it sets the stage for what we need to talk about as a state: prioritizing instead of cutting everything, or spending on everything.  At a time of $3 billion budget deficits, continuing the spending of $58 million in state funds over the past five years, on a nearly idle Kodiak Rocket Launch facility which has LAUNCHED ONLY 2 successful rockets since 2010, is not fiscally prudent.  Three days of successful and failed launches in nearly 2,000 days is not a model of success.  I've listened to five years of promises by proponents telling the Legislature they are about to turn the corner, sign big contracts, and stop losing money.   The "we're about to sign a big contract" line is getting old, and expensive.  I hope this facility has value.  If it does, the private sector can measure that, and, in my personal view, purchase it and run it more successfully.  But continuing to throw wads more state money at it isn't the answer.  That's money we can better use to help create opportunity for Alaskans, and protect our children, seniors and most vulnerable. 

Launch of Laptops for Foster Youth Holiday Drive (While Foster Youth Numbers Continue to Rise)!

Our office, in partnership with Amanda Metivier at Facing Foster Care in Alaska, works to match donated laptop computers with as many of Alaska's once 1,700, and now 2,400 foster youth as we can.  We founded the effort, and plan to see it continue to help youth in great need.  By the end of 2014 we will have matched roughly 400 laptops, IPads, and notebooks with foster youth, and youth who've recently left care and are working towards success and independence.  As successful as this "wizard behind the curtain" volunteer effort has been, and as generous as you've been, every year we work hard to try to keep up with the number of new foster youth.  Than number sadly grows faster that we can keep up with.

Foster youth use computers to keep up with school work, do school research, and, well, do the normal things kids do.  Giving foster youth what their peers have helps normalize lives that have been far too disrupted and harmed, and lets them carry around pictures of family they don't get to see enough, if at all.  A laptop gives a foster youth the chance to succeed like any other youth lucky enough to have a stable family.  Here's how you can help. 

Donating GOOD, Used or New Laptops:

If you have a used laptop you are replacing, and that works fast enough that it won't frustrate a youth (no one wants their computer cursor to keep blinking at them as it "thinks"), has word processing and an operating system, and Wi-Fi capability, we can match it.  We'll work with the Office of Children’s Services to match the computer with a foster youth or youth who has just gone out on their own.  Please clean the files off your computer first.  If you can't, we have some volunteers who can do this on a limited basis.

Or, of course, we'll take new laptops that have an operating system and word processor.  Any donations are formally made to Facing Foster Care in Alaska, as they are a non-profit and that makes the donation tax deductible.  And, believe it or not, there are "ethics" limitations on what work I can do on this program our office co-founded with Amanda four years ago.  Don't get me started on how providing laptops to youth in state custody can present an "ethics" problem!  I'll keep pushing this effort, and follow the "ethics" guidelines I've been given.

Want to drop a computer off?  Call our office at 269-0106.  We will try to match the computer with a youth in the community where you live.  And - as you'd guess, all computers should have ALL THEIR PARTS or we can't match them.  We just don't have the resources to fix computers.

Monetary Donations - We Like Them Too and Will Use Them To Buy Discount New Laptops:

Many Alaskans have donated computers and funds so we can purchase computers.  Thank you!  Recently we received a $20,000 grant from the LAP Foundation in Anchorage, which helps youth.  We have had other very generous anonymous individual and foundation donors.  But $20,000, as huge a donation as that is, purchases roughly 50 good laptops.  We have a lot more work to do and still need your help.  You can make a monetary donation, and dedicate it towards laptop purchases by writing a check to Facing Foster Care in Alaska.  We can get you in touch with them ("them" on this effort is really just Amanda, who has a full time job).  Again, call us at 269-0106.

You've Been Good:  Maybe Your Last Chance To Save $ With Upgrading Your Home Heating Efficiency?

I don't want Alaska's Home Energy Rebate program to end.  But the current budget includes no funds for it.  That will be a subject for debate, and hopefully this effort to save Alaskans money and decrease our energy use, will continue.  It means prioritizing budget items.  I'd put energy, kids, job creation, education and job training opportunities, and protecting the vulnerable ahead of: 1) billions on a new Juneau Road to a new ferry terminal near Skagway (with high annual maintenance costs because it runs through 39 avalanche chutes); 2) the roughly $2 billion Knik Arm Bridge (which does not shorten the commute time to Wasilla or Palmer; and with new roads would cut the travel time, with a toll fee, to Fairbanks by a whopping 5 - 15 minutes); and, 3) the roughly $6 billion Susitna Dam which would serve the same people as the Natural Gas pipeline effort we are trying to move forward (hopefully with some needed fixes under our new Governor).

With the cold weather upon us, heating bill increases are upon us too.  The good news is that Alaska Housing Finance Corporation is still offering a Home Energy Rebate Program today. You can receive a rebate of up to $10,000 for making energy efficiency improvements to your home. The average homeowner taking advantage of this program spent $11,681 to upgrade their home energy efficiency, and received an average rebate of $6,889.  Homeowners make this money back in saved energy costs.  The projected average cost savings for homeowners is $1,464 per year, which means the out-of-pocket cost are made up in just over 3 years! For more information on this program, visit http://www.ahfc.us/efficiency/ or call 330-8193.  

Donation and Volunteer Ideas If You Are Able

Many of you have your favorite charities.  Here are some other ideas if you have more time or a greater ability to give. 

Clare House

Clare House provides temporary, emergency 24-hour shelter for women with children and expectant mothers (over 18). Clare House requests donations of clear toiletry totes to assist guests transitioning into new housing. In particular, they are in need of totes that include travel size shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, shavers, lotions, body wash, face wash, baby shampoo, baby wash, baby powder, and baby lotions. Cleaning supplies (sponges, bathroom and kitchen cleaning supplies, white and black outdoor trash bags) are also requested. The program would like to kindly inform donors that they are NOT accepting clothes and toys. For a drop off location or additional questions, please call 563-4545.

Volunteering To Help Youth Succeed: United Way of Anchorage

The United Way of Anchorage Community PLUS schools are in need of mentors and tutors.  Homework help, computer lab, science fair, and math tutoring.  Even one hour per week will make a huge difference to the kids in need.  With a variety of times and positions, there is something for everyone. Opportunities are listed at  http://bit.ly/12YkeQ4, or contact Kevin Sullivan at ksullivan@ak.org or Mairin O’Connor at moconnor@ak.org.

Covenant House

Covenant House provides a place of refuge and life skills training for Anchorage’s homeless youth. They currently need items for youth ages 13-20 years old (no toys, please), including donations of age appropriate clothing, headphones, phone chargers, winter gear (hats, mittens, gloves), gift cards (coffee, Amazon, iTunes), journals, and hygiene products. Donations may be dropped off at 755 A Street (entrance is in the alleyway) and questions can be directed to Michelle Felix at 339-4401. They also welcome volunteers who may lend a helping hand in many different ways. You can complete a volunteer form on their website at ak.covenanthouse.org or direct donation need or other questions to Holly Payne at 339-4261.

Wishing you well during this holiday season.

My Best,