Dear Friends and Neighbors,

This week the House Finance Committee will hear operating budget testimony. Now, more than ever, it is important that people speak out. The House Finance budget subcommittees made some drastic cuts, not unexpected given our fiscal climate, but many of the cuts are lopsided. They cut programs that have a proven track record of saving the state money and bringing in federal funds.

I heard from Alaskans across the state on the importance of things like pre-K programs, workforce development, Medicaid expansion and public broadcasting. Despite mine and my colleague’s amendments, we were unable to reinstate funding and, in exchange, make cuts to administrative overhead.

I’ve also heard from constituents for more information on where could more cuts be made. It is always difficult to pit programs against one another, but I believe that we can do better with this budget. We must to do better. As it stands now we are shooting ourselves in the foot.

If you are able, please consider testifying:

When: Wednesday, March 4th from 1:00pm to 4:00pm

Where: Fairbanks Information Office, 1292 Sadler Way, 3rd floor of the Alaska USA Federal Credit Union next to Home Depot

If you can’t testify in person, you may submit written testimony to lhscfin@akleg.gov .

I’ll be in committee listening to each one of you and will take your comments seriously.

The committee needs to hear from Fairbanks on these cuts. How do they impact you, your neighbors, and your family?

For more information on testifying or directions to the LIO, please call 907-452-4448. 

Some cuts that may impact our area and services:

• Parents as Teachers Program- Eliminated
• Best Beginnings- Eliminated
• Education Broadband Access- Eliminated
• Medicaid Expansion Language- Eliminated
• Construction Academy- Eliminated
• Youth Court- Eliminated
• Wildland Fire Academy- Eliminated
• 50% General Fund reduction to Public Broadcasting
• $500,000 cut to Adult Day Services and respite care
• Family Preservation Grants (reuniting kids with families to keep them out of foster care)- Eliminated
• K-3 Literacy Project, Statewide Literacy Program and all Pre-K grants- Eliminated

I look forward to hearing your comments tomorrow!

Thank you for reading and please feel free to call my office and share your ideas.