FEBRUARY 26, 2015

Representing District 17:
Midtown, University, and East Anchorage

I Answer to You!

Contact my office:
State Capitol Bldg., Rm 430
Juneau, AK 99801
(907) 465-4939
(800) 465-4939
 
Click here to write me an email
 
Click here to visit my website
 

  

Write a Letter to the Editor
submit your 175 word letter to the Alaska Dispatch News via e-mail letters@alaskadispatch.com or fax them to 258-2157, attn: letters to the editor.

Contact other elected officials

Governor Bill Walker
907-269-7450
EMAIL: Gov. Bill Walker

Senator Dan Sullivan
907-271-5915
EMAIL: Sen. Dan Sullivan

Senator Lisa Murkowski
907-271-3735
EMAIL: Sen. Lisa Murkowski

Congressman Don Young
907-271-5978
EMAIL: Rep. Don Young

Make Your Voice Heard!
Constituent Meeting Reminders

Rep. Josephson and Rep. Muñoz share a dance at the Filipino Community, Inc Inaugural Ceremony

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

In one week the legislative session will reach its halfway point of 45 days. There is still so much to do here in Juneau and I expect the pace to quicken with every day. Even with that quickening pace I want to make sure that I still reach out to you all every week and give you a brief report about some of the more interesting things that occurred during the past 7 days.

University Budget Subcommittee

As the month of February comes to an end, the House Finance Subcommittees begin to close out and submit their recommendations to the full Finance Committee for what the operating budget should look like.  This session I sat on four of these committees: Department of Natural Resources, Department of Environmental Conservation, Department of Law (the Office of the Attorney General), and the University.  The University budget is of particular interest to me since UAA is located in the district and has served the community for many years.

I was very concerned when I learned that the subcommittee was planning to cut an additional $43 million on top of the $9 million Governor’s cut.  A cut of this size would have drastically affected the way the University would have been able to function.  Representative Adam Wool (who represents the UAF campus) and I, both offered amendments that would have reduced the size of the cut, but neither were accepted by the committee.  Eventually an amendment was offered by the chairwoman to change the $43 million additional cut to a $25 million additional cut.  While I was pleased to see the size of the cut reduced I still have concerns about how much we are asking the University to absorb. In tough economic times education, of any kind, should be one of the last items cut. I have hope that the full Finance committee will restore some of these funds to the University system so that they can continue to provide a valuable service to Alaskans.

Announcements & Reminders

As a reminder, please come join Senator Gardner, Representative Drummond, and myself at Stellar Secondary School this Saturday, February 28, from 11:00am-12:30pm. Donuts and coffee will be provided. All you need to bring is the conversation and questions!

Following our constituent meeting the Anchorage Caucus public hearing will be held in the Assembly Chambers at the Loussac Library from 1-5 pm. We’ll be there to listen to your concerns about issues the legislature is addressing this session. I hope to see you there!

And don’t forget to apply for your 2015 Permanent Fund Dividend. You can apply online here or call the Permanent Fund Dividend office at 465-2326 to find the nearest location to fill out the application by hand.

As always, please call or email with any thoughts, ideas, or concerns.

I Answer to You!

Sincerely,

Representative Andy Josephson
State Capitol Bldg. Room 430
Phone: 907-465-4939