FEBRUARY 27, 2014

Representing District 15:
Midtown, University, and East Anchorage

I Answer to You!

Contact my office:
State Capitol Room 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 Anchorage Daily News via e-mail letter@adn.com, or fax them to 258-2157, attn: letters to the editor.

Contact other elected officials

Governor Sean Parnell
907-269-7450
EMAIL: Gov. Sean Parnell

Senator Mark Begich
907-271-5915
EMAIL: Sen. Mark Begich

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

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

Town Hall Time and More

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

This week, the State Senate scheduled a hearing for the U-Med/Northern Access Road bill that Senator Gardner and I introduced. I also attempted to restore funding to critical programs like Pre-K and job readiness, as well as welcomed a new colleague to the Legislature.

Don’t forget this Saturday at Stellar Secondary School from 1-2:30pm we are having a town hall meeting for residents of the U-Med, Midtown, and East Anchorage neighborhoods. 

Please join us this Saturday for our Town Hall meeting!

Progress for U-Med/Northern Access Bill

Exciting news! Senator Gardner’s bill, the same one that I introduced in the House that rescinds the money for the U-Med/Northern Access Road, has received a hearing in the Senate Transportation Committee for March 4th at 1:30pm. If the bill successfully passes out of the Transportation Committee, it will move to the Senate Finance Committee where it will await another hearing.

Last weekend I attended a rally with other neighbors to generate ideas about the UMed/Northern Access Road project

The legislative process is often time sensitive, which is why I am reaching out to you in this newsletter. If you feel strongly about the UMed/Northern Access Road, in opposition or support, please submit written comment to my office or Senator Gardner’s office. You can easily reach either of us by email at Rep.Andy.Josephson@akleg.gov or Sen.Berta.Gardner@akleg.gov. We will then forward your comments on to the committee. Short and sweet works well in this case, as many of the committee members do not have time to read long comments, despite the passion felt for the issue.  

Welcome Representative Kito III to the Alaska State Legislature!

Welcome Representative Sam Kito III

More exciting news within the halls of the Capitol this week: Representative Sam Kito III was officially appointed to former Representative Beth Kerttula’s downtown Juneau seat in the House of Representatives.  I am very pleased with the appointment process; all of the potential appointees (there were three, including my own staffer, Catherine Reardon!) were heavily vetted by the Tongass Democrats, the Governor’s Office, and eventually the House Democrats. I am very much looking forward to getting to know Representative Kito (fun fact: Rep Kito graduated from our own East High School) and would like to welcome him to the Legislature!

Supporting Pre-K and Job Programs

I sit on five sub-committees that review specific departmental budgets. These committees are called “finance subcommittees.” I review the budgets for the Department of Law, Department of Commerce and Economic Development, Department of Education and Early Development, University of Alaska, and the Court System. We spend several meetings learning about the uniqueness of each department and then discuss additions and reductions to each department’s budget.

Listening to public testimony at last weekend’s Anchorage Caucus at the Loussac Library

When it comes time to end discussion, members of the subcommittee can offer amendments.  I offered an amendment to fully fund Alaska’s Pre-K program. Currently the program is funded at $2 million. At the time of its inception in 2006 the program was set to receive $10 million by 2011. I offered an amendment to add the $8 million to the Pre-K program in order to restore the funding that was initially intended. There is no better alternative to ensuring a student’s future success than quality early education programs.

I believe that the data is in on Pre-K.  It works!  Listen to a quick clip from my amendment here

I also offered amendments in the University Budget Subcommittee. The first was for advising programs that help students succeed in graduating in four years so they can enter the workforce faster. I also offered an amendment to restore funds to AHEC (Alaska Health Workforce Pipeline), a program that works to provide more access to health care curriculum, thereby expanding Alaska’s capacity for training students and getting them through school.

Budget Testimony

After the sub-committee process, the budgets go to the full House Finance committee where they solicit testimony. I expect testimony in the House Finance committee to be next week. I will let you know so you can be fully prepared to offer comment.

The Sochi Olympic Games have wrapped up, but next Friday March 7th is opening ceremonies for the Alaska Special Olympic Winter Games at East High School. Sign up to volunteer here.

As always, please contact me any time if I can be of service to you or your family,

I Answer to You!

Sincerely,

Representative Andy Josephson
State Capitol Room 430
Juneau AK, 99801
Phone: 907-465-4939
Rep.Andy.Josephson@akleg.gov