On the Move
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
 |
| My wife, Donna, and I enjoying the Alaskan outdoors |
The operating budget is on the move, and so is my wife, Donna. Survey results continue coming to the office and I am reading each and every one. I appreciate all of your feedback immensely.
Bye Donna!
Since the start of session, I have been lucky enough to have my wife, Donna, with me in Juneau. Her presence has been essential in terms of settling in, exploring Juneau, and being a constant pillar throughout the legislative session. Donna now returns to Anchorage and her class of second graders at Anchor Lutheran School, all of whom will be very happy to have her back, but I will surely miss her!
|
| School counselors from the Anchorage School District visiting the office |
The education cuts keep on coming...
Donna leaving marked the 57th day of the 90 day legislative session. The time is passing quickly… The completion of the finance budget sub-committees meant the operating budget moved to the Finance Committee where it was amended by the members of that committee. Today it will be on the House floor and voted on by the entire body.
In the previous newsletter I noted that substantial cuts had already been made to pre-K education. An amendment introduced by Representative Tammy Wilson (R, Fairbanks) in the full finance committee slashed an additional $1,711,800 from the education budget. Our state has experienced three years of major education cuts . Our public schools deserve better, they deserve a lasting commitment that puts money in the classroom in order to support our teachers and students and help our children get the best education possible.
|
| STEM students and their design project at a presentation on the importance of the program. |
These cuts also come at a time when huge innovations are being developed in educational programs across the state. For example, today I learned about the Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) program. East High School and Wendler Middle School both implement programs geared toward STEM development. I was amazed to learn how much of an impact a background in this sort of education can have on helping students achieve in post-secondary endeavors as well as encouraging the development of home-grown engineers and other technical workers. The students who fill these positions will be instrumental contributors to the Alaskan economy and workforce. I look forward to supporting future STEM development in our district.
Today we will be offering amendments to the operating budget on the House floor. I intend to vote in favor of restoring as much education funding as possible to the budget.
|
| Senator Begich visited the Capitol last week; my staff and I were able to pose for a photo with the Senator |
Survey Results
The surveys are rolling in and I want to thank you all for taking the time to pass on your ideas and opinions. The information you provide is invaluable and helps me be a better representative for our district. Here is a link to a PDF spreadsheet that lists the results of the survey.
An interesting statistic to note is that 75.7% of neighbors who took the survey say there should be an increase to the Base Student Allocation (BSA) which is the amount of funding per student that can be used directly in the classroom. Also, 67% believe that, at this time, the Pebble Mine cannot be built without unacceptable risk to the Bristol Bay fisheries. I agree with both of these majorities.
I welcome any and all feedback. If you have not had the time to fill out the survey, here is the link to the ONLINE VERSION . Please also send me an email Rep.Andy.Josephson@akleg.gov or call me at (800) 465-4939 or 575-2639 if you would like to discuss a particular issue further.
I Answer to You!
Sincerely,
![Andy Josephson[signed]](../../josephson/sig.gif "Pete [signed]")
Representative Andy Josephson
State Capitol, Room 430
Phone: 907-465-4939
Rep.Andy.Josephson@akleg.gov |
Serving Neighbors in Midtown, University, and East Anchorage
