APRIL 3, 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
 
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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

Legislative Update
Education Cuts & Municipal Elections

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

The legislative session is starting to pick up pace now that there are only 16 days left in the 90-day session. The operating budget was voted on by the Senate today and soon the House and Senate will choose their conference committee members to work out the differences. One of those differences is the funding of education, which is discussed below along with some important information regarding the Anchorage Municipal elections.

Education Cuts

Rep. Josephson speaking at an education rally at the Capitol in 2013

Today the Senate will vote on and pass out their version of the State Operating Budget. Sadly, included in this budget is a four percent cut to the Base Student Allocation (BSA). Many of you will recall a great amount of news coverage on this topic last year.  That four percent means that $47.5 million will be cut on top of the previously cut $32 million of one-time funding. The Department of Education and Early Development is now slated to experience one of the largest cuts of any state department. This is unacceptable. I have said it multiple time, and I will say it as many times as it takes, education should be one of the last areas that any government cuts when facing a deficit. These students will soon be our leaders and depriving them of a fully funded curriculum will result in fewer graduates and more funds being needed for public assistance in the future. We can either pay to have a well-educated workforce now or we can pay for an uneducated one later. I prefer to pay now.

This four percent cut was not included in the House’s version of the Operating Budget, so after the Senate votes we will be heading to conference committee to work out the differences. I am hopeful that it will not survive that process.

Municipal Elections

Just the other day my fellow Independent Democratic Coalition members and I took a stand and would not allow the Majority to retroactively remove the school bond reimbursement program. This proposal was especially concerning considering Anchorage is already in the midst of a municipal election that has school bonds included on the ballot. These bonds were already approved for reimbursement. Removing this program while individuals are already voting was not something I could endorse.  You can read more about that story here.

April 7th is election day for the Municipality of Anchorage and I would encourage each and every one of you to get out and vote! Polls are open from 7am-8pm. If you have questions about polling locations you can call the Municipal Clerk’s office at (907) 343-VOTE (8683). If you are unable to vote on April 7th, don’t forget that there are opportunities to early vote this Saturday and Sunday at the Loussac Library.

You can find more details about what is on the ballot here. Just click on the area where you live and you can view a sample ballot.

Public Comment on Capital Budget

On Monday, April 6th, the Senate Finance Committee is taking public testimony on the Capital Budget.

What: Capitol Budget Testimony
When: April 6th 9am-10am
Where: Anchorage LIO (716 W 4th Ave)

If you are unable to make it to the LIO to testify you can submit written comment to finance.committee@akleg.gov.

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