November 25, 2014

Dear Neighbors,

Election Wrap Up

The 2014 elections will be certified on Friday and we have some clarity as to what the next two years will look like in Juneau. The House Democratic Caucus retained all ten members and gained three new members – Adam Wool, Matt Claman and Dan Ortiz. I am proud to work beside our new members who will be tremendous assets to restore balance in the Legislature. Additionally, the Twenty-Ninth Alaska State Legislature will begin work with a new administration. Governor-elect Bill Walker and Lieutenant Governor-elect Byron Mallot will take over the third floor of the capital building next Monday after the Inauguration. I look forward to working with the new administration to further the needs of Fairbanks and make our community a better place to live, work and raise a family.

In addition to the numerous state and national races, Alaskans weighed in on three ballot measures; 1) legalizing marijuana to be regulated the same as alcohol; 2) increasing the minimum wage to $9.75/hour by 2016; and 3) requiring legislative approval for any large-scale mining in the Bristol Bay region. Each of these ballot measures passed and will now become state law. Please feel free to contact my office if you have any questions about the implications of these measures or any other legislative action throughout the upcoming session.

My Juneau Priorities

Now that the elections are over, it is time to start preparing for a return to Juneau for the new legislative session that begins January 20, 2015. My first priority has always been to you, my constituents. My office is open to you for any question, comment or concern that may come up with state government or a state agency. You can always reach me by phone (456-7423) or email.

This year’s Senate race brought a lot of outside money to the Last Frontier and many Alaskans were swamped with mailers, phone calls, internet ads and all forms of media blitzes. I plan on introducing legislation to reform our electoral process and try to increase transparency for the voters. I believe that Alaskans deserve to decide who they want to represent them with minimal input from large, Lower 48 super-PACs. Additionally, voting should be a universal right for any Alaskan over the age of 18 and I plan on working with my colleagues to increase Alaskans’ access to the polls. Alaska does better when more people are involved in our elections. This midterm election saw a 56% turnout, significantly higher than the past two midterms. However, I believe Alaska can do better and that will come from increased access to the polls and using 21st century technology.

Education has always been one of my top priorities as a legislator and I will continue to focus on improving public education during the next two years. I plan to introduce legislation to create a statewide, voluntary, universal pre-K program to give our youngsters increased resources to succeed later in life. Pre-K has been repeatedly proven to increase academic achievement during primary, secondary and higher education schools. It also has a positive correlation with professional success after schooling has been completed. I believe Alaskans deserve to have access to this valuable resource.

Happy Thanksgiving

We take this Thursday to be thankful for the lives that we live and share with one another. I encourage you to take a moment and count your blessings; reach out to someone who is in need and see what you can do to make a life better.

Come Say Hello!

The Legislative Information Office will host an open house next Friday, December 5, at 4:30pm. Swing by after work and enjoy refreshments while learning about the service provided by the Fairbanks LIO. See you there!

Working Hard for Fairbanks Families,

Scott Kawasaki
Alaska State Representative
City of Fairbanks