Southeast Spotlight: interim at last

Dear Neighbors,

Summer has finally arrived, but it did take a little longer than expected this year, with the second Special Session wrapping up on June 11th with passage of our state budget – more on that shortly.  During the interim I will continue my Legislative work with on Legislative Council and the Legislative Budget & Audit committees.  I will also be visiting communities in the district to address the local governing bodies and visit with community residents. I look forward to seeing you.

June 20, 2015: Enjoying the 2015 Juneau Gold Rush Days with Jan Trigg.

Budget compromise

This year, our state budget compromise was hard fought, and a government shutdown was avoided.  Our effort to prioritize education and essential public services, and stand up for the negotiated public employee contracts became heated at times.  Ultimately, we were able to protect funding for the full Base Student Allocation (BSA) and protect public employee contracts, but were not able to save the one-time funding put into the budget for education in 2014.  We protected the Alaska Marine Highway System and secured additional funding for public broadcasting.  The final budget represents a 9.1% overall cut from last year’s budget and includes funding for programs that benefit all Alaskans.  Following are the items that were included in the final budget compromise:

• $16.5 million was restored for public education, fully funding the Base Student Allocation (BSA);
• $30 million was restored to protect previously-negotiated and cost of living adjustments for State employees (intent language);
• $2 million was restored to support Pre-K and early education;
• $1.75 million for the Marine Highway System;
• $2.5 million was included for front line social workers in the Office of Children Services;
• $2.8 million for senior benefits and assistance programs for our lowest income seniors;
• $5 million for the University of Alaska;
• $250,000 for public broadcasting.

What you will not see on the list is Medicaid Expansion.  While the expansion of the Medicaid program is a vital component of growth and stability for the future economy of Alaska, our efforts to address this program were not successful.  Medicaid expansion will save the state money, provide much-needed healthcare to those individuals that make less than $20,300, and provide many health care jobs for Alaskans.  I will continue to support the Governor’s efforts to expand Medicaid in Alaska.

June 27, 2015: Wonderful performance at the Sealaska annual meeting.

Community visits and Juneau office hours

This summer I will be visiting all of the communities in the district.  I will be in Gustavus July 13th, Skagway July 16th, Haines August 11th.  With each trip, there will be time for informal meet-and-greet sessions, as well as opportunities for individual meeting times.  More details will follow as they are available.

In Juneau, due to construction on the Capitol Building, our Legislative office has moved to room 400. The office will be staffed Monday-Friday from 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM, generally with a lunch closure between 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM.  Please call, email, or drop in if we can be of service.

Shout outs and heads up 

June 30, 2015: Richard Svobodny’s retirement celebration. Senator Egan and I presented him with his legislative citation.

Congratulations to Richard Svobodny on his retirement after 40 years of service to Alaska!

For the last eight years, Mr. Svobodny has served as Deputy Attorney General, during which he oversaw the operations of the Criminal Division, provided leadership to prosecutors and staff throughout the state, and worked collaboratively with the legislature on a wide variety of criminal legislation. Thank you for your service. 

Public comment period

The Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation is seeking public comments regarding proposed changes to public use regulations pertaining to Chugach State Park and Chilkat State Park. Comments must be received no later than 5:00 p.m., Friday, July 31, 2015. The text of the proposed changes to regulations is available at: http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/proposedregulations.htm

June 27, 2015: Celebrating the completion of Kaasei, the new transitional housing facility for women leaving the emergency shelter at AWARE. Learn more here. 

Public comment period

DOT’s proposed Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) schedule pattern for fall, winter and spring 2015-2016 is now available online for public review. [dot.alaska.gov/amhs/share/schedule/considerations.pdf]Click here for further information. Written comments will be accepted prior to July 21 via email at dot.amhs.comments@alaska.gov and by fax at 907-586-8365. A teleconference to hear comments and consider adjustments is scheduled Wed, July 22 at 10:00 a.m. for Southeast schedules. The toll free number to participate in either teleconference is: 1-800-315-6338, conference code 03902#.

Alaska Energy Rebate Program

Congratulations to the new Gustavus Foxes basketball team!

The Foxes will play their first high school basketball season in 2015-16. They took part in the recent Juneau Fast Break Basketball Camp at Juneau-Douglas High School, where the whole team won the camp’s Most Improved Player award – the first time the award has been given to a group rather than an individual.

Wishing you a safe and happy 4th of July,

Sam Kito III