SESSION UPDATE – April 3, 2023
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
It’s really April! Can you believe it? The month derives its name from the Latin word “aperio” meaning “to open or to bud”. Although we are in the far north and must be a bit more patient, we are no less anxious to see green sprout up. We’re naturally less anxious for tax day on the dreaded April 15th date and of course would rather celebrate National Jelly Bean Day on April 22nd. And this week? Many of us will celebrate Passover and Easter, holy days which help us focus on what is important and transcends time.
Speaking of such subjects, yesterday is a day worth discussing all year long, Education and Sharing Day.
Let’s Extend This Significant Day Throughout the Year
If we truly care about, love, and are concerned about our children and youth growing up in our world today, we must carry forward what this day symbolizes until it comes around again in 2024. It won’t cost us a penny and won’t eat up enormous amounts of time, but it will be impactful, long lasting, and valuable. “Education and Sharing Day is set aside each year to remind us that it is our duty as parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, community members and leaders to teach our children values and morals by which they can aspire to become contributing, caring, service-minded adults. [continue reading online]
Sitting On the Sidelines Is Not an Option:
We Need To Rally For Public Accommodation Sanity
I received a report this weekend, and I will state right up front, as of this writing, it is not a verified report. But it doesn’t need to be because the situation, if it did not occur on Friday in the Mat-Su, it will at some point in the near future. A woman reached out to me concerned for the privacy and safety of women and young teenage girls who work out at health and fitness clubs and gyms and use the locker rooms. She reported a man had entered the women’s locker room this past Friday at one of these facilities in the Valley and “undressed and showered to the shock and embarrassment of the women in that locker room”. We need to draw a line in the sand sooner rather than later. [continue reading online]
The Key Point Is the Key Point in Email Traffic
I try my best to keep up with the hundreds of emails I receive. Admittedy, it is getting more and more challenging, and there are not enough hours in the week – nights and weekends included – to respond to each. What I do see are recurring themes in the messages that arrive in my inbox. I’m receiving a steady stream… [continue reading online
Keep scrolling, my friends!
Don’t miss the quotes by Alaskans giving me input—always insightful and varied, sometimes startling and sometimes amusing. See what bills are up for public testimony this week. Lots of great info and photos of friends and neighbors await you below. Be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom, so you don’t miss out on what may be relevant to you.
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Previously Published but Still Pertinent!
Take another look at a previous article…
Pay raises for legislators? Flawed process and policy
In response to the 67% pay raise proposal for legislators, I introduced Senate Bill (SB) 111 “Rejecting Legislators’ Salary Increase” last week. Not only is … [continue reading]
Tax measures absent a comprehensive fiscal plan will be DOA
The Senate Majority is holding hearings on their new SB 114 to increase the revenue-take from the oil and gas industry. Floating tax proposals in isolation without work to produce a super majority (14 votes) to both fix the spending cap and settle the PFD issue in the constitution, and without an efficiency component like SB 9 Alaska Sunset Commission to address the reduction piece, will get them nowhere fast. At some point, they hopefully will wake up to the fact that a long-term fiscal plan does not mean an isolated tax package. [continue reading]
Directing more dollars to classrooms with funds districts already have
The issue of school funding is a big focus this year in Juneau. Few are talking about one way we can increase dollars for classrooms without one new penny. And it’s not chump change either… [continue reading]
How can we make sure we’re getting the most bang for our buck in state government operations?
Chatter about raising old taxes and implementing new ones is beginning to pick up in the Capitol building. My reaction is different than some who engage in this conversation… [continue reading]
SB 52: Rewrite is not yet truly student-centered or teacher-focused
The new version calls for funds for additional years and for more reporting. What the bill doesn’t do yet is focus on students and teachers, on targeting funds… [continue reading]
SB88 Pension “Pill”: Better reading the warning label
Members are touting the bill to reinstate pensions for public employees (rather than the current 401K type retirement system adopted in 2006) as a cure .. [continue reading]
Hemp saga: Effort to repeal ag crop statutes creates stir
After working for more than seven years to promote hemp as an agricultural crop farmers could produce and successfully carrying legislation to ensure by law hemp would not fall under the supervision of the Marijuana Control Board and instead the Division of Agriculture, you can imagine my reaction .. [continue reading]
Thanks to AK Board of Education: Safe and fair for all
Title IX-related resolution passes
Many of you have been begging me to file my bill from last year to protect girls’ sports (SB 140). Oh, did I ever want to because I knew the matter of safety and fairness for all students needed to be settled. But I also knew [continue reading]
Enough is enough! Healthcare costs are breaking the bank
Four solutions await your advocacy
No one likes being in last place, but this time, oh how I wish we were. Alaska is number one among the 50 states for what we spend on healthcare. Brace yourself, because… [continue reading]
Why is Lady Justices’ blindfold slipping in Alaska?
And what can we do about it?
We all want our judges to be honest, fair, intelligent, and experienced persons who uphold the constitution and the law without bias. Although some individual judges in our state meet this description, why are… [continue reading]
“National Popular Vote” isn’t what it’s cracked up to be:
It’s bad for Alaska, bad for nation
I’m barely (by one year!) old enough to remember when The Last Frontier became America’s 49th state. It was a big deal. Alaska is still a big deal in a class by itself. Our state ratified the Constitution in 1959, and every day since, the electoral college safeguarded…[continue reading]
Stay in touch!
As always, I look forward to meeting you when I’m back in district as well as in Juneau if you come for a visit. Hope to see those of you on the eastern (Palmer) side of Mat-Su on April 15 (scroll down for flyer). Senator Mike Shower will be joining me and possibly Rep. George Rauscher and Rep. DeLena Johnson depending on their schedules.
My responsibility to you is front and center, whether I am on the Senate floor, drafting policy, in a meeting, or out and about in our community. If you would like my feedback on your issue, please call my office (907) 465-3743 to set up a phone call with me or come by one of my coffee chats.
Working on your behalf,
Students from the 4-H Youth In Governance program came to chat about their experiences and the impact of their program.
Mark Lackey, Executive Director of CCS Early Learning, came by with student parents and grandparents to talk about education funding for three and four-year-olds.
“I say we Alaskans need some bang for our buck with schools. NO MORE MONEY, until you get off the bottom of the list for reading and math. Every year the school system begs for more and we get nothing for it. It’s time to stop giving and start getting something for our money.”
“Our money is not being spent wisely, and now we are scrambling to fix the mess at the expense of our most impressionable constituents.”
“Have a nice day, Princess. Thanks for nothing.”
“Other states with a defined benefit retirement system are having the same hiring and retainment issues Alaska has. Defined benefit is not going to fix the problem.”
“I just want to express my support for the governor’s crime bills, including the one on sexual and human trafficking.”
“tl;dr;* anti-MAGA Bush RINO”
*too long; didn’t read;
“[I]ncrease the allocation even more, as we know it barely accounts for inflation and the rising costs that our schools face.”
“Adding additional spending to public schools has shown not to impact the final results for some 25 years in Alaska. So vote no on any increased spending, unless you tie the spending to recordable improved performance.”
“Simply a horrid decision and only supported by horrible people.”
[regarding Willow Project]
“So many ignorant comments…made by people who have never even been to Alaska…all while holding their phones…loaded with elements extracted from the land…while looking down their noses through their plastic lenses…eating an avocado that grew halfway across the world and had to be flown to their location…”
[regarding Willow Project]
“Thank you Senator Hugh’s [sic] for fighting for Alaska and good governance. No raise at this time. We need accountability and working together for Alaskans not against us.”
An issue currently rising to the top in Juneau.
Education and Sharing Day
let’s extend this significant day throughout the year
Education and Sharing Day is set aside each year to remind us that it is our duty as parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, community members and leaders to teach our children values and morals by which they can aspire to become contributing, caring, service-minded adults.
Sunday, April 2, 2023 was officially “Education and Sharing Day” as proclaimed by Governor Mike Dunleavy, President Joe Biden, and multiple Alaskan mayors as well as by governors and mayors in other states.…Continue Reading Online
The 4-H Youth in Governance team who are visiting in Juneau hosted a waffle breakfast at the Capitol building for legislators and staff.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOU TO WEIGH IN THIS WEEK
Public Testimony
🎙️
Below is list of bills scheduled to be heard in various committees this week. If you’d like to provide public testimony, enter the bill number (for example “HB 22”) into the search bar here to learn the date and time. Scroll down toward the bottom of this newsletter or view the highlighted bill images to find the public testimony call-in phone numbers.
The following “News from Hughes Alerts” are highlighted bills for this week.
🖱️ Click on the image to view the referenced bill.
Click the button below to see all public testimony opportunities
occurring within the next seven days.
🔎Hearings That May Interest You
- HB 69 RECLASSIFICATION OF FIRST-CLASS CITIES
HB 123 ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION FOR ANCSA CORPS.
heard by House Community & Regional Affairs Committee
April 6th, 7:30am - HB 148 AK PERFORMANCE SCHOLARSHIP; ELIGIBILITY
heard by House Education Committee
April 3rd & 5th, 8:00am. - HB 58 ADULT HOME CARE: MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
HB 59 MEDICAID ELIGIBILITY: POSTPARTUM MOTHERS
heard by House Finance Committee
April 4th, 1:30pm. - HB 115 NATUROPATHS: LICENSING; PRACTICE
HB 96 LICENSING: DRUGS/DEVICES FOR HOME DIALYSIS
heard by House Health & Social Services Committee
April 6th, 3:00pm. - HB 120 HUNT/FISH LICENSE FOR NONRESIDENT STUDENT*
HB 95 NATIONAL RESOURCE WATER NOMINATION/DESIGNATION
HB 104 EXPEDITED TIMBER SALES
HB 125 TRAPPING CABINS ON STATE LAND
heard by House Resources Committee
April 3rd, 1:00pm. *(HB 120 also heard on April 5th) - SB 74 PHYSICAL THERAPY LICENSURE COMPACT
SB 75 AUDIOLOGY & SPEECH-LANGUAGE INTERSTATE COMPACT
heard by Senate Finance Committee
April 4th, 9:00am. - HB 103 EXTEND ALASKA MINERALS COMMISSION
SB 78 HUNT/FISH LICENSE FOR NONRESIDENT STUDENT
heard by Senate Resources Committee
April 3rd, 3:30pm.
CONFIRMATION HEARINGS
MONDAY, APRIL 3, 3:30pm
SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Consideration of Governor’s Appointees:
University of Alaska Board of Regents: Joey Crum
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 3:30pm
SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Consideration of Governor’s Appointees:
University of Alaska Board of Regents: John Jepson
MONDAY, APRIL 3, 1:30pm
SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
Consideration of Governor’s Appointees:
State Commission for Human Rights
Alaska Police Standards Council
MONDAY, APRIL 3, 3:30pm
SENATE RESOURCES COMMITTEE
Consideration of Governor’s Appointees:
Board of Fisheries: Stanley Zuray
Big Game Commercial Services Board: Larry Kunder, Michael Flores
TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 1:30pm
SENATE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
Consideration of Governor’s Appointees:
Board of Marine Pilots: Edward Sinclair
MONDAY, APRIL 3, 8:00am
HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Consideration of Governor’s Appointees:
Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education: Mary Carlson
Alaska Board of Education and Early Development: James Fields
Looking forward to meeting with you. Click the image to see the details on Facebook.
Space is extremely limited. If you or someone you know qualifies, apply early!
Senate Assignments:
- Alaska Food Strategy Task Force, Chair
- Food and Farm Caucus, Co-Chair
- Special Committee on World Trade
- Victims’ Advocate Selection Committee
- Law Finance Subcommittee
Other Appointments and Assignments:
- State Agricultural and Rural Leaders, National Board Member
- Article V Phoenix Correspondence Commission, National Commissioner
- NCSL Cybersecurity Task Force
- CSG-West Canada Relations
- CSG Interbranch Committee
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🔥HOT TIP🔥 KNOW WHICH BILLS & TOPICS ARE BEING HEARD While I bring bills and topics to you that I think may be relevant to my constituents, you can always see the full list of bills and topics being heard by visiting the Daily Schedule on Akleg.gov and selecting the day(s) you wish to view. |
For information on bills I’m co‑sponsoring
For information on all bills filed during this session,
Bills I’ve Filed on Your Behalf
Health Insurance Info; Incentives/Agreements
Alaska Sunset Commission
Constitutional Amendment: Abortion/Funding
School/University Employee Health Insurance
Rejecting Commission’s Recommendation to Raise Salaries
Keep up with updates, notices, news, and photos throughout the week and live broadcasts every Monday evening at 6pm.
Join Shelley on Facebook Live each week to ask questions and give input.
We typically broadcast Mondays at 6:00 pm, but watch for a notification on Facebook as the day/time is subject to change.
Be sure to “like” the “Senator Shelley Hughes” Facebook page www.facebook.com/AKShelleyHughes
so you’ll get a heads-up each time we air!
WATCH OUR MOST RECENT BROADCAST BELOW
& THEN JOIN US LIVE TONIGHT AT 6PM!
MORE TIPS TO STAY IN THE LOOP✏️
More important than ever!
#1
Alaska State Legislature web site is the place to track bills, locate and contact your legislators, and access committee information. Questions? Try the help wizard or call 1-800-478-4648.
#2
SMS Bill Tracking! Once you know what bill(s) you want to monitor, here’s a convenient way to track what’s happening. Text any bill number (ex: SB1) to 559-245-2529 to enroll in text alerts for that particular piece of legislation. You’ll receive an enrollment confirmation as well as instructions on how to unsubscribe.
#3
How to Get in Touch with Shelley! Give our office a call at 907-465-3743 or 800-565-3743 or send an email to Sen.Shelley.Hughes@akleg.gov. If you need assistance, want a response, or need other follow-up, please call rather than email.
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Gaby Gonzalez Staff Intern Gaby.Gonzalez@akleg.gov 907-465-3743 |
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Stephen Knouse Legislative Aide Stephen.Knouse@akleg.gov 907-465-1172 |
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Anneliese Roberts Chief of Staff Anneliese.Roberts@akleg.gov 907-465-5025 |
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| Juneau Office Alaska State Capitol Rm 7 Juneau, Alaska 99801 907-465-3743 800-565-3743 |
Mat-Su Office (closed while in Juneau) 600 E. Railroad Avenue Wasilla, Alaska 99654 907-376-3725 |
HAVE A FEDERAL ISSUE???
Contact Alaska’s US Senators and Congressman
| Lisa Murkowski – Senator Anchorage: 907-271-3735 Mat-Su: 907-376-7665 |
Dan Sullivan – Senator Anchorage: 907-271-5915 Mat-Su: 907-357-9956 |
| Mary Peltola – Representative Anchorage: 907-921-6675 |
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