This weekend I had the privilege to electronically participate in the annual Youth Advocacy Institute panel discussion with students from all over the state. Students had an opportunity to engage with about a half dozen legislators to ask questions regarding the issues most important to them.
During the meeting, I introduced my aide, Dawson Mann, to the youth. Dawson participated in student government in both high school and college, and I thought he might inspire students to consider what opportunities might await them in the future.
Greetings, Alaskan Friends and Neighbors:
Have you noticed the daily increase of light? Isn’t it wonderful? Even if it’s just in increments of minutes, the added daylight is welcome. With the challenges of the last year, many of us are extra thankful for each and every glimmer of sunshine and hope.
As we pull together to recover physically and economically from the pandemic, I hope you’re able to take a few minutes to browse this newsletter. Your input is more important than ever as decisions ahead will impact each of us. Allow me to provide an analogy of where we are.
I once watched a home improvement show where water was leaking through a window opening. Not a huge leak, mind you, but a leak. Water got into the warm walls filled with insulation, where mold and rot took hold. Within a few short years, the structure of this house was compromised, the living space became unhealthy, and the homeowner faced enormous expenses.
An unbalanced budget to a government is like a water leak to a house. It rots the very foundation of the institution and threatens the wellbeing of the people it’s supposed to protect.
Instead of fixing the leaks completely, legislative attempts in recent years focused on primarily one solution: taking from PFD. The problem is that this sole approach isn’t sustainable and doesn’t complete the job. In addition, Alaskans have been outraged that simultaneous attempts to substantially reduce the budget and to cap spending were meager and failed.
A multipronged approach is needed to fix the gaps.
With a $2.2 billion fiscal gap, unfortunately, cutting alone won’t do the trick. Some of us pushed for six years to reduce and nudge down the operating budget. We simply did not have the votes and believe me, I’m frustrated that was the case, but now we must deal with our present predicament because both time and savings are running out. We are constitutionally obligated to balance the budget each year. Unlike Congress, we can’t rack up debt, and we can’t print money to fill the gap. (Of course, those would be terrible ideas and a poor solution so I’m not bemoaning that we can’t do these things.)
The truth is, no single solution will close a gap as large we have, but first things first. We need to update the constitutional spending cap and solve the PFD issue once and for all – by ensconcing a fair formula in our state’s constitution. Once these items are set, the real work can begin.
With oil production and revenue much less than it was during the golden years, we have to look hard at how we’re spending every penny.
An independent, objective audit of every department and every agency is necessary. This is why I introduced SB 57, to establish an independent Alaska Sunset Commission. This bill would require the legislature to consider and act on each audit report, whether it be by budget amounts, statute changes, and/or agency or staffing revisions, etc.
As we adjust the size and scope of our state government and budget in relation to our population, and in accordance with our state constitution, we will know if and how much of a gap still remains. If one does, everyone will need to step up, industry and Alaskans alike. As far as a broad-based tax, economists have recommended a sales tax rather than an income tax. This will allow the state to harvest more from nonresidents and at the same time, avoid an outmigration of productive residents caused by an income tax.
If we want to live in a prosperous Alaska, we need to plug the leaks in our budgetary house and let a little sunshine in, some of that wonderful daylight we spoke about early. In this case, that mean transparency and accountability.
Speaking of a prosperous Alaska, be sure to check out my article on why tools to help us recover from the pandemic and the economic impacts are better than declaring another state of emergency. It’s time for Alaska to move through a state of recovery to a state of normalcy, not dwell in a state of emergency!
Take a moment too to discover what “CRA” is all about. No clues here; you’ll have to read the article!
Before I “close this opener” and you browse this update, please scan the reminder bullets below! Please also know that I’m here for you and count on your input on issues to assist in the decision-making process. (This reminds me: be sure not to miss the second bullet. Townhall coming up in March!)
• Be sure to catch my weekly Facebook Live: #Telling_it_like_it_is Monday at 6:00pm on my senator page (time/day subject to change – watch for notices). Hear what’s happening in Juneau and weigh in and ask questions. “Like” and “follow” my page so you’ll receive a reminder notification.
• Mark your calendar: Mat-Su Townhall on Saturday, March 27, details TBA.
Working on your behalf,
Legislative Assignments
Senator Shelley Hughes
Senate Majority Leader
Committee Assignments
- Community & Regional Affairs Committee, Chair
- Health & Social Services Committee, Vice-Chair
- Rules Committee, Member
- Judiciary Committee, Member
- Education Committee, Member
- World Trade Committee, Member
- Legislative Council Committee, Alternate
Other Appointments:
- State Agriculture & Rural Leaders, Alaska Delegate
- Mat-Su Legislative Delegation, Member
- National Conference of State Legislatures, State Coordinator
- National Conference of State Legislatures – Law, Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee, Member
- National Conference of State Legislatures – Task Force on Cybersecurity, Member
- Council of State Governments – Transportation Committee, Member
- Council of State Governments West – Canada Relations Committee, Member
New session means a little change in the background this year. For those of you lucky enough to have visited the Capitol last year, my desk may look a little different now with the prominent display of the Alaska and US flags along with the state seal.
Senate President Peter Micciche, Senator Roger Holland and I sat down with the Capitol press corps to discuss the budget, extending the Covid-19 emergency declaration, and the upcoming week in the legislature.
To Extend or Not?
Disaster Declaration for COVID-19
State legislatures across the USA are debating this very subject. Alaska is no exception.
Our state has taken a toll due to the COVID pandemic, but I believe there is light at the end of the tunnel. The fight against this disease will come to a close.
You may be aware that Governor Dunleavy has introduced SB 56 which would extend the Emergency Disaster Declaration through September of 2021. Now the decision rests in the legislature’s hands as to whether to grant the extension.
I can tell you that I and many of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle are looking hard at this request. I’m not going to twist words: some, including yours truly, are hesitant to grant ongoing broad powers all the way to September 2021 like we did back in March 2020 when we knew little of what to expect as far as the magnitude and dangers of COVID-19.
Allow me to make clear: I want the governor and his administration to have the specific tools they need to finish out the task, to address the testing demands and the distribution of vaccines, to suspend certain statutes and regulations to allow health care providers and businesses to perform efficiently in the present circumstances.
The questions we are asking ourselves: Should we grant a declaration for a time period longer than is absolutely necessary? Should we grant a declaration for items beyond what is necessary? Would the granting of specific tools statutorily without a declaration extension provide better protection in a court of law than a declaration that was extended by the governor three times prior on shaky legal grounds? (Statute states that it is the role of the legislature to extend a disaster declaration, not the governor.)
In committee hearings thus far, the administration has not yet given the legislature a good and clear explanation for exactly why the disaster declaration is necessary as opposed to adjusting specific statutes for a defined time period.
In addition to the problem of granting of extensive powers for a prolonged period when they may not all be necessary – and setting a precedent too in doing so – I am concerned that an ongoing declaration signals ongoing gloom and doom for our economy, for Alaskans, for our collective state’s well-being. We are in recovery-mode, not emergency mode, in reference to both our public health situation and to our economic situation.
In fact, the administration used the words “monitor” and “manage” to describe their handling of the present situation. That tells me we are moving from a state of emergency to a state of recovery – which also means we are headed back to a state of normalcy.
Please be aware that some local governments have issued restrictive mandates, such as mask mandates, that the governor has not issued. The decision to close schools due to COVID-19 is a local policy call, not a state decision. It is unfair to attribute these local decisions to the governor. At the same time, I firmly believe that it is our responsibility as state officials to lead and set policy related to COVID-19 based on the present situation/reality, not to provide cover and an excuse for municipalities to maintain overly restrictive policies.
In the coming days and weeks, you will hear of the Senate’s proposal to give the governor the tools that he is requesting, but doing so in a way that provides the checks and balances from the legislature that our constitution intended. We are eager to work collaboratively with Governor Dunleavy, but ceding our legislative authority to the executive branch in the name of a disaster that can not be properly articulated sets precedent that is questionable at best, and dangerous at worse.
I look forward to working with Governor Dunleavy and his team, all of whom I consider friends and who I know have Alaska’s best intentions at heart. Together we will help our people, our economy and our state fully recover
The first hearing for SB 43 “An Act relating to campaign finance and initiatives; relating to elections and voting; and relating to unlawful interference with voting” was held in Senate State Affairs on 2/2/21. My legislative Intern Riley Nye did a wonderful job with me presenting his first bill! Click here to watch the hearing.
Quotes from Constituents and Alaskans
Comments: The Good, the Bad, AND the Ugly
I really appreciate the work and care that is put into the “News from Hughes” updates. I derive a lot of value from them. – Mike
Thank you for filing SJR 4. That will help the democratic process work more freely. – Ruth
I see you are considering not supporting extending COVID 19 emergency orders. The state mandates have allowed our district to have kids in school. It is too soon to pull back on our emergency orders. – Jody
I congratulate you for representing me and other Alaskans in the legislature and I value your work and the values you represent. – Newton
As one of your Palmer constituents, I want this disaster declaration nonsense to end. What’s the point of all this? – Jamar
A sales tax would be much easier to enforce and collect and would affect all equally. A sales tax would take a great deal of burden off the Permanent Fund Dividend and the oil industry. – Dave
State of Alaska COVID-19 Coronavirus Information (Click Here)
State of Alaska COVID-19 Health Orders (Click Here)
State of Alaska COVID-19 Vaccine Information (Click Here)
An Overview for You
Senate Community & Regional Affairs Committee
A typical practice among many standing committees in the legislature is to hold meetings early in their session called “Overviews” which encompass the scope of the committee and presentations from relevant state departments. This year, I have decided to periodically provide you with an “Overview” of each of the committees on which I serve.
First up this week is the Senate Community & Regional Affairs Committee (CRA). I have the honor of chairing this particular committee for the 32nd Legislature, so I thought it would be a good one for you to wrap your arms around right out of the gate.
CRA deals with issues pertaining to the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development in relation to local governments and the unorganized borough.
For those who don’t know, the unorganized borough is an entity comprised of 11 census areas that have not yet formed boroughs of their own. For the most part, all governmental services within this area are provided by state and tribal governments. The CRA committee is a very significant one for the unincorporated borough because the legislature is essentially its “city council” and the CRA is the first committee of referral for bills addressing issues impacting these rural areas.
Historically this is not a committee that meets very often due to its niche scope and the time constraints of a busy legislative session but a few examples of bill topics that typically would be routed to CRA might include rural energy, local elections, alcohol tax, Village Public Safety Officers, road service areas, and utilities.
This year we look forward to hearing several bills concerning important statewide and municipal issues. We are grateful to have the committee’s extensive wealth of knowledge as it is comprised of members who have previously served in local government and/or live(d) or worked in both organized and unorganized borough areas.
The Members of the Senate Community & Regional Affairs for the 32nd legislature are as follows:
Senator Shelley Hughes, Chair
Senator Robert Myers, Vice Chair
Senator Lyman Hoffman, Member
Senator David Wilson, Member
Senator Elvi Gray-Jackson, Member
Senate Community & Regional Affairs has allocated Tuesdays and Thursdays at 3:30pm for meetings when it is necessary to bring matters before the committee.
To see meeting schedules and what bills have been referred to this committee click here.
Bills this Week
Click links for dates and times. Click here (or if your email program doesn’t recognize anchor links, scroll down to final section of this newsletter) for information on how to receive text updates when action is taken on a bill of interest to you. The texts are occasional, and you can unsubscribe anytime.
Tuesday Feb 9, 2021
1:30PM (S)Health and Social Services
SB 56 Extending COVID-19 19 Disaster Emergency *Public Testimony*
3:30PM (S)State Affairs
SB 53 Perm Fund; Advisory Vote
SJR 6 Const. Am: Perm Fund & PFDs
SJR 1 Const. Am: Guarantee Perm Fund Dividend
SB 39 Ballot Custody/Tampering; Voter Reg; Mail
Wednesday Feb 10, 2021
1:30PM (S)Judiciary
SB 14 Selection and Review of Judges *Invited and Public Testimony*
Thursday Feb 11, 2021
3:30PM (S)State Affairs
SB 39 Ballot Custody/Tampering; Voter Reg; Mail *Invited Testimony*
SJR 1 Const. Am: Guarantee Perm Fund Dividend *Testimony TBA*
Friday Feb 12, 2021
1:30PM (S)Judiciary
SB 14 Selection and Review of Judges *Invited Testimony*
1:30PM (S)Labor and Commerce
SB 9 Alcohol Beverage Control; Alcohol Reg *Invited and Public Testimony*
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As the volume of daily contacts reaching out to my office has exponentially increased over time, my staff stands by, ready to assist you. Below you will find a full list of my bills along with a listing of the contact info and committee/bill assignments for each staff member. Please reach out to them anytime. |
For additional information,
contact my staff:
Buddy Whitt- Chief of Staff
-Senator’s Aide for Senate Rules Committee
-Senator’s Aide for Majority Leadership
Legislation: SB 27
Buddy.Whitt@akleg.gov
907-465-5025
Lisa Hart- Legislative Aide
-Senator’s Aide for Senate Judiciary Committee
Legislation: SB 41, SJR 4
Lisa.Hart@akleg.gov
907-465-1172
Dawson Mann- Legislative Aide
-Senate Community & Regional Affairs Committee Aide
-Senator’s Aide for Senate Education Committee
Legislation: SB 42
Dawson.Mann@akleg.gov
907-465-1173
Riley Nye- Legislative Intern
-Senator’s Aide for Senate Health & Social Services Committee
Legislation: SB 43
Riley.Nye@akleg.gov
907-465-3743
Serving You in These Roles
Current Senate Committees:
- Community & Regional Affairs Committee, Chair
- Health & Social Services Committee, Vice-Chair
- Rules Committee, Member
- Judiciary Committee, Member
- Education Committee, Member
- Legislative Council Committee, Alternate
Finance Subcommittee Assignments:
- Senate Transportation & Public Facilities (Fin Sub), Member
- Senate Administration (Fin Sub), Member
- Senate Judiciary (Fin Sub), Member
Other Appointments:
- State Agriculture & Rural Leaders, Alaska Delegate
- Mat-Su Legislative Delegation, Member
- National Conference of State Legislatures – State Coordinator
- National Conference of State Legislatures – Law, Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee, Member
- National Conference of State Legislatures – Task Force on Cybersecurity, Member
- Council of State Governments – Transportation Committee, Member
- Council of State Governments West – Canada Relations Committee, Member
For information on bills I’m co‑sponsoring
click here.
For information on all bills filed during this session,
click here.
Passed Legislation
(Bills that are finished with the legislative process)
Stay tuned. As bills pass, they will be listed here.
Legislation Update
(Shelley’s bills filed with your best interest in mind)
The latest UPDATES are highlighted in yellow.
SB 27 – Industrial Hemp Program; Manufacturing- Many of you are aware that in 2018 I sponsored and the legislature passed SB6 allowing for the legalized growth and production of Industrial Hemp as an agricultural product in the Alaska. In late 2018 the US Congress passed the 2018 Farm Bill which made additional changes to the federal statutes regarding the production of industrial hemp. SB 27 makes a few small changes in Alaska statute in order to conform to those federal changes. This bill was referred to the Senate Labor and Commerce and Resources Committees.
SB 41 – Health Insurance Info; Incentive Program. Also know as the Alaska Health Care Consumers Right to Shop Act. The goal of this piece of legislation is to bring down the cost of healthcare over time by instituting full cost transparency and an incentive to shop for healthcare services that are below the average cost. This bill was referred to the Senate Labor and Commerce and Senate Finance Committees.
SB 42 – Virtual and Early Education, Reading- The “Education Transformation Act” enables districts to open up slots in classrooms to students in other locations and from other districts via two-way videoconferencing or other distance learning methods via internet. A menu of classes and teachers with video samples would open up a larger variety of course offerings and teaching expertise to students statewide. The bill also requires the state to adjust PRAXIS scores for teacher certification periodically. Districts would be required to post the ratio of administrators to classroom teachers to students each year. Districts could roll forward savings for the next year (up to an amount equal to 15% of current year’s expenditures) without impacting the amount of state funds to be received the next year. High school students could receive course credit for activities outside of school hours that districts determine meet the education or physical activity of a course. The bill establishes a “Read by 9” policy to ensure improved proficiency of students in reading by third grade. It also establishes cooperative agreements are expanded to include efficiency partnerships between districts and businesses, non-profits, and local governments. When between districts, the cooperative agreement is to include at least one rural school district. SB 42 also includes language focused on increasing the number of National Board Certified teachers in Alaska, requiring schools to post who is certified, and creating a halo around the superlative certification, showing the value of it. This bill was referred to the Senate Education and Senate Finance Committees. We anticipate this bill will receive a hearing next week.
SB 43- Elections, Voting, Campaign Finance- “An Act relating to campaign finance and initiatives; relating to elections and voting; and relating to unlawful interference with voting”. SB 43 is about improving transparency and accountability in Alaska’s campaign finance laws as well as securing the integrity of Alaska’s election process. This bill was referred to the Senate Labor and Commerce and Senate Finance Committees, and we hope a hearing on the bill will be scheduled soon. SB 43 received its first hearing February 2nd in the Senate State Affairs Committee. A committee substitute was adopted to narrow this bill to the subject of campaign financing related to ballot initiatives. The chair explained he planned to merge the section on ballot harvesting with another bill.
SJR 4 – Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Alaska relating to abortion. This bill will allow for the question of abortion to be decided through legislation or voter initiative. Currently, the state of Alaska has some of the most progressive abortion statutes in the country. Each and every time that the legislature has passed legislation attempting to regulate in even the smallest and simplest manner the practice of abortion in the state, the courts have stepped in to call any restriction unconstitutional. The passage of SJR 4 in the legislature and majority approval by Alaska voters will make it possible for the people to have a voice and express their will as it relates to abortion in our state. This bill was referred to the Senate Labor and Commerce and Senate Finance Committees
– Let Your Voice Be Heard –
– Participate in Public Testimony –
Public testimony is available for every bill heard in a committee. Follow bills you have interest in on the Alaska State Legislature Page. To testify, go to your local Legislative Information Office (LIO) which you can find here. If you are unable to testify, written testimony can also be submitted by sending an email to the committee.
Public testimony times on bills
that might interest you:
Find it here!
Public Testimony OFF NET Numbers
Anchorage: 907-563-9085
Juneau: 907-586-9085
Everywhere else: 844-586-9085
For budget bills and Permanent Fund bills, please arrive 15 minutes early for sign-in process, and please arrive 15 minutes prior to the end of the allotted time or testimony may close early. Public testimony may be limited to two minutes per person, so it’s best to prepare concise comments.
Remotely-operated cameras broadcast the Senate floor session. Typically the floor sessions are held Monday and Wednesday at 11:00am and Friday at 10:30am. Check the schedule and view the sessions here. 360 North (Gavel to Gavel television) broadcasts the House and Senate floor sessions statewide as well as some of the committee hearings.
Catch our latest #Telling_it_like_it_is Facebook Live video from Juneau. Capitol Series #3 aired February 8th, 2021. Questions and comments from live viewers are always part of our format.
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!
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: 357-9956
Don Young – Congressman
Anchorage: 907-271-5978
TIPS TO STAY IN THE LOOP
More important than ever!
TIP #1: The Alaska State Legislature web site is the place to track bills, locate and contact your legislators (session), and access committee information. Questions? Try the help wizard or call 1-800-478-4648.
TIP #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.
TIP #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.
Buddy Whitt – Chief of Staff
Buddy.Whitt@akleg.gov
Lisa Hart – Legislative Aide
Lisa.Hart@akleg.gov
Dawson Mann – Legislative Aide
Dawson.Mann@akleg.gov
Riley Nye – Legislative Aide/Intern
Riley.Nye@akleg.gov
Juneau Office
Alaska State Capitol Rm 30
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
Best regards,
Copyright © 2021 Office of Senator Shelley Hughes. All rights reserved.
