Women currently serving Alaska at the state and federal levels. When we were called to gather for this photo, I suggested that the photographers also gather the male legislators to pose with US Senator Dan Sullivan who was due to be in the Capitol a few days later. Never heard that this happened, but it should have! Can you tell I’m not keen on special treatment for women? Nonetheless, this is a nice photo of some hardworking legislators.
Friends and Neighbors,
My office is focused on listening to the input from constituents and other Alaskans and on the work of my committees. SB91 repeal legislation, the budget, and the transportation and education challenges Alaskans face are front and center on a daily basis.
The state budget is the hottest topic of concern this session, as Governor Dunleavy has proposed a living-within-our means fiscal plan which includes large spending reductions. The budget is a process, and nothing is in stone just yet. Those who have concerns, take a deep breath and stay calm! This legislature is committed to developing a workable budget, bearing in mind our present fiscal shortfall, recent low to moderate oil prices, limited revenue, limited savings, our current high rate of per capita spending, our small population, our large geography, the health of our economy, and our constitutional responsibilities.
As one example, because we subsidize our public university at an extremely higher rate per student than universities across the nation, the legislature has an obligation to consider this ongoing spending rate before we dip into savings or tax Alaskans to pay for it. This same principle applies to multiple facets of our state government spending. These are the conversations and considerations that are underway in your state capital.
Another ongoing issue is the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics’ interpretation of recent changes to the ethics law. It turns out the changes, although well-intended, resulted in consequences detrimental to the representative process and the work legislators conduct on behalf of constituents. Fortunately, there is bipartisan support in both chambers to correct the statutory language to remedy the problem.
Until the flawed statue is fixed, however, I am prohibited from working on healthcare policy or, except in public meetings, discussing the topic with anyone (whether a constituent in my office, a friend at the grocery store, or even my husband in the privacy of my home). Why am I prohibited? Because I have an immediate family member employed as a primary care provider, my work and these conversations would constitute a conflict of interest. I even had to withdraw a bill that would have lowered healthcare costs.
Our ethics laws certainly should not allow legislators to work on bills solely intended to enrich themselves but preventing legislators from work on legislation that could potentially reduce that legislator’s family income, but help Alaskans over all, defies common sense.
On the Senate floor agenda, the last item each day is “Special Orders.” The presiding officer grants permission to senators to speak on the topic of their choice. Listen to my speech about a special American hero who is relatively unknown, but impacted thousands of lives.There’s a great movie about his life that I suggest you put on your “must watch” list. Check out my 4 minute Special Order to find out its title!
Before you move onto the rest of this newsletter, please scan the couple of bullets below AND know that I’m here for you and appreciate your input on issues. Looking forward to seeing some of you at one of my Coffee Chats this weekend – mark your calendars!
- If you were affected by the earthquake and filled out an application at ready.alaska.gov, did you know you also need to apply through FEMA by the end of this month? To learn more, call 800-621-3362 (TTY users may call 800-462-7585) or visit www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
- Be sure to catch my weekly Facebook Live: #Telling_it_like_it_is Monday at 7pm on my senator page. It’s a chance to hear what’s happening in Juneau without the filter of the media and also a chance for you to weigh in on the issues and ask questions. “Like” and “follow” my page so you’ll receive a reminder notification.
Working on your behalf,
West Lake Dept. Chief John Fairchild, Central Mat-Su Dept. Chief James Steele, Senator Shelley Hughes, Willow and Caswell Fire Dept. Chief Mahlon Greene, Central Mat-Su Dept. Chief Michael Keenan, Palmer Fire and Rescue Chief. Thank you for your dedication and service.
Click the TV above to watch my comments during the recent Senate Majority Press Availability on crime in Alaska and the work the Senate Judiciary Committee is doing to make Alaska safer. You can also watch the full press availability on Gavel to Gavel
A great time with 4-H students at their annual delicious waffle breakfast sponsored by Rep. Tammie Wilson and yours truly. From Chicken to the Kenai, these kids traveled to our state capital to learn about legislation and government, and to meet with their Senators and Representatives.
(Top picture) Senator Mia Costello, Senator Shelley Hughes, and Representative Tammie Wilson make breakfast. (Left photo) Senator Hughes meeting the students from around the state. (Right photo) Senators Hughes, Costello, and Representatives Telerico and Johnson eat and visit with the students.
Don’t miss out!
Alaska Municipal League storms the Capitol, Room 30! Great to see so many friends and public servants from back home. (left to right) Wasilla City Council member Gretchen O’Barr, Deputy Mayer of Wasilla James Harvey, Palmer City Council member Sabrena Combs, Senator Hughes, Wasilla City Council member Glenda Ledford, Mayor of Valdez Jeremy O’Neil, and James Devens.
Crime Bills & More
Judiciary Committee Update
by Buddy Whitt
Chief of Staff and Judiciary Committee Aide
This week our Senate Judiciary Committee finished work on Senate Bill 12 Assault, Sex Offense, and Sentencing Credit sponsored by Senator Micciche and co-sponsored by Senator Hughes. The bill is designed to close the loophole made apparent in the Justin Schneider case last year. Schneider, who’d been on an ankle monitor, was released without serving any jail time for a violent sex act.
The Committee Substitute (CS) adopted by the Judiciary Committee made several improvements to the original bill which classified the act of unwanted contact with semen as a sex crime and increased the penalty for strangulation when unconsciousness occurs. The CS increases the penalties for sexual crimes and other crimes against a person involving strangulation even when unconsciousness does not occur, and requires prosecutors to inform victims of proposed plea bargains. It also ends pre-trial credit (ankle monitor time) being applied toward jail time.
Senator Hughes believes the end result was a very good bill that will make a difference in deterring crime and administering justice on behalf of victims.
The Senate Judiciary Committee continues to work on the governor’s crime package, including a second sexual crime bill (SB35) focused on fixes to other statutes unrelated to the previously discussed loophole. Based on issues that have surfaced in hearings and input from committee members, Senator Hughes expects to introduce a Committee Substitute once drafting is complete. In addition, the committee has taken up SB34 pertaining to probation and parole. Public testimony will be taken on this bill this Friday, March 8 in the 1:30pm hearing. Additional public testimony on these two bills may be scheduled so please stay tuned for more information on how you can speak out and ensure that criminals in our state have no more free passes.
PHONE NUMBERS FOR PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON SB34
Friday, March 8, 1:30 p.m.
from Anchorage 907-563-9085
from Juneau 907-586-9085
from elsewhere 844-586-9085
Senate Judiciary has also held confirmation hearings for all of the governor’s appointees for boards and commissions referred to the committee. This includes candidates nominated to the Alaska Police Standards Council, the Alaska Judicial Council, the Board of Governors of the Alaska Bar, the Commission of Judicial Conduct, and the Violent Crimes Compensation Boa.
Chair Hughes plans to hear the three constitutional amendment resolutions in Senate Judiciary that have been proposed by Governor Dunleavy.after the resolutions are passed out of the State Affairs Committee. The Senate Joint Resolutions are SJR4, SJR 5, and SJR 6 and pertain respectively to a voter approval requirement in order for state taxes to be implemented, to a voter approval requirement in order for changes to be made to the PFD, and to establishing a spending cap and savings reserve fund.
If one or more of the resolutions are passed by both the Senate and the House, a question will be placed before the voters on the ballot in November of 2020 asking whether the Alaska State Constitution should be amended to add the language contained in the resolution(s) passed by the legislature. These are extremely important and serious considerations, so stay tuned for the discussions on these resolutions which will begin soon – first in the State Affairs Committee and then in the Judiciary Committee.
Be sure to tune in to Gavel to Gavel or 360North.com every Mon., Wed., and Fri. at 1:30pm to see committee proceedings.
Senate Judiciary Committee listens to a final testifier speaking in support of the changes the committee made to SB12, the sexual crime bill which closes the Justin Schneider loophole. The bill moved out of the committee on Monday. Its next stop is the Senate Finance Committee.
Transportation Committee Update
by Aimee Bushnell
Transportation Committee Aide
What has the Transportation Committee been up to lately? We held a confirmation hearing for the governor’s appointee to the Marine Board of Pilots, Edward Sinclair. The Alaska Railroad provided a thorough overview and update to their operations, with CEO and President Bill O’Leary before the committee to answer questions.
SB4 was heard and moved out by the Transportation Committee. The bill will rename the Tok River bridge to the “Scott Johnson Memorial Bridge” and is sponsored by Senator John Coghill. The name change honors Scott Johnson, an Alaska State Trooper who died in the line of duty on May 1, 2014. This bill esteems the beloved community member by enshrining his name on a bridge near Tok, the place where he hunted, fished, and was raised. SB 4 will rename the Tok River Bridge, located at Milepost 1309 on the Alaska Highway, as an acknowledgement of Johnson’s life, achievements, and honorable works in Alaska. Scott Johnson served the State of Alaska for 23 years.
The Committee heard a fascinating presentation on plans for an Alberta to Alaska railway presented by Sean McCoshen, Mead Treadwell, and Jon Ketchen who are involved in the A2A. Senate Transportation Chair Hughes is currently awaiting communication from Matt Vickers with G7G, another proposed railway project to Alaska.
Later this week, the committee will hear the administration’s update and plans for the Alaska ferry system. The business enterprise and development manager for the Alaska Marine Highway System will be discussing the governor’s proposal to more economically provide service to residents in communities along the ferry route through privatization. The ferry schedule is only posted through October 1 of this year, so this presentation is certain to be of interest. Following this meeting, Sen. Hughes will be attending a Transportation Finance Subcommittee also on the topic of the Alaska Marine Highway System.
Two bills are in the docket for the committee: SB54 Alaska Railroad Corporation Land Transfers by Senator John Coghill and SB75 Commercial Vehicle Licensing Requirements by Senator Mia Costello.
Be sure to tune in to Gavel to Gavel or 360North.com Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1:30pm to see committee proceedings.
Two full townhalls on the last weekend of February showed just how many people are interested in state government.
(Mat-Su Townhall above. Chugiak Townhall to right and below.)
Meetings with Mike Coons and Linda Combs on the Alaska Geriatric Network, it was great to see these two again.
Serving You in These Roles
Senate Committees:
- Judiciary Committee, Chair
- Transportation Committee, Chair
- Education Committee, Vice-Chair
- Joint Armed Services Committee, Member
Finance Subcommittees:
- Judiciary Subcommittee, Member
- Law Subcommittee, Member
- Transportation & Public Facilities Subcommittee, Member
- Public Safety Subcommittee, Member
Other Appointments:
- Alaska Criminal Justice Commission, Member
- State Agriculture & Rural Leaders, Alaska Delegate
- Mat-Su Legislative Delegation, Co-Chair
- National Conference of State Legislators – Law, Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee, Member
- National Conference of State Legislators – Task Force on Cybersecurity, Member
- Counsel of State Governments – Transportation Committee, Member
- Counsel of State Governments West – Canada Relations Committee, Member
Chatting about the Alaska Food Coalition with LouAnne Carroll-Tysdal and Jim Baldwin.
Constituent and Co-Pastor of White Fields Church, Nancy Campbell visits my office every session. She visits legislators each year to encourage and inspire us in our work for the people of Alaska.
Chair Hughes with members Senator Showers and Senator Reinbold at work in the Judiciary Committee.
Legislation Update
(Shelley’s bills filed with your best interest in mind)
SB27 – WITHDRAWN due to potential ethics conflicts – Health Insurance Info; Incentive Program.
SB60 – Alaska State Defense Force Powers – Referred to State Affairs and then the Finance Committee. This bill would outline the duties of our state militia to allow consistency as administrations change. It also would ensure ASDF members the right to bear arms. The ASDF has been extremely cost-effective during disasters and frees up troopers to perform their public safety duties.
SB79 – Virtual Education / Teacher Exam / Course Exam – Referred to the Education Committee and then to the Finance Committee. This bill is scheduled to be heard in Senate Education this Tuesday, March 26 at 9:00 a.m.The legislation would enable 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 required for teacher certification to be equal or higher to the most stringent minimum level established by another state. Districts would be required to post the ratio of administrators to teachers to students each year. Districts could roll forward savings for the next year (up to an amount equal to 25% of current year’s expenditures) without impacting the amount of state funds to be received for that 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.
SB81 – Telephone Cooperatives; Telecommunications – the bill updates statutes so members may participate in meetings and vote via videoconferencing and other electronic means. The bill would also allow what is now a telephone cooperative to change its name to include the word “telecommunications.” Under current law, even though these cooperatives provide a wide array of telecommunications services (internet, cell service, television service), they cannot use the word “telecommunications” in their cooperative title.
For information on bills I’m co‑sponsoring
click here.
For information on all bills filed during this session,
click here.
For additional information,
contact my staff:
Buddy Whitt
Chief of Staff & Judiciary Committee Aide
Buddy.Whitt@akleg.gov
907-465-5025
Aimee Bushnell
Transportation Committee Aide
Aimee.Bushnell@akleg.gov
907-465-3743
Regina Largent
Judiciary Research Attorney
Regina.Largent@akleg.gov
907-465-3743
Shiela Morrison
Legislative Intern – Education Aide
Shiela.Morrison@akleg.gov
907-465-3743
The (Very Long) Process Continues
Nothing in the Capitol is getting as much attention this session as the budget bills. On February 13 Governor Dunleavy unveiled his budget proposal to the public. His approach to balancing our budget and closing our fiscal gap is to avoid new taxes and avoid draining our savings. As you may recall, during past sessions, I did not believe that legislators were taking our fiscal problems seriously enough. Because pulling from our savings and not addressing our spending levels for operations year after year put our state on an unsustainable trajectory that would require overbearing taxes in Alaskans, I ultimately decided to vote against the budget and leave the Senate Majority Caucus two years ago. We should have been nudging the budget down each year to allow gradual adjustment. Too few legislators agreed with this approach. The former Governor preferred new taxes and limited cuts but lacked support for his tax plan – and here we are today.
The Governor’s proposed budget, while shocking to many, shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone. He has stated numerous times that one of his priorities is to align state spending with state revenues. His budget proposal does exactly that. Dunleavy proposes a total of $1.51B in reductions from Walker’s proposal for this coming year, FY20.
Every department and every Alaskan will feel the effects of these reductions in one way or another if they are adopted. As the legislature analyzes the numbers, please remember this proposal is the first step in a thorough process. The Legislature is the appropriating branch of government. It will craft its budget based on what the majority of members believe is appropriate. The Governor, however, does hold a line-item veto pen and it takes three-fourths of the combined House and Senate to override any vetoes – so hang on for the ride!
Key Coalition: Amanda Wagner, Hans Wagner, Fanetta Higley, Senator Hughes, Rebecca Allely, Kathy Allely, and Lizette Stiehr. Thank you Palmer and Nikiski delegates for the meeting.
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
Realtors swing by along with the sunshine to Room 30 in the State Capitol. Left to right: Bob Bickel, Shellie Riggan, Senator, Paddy Coan, Amanda Miotke, and Sam Goldman.
Learn to read by 3rd grade then…
Read to learn thereafter
Thanks to the work of the House & Senate Reading Working Group in their efforts to improve student learning and success in Alaska. Here are a few important facts. Some may surprise you.
- Alaska ranks 51st in 4th grade reading for both upper-to-middle income and low-income students.
- Alaska ranks the 3rd highest of the 50 states in spending per student: $22,379/student.
- Alaska’s poverty rate is less than the national average (according to the 2018 U.S. Census data), so low state score averages cannot be attributed to poverty.
- The 10 highest-performing school districts in 2018 in our state were rural school districts.
- Florida has a more diverse student population than Alaska and ranks at the top in the nation in reading proficiency.
- Florida added voluntary pre-K after their reading reforms raised their proficiency scores so mandatory pre-K was not a factor in Florida’s high ranking.
Credits and thanks to the Office of the Senate President, Cathy Giessel, for the fact list.
Farrah Hawley, Torrie Tracey, Sen. Hughes, Shannon Tazruk, Jenna Stringer, Edith Spear. These ambitious young ladies visited the Capital on February 11th from the North Slope Borough School District. Thank you for coming.
– 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!
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.
Senator Hughes with Aimee Bushnell’s hard work sponsored a Lunch & Learn for the legislators and staff on the importance of Earthquake notification equipment and how Earthquakes are determined. The presenter was Mike West, State Seismologist. He directs the Alaska Earthquake Center’s mission of monitoring, research, and public engagement at the University of Alaska’s Geophysical Institute in Fairbanks.
If you missed my Capital Quick Clip No. 4, you can catch it now! We keep these clips succinct and concise because we know your time is valuable.
Catch this #Telling_it_like_it_is video from March 4th in Juneau if you missed it live.
Here’s another and earlier Facebook Live in case you missed this one as well when it aired.
Join Shelley on Facebook Live each week to ask questions and give input.
We typically broadcast Mondays at 7pm, 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!
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 in Juneau or (907) 376-3725 or (907) 622-8963 in district or send an email to Sen.Shelley.Hughes@akleg.gov.
Buddy Whitt – Chief of Staff, Judiciary Committee Aide
Buddy.Whitt@akleg.gov
Aimee Bushnell – Transportation Committee Aide
Aimee.Bushnell@akleg.gov
Regina Largent – Judiciary Research Attorney
Regina.Largent@akleg.gov
Shiela Morrison – Legislative Intern, Education Aide
Shiela.Morrison@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
Chugiak Office (closed while in Juneau)
12641 Old Glenn Hwy, Ste 201
Eagle River, Alaska 99577
907-622-8963
Best regards,
Copyright © 2019 Senator Shelley Hughes. All rights reserved.
