Judge Creates Tailspins Statewide
Judge Zeman first created uncertainty for students and now has created uncertainty for the legislative branch, the executive branch, and school districts throughout the state.…
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My Take on the First Performance Standard: Judge Fails
You have an opportunity to weigh in regarding the retention of Judge Zeman who made the recent Alaska Superior Court decision impacting public correspondence homeschooling.…
More Hot Potatoes in Education
Better wear a thick mitten hot pad or you will most certainly blister your hand because the education issue continues to be an extremely fiery…
What’s AWOS and Why Does It Matter?
Prior to a couple of months ago, I had never heard the acronym “AWOS”, let alone knew we had an AWOS problem in Alaska or…
No Small Matter: Court Deals Blow to Homeschool Families
Word released Friday evening puts families of more than 22,000 Alaskan students in jeopardy. Families who receive public funding allotments for public correspondence (homeschool) students…
Budget-Wrangling Season in the People’s House
The House version of the operating budget bill is sitting at approximately $12.3 billion (including the PFD). Where do we get the revenue to cover…
17X: Why Who Plays in the Broadband Sandbox Matters
Off-the-road-system rural Alaska has its perks. It’s not for everyone but with a decade under my belt living in what we used to call “the bush”…
A.I. Duty Calls
Much work has been underway by groups, companies, policymakers here in the US and abroad to develop roadmaps for tackling all the big questions AI…
A Big Vote on Education
Our Most Precious Resource: Our Children Corporate media will likely spin what happens and why. I’ve heard from pro-override individuals who have let me know…
Why a Department of Agriculture Makes Sense for Alaska
Across Alaska’s peaceful and rugged landscapes, a new chapter is unfolding—one that will develop the state’s flourishing promise and secure the well-being of its people.…
Is SB 24 a Door to Social Engineering in Our Schools?
SB 24 is a bill that would add “mental health education” to the K-12 curriculum in public schools. I had tremendous reservations about the bill…
New Economic Horizons in Alaska
The time has come to broaden our economic horizons beyond relying primarily on oil revenue. Our state’s shaky financial health proves the need for diversification…
SB 140 Hardball
SB 140, the education package, is on the governor’s desk. The bill underwent arduous negotiations between the House and the Senate, with Governor Dunleavy, a…
Does it address student proficiency? What’s next with SB 140?
It is indeed unusual that this early in the legislative session that the House passed SB 140, an education package that provides provisions to expand…
HJR 7: It’s So Much More Than Just The PFD
As Alaska stands at a fundamental crossroad, the decisions made today regarding the Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) will profoundly influence the state’s economic, cultural, and…
The Debut: #1 Recommendation for Increasing Food Security
Whoa. What? Shelley Hughes is supporting this? A separate department for agriculture?? But isn’t she all about right-sizing and limiting government? Yes, folks, I am,…
Kicking In Now: Our Constitutional Obligation (School Funding)
Based on chronically low student performance across our state (except for some wonderful pockets of excellence sprinkled in both urban and rural regions), a constitutional…
As Gas Shortage Looms for Railbelt…
Blow The Dust Off The Dam Project Already Nobody is happy a natural gas shortfall is looming on the Kenai Peninsula up through Anchorage and…
A Call for Responsibility: Rejecting SB88 and Prioritizing No-Risk Solutions
Where have all the fiscal conservatives gone? In the recent debate over Senate Bill 88, a pressing question echoed through my head: “Where have all…
SB 140: The Question to Ask about Education Funding
A foundational question for all of us in Alaska, when too many schools are failing, is whether any proposed increased funding is targeted or not…
It’s A First in Alaska and It’s Needed: Artificial Intelligence Bill
Hughes Introduces SB 177 AI, Data Privacy, Cybersecurity, Deepfakes Just prior to the session kicking off, I pre-filed SB177 which pertains to state agencies’ use…
Food Security Focus Continues In 2024
Food & Farm Caucus We are kicking off 2024 and the new session with our first Food and Farm Caucus meeting in the State Capitol…
Evil Lurks – Trafficking Is Occurring in Alaska
WE MUST PASS HB 68 The topic of trafficking in the US ramped up last summer after the film release of The Sound of Freedom…
SB 173 Safe Schools Act Will Deter Active Shooters Taking Lives
Concealed Carry Job Duty Assigned to at Least One Qualified, Trained Individual per School Shortly before we gaveled in for session, I pre-filed SB 173…
Yes, These Topics Are Germane To Education
This is a bit technical but hang tight with me. If you can track what happened technically, you can better understand what happened politically. I…
SB 107 Fails to Deliver
A PFD Cut is Not a Fiscal Plan SB 107 cuts the PFD and sets Alaska on a pathway to decimate the PFD altogether. Its…
Train About to Leave Station:
Choose Right Destination We are at the critical juncture where we absolutely must understand how what we do now with the PFD will make a…
Victory Still Eludes Female Athletes
The Alaska School Activities Association (ASAA) decided not to take up a vote last week to adopt a bylaw change that would have limited girls’…
When You Boil It Down
From Sap to Syrup This is the time of year for boiling things down, whether in the syrup industry or in the capital city. “Sugarmakers”…
Next Shot at a Long-Term Fiscal Plan
The House decided to pass and move the operating budget bill to the Senate last week after reaching an agreement for fair play regarding the…
Untapped Source
Part of Solution to Workforce Shortage It started last year. Nearly every single person who streamed into my office, no matter the sector, no matter…
Wobbly Premise for EV Acceleration
The recently announced goal by the Biden administration that 50 percent of new vehicles be electric by 2030, his “EV Acceleration Challenge”, is unaffordable, unrealistic,…
Cherish and Protect, Not Jeopardize
SB 77 Undermines Principle of Property Right Protection Ours is a nation where property ownership is sought out as part of the American dream. Under…
It’s Our Job to Keep Their Feet Warm
Alaska School Activities Association A board member of a non-profit in Alaska typically does not expect to be bombarded and contacted by hundreds of people,…
Hold On to Your Socks – and Your Hat
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Well, la-dee-da. Based on data from 2021, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are actually down 17.7 percent from 2007, putting current levels approximately…
The Cart Before the Horse = A Runaway Horse
Taxes Alone = A Runaway Horse If your horse is not hitched to your wagon, don’t expect your load to go anywhere soon. Better beware…
Pooling Option Picks Up Steam
Real Health Insurance Savings Potential for School Districts The words “pooling” and “steam” in the title may conjure up images in your mind of hot…
The Perfect Pitch
2023 Business Plan Competition Keynote by Senator Shelley Hughes The Perfect Pitch was the grand finale event of the UAA College of Business and Public…
The Key Point Is…
…The Key Point in Email Traffic I try my best to keep up with the hundreds of emails I receive. Admittedly, it is getting more…
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,…
Education and Sharing Day 2023
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…
School Health Insurance Option Will Save Millions
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…
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…
Safe and Fair For All
Thanks to Alaska Board of Education Safe and fair for all: Title IX-related resolution passes Many of you have been begging me to file my…
Not What It’s Cracked Up to Be
“National Popular Vote” isn’t what it’s cracked up to be: It’s bad for Alaska, bad for the Nation I’m barely (by one year!) old enough…
Getting the Most Bang for Our Buck?
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…
Putting Fiscal House in Order May Gain Traction
Spending Cap, PFD, and SB9 Should Be First, Not Taxes Discussion among leadership and the governor ensued last week about the need for a fiscal…
Who Knows What’s Best? Parents or the Schools
SB 96, HB 105, SB 43 Many of you have contacted me to let me know you are in adamant opposition to SB 43, a…
Food Strategy Task Force Takes Root
Executive Board Formed A new legislative task force is picking up where Governor Dunleavy’s Alaska Food Security and Independence Task Force left off when it…
Babies Are Grateful, Too
Group of Legislators Thanks Walgreens for Following Law We all know that some things are not what they seem. That occurred this past week. All…
Time For a Wake-Up Call: Renewables and Mining
Whoa. Of the 50 minerals and metals critical to the United States, Alaska has 49. But if they’re buried, what good are they? Leaders in…
Enough is Enough: Healthcare Costs Are Breaking the Bank
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…
SB 88 Pension “Pill”: Better Read the Warning Label…
Senator Cathy Giessel, the sponsor of SB 88, and nine co-sponsors from the Senate Majority are touting the bill to reinstate pensions for public employees…
Why is Lady Justice’s Blindfold Slipping in Alaska?
An issue currently rising to the top in Juneau Why is Lady Justice’s blindfold slipping in Alaska? And what can we do about it? We…
Willow Project Passes House, Goes to Senate
A project in the National Petroleum Reserve has suffered some resistance from the Biden administration. The day of reckoning will soon be upon us as…
Time for a Naval Base & Marine Presence in Alaska
After Senator Lisa Murkowski spoke last week to a joint session of the Alaska Legislature, a speech which included remarks pertaining to the Chinese spy…
Student Learning Outcomes Must Be Tied to School Funding
Student Learning Outcomes Must Be Tied to School Funding Are Legislators Listening? I testified under “public testimony” to the Senate Education Committee a couple of…
Food Security and Independence Priority for Alaska
What’s an issue currently rising to the top in Juneau? Food Security and Independence Priority for Alaska What happens if something catastrophic happens to the Port…
News from Hughes Letter: February 20, 2023
Dear Friends and Neighbors, Hope you are feeling Influential and masterful this February 20th! Why, you may ask? Well, I figure feeling a bit presidential…
A Silver Platter and a Golden Opportunity
We are facing a crisis in our K-12 schools in Alaska. Does the legislature have the political will and fortitude to help our students? Sometimes when…
News From Hughes Letter: February 13, 2023
Dear Friends and Neighbors, As you all know, I am a state senator and serve in Juneau, not Washington, D.C. At the same time, we…
To BEnefit or Not To BEnefit…Is that the question?
The question of defined benefits for public employees: Should we return to DB? Can we afford DB? Since Alaska closed the door on the Defined…
News from Hughes Letter: February 6, 2023
Dear Friends and Neighbors, Things have been rockin’ and rollin’ this past week in the people’s branch and there’s no stopping the momentum this coming…
Is HB172 to Blame?
Is HB172 the culprit that allowed the wrongful custody hold of the school principal to occur? No, it is not. Is there work to do…
Governor Dunleavy Casts Vision for Alaska
STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS Governor Mike Dunleavy gave his fifth annual State of the State address on January 23rd to a joint session of…
News from Hughes Letter: January 30, 2023
Dear Friends and Neighbors, The gavel came down January 17th to kick off the 33rd Legislature, and already there’s been a steady whirl of activity…