SESSION UPDATE – February 05, 2024
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
In addition to the buzz of activity in your State Capitol building, enjoy the fact that this is “Roman Numeral Refresher Week” with the upcoming Super Bowl LVIII (50 + 5 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 58)!
With a cousin in each of the team cities, I’m torn. However, because the underdog usually has me at “hello” and Kansas makes me think of farming (sorry, Jennifer), I’ll be cheering for the Chiefs along with half of you (and Tommy). The rest of you can weigh in to attempt to convince me otherwise, and I’ll be sure to listen to every point you make – just like I do on issues much more important here in the legislature!
Yes or No: Should School Children and Faculty in Alaska be Sitting Ducks in an Active Shooter Event?
My bill, SB 173 The Safe Schools Act, would save lives, period. The headline devised by the Alaska Beacon about the bill and used by the Anchorage Daily News and Alaska Public Media was misleading, biased, and purposefully divisive; it was designed to try to kill the policy effort. If the bill doesn’t pass, when children and school staff in Alaska die at the hands of a school shooter, these three publications will bear some of the responsibility unless they change their approach. Scroll down to the “Hughes in the News” section to discover more about this topic.
Even an Anti-gun Advocate Would Want Their Child Saved
This bill (SB 173) has NOTHING to do with being pro-gun or anti-gun; it has everything to do with saving lives. I am certain that if a shooter were aiming a gun at an anti-gun advocate’s 5 year-old kindergarten daughter, that anti-gun advocate would want a highly trained, responsible, stable school staff there at that moment to stop that shooter. I find it difficult to believe otherwise.
Do you support districts assigning the job duty of concealed duty to highly trained, responsible, stable school staff to protect students and faculty in the event of an active shooter? Knowing the bill requires districts coordinate with law enforcement and that they can add additional training beyond the high standards and requirements in the bill, do you think the bill will help deter shootings in schools? And do you agree with the fact the bill requires psychological and medical assessments according to the Alaska Police Standards Council in order to be assigned the job duty of concealed carry? T
Where Is a Shooter Most Prone to Attack in Alaska?
Everybody should think about this (anti-gun and pro-gun folks alike): if a disturbed individual wants to kill people and wreak havoc in our state, the person would likely choose going to a school rather than to a shopping center, a restaurant, or a grocery store where people are concealed-carrying. I don’t think our kids should be sitting ducks; if you’re against this bill, I’m struggling trying to reconcile how you don’t think our kids should be sitting ducks.
Please note that I support front-end measures too, such as hardening the physical school environment (locking doors, security cameras, signing-in at the front office, etc.) and mental health access for mentally troubled students. It would be negligent, however, to disregard the back-end and fail to put a stopgap in place, especially considering the uptick in active shooter incidents in schools across the nation.
Speak up Silent Majority and Support SB 173! Click HERE!
If you support SB 173, please help protect our students and school employees and send a quick email to Sen.Shelley.Hughes@akleg.gov and SLAC@akleg.gov or sign the petition here. If we don’t outnumber the opposition, the bill will likely stall. Think about it: your action and you getting your friends to take action could save lives in a school shooting incident. Take a moment and take action to support SB 173!
Easy and Quick: Sign the Petition HERE. Join me too for a live interview on SB173 Wednesday HERE.
Highlight: Our AI Bill Hearing SB177
Our efforts to navigate the complex terrain of artificial intelligence and digital ethics continue to gain momentum. Last week’s hearing on SB 177, our bold step toward safeguarding Alaskans against the risks of deepfakes and ensuring state agency use of AI is appropriate and includes human oversight, has set the stage for a robust dialogue that underscores our commitment to innovation, security, and ethical governance.
While the discussion and efforts to establish good policy are far from over, your support and engagement are crucial in shaping a future that reflects our shared values and aspirations. Scroll below to learn more about our bill presentation and hearing. As several have recently brought to our attention: in the grand scheme of things, SB 177 could be one of the most important items the 33rd Legislature addresses.
SB 88: A Head-Scratcher and “Not a Good Look”
As well as looking ahead at this week, I do also want to tell you the most significant things we addressed last week so you’re in the know. The Senate debated SB88, a bill that would reinstate pensions for public employees, and sent it over to the House for consideration.
Two of the three Senate Finance Co-Chairs voted against the bill. I was a no vote as well along with my fellow Senate Minority members and a total of four Majority members. The final count had 11 yes votes, enough for the bill to pass, but 11 is a weak and low vote count – and not a good look – for a large super Senate Majority that has touted the bill as a priority last session and this session. Conflicting information surfaced during the debate due to a temporary fiscal note that raised questions and that was not signed by all the Co-Chairs as is normally standard. See my article here (and below) to understand why I asked the question on the floor, “Where have all the fiscal conservatives gone?” and to understand the better option to help our public employees.
Call to Action: Your Voice Matters
As another bustling week begins at the Capitol, this edition of our session newsletter lists some of the important and relevant hearings happening, including some with time scheduled for you to call in and weigh in. If you don’t browse anything else in these newsletters I send you, I suggest you check out the bill section. There could be a bill on a topic that could significantly impact you and your testimony could change the outcome for the better.
Upcoming Attractions
Be sure to tune in to our Facebook Live tonight at 6pm, where we’ll delve into the nuances of SB 173, Concealed Carry in Schools, and explore the intersections of fiscal conservatism and public policy. Additionally, we’ll unpack the special focus in the Governor’s State of the State regarding bolstering agriculture in Alaska – a testament to our state’s untapped potential and the pioneering spirit that defines us. My next Coffee Chat has been rescheduled to Saturday, March 2, 2024.
Until We Meet Again
My responsibility to you is always front and center, whether I am on the Senate floor, drafting policy, in a meeting, out and about in our community, or communicating with you. I will strive to be available in multiple ways to hear from you and what concerns you most. I am on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at AKShelleyHughes (links at bottom of email). You can also email me at Sen.Shelley.Hughes@akleg.com or call my office (907)465-3743 (Session) or (907)376-3725 (Interim) to get in touch.
As I state on my Facebook Senator page, mention in live broadcasts, and tell many of you in one-on-one conversations, with the volume of contacts I receive daily (multiple hundreds), my staff and I work hard to read and listen to everything so I can understand what you, our district, and the rest of the state is thinking. If you would like to ensure you receive my feedback on your issue and ideas, please call my office to set up a phone call with me or come by one of my constituent meetings so we can connect in-person. Hearing your input continues to be a top priority to me!
Working on your behalf,
CLICK HERE TO SIGN THE PETITION TO PROTECT OUR CHILDREN AND SCHOOL STAFF IN THE EVENT OF AN ACTIVE SHOOTER!
THIS WEEK🗞️
A Call for Responsibility: Rejecting SB88 and Prioritizing No-Risk Solutions
Where have all the fiscal conservatives gone?
Articles from previous newsletters you’ll want to read!
It’s a First in Alaska and It’s Needed: Artificial Intelligence Bill
Introducing SB 177: AI, Data Privacy, Cybersecurity, Deepfakes
SB 140: The Question to Ask About Education Funding
When too many schools are failing, is any proposed increased funding targeted to improve student achievement?
SB 173 Safe Schools Act Will Deter Active Shooters Taking Lives
When seconds matter for students…
Evil Lurks – Trafficking Is Occurring in Alaska
We must pass HB 68 – doing what I can to get the bill moving in the Senate.
Food Security Focus Continues In 2024
Supporting the agriculture industry, promoting locally products, and increasing food security.
(L to R) Jacquline Tinetti and Edgar Rure with The Council of State Governments-West stopped in to discuss items before the legislature.
Senator Hughes met with members of CCS Early Learning / Headstart in Mat-Su. Pictured with Senator Hughes are (L to R) Michelle Greco, Jen Burkmire, and Mark Lackey.
The gang is all here! The MEA gang, that is! Brian Hickey (Executive Director of Regional Railbelt Coordination) along with Ed Jenkin, Dan Tucker, Bill Kendig, and Mark Masteller from MEA dropped in to visit with Senator Hughes…
Dixie Clough of Museums Alaska came by the office to speak with Senator Hughes about a sensible bill that would allow notices about historic items with no known source to be published online instead of in a hardcopy newspaper.
ABSENTEEISM:
HUGE PROBLEM
IN OUR SCHOOLS
We’ve moved from “not great” at 29th in nation in 2022 to “terrible” in 2024 with the 49th worst absenteeism rate in the country. We already know Alaska ranks 49th-50th as far as academic outcomes via our the National Assessment of Educational Progress scores in various subjects and at various grade level.
Now we learn part of the reason we’re at the bottom of the pile nationally academically: the kids aren’t in class learning!
Next check out the required number of hours/days per school years, and you can see the problem is compounded further.
Comparing how many school hours are required in Alaska versus Texas, we discover a vast divide between the two states. Alaska only requires 900 hours of schooling per year while Texas requires 1,260 hours. That’s an extra 360 hours annually.
Over twelve years, from 1st to 12th grade, a student in Texas receives 4,320 more hours of education than an Alaskan student.
In sum, Texas students are getting an extra 617 days or 3.4 years worth of education over their Alaskan counterparts.
Add the absenteeism factor in Alaska to this calculation, and we’ve got a worrisome problem. For Alaskan students who are frequently absent, it would not be far-fetched to estimate they are receiving 4-5 years less education between first grade and twelfth grade than a student in Texas.
The severity of this problem has recently come to light. I will be listening and looking for effective solutions. Your ideas are welcome.
“I think the current draft [of SB 177 AI Bill] is very strong and the way to move forward in such a novel area is to make concrete proposals. We very much appreciate your leadership!”
“It was great chatting with you today. Thank you for sharing your passion and encouragement.”
“I support the changes in SB140 for charter schools and correspondence students.”
“If folks knew there were armed people in schools it could be a deterrent, at least you would hope so. I would support that.”
“Why can’t we be fiscally conservative with the people’s minimal royalty that the oil industry likes to couch as a tax?”
“Did you know that between 2003-2022 Alaska had a 98% increase in per student spending in average daily attendance – while inflation was 56% for that timeframe? And that Alaska NAEP 4th Grade reading scores dropped 8 points (10 points is one year achievement difference) between 2003 and 2022?”
“Armed volunteers or officers in our schools is such an obvious solution to the risk our kids face. Sadly, the comments in the KTOO article reminded me that so many people see guns as the problem, and therefore can’t see HB 173 for what it actually could be. I wanted you to know that it made my day to learn someone in Alaska has the courage to propose something like 173. Well done!!”
“I greatly appreciate your support for first responders.”
“So you think we need to put amateur gunmen in schools enrolling 95+ percent of Alaska schoolchildren in case the tiny, tiny number of schools that troopers can’t reach in an hour are attacked? Ridiculous.”
Senator Hughes spoke on the floor last Wednesday on SB88 and offered no-risk options to address recruitment and retention issues of public employees instead of the risky pension proposal in the bill. Be sure to read her article to understand why she voted the way she did, what she offered as a better solution, and what is at stake.
Senator Hughes is frequently in the news and mention of the projects from our office also show up from time to time. She is typically on the radio once per week or more on a variety of shows. Below are some links to recent news items.
Note that the headline devised by the Alaska Beacon used in the three publications below was misleading, biased, and purposefully divisive (designed to try to kill the policy effort). See my opening comments above in this newsletter for more.
SB 177 regarding AI, Deepfakes, Data Transfer/Security had its first hearing on Thursday in front of the Senate State Affairs Committee.
The topic that was of most interest to the senators was that of deepfakes. Deepfakes are increasing in number exponentially, becoming more difficult to distinguish from reality, and being used to exploit and damage individuals. Lawmakers across the nation are grappling with how to best address this new phenomenon.
Stephen, my aide helping me with the bill, did a stellar job arranging the A-team as our expert testifiers. Four national experts who have appeared on major networks and in well-known publications weighed in on SB 177 expressing support for the goals in the bill to set parameters for state agency use of AI and to require disclaimers on deepfakes, both intended to safeguard the public.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOU TO WEIGH IN THIS WEEK
If you’d like to provide public testimony for any bill, 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 but please note that this is not an exhaustive list.
🖱️ 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.
None this week
Click the link or scan the QR above
https://www.youtube.com/live/MePmsDjwILM
Check out articles from our senators as we post them, take surveys, and more by clicking the picture above.
Then check out and follow our social media platforms
for even more up-to-the-minute info!
FACEBOOK | X (TWITTER) | INSTAGRAM
Senate Assignments:
- Senate Minority, Ranking Member
- 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:
- NCSL Law and Public Safety Committee, Vice Chair
- 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
For information on bills I’m co‑sponsoring
For information on all bills filed during this session,
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🔥HOT TIP🔥 WHAT HAPPENS TO BILLS FROM THE FIRST SESSION? Bills from the first session that haven’t passed, been withdrawn or vetoed, or indefinitely postponed automatically carry over into the second regular session in the same status they were in at the time of adjournment. |
Bills I’ve Filed on Your Behalf
Click the bill code in green to see more details and follow the individual bill’s progress online.
Health Insurance Info; Incentives/Agreements
Alaska Sunset Commission
Constitutional Amendment: Abortion/Funding
School/University Employee Health Insurance
Rejecting Commission’s Recommendation to Raise Salaries
Extending the Alaska Senior Benefits
Safe Schools Act
Artificial Intelligence
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!
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.
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.
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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Anneliese Roberts Chief of Staff Anneliese.Roberts@akleg.gov 907-465-5025 |
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Stephen Knouse Legislative Aide Stephen.Knouse@akleg.gov 907-465-1172 |
| 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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