Senator Hughes chairing the confirmation hearing for Attorney General Designee Kevin Clarkson. The hearing was a joint committee with both Judiciary and State Affairs members present.
Friends and Neighbors,
The House may not be organized yet, but that certainly hasn’t kept the Senate from moving full steam ahead with the work at hand on your behalf!
As the Chair of the Judiciary and Transportation Committees, I’ve held confirmation hearings for four of Governor Dunleavy’s cabinet designees.
Whether it’s participation at bill hearings or attendance at numerous presentation (such as by the Office of Management and Budget, the Permanent Fund Corporation, Department of Revenue, or others), there’s a steady stream of work to do and information to glean to help me do my best for the people of our district and all of Alaska.
My office and I have met with dozens upon dozens of individuals and organizations as they’ve traveled to Juneau to share their concerns and priorities. I value every single interaction with Alaskans.
My terrific staff and I are focused on the work of my committees, with the majority of our efforts zeroing in on the SBS91 repeal legislation. Please note that an important opportunity for public testimony on this topic occurs this Saturday. Scroll down for details on this and other information in the committee reports.
One more important – and rather odd and frustrating – item before you browse below. Based on proceedings in the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics last week and the interpretation of recent changes to the ethics law, I had to withdraw my bill which sought to lower healthcare costs. I regret to inform Alaskans that I am prohibited from working on healthcare policy or, except in public meetings, discussing it with anyone (whether a constituent in my office, a friend at the grocery store, or even my husband in the privacy of my home). Because I have an immediate family member employed as a healthcare professional, my work and these conversations would constitute a conflict of interest due to the new law.
To hear my remarks on the Senate floor explaining this dilemma and this overreaching law, click here. To review the advisory opinion adopted by the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics, click here .Please note that individuals and organizations may continue to submit information to my office in writing on the topic of healthcare. Please also note that I believe there is growing and bipartisan support to fix these overreaching ethics statutes so that we can properly do the work of the people as a citizen legislature.
Before you move onto the rest of this newsletter, please know that I’m here for you and appreciate your input on issues. By the way, it sure was great hearing from a number of you this past weekend at my monthly Coffee Chats in Chugiak and Palmer (next opportunity: March 9).
- 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.
- Also mark your calendar for Saturday, February 23rd to connect with me in-person at one of two town halls that day (scroll down for details).
Working on your behalf,
One of two monthly coffee chats this past weekend. Thanks to those pictured here in Palmer who voiced their concerns and ideas as well as those who showed up after the photo was taken to do the same!
Officers and Commissioner-Designee Price with the Department of Public Safety join Senator Hughes in the Capitol.
Earthquake Damage?
Deadline Extended to Feb 28
Disaster assistance application deadline has been extended by one month and is now February 28th at Alaska.Ready.Gov. Take photos and save receipts. 1-855-445-7131. Federal limit is $34,000. State limit is $17,000. Radon is an odorless gas emitted from decaying uranium. Linked to lung cancer, radon can escape from earthquake-caused fissures in the ground. State Energy Specialist Art Nash recommends all homes be tested. Testing is free and easy. 1-800-478-8324
Online Registration: Ready.Alaska.Gov
State Individual Disaster Assistance Hotline: 1-855-445-7131
Applicants needing an interpreter: 1-855-445-7131.
Applicants with hearing disabilities: TTY 1-855-445-7131
Take photos prior to repairs and keep receipts for any costs incurred from repairs!
Applicants will be asked to provide a description of damages, photographs or videos, as well as insurance information and ownership documents for transportation and property, officials said.
More than 1,500 applications for earthquake damage were filed with the State so far. Damage to your home may lower your property taxes. We have been informed that Mat-Su Borough Assessor Brad Pickett wants to hear from you.
Here’s a short video with Assessor Pickett.
Robert Yundt, a Mat-Su homebuilder, and Sam Goldman, a realtor from Mat-Su, visit Juneau to meet with legislators. Small world factoid? Both know and went to school with my oldest son and graduated the same year: 1998!
Ways to Get Involved and a Place to Have a Say
Openings and opportunities exist right now for conscientious and concerned Alaskans to step up and serve. Have you thought about checking out your local community council? Attend an upcoming meeting, find out what they’re up to, and consider getting involved. What about serving on one of the Mat-Su Borough’s boards or commissions? Your expertise could help our greater community. Last but not least, have you thought about serving on a state board or commission? Good Alaskans are needed, so don’t be shy!
Opportunities at the local community council level:
Matanuska-Susitna Bourough Community Councils
https://www.matsugov.us/boards?board_type=6&boxchecked=0&search=boards&task=search
Municipality of Anchorage Community Councils
https://www.muni.org/Departments/ERparks/Pages/Board.aspx
Current vacancies at the Mat-Su Borough level:
https://www.matsugov.us/boards
Current vacancies at the state level:
https://gov.alaska.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/vacancy.pdf
Joe Michel-Alaska Trucking Association (ATA), Jeremy Miller-Carlile VP Operations, Dave Heston-Alaska West Express, Crystal Fiser-UPS, Joey Crum-Constituent, Aimee Bushnell (Transportation Aide) Senator Hughes and Aves Thompson-ATA
Serving You on Committees
Please note that my committee assignments have changed due to new legislative session.
- Judiciary Committee, Chair
- Transportation Committee, Chair
- Education Committee, Vice-Chair
- Joint Armed Services Committee, Member
- Alaska Criminal Justice Commission, Member
- Alaska Commission on Post-Secondary Education, Member
- State Agriculture & Rural Leaders, Alaska Delegate
- Mat-Su Legislative Delegation, Co-Chair
Got a chance to sit down with our MEA Board Members. (L to R) Bob Doyle, Janet Kincaid, Senator Hughes, Kit Jones, and the General Manager Tony Isso.
For information on bills I’m co‑sponsoring
click here.
For information on all bills filed during this session,
click here.
Legislation Update
Bills I’m Sponsoring
I’d filed SB27 but withdrew it last Friday. To see why, watch my Capitol Quick Clip and read my greeting at the top of this newsletter. Please stay tuned for forthcoming legislation.
In the future, we will list each bill and a short description and summary of the bill’s movement through the legislative process with links for you to access more information.
Spoke with Tim Gallagher, the Vice President and Area Manager for HDR, about transportation infrastructure and projects around our state.
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
Committee Updates
Senate Judiciary (Chair)
Up through last week, I held confirmation hearings for three of Governor Dunleavy’s cabinet designees: the Attorney General (Kevin Clarkson) and for the Commissioners of the Department of Public Safety (Amanda Price) and the Department of Corrections (Nancy Dahlstrom).
This week the Senate Judiciary begins a review of the Governor’s proposed legislation to reverse Alaska’s rising crime rate.
The first in the series of the Governor’s suite of legislation will be Senate Bill 32, which relates primarily to the sentencing provisions which were brought down through Senate Bill 91 (legislation passed in 2016). This bill sets criminal penalties back to pre-SB91 levels. The Committee will hear the legislation on Wednesday, February 5 for the first time. My goal as chair it to ensure our committee properly considers the bill and any proposed changes.
This Saturday, February 9, the Committee will hold public testimony on the bill and I invite everyone to tell the committee how the rising crime rate has adversely impact you, your family and/or your business.
Public testimony will start at 1:00 PM. Please visit your local legislative information office, or if that is not feasible, please call in to testify at 907-663-9085 or 844-586-9085.
Next week, the Senate Judiciary Committee will also begin consideration of Senate Bill 35 which deals with sexual crimes to correct a loophole that was discovered in the recent Justin Schneider case.
The Committee will diligently review these bills and do our best to reinstate public trust through instituting laws that will keep Alaskans safe.
Senators Micciche, Hughes, and Shower during the joint Senate Judiciary and State Affairs Committee meeting held on January 29th. Buddy Whitt, Judiciary Committee Aide and Chief of Staff is in the background.
Senate Transportation (Chair)
Last week the Senate Transportation Committee kicked off with the confirmation hearing for Commissioner-Designee John MacKinnon, Department of Transportation and Public Safety. The senators were able to ask about his priorities and plans for the department.
On Thursday Deputy Commissioner, Mary Siroky and Project Manager, Edith McKee gave a presentation “Glenn Highway Integrated Corridor Management Study” (or emergency traffic diversion plan for the Glenn). This report is intended to address the partial and full closures that occur on the commute route.
This week, we are focusing on the November 30 Earthquake: how the ground shook, what was used to monitor it, and how our roads and infrastructure held up. State Seismologist Dr. Mike West will present with DOT&PF’s Central Regional Director Dave Kemp and Facilities Services Project Manager Chris Hodgin.
Before the hearing on Thursday though, we decided to take advantage of Dr. West’s time in Juneau and are hosting a Lunch & Learn today, jointly sponsored by Senator Hughes and Senator Stevens. It is an opportunity to learn how the Earthquake Center at the University of Alaska protects our state through research, analysis, and advanced technology. You can watch the presentation for both the Lunch & Learn and the Senate Transportation committee through 360 North.
Next week, we will be hearing from the Alaska Railroad. President and CEO Bill O’Leary will be giving an overview of the Alaska Railroad, including its history, their business lines, the role they can play in future economic and resource development, and any challenges they foresee ahead.
Here is a little behind-the-scenes view of a confirmation hearing in a Senate Committee. What you’re looking at is the view from the perspective of the Transportation Committee Aide, Aimee Bushnell.
Senate Education (Vice Chair)
A hot topic this session is the loss of accreditation of programs within the UAA College of Education. Dr. Jim Johnsen, President of University of Alaska, and James Fields, Chair of the Alaska State Board of Education & Early Development (DEED), presented testimony at the Senate Education Committee hearing on February 5th.
It was good to hear UAA is owning the issue and looking at any and all avenues to prevent this from ever happening again. Impacted are the “initial licensure” programs for teachers. Approval by the Alaska Board of Education will allow licensure for students graduating this spring or this summer from these programs. Solutions for students in year one, two, and three are still forthcoming.
Dr. Johnsen stated the process for reaccreditation could take up to three years. The Board of Regents, Chancellor Sandeen, and Dr. Johnsen will be working to rectify the situation. Currently, students will be held harmless from transfer fees and costs associated with these programs and tailored options that best suit individual students will be implemented on a case by case basis since each students needs are individual. UAA is committed to work with DEED to secure state license approval for all students affected by these programs. (Thanks to UA and the Committee Chair for use of excerpts from the committee materials.)
The black eye on the University will not heal quickly and the President of UAA and Chair of DEED has expressly acknowledged the lack of trust this has caused between the school, their students and the community as a whole. This was the first loss of accreditation by the University.
Given the gravity of the situation, this legislature will be looking for ways to ensure it is the last. Our children are our future and their education is vital to their success in life. With the shortage of teachers nationwide, this accreditation problem is one Alaska cannot ignore. I am eager to learn UAA’s plan moving forward, including assisting the 350 students in years one through three, as well as the plan for the students planning to enroll in these programs this fall. This committee meeting can be heard in full if you click here.
Senator Hughes with her colleagues hard at work in the Senate Education Committee, hearing SB30, regarding college credit for high school students.
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
I was pleased to sponsor the Chugiak-Eagle River Senior Center birthday celebration last week. I picked January because it’s the kick-off month in 2019! I wish everyone a happy birthday whenever it falls! Thanks to CERSC for the use of this photo from their Facebook page.
Mat-Su Home Builder Association Legislative Delegation: Robert Yundt, Maxwell Sumner (President), Sam Goldman, Senator Hughes, Oleg Sheremet (Vice-President), Judy Carr, David Owens and Jess Hall
– 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.
Catch this #Telling_it_like_it_is video from March 4th in Juneau if you missed it live.
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!
If you missed Capital Quick Clip No. 2, you can catch it now! We keep these clips succinct and concise because we know your time is valuable.
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.
