Alaska Senate District M
NEWS FROM HUGHES
SESSION UPDATE — 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 here at home at the state level want our leaders in our nation’s capital to realize a thing or two about Alaska. This is one of those times.
I posted yesterday on my legislative Facebook page what I’d like our national leaders – those who before this past week never really grasped the full extent of our strategic location on the globe – to know:
“If the discovery of four objects in our airspace in eight days hasn’t accomplished anything else, let’s hope it’s awakened our leaders in Washington, D.C. to the fact that Alaska is truly THE first line of defense for our nation. Future allocations of military resources should reflect this fact in this precarious era of tensions and escalating concerns regarding adversarial foreign governments.”
Senator Shelley Hughes
I am thankful for the readiness and capabilities of our military here in Alaska. They are the gatekeepers for the United States, and in many ways, for North America, as we’ve observed in recent days. I am proud of their leadership: protecting our airspace each time one of these objects was near or over Alaska, developing the plans that assisted in the first take-down of the object over the Atlantic, and twice in the last few days executing the take-down of two more objects.
Whether the concern is China, Russia, or North Korea, Alaska’s position on the globe cannot be diminished or dismissed. If a decision is made for more military personnel, aircraft, and other resources (perhaps a naval base?) to be allocated to Alaska, I believe our residents would welcome and embrace an increased presence. I know I would.
Just like there’s never a dull moment when Alaska is connected to national and international happenings, there’s never a dull moment in your state capital where I focus on connecting what happens here to you.
The tempo has certainly picked up regarding the call for increased K-12 school dollars. As the Senate Minority is the voice of common sense, we are weighing in and have begun a discussion the legislature must not neglect – and so far, it doesn’t seem to be. Senator Shower and I both testified before the Senate Education Committee. He helped define the problem and provided the data. I proposed solutions backed up by research. We did the same on the Senate floor.
Our children are our future and this is serious, folks. The achievement gap in our schools in Alaska has reached a crisis point. We are at the bottom of the barrel nationally compared to the other 49 states. State assessments show too few students are proficient in subject areas in the various grade levels. We should not even think about increasing funding unless we are ready to couple it with accountability measures tied to student learning improvements.
This reminds me of another Facebook post I made.
We do what we do for the next generation.
Scroll down to watch my floor speech and to read my article “A Silver Platter and a Golden Opportunity” that outlines my proposed solution to help ensure our children statewide have a better opportunity for an excellent K-12 education.
And while you’re scrolling, note that various bill hearings are scheduled this week like every week; be sure to check out the bill alerts and “Hearings That May Interest You” section to see if there’s something that’s relevant to you. By the way, this is a weekly feature we regularly update.
Please note that there are a multitude of ways to weigh in on the bills being heard or other issues: from social media to email, or by simply picking up the phone and calling my office. My staff and I work hard to review all the input and respond to as many of you as we can. However, with the volume of connections I receive daily, the best way to ensure you get an answer to a question, the feedback you need, or assistance addressing a problem is to call my office (see the number below before my sign-off).
My responsibility to you has been and will continue to be at the forefront of the work I do, on and off the Senate floor. I want to be as available to you as possible, from sunup to sundown, so please continue to reach out; I’m listening!
Lots of great info awaits you below – not only articles and photos but hot tips, staff and office contact information, the senate floor chart, bill tracking instructions, bills I’ve filed, and more. Be sure to click on “view entire message” at the bottom, so you don’t miss out on photos and more.
I look forward to meeting more of you in the following months at future Coffee Chats and Town Hall meetings as well as here in Juneau if you come for a visit. You can find me on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at AKShelleyHughes. You can also email me at Sen.Shelley.Hughes@akleg.com or call my office (907)465-3743. Let’s stay in touch!
Working on your behalf,
Take a listen. Senator Hughes’ compelling speech on the floor highlighted the fact that senators this session have a golden opportunity to address the dire and unacceptable academic outcomes in our public schools that have Alaska in last place or near last place in the nation among the 50 states, outcomes that have too few students proficient in math and reading at the various grade levels.
What is that golden opportunity? What does Senator Hughes propose as a solution? Click on the play button to find out. Also, be sure to scroll down the newsletter to read her article “A Silver Platter and a Golden Opportunity” on this topic.
SO YOU’D LIKE TO KNOW…
An issue currently rising to the top in Juneau.
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 things are presented to us, we fail to recognize they’re coming to us on a silver platter. We miss that we have a golden opportunity before us. I want to draw a matter to your attention so you don’t fail to recognize the silver platter before us, the golden opportunity we have this legislative session.
This silver platter is the issue of school funding.
While inflation, rising healthcare costs and pupil transportation costs have truly chipped away at dollars once available for classrooms,
and we are considering the topic of school funding, this is the golden opportunity to address the abysmal student achievement gap in Alaska. We should not let it pass if we care about our children and their futures.
We know on a statewide basis, our students are not where they should be. I know we’re all painfully aware we are at the bottom of the barrel nationally, but I want to give you a quick snapshot of the state of K-12 schools in Alaska we cannot ignore and must address.
National Assessment
NAEP National Assessment of Educational Progress
– 75% of 4th graders were not proficient in math.
– 35% of students tested below basic in math, up from 27% in 2019.
– 75% of 4th graders were not proficient in reading.
State Assessment
AK STAR
– 90% of 8th graders statewide were not proficient in math.
– 77% of all students, all grades were not proficient in math
– 70% of all students, all grades were not proficient in English Language Arts
KEY POINT:
Research shows increased funding to districts in general does not correlate with improved academics but increased funding to classrooms can. When tied to accountability measures for student learning growth, it will.
Here is my proposal to ensure academic improvement:
#1 Tie existing and any new funds to K-12 public schools to accountability measures pertaining to improved learning outcomes*.
#2 Direct new funding to classroom instruction only (i.e., prohibit new state dollars to K-12 education from being used to expand school district administrations).
#3 Tighten up ratio of instruction/administration for existing funds from the 70% to 30% ratio in current statute to a (suggested) 80% to 20%, ratio. Exclude volatile fuel costs from administration side of ratio and consider a stair step adjustment over time to get to the 80% to 20%.
*What do I propose as far as accountability measures – while working with educators of course to iron on the wrinkles? We could provide a decent base amount per student for all students and then an additional amount per student when learning improvement criteria related to the mastery of learning objectives at each grade level is met. The Alaska Board of Education could establish those criteria.
We could also look at Teacher Spending Accounts. Teachers are best positioned to tailor the “last mile” of education spending for the greatest impact. We should value and prioritize individual teacher autonomy and expertise – and this is one way we can do it. The accounts could be used for classroom supplies and educational expenses such as instructional materials, technology, and teacher coaching.
AGAIN, WE MUST FOCUS ON WHAT’S BEST FOR STUDENTS!
I will repeat my key point: Research shows increased funding to districts in general does not correlate with improved academics but increased funding to classrooms can. When tied to accountability measures for student learning growth, increased funding will result in improved academics – and that is what we all want for our children.
So when we’re talking about a golden opportunity and the silver platter of school funding, let’s remember our children are more precious than all the gold and silver in the world. We cannot pass up what is being presented to us this legislative session.
If we truly care about our children and their futures, our state and its future, we indeed will use this golden opportunity to address what has sadly reached a crisis situation in our public schools statewide.
If we want what is best for Alaska’s children – and I have no doubt we all do – we will take what’s coming to us on a silver platter, the issue of school funding, and couple it with policy to begin to reverse the downward academic trend that is hurting our children.
Let’s work together to help our children have the best chance of a great K-12 education no matter where they live in Alaska, no matter their socioeconomic situation. Let’s ensure student learning while we consider school funding.
Let’s not cave to pressure that our expectations for improvements are unrealistic, that more funding in and of itself will do the trick, that we’re mistaken about what portion of the funding goes to administration, that the problem is too complex and our accountability measures won’t work.
Let’s stay strong for the sake of our students, our children, our young people. When only 53% of funds are going to the core mission – regular and special education classroom instruction – we know we cannot keep doing what we’re doing.
We must have the political will and fortitude to do what’s right. When we turn the tide in our schools, we will turn the tide in the lives of countless students.
Senator Hughes met with members of the Denali Borough School District. From left to right: Superintendent Dan Pelta, School Board Member Jenna Hamm, and student Peyton Hammond.
Sen. Hughes’ intern for this year, Gaby Gonzalez, joined other interns in the Capitol building for a reception where they were celebrated. Interns are typically in their final semester of their bachelor’s program. After graduation, many go on to graduate school and some return to work as legislative aides.
Senator Hughes invited senators to attend the second meeting of the Food and Farm Caucus as well as encouraged them to add their names to the Caucus roster. We look forward to learning who the new Director of the Division of Agriculture will be and expect an announcement any day now.
Food security is key; Alaska should not be dependent on the lower 48 for 98% of our food.
Sandy & John Powers, representing charitable gaming entities in Alaska (including Big Valley Bingo in Wasilla), met with me as a preemptive visit. In the past, and they expect this year, there will be efforts to allow electronic pull tabs and other gambling in Alaska.
Their goal was to get ahead of this effort. They warned electronic gambling would crush the charitable gaming industry which would negatively impact numerous non-profits statewide. They also predicted it would result in social problems related to gambling addiction.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOU TO WEIGH IN THIS WEEK
Public Testimony
Below is list of bills scheduled to be heard in various committees this week. If you’d like to provide public testimony, 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.
Below is a sampling. Click here to see the full list of bills.
Click on the “News from Hughes Alerts” below to view the referenced bill.
🔎Hearings That May Interest You
- Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation
heard by Senate Finance Committee
February 13th, 9am. - Update on Broadband Equity, Access, & Deployment (BEAD) in Alaska
heard by Senate Finance Committee
February 17th, 9am. - AK Citizen’s Review Panel and Office of Children’s Services
heard by the Joint Health and Social Services Committees
February 14th, 3:30pm.
CONFIRMATION HEARINGS
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1:00pm
HOUSE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
Consideration of Governor’s Appointees:
Board of Marine Pilots: James Cunningham
Wade Erickson, M.D. from Capstone Family Medicine stopped in to visit. He and other health care providers are advocating for a direct care agreement model which would allow an individual to pay a set monthly amount for access to an agreed upon list of services. I filed the bill last session to allow this model but improvements to the bill were needed. Sen. Hughes is co-sponsoring the new version, SB 45, filed by Sen. Wilson.
As a side note, Sen. Hughes has known Dr. Erickson and his wife for almost 20 years. Hughes’ husband and the Ericksons were part of a medical mission team to Sri Lanka following the devastating tsunami in 2004. They were the first American medical team on the ground to help.
A bit dark and hard to see but that’s Senator Hughes speaking to the House Transportation Committee last week about her early work ten years ago regarding the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) industry. The committee had just completed hearing an update on the growth of the UAS sector in Alaska and the opportunities ahead.
Senator Hughes made the point that many were skeptical and nervous about UAS a decade ago. Her work at the time revolved around ensuring Alaskans understood that UAS are tools that can be used for good – especially helpful in Alaska – and that there was nothing inherently evil about the equipment itself. Keeping bad actors/operators at bay has been a collaborative effort between law enforcement and the FAA.
Meanwhile, UAS have been used in Alaska by the State of Alaska as well as by private companies. UAS have been used to perform bridge and pipeline inspections, fish and wildlife counts and research, search and rescue, among other helpful tasks. When a UAS can do the job instead of a manned aircraft, not only are costs reduced but the risk of accidental deaths are also reduced.
Kim Kovol is the new Commissioner-Designee for the Department of Family & Community Services. She will be up for a confirmation vote later in the session. Senator Hughes discussed her concerns about the Office of Children’s Services and the foster care system in Alaska to give Kovol the opportunity to share her vision and the steps she is taking to make changes.
Senator Hughes testified last week at the Senate Education Committee hearing on SB52, a bill which would increase the base student allocation in the school funding formula by $1000 (which would net about $2000 more per student for districts statewide).
After reviewing the fact that most students are scoring below proficiency in national and state assessments, Hughes urged the committee members to tie existing and any new school funding increases to accountability measures related to student learning outcomes.
She proposed directing any new funds to classrooms only (not to administration). Right now, only 53% of school districts’ budgets in Alaska are going to instruction (regular classrooms and special education classrooms). Lastly, Senator Hughes strongly advised the committee to decrease the percentage allowed for administration through a statute change.
UAA is accepting entries from UAA students (any campus) and aspiring Alaskan entrepreneurs.
Thousands in cash prizes to be awarded.
Details can be found on their website by clicking here or on the above image.
Here’s a chance to honor outstanding volunteers in your community. Let them be recognized by fellow Alaskans for their positive contributions and impact in our state.
For details, visit https://gov.alaska.gov/first-lady-volunteer-awards/ or scan the QR code.
Senate Assignments:
- Special Committee on World Trade
- Food and Farm Caucus, Co-Chair
- Law Finance Subcommittee
Other Appointments and Assignments:
- Alaska Food Security and Independence Task Force (Est. by Gov. Dunleavy, expires Feb. 27, 2023)
- Alaska Food Strategy Task Force (Est. by legislature, launched Feb 16, 2023)
- State Agricultural and Rural Leaders, National Board Member
- Article V Phoenix Correspondence Commission, National Commissioner
- NCSL Cybersecurity Task
- CSG-West Canada Relations
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HOT TIP OF THE WEEK! Watch our Facebook Lives on Monday evenings at 6pm* to hear the latest from the State Capitol Building, information you likely won’t hear elsewhere. You can weigh in, ask questions, and learn what the big issues of the week are. You can also find out ` what bills are up for public testimony. Like/follow the Senator Shelley Hughes Facebook page to receive notifications. *Time subject to change. Look for notices and updates on the Facebook page. |
For information on bills I’m co‑sponsoring
click here.
For information on all bills filed during this session,
click here.
Bills I’ve Filed on Your Behalf
Health Insurance Info; Incentives/Agreements
Alaska Sunset Commission
Constitutional Amendment: Abortion/Funding
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!
MORE TIPS TO STAY IN THE LOOP✏️
More important than ever!
#1
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.
#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.
#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. If you need assistance, want a response, or need other follow-up, please call rather than email.
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Gaby Gonzalez Staff Intern Gaby.Gonzalez@akleg.gov 907-465-3743 |
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Stephen Knouse Legislative Aide Stephen.Knouse@akleg.gov 907-465-1172 |
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Anneliese Roberts Chief of Staff Anneliese.Roberts@akleg.gov 907-465-5025 |
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| 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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