Special Session Over, Borough Plans Re-Appear, and More

May 23, 2023

Special Session Over

Last weeks legislative special session ended suddenly, as enough House members ultimately agreed on a version of the Senates budget with a $1300 PFD, a one-time increase to education funding, and additional funding for some particular projects (including a veterans cemetery and the Polaris building demolition in the Interior) peppered across Alaska.

The special session that began last Thursday was not the drawn out battle that many (including me!) expected.

The House majority folded less than 24 hours after entering into the special session called by Governor Dunleavy immediately following the end of the regular session. That regular session ended due to a constitutional limit on the length of time the legislature can meet.

As Planned Parenthood Alaska noted, not a single anti-abortion, anti-sex ed, or anti-LGBTQ+ bill passed the Alaska legislature this year.

To celebrate, Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates is having a couple legislative session Wrap-Up Parties: the one in Fairbanks is next Wednesday, May 31, at 6pm at Native Movement.

Fairbanks Legislative Session Wrap-Up Party
Come help celebrate our HUGE WINS this leg. session!!! There will be a slideshow going over what has happened, what our goals are for the next session, and an update on all the fun things we will be doing over the summer! Bring a friend, grab a snack, and get involved! See you there!
Wednesday, May 31, 2023 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM AKT
Native Movement, 60 Hall St, Fairbanks, AK 99701

For more info and to pre-register, you can click here.

This years state budget includes one-time state funding for education that would fill the gap of decreased local funding in Fairbanks, at least for this year.

The money does not, I believe, give our school district enough resources to flourish…but at least it’s there.

Will this give the district enough funding to fairly negotiate with the Fairbanks Education Association and the Educational Support Staff Association unions? I’m not sure.

Expect a similar battle in both the legislature and our Assembly chambers next year.

How Did Your Legislators Do?

A couple days ago, the Daily News Miner published an opinion piece titled “Why do elected officials not respond to their constituents?” by Richard S. Tilly.

It’s excellent: you can read it here.

Here’s a small part of the conclusion of that post:

…the people we elected as our representatives need to pay attention to us. Pretty simple, really, what we all want is basic life, health and safety. That’s what comes first. So here is my suggestion and advice to our elected officials. Show some common respect. Listen to your constituents. Take note of our concerns. Remember who your bosses are. Represent us. Respond to written inquiries ... and answer the phone.

In the spirit of Richard’s frustration, the Alaska Current/Midnight Sun is holding a public ranking of current legislators.

After the Alaska Legislature's 2023 legislative session mercifully came to an end, sparing us yet another year of wondering about a budget and government shutdown, we're here to ask the serious questions: Who were the good legislators, the bad ones, and who can we still not remember?

I’m guessing that the results will focus more on legislators outside of the FNSB, but it would be great to include feedback from Interior residents! You can find additional instructions and participate in the survey (that I’m in no way affiliated with) here.

Local Plans on the Horizon

A pair of plans will re-appear in front of the FNSB Assembly over the coming weeks.

The Assembly will take another look at the Borough Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) on June 8.

The CAAP has been continually watered down since the new presiding officer took over and replaced almost all the committee members in charge of working on it. It will likely pass…but it’s lost it’s teeth and many of the specific items that made it powerful.

The Borough Assembly will also take another look at the updated FNSB Recreational Trails Plan, which the Borough Platting Board (on which I serve) sent back with some additional recommendations, in the near future. It’s also being introduced to the Assembly on June 8, though it will likely be voted on at a later date. As a Platting Board member, I think that’s all I’m allowed to say.

We’ve had beautiful weather around Fairbanks lately. The local high school track and field season is over, I spent a nice evening in the Botanical Gardens playing D&D on Sunday, and some great basketball is on. I’m looking forward to some continued deck time with friends and family, and trips outside throughout the summer.

Life is good, and I hope it’s treating you well, too.

Here’s a delightful tiny desk concert that always brings me joy: