Capitol updates from Rep. Himschoot, House District 2

February 3, 2023

Dear Friends and Neighbors:

I write from my first update to House District 2, from my office on the 4^th floor of the Capitol. It is hard to believe, but the legislative session is already in full swing. In addition to attending floor sessions and committee meetings this week, I had the privilege of meeting with some of my constituents and I enjoyed participating in Southeast Conference.

I am excited to serve on the the House Education Committee and the House Community and Regional Affairs Committee. In addition, I am serving on the Departments of Education, Public Safety and Corrections budget subcommittee and rest assured that I will also be keeping a close eye on the operating and capital budgets.

I am eager to serve residents of House District 2 during the 33^rd legislature and I rely on you, as my neighbors in the district, to share local priorities, concerns, and ideas. I will be emailing this electronic newsletter frequently and I would appreciate it if you would encourage your friends and neighbors to sign up here. In addition, if you have a question, concern or suggestion, please feel free to email me at rep.himschoot@akleg.gov or call my office at (907) 465-3732 at any time.

Sincerely,

Representative Rebecca Himschoot

Alaska House of Representatives

Retirement Benefits

As a member of the House Community and Regional Affairs Committee, this week I was proud to support moving Representative Josephson’s HB 22, PEACE OFFICER/FIREFIGHTER RETIRE BENEFITS, from committee. This bill will create a new defined benefit retirement plan for state and municipal peace officers and firefighters, while still protecting the state against unforeseen future liabilities. During the committee hearings on the bill, we heard about the turnover and vacancies in our police and fire departments, in part because of our current retirement system. I believe this bill is a small step we can take to honor our police officers and firefighters and make our communities safer.

Education & Base Student Allocation

Next week in the House Education Committee, and the House Education Budget Subcommittee, I look forward to getting a closer look at the important work the Alaska Department of Education is doing. In addition, I have been following the work of the Senate Education Committee. I was excited to hear testimony this week from so many hard-working educators and to see the Senate Education Committee introduce SB 52, INCREASE BASE STUDENT ALLOCATION. As written, this bill will increase the Base Student Allocation by $1000. Schools are struggling with inflation just like the rest of us in Alaska and they have not received a substantive increase to the Base Student Allocation in five years.

Regular, reliable ferry service is a top issue in House District 2. This week I listened to presentations on the Alaska Marine Highway in the Senate Transportation Committee and at Southeast Conference. I am working with my colleagues to ensure $285 million in federal funding for the Alaska Marine Highway is matched and used to improve our ferry system so that it can serve generations to come. I am afraid we will not see the impact of this funding overnight, but in the long run the Alaska Marine Highway System will be much better off. Southeast Alaskans have waited a long time for better ferry service and now there is a reason to be optimistic.

I have been closely following the Wild Fish Conservancy lawsuit that could potentially shut down the troll fishery. Closing the troll fishery would be devastating for House District 2. I am working with my colleagues on a resolution that urges the state and federal government to do everything in their power to keep the fishery open and appeal should the judge adopt the report, recommendations and proposed order. In addition, on Talk of Alaska, I was glad to hear Governor Dunleavy say he plans to appeal should the judge rule in the plaintiff’s favor.

· While the comment period for the summer ferry schedule has closed, you can always submit customer service comments by email to dot.amhs.customer@alaska.gov and you can take a survey if you have recently traveled aboard an Alaska Marine Highway System vessel dot.amhs.customer@alaska.gov

Follow the Legislature & Comment

· In addition to contacting my office, you can monitor the legislative calendar for hearings that might interest you.

· Next Wednesday, February 8^th, at 3:30 PM, there will be an opportunity to testify on SB 52, INCREASE BASE STUDENT ALLOCATION, in the Senate Education Committee. Please contact the Juneau Legislative Information Office or the legislative information office in your community prior to the hearing to make arrangements to offer public testimony.

If there is a bill you care about, you can submit written testimony to members of the committee hearing the bill,or contact the Juneau Legislative Information Office or the legislative information office

in your community to give

verbal testimony.

Pick a Name for the

House District 2 Newsletter!

· We cannot settle on a newsletter name that we like. We have tried, Himschoot’s Harbor News, Hello from Himschoot and On deck with Himschoot, among others. It turns out Himschoot is an extraordinarily difficult name to make fun of and we need your help. Please email us your suggestions.