The Session is Underway

Taking the Oath of Office at official swearing in ceremony on the House Floor

My staff and I are all moved into our office on the 4th floor of the Capital Building (rm 424). I am already meeting with constituents--listening to their ideas and concerns. I am learning more and more each day. I have spent time getting to know the other legislators and staff in the building. Everyone has been so kind and welcoming to me. I am humbled by the fact that many of my colleagues, on both sides of the aisle and across both bodies, have offered sincere assistance, friendship, and advice. I am very much looking forward to working with all of my colleagues to help our fellow Alaskans.

Representative Dibert and her family pictured with Lieutenant Governor Dahlstrom

A group of family and friends gathered to congratulate Representative Dibert

House Organization

The House has organized with the election of Representative Cathy Tilton as Speaker of the House. The predominantly Republican Majority that emerged resulted from agreements that were negotiated with a small group of rural legislators who joined with the Republicans to take control of the House. I worked very hard to help form, and then join, a majority caucus with reasonable priorities including a secure future for our children, a sound fiscal plan for our state, and meaningful increases to education funding. I was disappointed that a coalition, like the one formed in the Senate, didn’t come together in the House. I will work with any legislators willing to prioritize education and helping families lower housing, daycare, and healthcare costs. I am committed to working across the aisle to be a voice for the families of Fairbanks. I am caucusing with legislators that have a track record of prioritizing the funding of education and helping families. I feel optimistic that together we can make progress this session. Representative Calvin Schrage was elected as the Minority Leader and is the leader of our AK House Coalition. I will be serving on the Resources Committee and the special Tribal Affairs Committee.

Maxine attending the pro-eduction rally on the Capital steps before the Governor's address

Education is Everything

As a third grade teacher for more than twenty years, I have seen what meaningful investments in our classrooms can mean to a child's life. I am hoping that the Governor's stated commitment to families means really making these investments this session. I have seen what resource shortages have done to our schools, our educators, and our kids. It is well known that Alaska School districts have had a hard time hiring educators, they've seen enlarging class sizes, they have been unable to keep their schools in good repair, and in some districts they have even struggled with keeping buildings warm due to high energy costs. Schools have had to reduce or eliminate many of the classes in things like career and technical education programs, world language classes, music, and counseling services. They have also had to cut librarians, nurses, and custodians. It is abundantly clear to me that our children need a meaningful increase in the Base Student Allocation formula. Over the past decade the BSA has increased by less than 5%, while our urban consumer price index has risen over 24%. Anyone can do the math and see how dramatically our children, families and educators have been effected by flat funding and by dramatically rising costs.

The "Alaska Reads Act" passed last year includes a substantial investment in pre-k, to be phased in across school districts in the State over time. I believe that the expansion of public pre-k programs in the near future will do more to help student learning than any other single initiative and I will advocate for such expansion at any opportunity that arises. Along these lines, I will be a co-chair, along with Representative Cronk and Senators Tobin and Wilson, for the upcoming Alaska Early Childhood Retreat. The event will be held on Saturday, February 11 at Peratrovich Hall  in Juneau.

Last week, I attended the Pro-education rally at the Capital building and I heard 100's of stories like the ones I've heard from families and educators in Fairbanks. Future generations of children have major needs to be more successful and to compete in tomorrow's markets. These include,

1) Permanent increases in education funding; 2) A mechanism to adjust the education funding formula for inflation; and, 3) An effective comprehensive plan to recruit and retain the very best teachers. These are my top priorities as the House works to improve our education systems.

Representative Dibert Speaking at the NEA-Alaska Delegate assembly to over 250 educators.

Representing Fairbanks

I have begun to work with my colleagues on several areas of concern. I am currently working with Representatives Fields, Armstrong, Himshoot, Groh, Josephson, Gray, and Galvin on HB 46, a bill filed by Representative Zack Fields. The legislation will strengthen the childcare sector in number of important ways. Please feel free to email me comments on HB 46 and I will pass them along to committee.

I am also working closely with Representative Andi Story who introduced legislation, HB 44. This legislation will help school districts create culturally appropriate assessments and curriculum. The bill also provides additional supports to students who have reading improvement plans. When I was a kid going through school in Fairbanks, it would have meant so much to me to see my cultural heritage in my classroom. With Alaska’s diverse cultures and geography, House Bill 44 provides the Department of Education with knowledgeable staff that have experience in curriculum development and modifications to meet culturally based standards, appropriate to each region school districts serve.

I am excited to see HB 22 introduced by Rep. Andy Josephson. His legislation would restore defined benefits for police and firefighters in our state and help attract and retain more first responders in order to enhance public safety across our State. Restoring defined benefits is one of my priorities this year so I am pleased this legislation is getting some traction and is being heard in the Regional Affairs Committee.

And finally, The Governor’s office is asking legislators for help identifying individuals to serve on numerous State Boards and Commissions. It is my hope that some of the great people from our Golden Heart City are interested in serving. Please look over the list and do let me know if you have an interest. I may be able to put in a good word for you during the appointment process. A complete list of Board vacancies and instructions/links for applying can be found here.

Please let me know if our office can be of any assistance.

In humble service to the People of Fairbanks,