SESSION UPDATE - February 26, 2024

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

If the month has gone too quickly for you, have no fear: this is the year and the week when you get a bonus day in February you haven’t had since 2020. You can squeeze in all you still want to get done on leap day (Thursday!) before March arrives. And for all those leapers out there, including those I know, enjoy your big day!

Now back to getting things done… Some have commented that based on how bills are moving and where we are in the legislature in addressing the annual education funding question, it feels more like March or April.

Does it address student proficiency? What’s next with SB 140?

It is indeed unusual that the House passed SB 140 this early, an education package that provides provisions to expand public charter school and public correspondence options for students, a funding boost targeted to K-3 students with reading deficiencies, a reasonable boost of funds for pupil transportation, and a $680 increase to the base student allocation.

The bill underwent a long negotiations process, but one item not included, however, was in my mind one of the keys to helping lift our children out of the academic deficiency hole: teacher bonuses. It is possible the governor will veto the bill so the education package could be reassembled to include what it currently does with the added teacher bonus provision.

I expect the Senate to concur with the bill today or sometime this week as the legislation is currently written. The ball will then be in Governor Dunleavy’s court to see if he’d like to play a little hardball and get the very important tool to help improve outcomes added: the teacher bonus provision.

If the governor decides to play hardball, I will be on his team. I will support his veto and support the addition of the teacher bonus amendment to the education package. Growing a school budget is not correlated with academic improvement; supporting teachers specifically is.



If the governor does not veto the bill, we can still applaud the fact that some very good provisions focused on increasing student proficiency will be added to our statutes.

It’s been quiet on the PFD front but expect the volume to go up

The House is expected to take up HJR 7 on the floor this week. HJR 7 proposes putting a question on the ballot whether to adopt a constitutional amendment about securing the annual Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) payment to Alaskans in lieu of the loss of individual subsurface property rights at statehood.

Although this PFD infusion each year of dollars is clearly beneficial to individual Alaskans, this resolution is more about taking step one on the pathway to fiscal stability and predictability for the state budget – which is essential for a strong and healthy state economy.

Read more about what the constitutional amendment would ensure and how it will impact work on the other three components of a desperately needed fiscal plan for Alaska which, once in place, will trigger private sector investment to build and revitalize our lagging economy: HJR 7: It’s so much more than just the PFD.

Energy, energy, energy



Much attention this session is being paid to addressing the looming gas shortage which will impact the ability for us to heat homes and keep the lights on from Homer to Fairbanks in the near future. Not only is the focus on how to make drilling in Cook Inlet pencil out but problem-solving is also occurring on the storage of the steady supply from the wells for the cold spells that occur during the winter.

Add to this the need for infrastructure upgrades (estimated to cost $413 million) to make our electric grid more reliable and improve its ability to deliver the more economical Bradley Lake hydroelectric power to communities from Homer to Fairbanks – and we have some serious energy decisions to make this session. A $200 million federal grant requiring a state match hangs in the balance for the grid improvements. Discussions of bonding for the $200+ million state match are underway.

Finally, a few of us are pointing out that we need to stop thinking in decade-increments to address energy to give us reasonably priced energy (but not cheap energy that spurs economic activity such as value-added processing). Instead, we should start thinking in century-increments to address energy in the long term that will give us cheap energy that will spur economic activity. We need to begin opening the doors to more hydro, clean-burning coal technology, and safe micro-nuclear energy options.

My little granddaughter passes the test as a carry-on on her way from Mat-Su to Juneau and poses with my daughter-in-law with the Gastineau Channel and downtown Juneau in the background.

Family time

This past weekend, I was blessed to have extended and immediate family visit Juneau. My niece, a songwriter whose music has been performed by Willie Nelson, Reba McEntire, Jewel, Tim McGraw, had flown up to surprise her mother for her birthday and perform in her honor. Because I compose these weekly newsletters over the weekend for our Monday morning distribution and am writing this as my cutie-patootie 18-month-old granddaughter is napping in my Juneau apartment, I am going to close out my update with an important call to action to protect Alaska’s children.

CALL TO ACTION

Write or call-in Friday 1:30pm: SB 173 The Safe Schools Act

I’m going to repeat what I brought to your attention last week. It has been sad to watch some die-hard partisan folks fall into the trap of assuming a piece of legislation is always designed to support a partisan agenda from one side of the aisle or another. My bill, SB 173 The Safe Schools Act, would save lives, period. It has absolutely nothing with being pro-gun or anti-gun. An anti-gun parent might wish no one had guns, but they still would want someone who is vetted and well-trained on-site to stop a deranged gunman from shooting their child.

SB 173 was thoughtfully crafted with input from superintendents, teachers, and law enforcement. To better understand the proposed policy, please find my article about the bill below in the list of recent article links or here.

Speak up Silent Majority and support SB 173!

► Choose one of more of the following ways:

1. Click HERE to quickly sign a petition (or the ad below).
2. Email Sen.Shelley.Hughes@akleg.gov, SLAC@akleg.gov, and SJUD@akleg.gov
3. Call in on Friday to testify at 1:30pm hearing. ANCH:(907)563-9085, JUNEAU:(907)586-9085, ALL OTHER:(844)586-9085. Recommend: call-in early to get in the queue, be extremely brief, have something to do while you wait (delays are not uncommon).

Upcoming Attractions

Be sure to tune in to our Facebook Live tonight at 6pm, where we'll delve into hot happenings and topics here in the Capitol building. My next Coffee Chat is this Saturday, March 2, 2024, 9:00 – 10:30am at the MTA Tech Center. Scroll down to see the flyer with the address.

Until We Meet Again

My responsibility to you is always front and center, whether I am on the Senate floor, drafting policy, in a meeting, out and about in our community, or communicating with you. I will strive to be available in multiple ways to hear from you and what concerns you most. I am on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at AKShelleyHughes (links at bottom of email). You can also email me at Sen.Shelley.Hughes@akleg.com or call my office (907)465-3743 (Session) or (907)376-3725 (Interim) to get in touch.

As I state on my Facebook Senator page, mention in live broadcasts, and tell many of you in one-on-one conversations, with the volume of contacts I receive daily (multiple hundreds), my staff and I work hard to read and listen to everything so I can understand what you, our district, and the rest of the state is thinking. If you would like to ensure you receive my feedback on your issue and ideas, please call my office to set up a phone call with me or come by one of my constituent meetings so we can connect in-person. Hearing your input continues to be a top priority to me!

Working on your behalf,

It's a First in Alaska and It's Needed: Artificial Intelligence Bill

Introducing SB 177: AI, Data Privacy, Cybersecurity, Deepfakes

SB 140: The Question to Ask About Education Funding

When too many schools are failing, is any proposed increased funding targeted to improve student achievement?

A Call for Responsibility: Rejecting SB88 and Prioritizing No-Risk Solutions

Where have all the fiscal conservatives gone?

SB 173 Safe Schools Act Will Deter Active Shooters Taking Lives

When seconds matter for students

Evil Lurks – Trafficking Is Occurring in Alaska

We must pass HB 68 - doing what I can to get the bill moving in the Senate.

Food Security Focus Continues In 2024

Supporting the agriculture industry, promoting locally products, and increasing food security.

Senator Hughes is frequently in the news and mention of the projects from our office also show up from time to time. She is typically on the radio once per week or more on a variety of shows. Below are some links to recent news items.

Family is always welcome in Senator Hughes' office! Pictured are her 94-year-old mother Rosemary, exchange-student niece Ronja, sister Jane, and brother-in-law, Pete. She was also able to introduce the crew on the Senate Floor.

Kimberly Bergey, visiting from Palmer and serving on the Alaska Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee, stopped in to speak with Senator Hughes about juvenile justice issues, education, and agriculture.

Senator Hughes met with members of the Anchorage Assembly. They discussed housing, the Knik Arm Crossing, and the two ports: Port of Alaska and Port MacKenzie. Pictured (L to R) are Felix Rivera, Anna Brawley, and Zac Johnson.

We received a surprise visit from some Palmer students this week who were in town to attend the Educators Rising Alaska State Leadership Conference with Palmer High teacher Carla Swick. The students each shared their focus and project for 2024 with Senator Hughes.

Senator Hughes met with members of the Alaska Association of Realtors (including two from Mat-Su) to discuss HB134. Pictured (L to R) is Mark Masley, constituent Rosetta Alcantra, Mat-Su resident Elise Buchholz, and Errol Champion.

The Senate Minority (Senators Hughes, Myers, and Shower) convened with US Senator Dan Sullivan and some of his staff for an extended meeting following his annual speech to the legislature. Most of the conversation centered around national security, the military, and infrastructure. Senator Sullivan's wife Julie (seated next to him) and Senator Shower's wife Michelle (to the right) also joined.

Senator Hughes met with (L to R) City of Wasilla Deputy Adminstrator Crystal Nygard, Wasilla Mayor Glenda Ledford, and Wasilla City Councilmembers Nikki Velock, and Stu Graham. They stopped in to discuss priorities as well as economic and business development updates.

Constituent Anna Best came by to meet Senator Hughes this past week. She is part of the ConocoPhillips Civic Action Program and was in the state capital learning about the legislative process.

Jan Engan (a constituent) stopped in to greet and chat with Senator Hughes. She was in Juneau on behalf of the Alaska Commission on Aging.

A delegation from the Alaska Support Industry Alliance met with Senator Hughes to talk about energy and workforce issues. Pictured are Jeff Baker, Liam Zsolt, Kelly Droop, CEO Rebecca Logan, Randy Beltz, Catherine Chambers, and Skeet Black.

"Good Job Shelly, good guys with guns keep the schools safer."

"Anybody who thinks an accidental discharge is too big of risk and that we just need to hire more school resource officers doesn't understand how the law would work, how guns these days work, how in-depth and thorough the safety training is, how there's a law enforcement shortage, and how impossible it would be to have enough SROs in every school. These people need to get their heads out of the sand."

"It would be great if you actually worked towards other options than advocating for more guns."

"The only way to stop a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun."

"Adding a Department of Agriculture is making government bigger. Think of it this way, Just adding a Department will cost a minimum of 150 of the Peoples PFD. …History shows that government departments grow over time."

"People who think creating a Dept. of Ag would be creating "big government" don't understand that the government should be serving the private sector by rolling back barriers. That is exactly what the new department would do. Big government is the complete opposite. You were correct Sen. Hughes when you said a new ag department is about appropriate government not big government."

"Hydro electric has been around for many years. Bringing more of it to the Mat-su really makes [sense]."

"Raise the BSA. Neighborhood "brick and mortar" schools should have the highest priority this year.... We don't need more charter schools.... We don't need more money given to homeschooling.... We can't have a PFD, if we can't pay for basic services in our state like schools, universities, roads, retirement, and social safety nets. Please vote NO for any amendments guaranteeing the PFD into the future."

"Our charter schools are rated the best in the nation. We need more of them! Let's give more kids this high quality option!"

"No more money for our failing schools unless it's for things proven to help the students. I don't support propping up a system. I support improving student learning. Spend only on what you know works. Stop wasting our money!"

"A constitutional amendment will keep you scoundrels from ignoring the PFD law like you've been doing since Walker cut them. I support HJ[R] 17.

"It's a mistake to get rid of the board of midwives. I don't mind if you want to get rid of some of the other boards, but this one is important."

O P P O R T U N I T I E S   F O R   Y O U   T O   W E I G H   I N   T H I S   W E E K

If you’d like to provide public testimony for any bill, 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.

The following "News from Hughes Alerts" are highlighted bills for this week but please note that this is not an exhaustive list. 

🖱️ Click on the image to view the referenced bill.

Click the button below to see all public testimony opportunities occurring within the next seven days.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 9:00am

SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE

Consideration of Governor’s Appointees:

AK Mental Health Trust Authority: John Sturgeon & Brent Fisher

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 3:00pm

HOUSE HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE

Consideration of Governor’s Appointees:

Board of Nursing: Michael Collins

FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 1:30pm

HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

Consideration of Appointees:

Select Committee on Legislative Ethics:

Dennis "Skip" Cook, Joyce M. Anderson, & Rachel Kelly

Public Defender: Terrence Haas

State Commission for Human Rights: Rebecca Carrillo & William Craig

Honor the outstanding volunteers in your community. Let them be recognized by fellow Alaskans for their positive contributions and impact in our state.

For details, click the image above or visit

https://gov.alaska.gov/first-lady-volunteer-awards

Check out articles from our senators as we post them, take surveys, and more by clicking the picture above.

Then check out and follow our social media platforms

for even more up-to-the-minute info!

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Senate Assignments:

• Senate Minority, Ranking Member
• Alaska Food Strategy Task Force, Chair
• Food and Farm Caucus, Co-Chair
• Special Committee on World Trade
• Victims’ Advocate Selection Committee
• Law Finance Subcommittee

Other Appointments and Assignments:

• NCSL Law and Public Safety Committee, Vice Chair
• State Agricultural and Rural Leaders, National Board Member
• Article V Phoenix Correspondence Commission, National Commissioner
• NCSL Cybersecurity Task Force
• CSG-West Canada Relations
• CSG Interbranch Committee

Click the bill code in green to see more details and follow the individual bill's progress online.

Health Insurance Info; Incentives /Agreements

The bill includes the Alaska Health Care Consumers Right to Shop Act as well as authorizes Direct Primary Care Agreements in order to nudge down the cost of healthcare in Alaska by introducing competition and free market principles.

Alaska Sunset Commission

SB 9 establishes the Alaska Sunset Commission, an  independent entity charged with meticulously reviewing each state agency to make recommendations to  legislature to improve the efficacy of, or disband, that agency. The agency auto-sunsets if legislature doesn't take up recommendations in bill form. S State Affairs heard SB 9 March 2023. H Ways & Means Committee filed companion HB 190 May 2023 and held a hearing on the bill this past Wednesday.

Constitutional Amendment: Abortion/Funding

This proposed constitutional amendment will prevent judges from ruling that statutes which protect babies in the womb are unconstitutional. A hearing request was submitted March 2023 to Senate Judiciary Chair Matt Claman.

School/University Employee Health Insurance

SB 110 gives districts the option to participate in the state employee health plan, AlaskaCare. If passed, Senate Bill 110 could ease the financial burden of school districts and give the State of Alaska more leverage to negotiate with healthcare providers, improving services, and leaving more funds for classroom use. Senate Education hearings held April 2023.

Rejecting Commission's Recommendation to Raise Salaries

SB 111 rejects the recent recommendation in the Alaska State Officers Compensation Commission report to raise legislators' salaries by 67%. It rejects the salary increases and provides a vehicle for changes to the compensation commission process. Hearing request submitted to Senate Finance March 2023.

Extending the Alaska Senior Benefits

This bill would extend senior benefits in Alaska for one decade to June 30, 2034 to prevent the program from expiring. Our office has submitted hearing request to Sen. Olson, Senate Finance Co-Chair. A similar bill, SB 170 passed out of Senate Finance Friday that removes the sunset date of June 20, 2024.

Safe Schools Act

We must not wait until an active shooter tragedy occurs in one of our schools to start the policy discussion on how to protect lives. This bill requires districts to assign one or more highly trained, stable and responsible individuals to conceal-carry on school grounds and coordinate with local law enforcement. Every second makes a difference. An on-site immediate response will save lives. Hearing held Wednesday, January 24 by Senate Labor & Commerce. Expert testimony was superb. A second hearing is scheduled this week and includes time for public testimony.

Artificial Intelligence

This bill works to protect individuals from potential harm due to use of artificial intelligence by state entities, regulates personal data storage and collection, and use of deepfakes in political media. First hearing was in front of Senate State Affairs February 1st with quite a line-up of expert testimonies. Another hearing may be scheduled soon.

For Information on bills I'm co-sponsoring

For information on all bills filed during this session

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! 

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& THEN JOIN US LIVE TONIGHT AT 6PM!

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.

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.

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.

Anneliese Roberts

Chief of Staff

Anneliese.Roberts@akleg.gov

907-465-5025

Stephen Knouse

Legislative Aide

Stephen.Knouse@akleg.gov

907-465-3743

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

You can watch senate floor sessions, typically Mondays and Wednesdays at 11:00 am and Fridays at 10:30 am online or on your local 360North television channel.

Best regards,

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