Hello Friends and Neighbors!
Well, the report from Juneau is not good as I would like. I am sorry about that. We did pass the Operating, Capital, and Mental Health budgets. That’s the good news, and it is really good because these budgets make strategic investments to restart our economy and move beyond the pandemic. For the first time in several years the capital budget had much needed projects for infrastructure, including re-appropriating funding I was able to secure a few years ago for district projects. I will give a full report once Governor Dunleavy signs the budget because there is the chance that he will veto items. If you have questions, please let me know.
The not good news is the budget fell short of the ¾ vote needed for the $1100 dividend and the pass what is called the “reverse sweep” where funds that are designated for specific uses are funded. The impacts of this are far reaching and include not funding scholarships for university students, power cost equalization for rural communities across the state, and the WWAMI program that funds doctors. I am very troubled by these actions, and at the same time am not surprised it happened given how divided we are right now.
How do we fix this? We need to compromise more and it just isn’t happening at this time. The trouble is the dividend. In some districts Alaskans prioritize the dividend over other state programs. In other districts Alaskans prioritize the state programs over the dividend. What we need to do, in my very strong opinion, is find a way to compromise on this to move our state forward. We can’t overspend the Permanent Fund on a continual basis, but we can afford a one time spend in the context of a fiscal plan.
The reality is that I can’t see another way out of this. The great news is that with compromise, we can come up with the long term solution once and for all. I hope you will remember that when I came to Juneau I put it all on the line in an effort to create a more functioning legislature. This is what Alaskans deserve and what I will continue to work as hard as I can to accomplish. I had so hoped my actions would help prevent extra sessions like we are in now.
Sadly, some of my colleagues are really dug in on their positions and the phenomenon of groupthink has taken over. Groupthink is defined as “the practice of thinking or making decisions as a group in a way that discourages creativity or individual responsibility.” I think history will show that groupthink is harming Alaska. I keep hearing a lot from colleagues about what they won’t do and a lot less about what they will. It can be discouraging, but I won’t give up. I love Alaskans and Alaska too much. It is my honor to represent you and be a strong voice for compromise and lasting solutions.
