Dear Neighbor,

I’ve heard from several teachers about the Anchorage School District’s “displacement” notices, and want to provide some additional background about this process and state funding.

First, it makes me so angry that the state has cut the BSA funding formula by 20% while every other agency has had major funding increases since 2017. On top of that, our slow budget process is completely out of line with school districts’ budgets and hiring needs. We should update school funding and pass standalone education funding bills as our first order of business every year.

Unfortunately, those of us who do prioritize education have had to fight both institutional inertia (including the inherently inefficient process of trying to have a bill reflect the input of 60 very different legislators) and work through all the byzantine details of the legislative process to update the BSA. Here’s what you should know if you, your kids’ teachers, or people you know have received “displacement” notices:

Please stay in your job: The legislature will pass a school funding bill, and the amount of restored BSA will be between $680 and $1000 per student (Some legislators for whom education is a lower priority are trying to cut the number). $680 represents a slight cut to education funding, while $1000 would substantially lower class sizes and actually improve our schools.

Keep your kids in school: Passage of HB 69 with $1000 will be a meaningful reduction in class sizes, and will preserve critical programs like IGNITE and immersion.

I wish HB 69 was already signed into law, but I also hope that the displacement notices don’t magnify an already dire situation for our schools.

Alaskans Visit the Capitol

Bills on the Move:

I’ve been working on many bills moving through the legislative process, including personal and committee bills. Here are a few of them:

HB 79: to name Shoup Bay Marine Park after Vic Fischer, passed out of the Resources Committee and is ready for a floor vote.

HB 58: to update the selection of the director of the Office of Public Advocacy to mirror the rigorous process of Public Defender selection, has passed out of the House Community and Regional Affairs Committee and had two hearings in the House State Affairs Committee.

HB 97: to combat Organized Retail Crime, has had multiple hearings in the House Judiciary Committee, and the committee had the bill scheduled for further debate and possible action Wednesday.

HB 98: to reduce class sizes, had its first hearing in the House Education Committee last week. Class sizes are too large and are in clear violation of our constitutional mandate to fund public education. We must fund our schools and lower class sizes so teachers can get their job done.

HB 99: to modernize the Alaska Uniform Money Services Act. It was passed out of the House Labor & Commerce Committee and is currently awaiting a hearing in the House Finance Committee.

HB 140: to establish a Department of Agriculture, had its first hearing last week in House Resources. I’m hopeful that this bill will facilitate bipartisan discussion on what a Department of Agriculture could do for Alaskans.

Other Happenings:

Fire at the Anchorage Pioneer Home

A few days ago, a fire broke out in the room of an elder living in the Anchorage Pioneer Home downtown. Luckily, no one was injured, but several elders had to be moved to another part of the building while the damage is being assessed and remediated. The Pioneer Home is looking for donations for the residents who were displaced and lost their belongings, including bedroom furniture, new twin-size bedding and linens, small desks and chairs, and small sofas. If you would like to donate, contact the Pioneer Home at 907-343-7298.

AIDEA disguises paid consultants in House Resources hearing

Yesterday, the House Resources Committee heard from the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority on current projects including lease sales in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the Ambler Road project. During their presentation, AIDEA blindsided the Co-Chairs of House Resources by presenting a paid consultant as a community representative. I asked AIDEA who they are paying and how much, and they refused to say even while their paid consultant was testifying before committee.

See you around the neighborhood,

Zack

Representative Zack Fields - House District 17

Serving Downtown, South Addition, Forest Park, North Star, and Fairview