Now With Even MORE Special Session!
September 4, 2021
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
The Special Session is picking up some speed. Over in the House they spent eight hours on the floor debating before passing us a bill that does a lot of important stuff, including sending out federal COVID money and an $1,100 PFD. Next, the Senate Finance Committee works over the bill.

We also held hearings on some of the long-term fiscal components. Plus a (fourth!) proclamation from the governor expanding the boundaries of the work.
Working in the Senate Judiciary Committee with Sens. Myers, Hughes, & Holland last week.
Good Medicine & Bad
The governor expanded the special session subjects. Again.

This time he added bills for telemedicine and a multi-state nurse licensing compact. The first one makes good sense. I was disappointed when the governor prematurely ended the emergency declaration in April, cutting Alaskans off from telehealth and raising the strain on in-state providers. With a bill, we can make more telemedicine availablepandemic or no.

Then there’s the multi-state nursing compact. The Senate Health & Social Services committee had four hearings on it during the regular session and voted 3-2 to kill it. (The three were bipartisan.) Trying to use COVID to resurrect the bill seems a little sketchy to me.

As I understand it, in the name of streamlining, the compact trades having Alaska license our nurses for folks in Chicago. If we sign on, we wouldn’t know which of the licensed nurses are actually working in state, and wouldn’t be able to keep any state-specific rules. Alaska also couldn’t collect fees for licensing, which is how we pay to regulate the profession and drum out the rare bad actor. It's certainly not a change we can vet in the next twelve days. 

And changing how we license nurses isn't going to unlock a trunkful of well-rested pros to come staff the ventilators at Alaska hospitals. Nurses across the country have been burning the candle at both ends for 20 months of medical practice during the pandemic. There aren't many looking to light the middle, too, by uprooting homes and families to do the same work here.

I'd be remiss not to point out: the governor could open up access to telemedicine and loosen licensing rules for any providers we can entice to the state tomorrow. He'd just need to issue a disaster declaration. Our hospitals, health care pros, and nursing homes have been begging for one as COVID rates climb and they need every possible tool to save lives.
Money In & Money Out
The Fiscal Plan Working Group report was clear: we need a comprehensive fiscal package—not just a piece or two. And anyone who can count knows compromise is critical. We won’t all get exactly what we want.

So I introduced two bills this week. The first is a PFD bill. It would modernize the dividend law and step up to bigger checks over time, without needing massive cuts or California-sized taxes.
Alaska can’t afford a 50/50 split of Permanent Fund earnings right now unless we throw discipline to the wind and take an unsustainable amount from the fund. That will pass the buck to our kids and grandkids.

Raising new revenues and getting more efficient both take time. So the bill is a four-year phase in, with a PFD that rises steadily until it reaches 50/50.

That brings us to my next billan income tax. You’ve heard me say Alaska needs broad-based revenue. Right now we’re lashed to the mast of the oil revenue ship, suffering the ups and downs of a lone commodity. A broad, low tax that connects state government to the health of the economylike an income taxstabilizes the journey for all. It certainly beats cranking up user fees or targeted taxes on slim segments of our economy in ways that distort people's choices.

So how is my income tax plan different from others? I propose a tax credit for Alaskans equal to the size of the PFD. Alaska residents are already contributing to the cost of government when the state uses Permanent Fund money to provide services. So it makes sense for Alaskans to get a credit against the tax. Nonresidents would pay the full rate. The bill is in the Resources Committee, and I look forward to getting a hearing. 
All my best,
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Events & Happenings Around District Q
Juneau Labor Day
Giving Back Event
On Monday, you can give back to the community by donating needed items to foster kids, AWARE, and the Glory Hall. It’s hosted by the Central Labor Council at Sandy Beach. I'll see you there!

Juneau Jazz & Classics
Fall Music Festival
Check out this in-person, live music event Sept. 29-Oct. 2. You’ll be serenaded by award-winning professional jazz & classical musicians! (If you don't see Judy Carmichael, you'll probably regret it forever!)

Capitol Tours
Our awesome friends at the City Museum are back giving FREE tours of the Alaska State Capitol! Learn about the building’s proud history and stop by my office (Rm 419)
to say hi! 


Haines Market
You know it, you love it, and you need it for all your fresh foods! The farmers market happens every Saturday through mid-September 10 am – 1 pm. Don’t miss out!

Skagway Klondike
Road Relay 2021 (kinda)
The run must go on! With differences! Sept. 10 - 11 gather your squad for this annual favorite. US & Canadian teams will run different legs. The ones that finish in Skagway (yes, finish) will have an afterparty with live music, food, and brews!

Skagway Garden City Market
Check out the works of talented local artisans at the market September 18!
Is there an event in our district I should know about? Please call or email!
Snail Mail?

Alaska State Capitol
Room 419
Juneau, AK 99801

Call:

800 550 4947
907 465 4947


Contact My Staff,
the people who power the work:

Edric Carrillo
907 465 6419

Cathy Schlingheyde
907 465 6827