Education for our Younger Generation

We are constitutionally mandated to provide education funding for our younger generation, and more than that, I am very aware of the economic and social benefits education can provide our communities. I support a robust education budget, adequate tools within the classroom, and support and resources for teachers. 

 

As the Chair of the Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) Finance Subcommittee, I lead in the creation of the Education agency budget. Within the agency budget, I have been able to advocate for and protect funds for our Online With Libraries, Alaska State Council on the Arts, the WWAMI medical program, and Pre-K grants. I am also supportive of fully funding the major maintenance fund and school bond debt reimbursement. 

 

In 2018, 2019, and 2022, the Legislature was able to pass additional funding above the Base Student Allocation to help offset some difficult costs for schools. 

 

I have also supported an array of bills to benefit our schools. Just this past term, I co-sponsored HB220 to provide teachers with better retirement options and HB149 to allow childcare providers to create collective bargaining units.