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This past week I introduced my first piece of legislation. It is a straightforward bill with far reaching implications. House Bill 265 would adjust the base student allocation used in the funding formula for education by 2% automatically every year.
As you probably know, educating our young people keeps getting more expensive. And, the state's contribution hasn't kept up with inflation or even fixed cost increases. In effect, this means that school districts have to cut budgets every year if we just continue giving our school districts the same amount of money year in and year out.
My bill does three things-
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It allows the districts to plan with a certain amount of self-assurance. They can prepare their budget for the following year on a set 2% increase for the base student allocation.
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It builds in accountability. School districts fixed cost increases are more than 2% per year when you include teacher contracts, classified contracts, fuel costs (increased 80 % in the last 18 months), and insurance costs (some liability insurance has increased 100% in the last two years). By annually increasing the funding at a rate less than inflation you encourage the district to be fiscally prudent and programmatically responsible.
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It allows local governments to increase their participation in funding schools as a result of the raising of the cap caused by the annual 2% increase to the formula funding.
I don't think this bill is a cure all for our K-12 system, but I do believe it is a positive step toward properly funding education. It gives predictability to funding and at that same time it ensures accountability.
State Operating Budget
The Alutiiq month of February is the longest month of their year. One anthropologist referred to it as the month of dried fish. Or in other words the month of "lesser and greater want." The State of Alaska is financially in its month of lesser and greater want. Revenues are less than expenditures. Alaska is existing on its store of dried fish.
Last week the House passed its operating budget. It is not a budget that pleases many. In fact it is wanting in many areas. It is a budget that reflects the reality that exists in the state today. Given that Alaska is living beyond it means, the House decided to continue its investment education instead of cutting education drastically.
However, it is important to point out the process is not over. The Senate has its opportunity to weigh in. They have the opportunity to increase funding for K-12 and the University of Alaska. And in the House at least four bills are being heard that may increase the foundation formula for education. I will be working to increase funding for education until the bell rings at the end of the session.
Staffing
I'm please to announce that I have a new administrative assistant. Her name is Tammy Davis and she will probably be the first person you talk to when you call my office in Juneau. Tammy replaces Melanie Lesh who took a job with the Department of Environmental Conservation as their legislative liaison. I wish nothing but the best to Melanie in her new executive position. Tammy's prior experience includes two years as staff with Senator Georgianna Lincoln, so I feel very fortunate indeed to find someone with her talent and experience.
Fish Stocks
For the past several years, fishermen from Kodiak have approached ADF&G regarding "new" info about the stocks of fish passing on either side of Cape Igvak on the Alaska Peninsula. During the Alaska Board of Fisheries 2002 Kodiak area meeting the Board of Fish returned to a minimal 1969 tagging study to reallocate sockeye salmon between Kodiak and Chignik at Cape Igvak. Last year the legislature decided to fund a fresh study using a newer genetic identification technology that would be possible to identify the separate stocks of sockeye currently being captured in the Cape Igvak fishery. It has been estimated that the old study costs Kodiak fishermen between $50,000 and $100,000 annually. The legislature did fund the first increment of this new study last year. I am working with Senator Gary Stevens' office to find the backing for the second funding increment this year. We will try to get it in this year's capital budget. If funded this should be very beneficial to Kodiak salmon fishermen.
On the Radar
The below issues are being discussed in committees and caucuses. Please let me know how you feel about them.
- Authorizes a state lottery and electronic gaming for Alaska. Do you approve?
- Supporting Alaska's independent commercial fishermen and Alaska's fish processing industry and opposing the establishment of processor quota shares. Introduced by Rep. Paul Seaton of Homer. Do you approve?
Visitors
I had a very nice time visiting with the Kodiak youth bowlers while they were in Juneau for a tournament. They were Jeffrey Parker, Germaine Jimenez, Jacque Kuane, Denise Parker, Jason Short, Rebecca Parker, Rashelle Ensley, Crystal Jones, Robbie Greene, Bryn Davis, Jerek Olson and Daniel Kiefer. The team coaches and chaperones were Ruth Hentges, Tom Merriman, Debbie Olson, Jeff Parker and Shirley Short. Other Kodiak visitors to the office this week included Duncan Fields and Terry Stone.
If you would like to receive an advance copy of this article via email, please email Cliff Stone of my staff at:
Your Representative Dan Ogg
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