Regional legislators prepare for session

The Alaska Legislature convenes for their first regular session of 2021 on Tuesday, January 19.

The most pressing issue facing the Legislature right now is organization, House Representative Neal Foster (D-Nome) said last week. Foster explained that the agenda will be set by the party with the majority of the House and Senate. This is typically determined after the General Election in November. This year, however, the 40-member House is evenly split, with 20 Democrats and 20 Republicans. The House is currently unable to obtain a 21-member majority. The Senate is not organized either, but Senator Donny Olson (DGolovin) said that the Bush Caucus will be working to support the Power Cost Equalization Program, COVID

19, education, public safety and other topics that are important for rural Alaskans.

Once they are able to organize, Foster said a top priority for most legislators will be balancing the budget. Olson said an “overshadowing dark spot” of the upcoming session is the lack of money in reserve accounts, such as the Constitutional Budget Reserve and the Statutory Budget Reserve. In light of this, the Legislature and the governor will need to consider alternative revenue sources. Olson is particularly concerned by the potential of a large draw from the Permanent Fund Earnings Reserve, the source of PFD payments.

It follows that another issue is the Permanent Fund Dividend payment. Governor Mike Dunleavy proposed two payments, one $2,000 check in the spring and another full $3,000 PFD in the fall. Foster said he will be voting for both. However, he noted that it is too soon to predict if Dunleavy’s proposal will advance, given the number of new legislators. Olson said that he supports sticking with the statutory PFD and would potentially support back pay as well, but at the same time wants to be cautious and avoid overdrawing.

The Power Cost Equalization Program, which provides energy subsidies to rural communities and residents, is a high priority for both Foster and Olson. Foster said that he is working on a bill to protect the program, which requires a threequarter vote to preserve each year. Olson added that it is important that the program is protected and that its earnings account is used for its intended purpose.

Another issue Olson mentioned is the COVID-19 pandemic. With the vaccine, he said, there is now “light at the end of the tunnel.” However, it is still important to make sure that testing and vaccine distribution are able to continue. He will be working to make sure rural communities are not at a disadvantage in either regard.

The session will be held primarily virtually, and Olson said that Zoom can make discussions difficult. Reading body language and social cues is vital while debating sensitive topics, and much of this is impossible through a screen.