Read my latest e-newsletter: mailchi.mp/5cea6c9546a0...
We remember advocate Elstun Lauesen & journalist Rich Mauer, highlight Anchorage Assembly’s resolution supporting “Age of Consent” bill, & Keri Ladner's book, American Dominion: The Rise & Radicalization of a New Christendom. #akleg
Karley Thrun finishes her internship in my office this week. She championed and carried HB 308 to lower DUI limits in AK.
Every 42 minutes, someone is killed in a drunk driving crash.
Listen to her amazing presentation on our bill that would save Alaskan lives. #akleg
Big thank you to the Anchorage Assembly for unanimously passing a resolution in support of my bill HB 101 that raises the age of consent in Alaska to 18 which will protect our young people from predators. I hope the bill will move quickly to the Senate floor. #akleg #ancgov
None. It hasn’t been up for a vote. I expect unanimous support.
Yesterday, Alaska lost a hero. Elstun Lauesen championed economic development projects across rural AK for 50 years, but he is best known as the heart of Alaska Democratic Politics. I interviewed him in January on the East Anchorage Book Club podcast: www.buzzsprout.com/1875228/epis... #akleg
Raising the age of consent protects 16- and 17-year-olds from predators.
Big thanks to Senators Giessel & Merrick who cross-sponsored my bill, HB 101 "Age of Consent," on the Senate floor today. This brings the total to 9. #akleg
Keri Ladner is an expert on fundamentalist politics in America & the radicalization of the conservative movement. We discuss her newest book: American Dominion: The Rise & Radicalization of a New Christendom. Listen on the East Anchorage Book Club podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/k... #akleg
For over a decade, the National Transportation Safety Board has recommended BAC limits of 0.05 or lower. Member Tom Chapman testified in support of HB 308 to reduce Alaska’s DUI limit from 0.08 to 0.04. This is the standard. Globally, 84% of countries are at 0.05 or lower. #akleg
President Trump posted: "A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again." Learn an Iranian perspective on the East Anchorage Book Club Podcast. Hear from Samu El Bayani Neek, a Christian refugee from Iran whose been in Anchorage since 2009: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s...
Yesterday, President Trump threatened to destroy Iran’s power plants. Actions that purposely cause loss of civilian life are war crimes. US military service members are forbidden from committing war crimes. Support our troops, not war crimes. #akleg #IranWar #SupportOurTroops🇺🇸
Lawmakers are weighing a bill that would raise the age of consent from 16 to 18. It passed the House last session, but has since remained in the Senate Judiciary Committee, where lawmakers are at odds about how to move it forward.
Get those ballots returned! If you need to mail it, make sure that you
🚨TAKE IT TO THE POST OFFICE AND HAVE THEM HAND CANCEL IT!!!🚨
Otherwise it may not get postmarked by Election Day 😢
Map of voting centers and Dropbox boxes in 🧵 below.
Big shoutout to my intern, Karley Thrun. (the one in red!) She's a freshman at UAF studying political science, and it's been a pleasure having her on the team. The future is bright for you, Karley. Keep up the great work! #akleg
AK House Rep for East Fairbanks is Will Stapp. On this East Anchorage Book Club Podcast episode, we talk about public education funding, therapeutic courts, & election reform. Listen here or wherever you listen to podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e... #akleg
I love Anchorage's ballot tracking system: I know that my ballot has been received. Anchorage Municipal Elections are important. Be a voter! #akleg
A study from King's College London shows that AI opts for nuclear threats or detonation in 95% of geopolitical conflict scenarios. Today I tried to ban AI from accessing nuclear infrastructure in Alaska -- my amendment failed since folks felt it didn't fit the bill, but I will keep trying. #akleg
Anchorage Vote Centers Open on Monday. If you haven’t received your ballot, please go vote in person.
Hours are:
Weekdays, March 31 – April 6, 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 4, 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Election Day, April 7, 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Map with locations in the thread 🧵 👇
The people of Anchorage rally for no kings!
The people of Anchorage rally for no kings! Pride flag flown upside down.
HB 308 lowers the legal limit for driving under the influence (DUI) from 0.08 BAC to 0.04 BAC. 0.04 BAC is the current federal limit for commercial drivers. Utah lowered their limit in 2018 to 0.05 BAC & saw a reduction in traffic fatalities in 2019. AK should do this. #akleg
Wil Courtney is a Political Reporter & Multimedia Journalist for KTUU Channel 2 Alaska’s News Source & host of the Political Pipeline podcast. This interview is part of our Alaska Media series. Listen wherever you listen to podcasts or here:
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e...
#akleg
Thank you, @matt.akmemo.com for reporting on this. Read the full story here: www.akmemo.com/delicate-bal...
SB 64, an elections bill, helps Alaska’s military community. It does not disenfranchise anyone, despite what critics say. #akleg
Estonia is a small country just south of Finland that has excelled as a democracy since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Estonia is one of the most digitally advanced countries in the world, and Alaska could learn much from them. #akleg #estonia #eesti
Sen. John Fredrickson of Nebraska is the guest on this week's East Anchorage Book Club Podcast. He discusses his state's unicameral, non-partisan legislature, being term limited, & being the 1st openly gay man elected in NE. Listen now: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s... #akleg @csgovts.bsky.social
Michele Girault, the Director of Hope Community Resources, & other members of the Key Coalition Alaska spoke with me today about issues impacting folks with disabilities. House Judiciary will hold a hearing on Alaska guardianship based on today's conversation. #akleg
This week I had the privilege of meeting with members of the Alaska Afterschool Network to discuss the vital role afterschool programs play in supporting our kids. These programs are essential to helping every child thrive. #akleg
Today, I met with Jena Crafton, Chair of the Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education, along with her mother, Kathleen. Jena has appeared on @EastAncBookClub. Her dedication & leadership is inspiring.
Listen to her episode here: www.buzzsprout.com/1875228/epis... #akleg
🚨 Ballots🗳️ should start being mailed out today for the #ANCgov Anchorage Municipal Election!
Reach out to friends and neighbors & encourage them to return their ballots ASAP. this helps groups who are contacting voters who have not yet voted to narrow their efforts. See endorsements below 👇 🧵
Rep. Jeremy Bynum (R-Ketchikan) discusses growing up in a strict Pentecostal home, difficulty being accepted as a Ketchikan newcomer, & the over-the-top political rhetoric in the Capitol (including being called a “terrorist” by another legislator #akleg): podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e...
Dr Ingrid Johnson explains the 70% number. She is a specialist in gender-based violence at University of Alaska Fairbanks.
