Public Testimony on the BSA and Budgets
Show Your Support for an Increase to the Base Student Allocation!
The House Education Committee is asking to hear from the public on House Bill 65, which would increase the Base Student Allocation (BSA) by $1,250 per student. Funding for Alaska's K-12 education system has not kept up with inflation, leaving school districts to make tough decisions as fixed costs rise.
Call in to show your support- details in the graphic at right. Remember to keep your testimony under 2 minutes.
You can also send written testimony to the bill sponsor, Rep.Dan.Ortiz@AKLeg.gov or the House Education Chair, Rep.Justin.Ruffridge@akleg.gov
Budget Testimony
Also, this week (starting TODAY), the House Finance Committee will be hearing public testimony on the Fiscal Year 2024 state operating and mental health budgets (HB39 & HB41).
Here’s how to raise your voice to help ensure children, youth, and families are considered a priority:
How to Testify
By Phone:
Time limit = 2 minutes! (time yourself & keep it short)
Please call in 30 minutes before the end, or public testimony may close early
Hang up after testifying to keep lines open for others (continue to watch HERE)
Call-In Numbers:
Juneau Callers: 907-586-9085
Anchorage Callers: 907-563-9085
All Other Callers (toll-free): 844-586-9085
In Writing:
Email written testimony to housefinance@akleg.gov
When to Testify
Tuesday, March 21 *TODAY*
1:30 – 3:30PM: Sitka, Petersburg, Dillingham, Glenallen, Valdez, Wrangell, Homer, Ketchikan, Kodiak, Seward, Tok
5:00 – 8:-00PM: Juneau & Offnets*
Wednesday, March 22
2:30 – 4:30PM: Fairbanks, Delta Junction, Kenai, Bethel, Cordova, Kotzebue, Nome, Utqiagvik
5:00 – 8:00PM: Anchorage, Matanuska Susitna Valley, & Offnets*
Thursday, March 23
3:00 – 5:00PM: Offnets*
*Offnets = all communities not specifically listed elsewhere
Budget Highlights
While there are many items in this year’s budget we support (and we can always do more), here are ACT’s top items of interest related to children, youth, and families. Some are already in this version of the budget (and we want to keep it that way), and some priorities need to be added.
Check out this list, see what motivates you, and let the legislature know they should invest in Alaska’s kids!
*We strongly encourage putting testimony in your own words – it means so much more*
New Budget Items ACT Wants to Protect
1) Staff & Technology Support for Division of Public Assistance: For years, backlogs have plagued the Medicaid system, and now these same issues have impacted SNAP (foot stamp) distribution. For months, Alaskan children and families have been going hungry. Some are stuck in critical care as they wait for their overdue Medicaid applications to be processed. Backlogs as a result of outdated technology and understaffing must end. The state also must be prepared for the Medicaid Redeterminations process, with 263,000 Medicaid applications requiring review over the next year. We fully support the Governor’s requests to fund more IT staff, contract support, temp staff, and software upgrades for the Division of Public Assistance.
2) Best Beginnings – Imagination Library: Early literacy is important! We appreciate the added commitment by the House to add $320,000 for the Best Beginning’s Dolly Parton Imagination Library program. This program provides young children and families with books and education for parent and caregivers about the importance of reading and speaking with children. We support this investment that would double its impact across Alaska.
3) Pre-K Grants: Per the 2022 national KIDS COUNT, Alaska ranks 49th out of 50 states for education. Consistently, only one third of Alaska’s children are showing up ready for kindergarten. We support the Governor’s budget which includes funding for Pre-Kindergarten grants (including the first year of the Alaska Reads Act) to help ensure more of Alaska’s kids are kindergarten-ready. High quality preschool is proven to increase educational outcomes and reduce future costs to the state.
Budget Items ACT Would Like to See Added
1) Parents As Teachers: Parents as Teachers is an evidenced-based model that provides comprehensive parent education and a variety of services to families with children from prenatal through kindergarten. Not only does Parents As Teachers improve child development and school readiness – it’s also proven highly successful in the prevention of child abuse and neglect. As a state with one of the highest per capita rates of child abuse and neglect in the country, Alaska cannot afford not to invest in this program. We fully support an increase of at least $250,000 to meet the current program’s current waitlist needs.
2) Head Start: Early education is one of the smartest investments Alaska can make. Head Start and Early Head Start programs provide extremely high-quality services to children age 0-5 with the greatest need, ensuring they are prepared for success in school and life. Federal dollars support the majority of Head Start, but Alaska needs to meet our 20% state match requirement. We support a $5 million increase to fulfill our obligation and serve even more of Alaska’s children.
3) Child Care: Federal relief dollars have helped to stabilize Alaska’s child care system, keeping child care doors open. However, the final phase of the Child Care Stabilization Grant ends in March 2023. We support a one-time $30 million investment to continue support for families, early educators, and programs as other steps are put in place to help stabilize the child care sector long-term.
4) K-12 Education: Despite inflation and the rising costs of education, the Base Student Allocation (BSA) has not seen an increase since 2017. This has left school districts to make tough decisions, and our children and families facing large classrooms sizes, teacher turnover, lack of programming, lack of school counselors, and more. We strongly encourage the House to consider an increase to the Base Student Allocation (BSA) of at least $1,250 per student.
This is not a complete list of budget items, so if you have questions about testifying or would like more information, please contact me!
Brooke Ivy
Vice President of Policy & Advocacy,
(907) 248-7375
Thank you for advocating for Alaska’s kids!