Today’s episode of The Empty Office Podcast features a great conversation with two-term State Representative Ashley Carrick from Fairbanks. Before being elected to the State House, Ashley Carrick was a longtime legislative staffer. She is a proud graduate of the University of Alaska Fairbanks with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. In 2020, Rep. Carrick received a Master’s Degree in Public Health from the University of Alaska Anchorage.

The first part of today’s podcast episode includes a discussion about the compromise education package that passed the Alaska State Legislature on April 30 with broad bipartisan support. House Bill 57 passed the Senate by a vote of 17-3. The House concurred with the changes made to the bill by a vote of 31-8. The bill was sent to Governor Dunleavy on May 1. The bill is due back from the Governor by May 19. From the time he receives the bill, the Governor will have 15 days, excluding Sundays, to act on it, or it becomes law without his signature.

HB 57 includes a $700 increase to Alaska’s Base Student Allocation, which will result in an additional $14.3 million for Alaska’s growing correspondence programs in FY 2026. The bill also includes a 10% increase in funding for pupil transportation and requires each school district to adopt a policy regulating the use of cellphones during school hours. Other provisions in the bill include class size targets, Reading Proficiency Incentive Grants, and an innovative method for reporting student success.

House Bill 57 includes several provisions to build on the success of Alaska’s charter school system. The provisions seek to reduce the administrative burden on Alaska’s charter schools and improve the application process. The bill also authorizes the creation of the Task Force on Education Funding.

Another topic of conversation during today’s podcast episode was Governor Dunleavy’s veto in 2024 of legislation sponsored by Representative Carrick and strongly supported by Senator Tobin. House Bill 17 sought to require insurance companies to cover 12 months of contraceptive services in Alaska. During the conversation, both Senator Tobin and Representative Carrick note that access to a year's supply of birth control is essential in a state with limited access to pharmacies and health clinics.

“There is simply no justifiable reason to veto a bill that would ensure every person in Alaska, no matter where they live, has access to essential medication, like birth control. This veto is among a number of clear examples of how Governor Dunleavy continues to prioritize politics and power over the well-being of our communities, denying Alaskans the right to make the best medical decisions for themselves in consultation with their doctor." - Rep. Ashley Carrick, quoted by KTUU

The music for this episode of The Empty Office Podcast is the song “Link Track” from the band Fugazi.

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