Senator Article Archive

This op-ed was originally published on April 23, 2025 in the Anchorage Daily News. Click here to see the original article.  Opinion: To Improve Alaska Education, We Need Reform and Sustainable Funding By Mike Cronk and Shelley Hughes The 34th Alaska Legislature has three schools of thought on public education. One supports a large funding increase…

Senator Shelly Hughes reveals that Anchorage School District has approximately $87 million in available funds ($41 million in HR overbudgeting and $46 million from previous allocations) while claiming they need to cut 360 positions. She discusses the political nature of the $1,000 Base Student Allocation (BSA) increase proposal and the need for education reform. Listen…

Hughes and Porcaro discuss the Senate Finance Committee’s decision to pass an education bill increasing the basic student allocation by $1,000 (from $5,960 to $6,960). Senator Shelly Hughes reveals that the Anchorage School District has $87 million in available funds, despite claiming financial difficulties. The bill is described as lacking implementation details or funding sources.…

Senator Shelley Hughes discusses the state’s $500 million budget shortfall and her proposed Sunset Commission, modeled after Texas’s successful program. Hughes explains how the commission could save money through systematic agency review and potential elimination of inefficient programs. The Mat-Su Senator then presents her new STEP (Student and Teacher’s Excel Package) bill, which would implement…

View the full PDF here:   For Immediate Release Mat-Su Delegation Supports State Medical Board Decision to Treat Children with Gender Dysphoria with Counseling, Psychological Care JUNEAU – The legislature’s Matanuska-Susitna Delegation stands with the Alaska State Medical Board in opposition to hormonal and surgical treatments for gender dysphoria in minors due to insufficient evidence…

Senator Shelley Hughes discusses the failed executive order to create a Department of Agriculture in Alaska. Then, the conversation transitions to coverage of Senate proceedings regarding government funding and tensions between Alaska and Canadian officials over trade and tourism. Listen to the full episode here. Senator Hughes’ interview begins at 38:55.

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Senator Hughes joins Michael Dukes at the top of the hour to discuss education, the new formula being proposed for the PFD, supporting public employees, and a quick meet-and-greet with the Mat-Su Delegation. Listen here for the full episode; Senator Hughes joins at 1:00:00

Radio Host Mike Porcaro is joined by Senator Shelley Hughes to discuss the roles of government, healthcare, education and budgeting for essential services. Listen to the full episode here; fast forward to 41:00 to listen to Senator Hughes.

Listen to as two political powerhouses talk Alaska politics — from education, to the budget, and a few things in between. The Amy Demboski Show featuring Senator Shelley Hughes can be found here.

Senator Kaufman discusses legislative challenges, particularly regarding education funding and reform. He emphasizes the need for compromise in politics and explains the difficulty of implementing reforms without additional funding. The senator also addresses concerns about Trump’s economic policies and their potential impact on Alaska’s development. Listen here.

Senator James Kaufman and host Mike Porcaro discuss SB 37, the Executive Budget Act, that puts the state on a better planning regimen. Later in the show they talk about having patience in the legislative process and the financial logistics of the education and benefits packages currently in motion. Listen to the full episode here…

Host Amy Demboski and Senator James Kaufman discuss government efficiency, a statewide spending cap, along with financing necessary government projects and functions. Click here to listen in; Senator Kaufman’s interview begins at 43:00.

A functional appropriation limit linking government spending to Alaska’s private-sector, productive economy. Click on the link below to view the full PDF:

Strategic planning, budgeting, execution, & reporting to help Alaska’s government improve performance and efficiency. Click the link below to view the full PDF.

Proposing a path to fiscal stability for Alaska with spending controls, budget reform, and Permanent Fund consolidation. Click the link below to view the full PDF

Senator Kaufman sits down with radio host Mike Porcaro to discuss education, the state budget, and working with the Senate Republican Team. Click here for more.

Senator Robb Myers discusses several important issues including the state’s economy, PFD (Permanent Fund Dividend) calculations (projected at $3,800 statutory amount, potentially reduced to $1,420 or less), occupational licensing reform, and the Baby Box Bill. Click here to listen to the full episode, or skip directly to the interview at 39:18.

Senator Myers discusses several bills he’s introduced, including legislation on conservatorship reform, a Jones Act waiver for LNG ships, and judicial retention reform. The conversation concludes with an extensive discussion about Alaska’s fiscal challenges, including a $1.5 billion deficit and concerns about sustainable government spending. Listen to the full episode here. Senator Myers’ interview begins…

Host Mike Porcaro and Senator Robb Myers discuss the education spending bill, boosting the private sector economy, and challenge the declining job numbers in the state. Listen to the full episode here, or skip to 43:05 for the full interview.

From CBS News:  Canada’s British Columbia is proposing a law that would allow the province to toll U.S. trucks using its roads to travel to Alaska. Alaska Republican State Sen. Robert Myers joins “The Daily Report” to discuss the impact. Watch the full interview here.

View the original article, initially published in the Alaska Watchman, here.   In the last several weeks, there have been a number of articles in this publication highlighting the fact that, though we elected a majority of Republicans in both bodies of the Alaska Legislature, we do not have Republican majorities in either the House…

Michael Dukes and Senator Myers get all fired up discussing a boost to the private sector, deficit numbers, the PFD and more. Click here to listen to the full interview; Senator Myers begins at 56:30.

North Pole Senator Rob Myers joins Amy Demboski to discuss the atmosphere of the legislature and how it is operating within the grand scheme of Alaska politics. The duo also converses on education and linking funding to policy outcomes, the state budget and answering the question, “how do we pay for that?” along with creating…

Senator Shower provides an in-depth analysis of Alaska’s financial situation, highlighting the decline in state savings from $30 billion in 2013 to under $6 billion currently. He expresses concerns about proposed education funding increases of $1,000 per student costing the state $257 million annually, along with potential issues with returning to a defined benefit retirement…

Senator Mike Shower provides detailed insights about education funding, university land management, and federal-state relations. Click here to listen in on the full episode, or to skip directly to the interview at 42:37.

View the full PDF here:   For Immediate Release Mat-Su Delegation Supports State Medical Board Decision to Treat Children with Gender Dysphoria with Counseling, Psychological Care JUNEAU – The legislature’s Matanuska-Susitna Delegation stands with the Alaska State Medical Board in opposition to hormonal and surgical treatments for gender dysphoria in minors due to insufficient evidence…

Senator Mike Shower discuss his eight years in the legislature and the twists and turns he has seen it take. Watch the interview here.

Senate Minority Leader Mike Shower and host Michael Dukes discuss the discal challenges facing Alaska including the state deficit, the impact of oil prices on state revenue, and creating sustainable spending within the state government. Listen to the full episode here, or fast-forward to 1:05:50 to skip directly to the interview.

The Senate Minority Leader talks about opening up Alaska and boosting the economy with radio host Dan Fagan. Click here to hear the full show; Senator Shower’s interview begins at 43:00.

Senate Minority Leader Mike Shower and radio host Michael Dukes discuss the economy, education, and more in Shower Hour. Click here to listen in.

Senator Yundt discusses education reform success in the Mat-Su, highlighting their above-average test scores and three new charter schools under construction. He emphasizes the importance of vocational training and discusses the potential $47+ billion Alaska gas pipeline project, suggesting its success may depend on Trump’s support as a national defense initiative. Listen here. 

View the full PDF here:   For Immediate Release Mat-Su Delegation Supports State Medical Board Decision to Treat Children with Gender Dysphoria with Counseling, Psychological Care JUNEAU – The legislature’s Matanuska-Susitna Delegation stands with the Alaska State Medical Board in opposition to hormonal and surgical treatments for gender dysphoria in minors due to insufficient evidence…

Capitol Views anchor Tim Bradner interviews Senator Yundt on his freshman year as a legislator, his prior political and professional experience, along with his community contributions. Watch the interview here.

Senator Rob Yundt discuss SB92, his proposal to alter the current tax structure for S-corporations in the oil and gas industry. Click here for the episode.

Senator Rob Yundt and Amy Demboski discuss the freshman senator’s policy proposals and their long-term affects on the state. Click here for the full episode, or skip to 42:00 to hear the senator’s interview.

Hear Senator Ron Yundt discuss his first bill as a freshman Senator, SB92. The senator joins the show at 43:00.

Senator Yundt is featured on the second hour (starting at 1:02:57) of the Michael Dukes Show. The duo discuss education at both the local and state levels along with the freshman senator’s start in the Capitol. Listen here!