Raising the age of consent protects 16- and 17-year-olds from predators. Big thanks to the 7 Senators who cross-sponsored my bill, HB 101 "Age of Consent," on the Senate floor today. #akleg

Landen Ryan, a senior at Service High School, & Madison Brewer, a sophomore at UAA, have experience in Alaska's foster system & tell their stories on the podcast. They visited the Capitol with Facing Foster Care in Alaska www.ffcalaska.org listen: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e... #akleg

2024 AK Teacher of the Year Catherine Walker teaches at Dimond High School. 2018 AK Teacher of the Year Ben Walker teaches at Romig Middle School. Both are in their 20th years, but this will be their last. Due to budget cuts in ASD, Ben & Cat are leaving. Listen: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e...

Just was a ripper of an op-ed. #alaskasky www.adn.com/opinions/202...

Sibling relationships are the longest lasting relationships humans have & often the most important: adoption from AK’s foster system legally ends those bonds. I’m fighting to correct this trauma. Big thanks to @alaskabeacon.com’s Corinne Smith for covering: alaskabeacon.com/2026/02/26/a...

Children from low-income households are more likely to enlist in the military; they deploy overseas where they are traumatized further; and then they return to Alaska where chances of incarceration are high. We absolutely need more therapeutic courts. #akleg

Sam Garcia of the Reentry Coalition testified in House Judiciary on the need for early support to keep children out of the justice system. Investment from birth to age 3 and beyond is crucial, yet Alaska continuously underinvests and falls short. #akleg

Yesterday, House Judiciary held a hearing on ICE deportations of children from Soldotna. Alison Flack testified about her kindergartener daughter losing her desk mate. "They had our boy." This is not OK. #akleg

The Executive Director of the Alaska Pharmacy Association is Dr. Brandy Seignemartin who is also a professor at the UAA/ISU Doctor of Pharmacy program in Anchorage. We discuss HB 195 which would grant AK pharmacists the ability to write Rxs. Listen: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e... #akleg

🧵 The House Judiciary's hearing on the recent detention of a Soldotna family, including a kindergartener, is underway. Chair Rep. Gray opens up, but lays out a history of immigration enforcement, noting that harsh deportations have happened under both Republican and Democratic presidents. #akleg

Last week a Soldotna mother and her children were taken into custody by I.C.E. This appears to be the 1st time that children have been detained in Alaska. The House Judiciary Committee will be holding an investigative hearing, today from 1-3 pm. Tune in: www.ktoo.org/video/gavel/... #akleg

Yesterday, U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan addressed the Alaska legislature in joint session. After his speech, he took questions, but there wasn't time for mine. The video shows what I would have asked. #akleg #alaska

House Judiciary will be holding a hearing on the detainment of children by ICE in AK on Monday Feb 23rd, 1-3pm. Immigration experts & ICE officials are invited to explain what is happening. Check out ADN report of a 5-year-old detained in Soldotna: www.adn.com/alaska-news/... #akleg

Clara Baldwin, the first deaf Fur Rondy Queen, has been a lifelong advocate for the rights of the deaf and hard of hearing community. She oversees the Alaska State School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Hear her story here: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/c...

UA President & Olympic gold medalist Pat Pitney has worked in the UA system for 34 years. In 2014, she became OMB Director under Bill Walker, overseeing state finances at a particularly turbulent time in our history. Listen here: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/p... #akleg

Alaska has the highest per capita population of military veterans in the US. Last night at the Joint Armed Services Committee, I drew attention to the Trump administration's unprecedented attempt to cut Sen. Mark Kelly's retirement pay. Listen to responses from attorneys Margaret Stock & Dan Mauer.

Today the AK House unanimously passed HB 110, making us one step closer to being the 31st state in the Social Worker Licensure Compact. The compact would allow licensed social workers to be able to practice across member state lines & bring more accessibility to Alaskans. #akleg

Long-time legislative staffer Buddy Whitt has worked for Sen. Shelley Hughes, Rep. Kevin McCabe, Rep. Laddie Shaw, & is current Chief of Staff for Rep. Jubilee Underwood. Hear his story here: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b... #akleg

Alaska signed on to an amicus brief for Trump v Barbara on Jan. 27, 2026 -- this case challenges birthright citizenship. Birthright citizenship has benefitted Alaska in profound ways. The 14th amendment is clear. It is humiliating that we have signed on. #akleg

The Anchorage School District faces a $90 million shortfall for next year. Our school board and superintendent are faced with the impossible task of balancing that budget. Place blame where blame is due: on the state and the consistent effort by Gov Dunleavy to underfund public education. #akleg

Catch up with my office's latest newsletter about the $90 million shortfall in ASD, the status of Alaska immigration, HB 101 (to raise the age of consent) to be heard in Senate Judiciary on Monday, and more! mailchi.mp/752dab7c4a08... #akleg

ASD faces a $90 million shortfall for next school year. To balance the budget, draconian cuts are likely. Listen to East Anchorage Book Club podcast with School Board President Carl Jacobs, East High teacher Janice Strickland, & Superintendent Jharrett Bryantt: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e...

Last summer an outdoor fire threatened my family's home. AFD Station 14 responded fast & put it out. Chief Doug Schrage is a hero redirecting the Anchorage Fire Dept. to respond to more outdoor fires than ever before. I thanked him, AFD, & station 14 on the floor today. #akleg

Former US Senator Mark Begich became the youngest person to serve on the Anchorage Assembly at age 26. In 2003 he became the first Anchorage Mayor who was born in Anchorage. Listen to his story on the East Anchorage Book Club podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/m... #akleg

As many Alaskans look on in horror at the actions of ICE in the Lower 48, many wonder, “What’s happening in Alaska?” I interviewed Anchorage immigration attorneys & others for this op-ed published in the @adndotcom today: www.adn.com/opinions/202...

Brian Fechter has spent more than 10 years working in finance for Alaska. We discuss his recent article in the Alaska Landmine entitled, "The Alaska Legislature could learn a lot from Washington and Idaho." Listen to the East Anchorage Book Club podcast: podcasts.apple.com/na/podcast/b... #akleg

The targeted arrest of former CNN News Anchor Don Lemon at the direction of Attorney General Pam Bondi should alarm all freedom-loving Americans. We must protect our media. I wrote an op-ed in @adn.com this month, “State of Alaska’s media: www.adn.com/opinions/202... #akleg

Ilhan Omar is an American hero. www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01...

Nicolas Olano has been practicing immigration law for 24 years. He discusses how his practice has changed during Trump’s 2nd term and how ICE has been functioning in Anchorage. Listen here: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/n... #akleg #immigrantsmakeamericagreat

Yesterday, VA nurse Alex Pretti was pepper sprayed, beaten, & then shot in the back of the head at point blank range by an ICE agent. We need a full investigation & those responsible for his murder be held accountable. Tonight I attended a vigil in Juneau with 100s of mourners. #akleg

I just spoke with the White House after another horrific shooting by federal agents this morning. Minnesota has had it. This is sickening. The President must end this operation. Pull the thousands of violent, untrained officers out of Minnesota. Now.

Alaska’s immigrant community is essential to our state’s economy and a vital part of our culture. I confronted the terror that ICE is raining down on our foreign-born Alaskans in a speech on the House floor today. #akleg

My thoughts on overriding Gov. Dunleavy's veto on Senate Bill 113. The vetoed bill was intended to apply the state’s corporate income tax to companies operating online. #akleg

So excited to welcome my new staff for the 2026 legislative session. My staff Rosie Caouette, Dylan Hitchcock-Lopez, Chief of Staff Kyle Johansen, and Intern Karley Thrun. #akleg

“Rep. Andrew Gray — chair of the House Judiciary Committee, which holds jurisdiction over the Alaska Court System — said news stories of criminal cases delayed for years “stab my heart.” The time it takes to resolve Alaska’s most serious felony cases is 3 years.” www.adn.com/politics/ala... #akleg

On East Anchorage Book Club Podcast, I speak with Bolts Magazine Journalist Alex Burness about his article, “Americans by Name, Punished for Believing it.”The story is an in-depth look at the 11 American Samoans facing charges of voter fraud in Whittier. Listen: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e...

With the news that 1,500 active duty Army soldiers in Alaska have been placed on prepare-to-deploy orders in case President Trump invokes the Insurrection Act in Minneapolis, I am making a statement as co-chair of Alaska's Joint Armed Services Committee. Immigrants matter. #akleg

Dr. Shauna Birdsall is a naturopathic doctor with over 25 years of experience in integrative oncology. She has practiced in the MatSu, Soldotna, & Anchorage.  Listen to the East Anchorage Book Club podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e... #akleg

Kirk Rose is CEO of the Anchorage Community Land Trust. ACLT started in Mountain View in 2003 & supports new housing, public spaces, & businesses. Kirk began as an intern at the organization 15 years ago & has never left. Listen to the East Anchorage Book Club: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e...

Do you need legal assistance & don’t know where to start or fear you can’t afford it? Get free legal advice from a lawyer at the Mountain View Community Center, Monday, Jan. 19 (MLK Day), 12-4 pm. #akleg #Anchorage

Debbie Corbett is an archeologist working in Alaska for 40 years. She & Diane Hanson recently published their essential textbook: “Culture and Archeology of the Ancestral Unangax/Aleut of the Aleutian Islands.” Listen: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e... #akleg #aleut

Dreaming of a better future for Alaska journalism; haunted by visions of the newsroom I gave years of my life to in ruins

I worked on this editorial for more than half a year. I hope it adequately captures the challenges of Alaska media. Big thanks to @adndotcom for publishing it. www.adn.com/opinions/202... #akleg #AlaskaHistory

Bill Hill is the former superintendent of Bristol Bay Borough School District. Raised in Kokhanok, his family moved to Naknek when he was in 10th grade. Bill made much of his career in education there. Listen to his story on the East Anchorage Book Club podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e...

Yesterday’s East Side Town Hall had a great turnout. Thanks to everyone who braved the weather to let your legislators know what you’re thinking before we head back to Juneau. #akleg

East Side Town Hall: Saturday January 10, 2-4pm at Russian Jack Chalet Join your #akleg East Anchorage legislators for conversation before we head to back to Juneau for session. @repmina.bsky.social @forrestdunbarak.bsky.social @wielechowski.bsky.social @lgtobin.bsky.social @donnamears.bsky.social

Harriet Drummond, 1st elected to the Anchorage School Board in 1994 where she served for 9 years, represented West Anchorage on the Assembly, leaving when she was elected to the AK State House in 2012 to represent midtown for 10 years. Listen: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e... #akleg #alaskahistory

Rural economic developer Elstun Lauesen lived in @tribelaw.bsky.social 's basement while at Harvard, then returned home to do important work in Western Alaska. He & wife Harriet Drummond have been the heart of the AK Democratic party for decades. #akleg Listen: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e...

Steve Williams is the director of Diversion Programming at the Anchorage Police Department. Diversion allows law enforcement to offer some offenders treatment instead of charges. Listen to the East Anchorage Book Club Podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e... #akleg

Anna Taylor is the director of the Alaska Institute for Justice, a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting immigrants’ rights. We discuss the fear of detainment & deportation her clients currently feel. Listen to East Anchorage Book Club Podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e... #akleg