Standing With Our Legislators in Juneau on August 2nd

As August 2nd nears, our legislators prepare to head to Juneau to debate overriding the governor’s line item veto of education funding — a veto that has already sent shockwaves through our schools, forcing educators to leave and dismantling the stability our students rely on.
The process that led to this veto was flawed. I personally submitted amendments and an entire bill to both majority and minority legislators that would have improved HB57 and likely prevented this crisis. Unfortunately, these efforts were overlooked, and political games have taken priority over sound policy.
What we are really witnessing is a power struggle with high stakes: one side seeking control over the Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) and pushing for increased state income taxes to fund greater spending, and the other side aiming to privatize education. In the middle of this tug-of-war, education funding has become a bargaining chip — leverage used at the expense of our children’s future.
Remember what happens next weekend. The entire purpose of this special session is for the governor to avoid having his veto overridden by using the $200 million in Base Student Allocation (BSA) funding as leverage to get what he wants. You will hear from the governor and his supporters about uncertain revenues and the need to tighten the budget and save money. But ask yourself: if the governor truly needed to save money, then why is he using education funding as bait in a political game? Why veto essential education dollars only to call a special session that requires more state funds to convene? Why veto funding for the very special session he then insists must happen? This contradictory behavior reveals that this isn’t about fiscal responsibility — it’s about political maneuvering, with our schools and students caught in the middle.
Our legislators are standing up to this reckless strategy. Their commitment is not just to politics but to protecting the stability and resources our students need to thrive.
Beyond education, this session will address other critical issues affecting families and workers across Alaska. Supporting our lawmakers means supporting leadership that puts Alaskans first — refusing to sacrifice our children’s education and stability for political leverage.
On August 2nd, our legislators are fighting for education, for stability, and for the future of our children. They deserve our full support as they stand firm on what truly matters.

​By Rick Morgan, President, Mat-Su Classified Employees Association (CEA) and ESP At-Large Director, NEA-Alaska Board of Directors