If I wanted to travel from my hometown in Fairbanks to the State Capitol in Juneau, between Feb 26-March 10, to support a bill, talk to my legislators or testify in person, the cheapest rate on Alaska Airlines is $1,238 for a round trip ticket.
Add another $200 a day for an Airbnb and an additional $150 for the car rental, and I’m looking at $3,788 minimum in order to actively participate – in person – with regard to life changing, money exchanging decisions made in Juneau. That’s not including figuring out what to do with my daughter or the animals at home who rely on me each and every day.
What about those who have even more kids, or a husband who is in military and shipped out? How would they meet face-to-face to weigh in on a bill that directly affects their family? They can call-in and testify as a voice on the phone or by the mostly-ignored email system, or they can leave their family, dig into personal savings and show up in Juneau.
All the while, others with more money and fewer kids, or those with loads of support at home, will be flying to Juneau – in person – to lobby for their cause. The rest of us don’t stand a chance against that.
We could move the sessions – NOT the capital – onto the road system, which would open whole new world for Alaskans.
Let’s step away from the “ifs” and into reality.
Currently, we have a majority caucus – the Juneau mafia – that actually runs this state. Any legislator who steps out of line will have their reputations and political power destroyed, which ultimately silences the voices of everyone who voted for and supported those brave legislators.
We all know this to be true – let’s not pretend. We’re adults and we know that no matter who we elect or how good their intentions or whatever good-faith promises they make campaigning, this will all be squashed by the Juneau mafia if they don’t completely support their plan.
How then can citizens of Alaska break free from these chains and have a voice in our State Legislature? How can we help our representatives actually represent us? We can’t and they can’t, because it is too expensive and downright impossible for most Alaskans to show up in Juneau to personally stand up for ourselves or our elected representatives and senators.
The people we elect are thrown to the wolves without the aid of their constituents. Our legislators are influenced by the will of the people, and the “in-person” crowd is much louder and more effective than those left to testify by phone.
There is a solution, however. We could move the sessions – NOT the capital – onto the road system, which would open whole new world for Alaskans.
Plus, if legislators had the opportunity to serve during sessions held in Anchorage, Mat-Su, Willow, Kenai or Fairbanks, many more people might consider running for office. If mothers and fathers could represent the people of our state without flying away from their families for months at a time, it would be easier to serve.
Additionally, the mafia might begin to lose its power, while the people (not the caucus agenda) gain influence. Think of that. We could vote for a person who shares our values and, when they get into office, they could actually speak up for us with less fear of losing committees assignments and staffers.
ALASKA WATCHMAN DIRECT TO YOUR INBOX
As an added benefit, financially strapped students could attend public hearings and watch the votes.
This is a critical issue. Without the required travel money, rank-and-file Alaskans have no real voice – only disembodied telephonic or email testimony. In-person voices are always more impactful. In fact, 99% of communication is body language, facial expressions and the personal energy brought to the exchange.
Having legislative sessions on the road system would make such a difference, it would be unlike anything we’ve experienced in Alaska before.
By the way, Alaskans already voted to do this – twice – and still it hasn’t happened.
Where might these sessions take place? I can’t speak for every town, but I know Fairbanks and Anchorage have empty schools that would be perfect. They have rooms, a cafeteria and a gymnasium for the major floor votes. In Fairbanks, Gottschalks has been closed for years. That would be another great location for legislative sessions.
It ‘s time for a change.
The views expressed here are those of the author.
