2025 AK Legislative Scorecard

SB95 modifies the state's childcare assistance program by raising the income eligibility threshold to 105% of the state's median household income, introducing a sliding fee scale that caps family contributions at no more than 7% of monthly income, and requiring grant-receiving providers to reserve at least 15% of subsidized slots for assisted children. The bill also supports "high-quality providers" through grants, and encourages employer involvement via tax credits for childcare expenses.

The Alaska State Senate passed SB95 on May 5, 2025 by a vote of 16 to 3. We have assigned pluses to the nays because, rather than promoting personal responsibility and a limited government role in the economy, SB95 expands the state's childcare assistance program through taxpayer-funded subsidies, grants, and tax credits that prop up a specific industry. By raising the income eligibility threshold, capping family contributions, and requiring providers to reserve subsidized slots, the bill further expands government welfare and distorts the market. A truly free and constitutional system would allow the private sector to respond to childcare needs without state interference or redistribution schemes that pick winners and losers.

HJR11 recognizes and honors the relationship between Alaska and Canada, emphasizing their shared economic, transportation, tourism, cultural, and security ties and urging continued strong cooperation between Alaska, Canada, and related partners.

The Alaska State Senate passed HJR11 on May 5, 2025 by a vote of 13 to 6. We have assigned pluses to the nays because resolutions promoting closer ties with foreign governments can blur the lines of state and national sovereignty and encourage regional integration at the expense of constitutional government. Article I of the U.S. Constitution gives Congress the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations and restricts states from entering into agreements with foreign powers without congressional consent. The United States should pursue an America First policy that protects national independence rather than advances cross-border political and economic integration.

SB53 is the primary operating-budget bill for FY2026, authorizing approximately $9.4 billion in total spending across all funds—including the Unrestricted General Fund (UGF), federal receipts, and other state sources—for state government operations, loan programs, supplemental appropriations, and related items such as education, healthcare (including Medicaid), corrections, infrastructure, and a $1,000 Permanent Fund Dividend. It creates significant structural deficits, drains state savings, and massive increases for K-12 education.

The Alaska State Senate passed SB53 on May 7, 2025 by a vote of 16 to 4. We have assigned pluses to the nays because this budget continues to fund programs that fall outside the proper role of government, especially in education. It also commits taxpayers to a level of spending that is fiscally irresponsible and unsustainable. Such appropriations expand government; undermine limited, constitutional government; and place a heavier burden on Alaskans.

SB83 would change Alaska's telehealth laws by requiring health insurers to cover certain telehealth services and setting reimbursement rules for those services, including payment-rate standards.

The Alaska State Senate passed SB83 on May 7, 2025 by a vote of 14 to 6. We have assigned pluses to the nays because this bill expands government control over health insurance by mandating coverage for certain telehealth services and imposing reimbursement rules, including payment-rate standards. Rather than allowing competition and the free market to determine coverage and pricing, it gives the state greater power to regulate private insurance. Such interference increases bureaucracy, raises costs, and extends government into an area that lies outside of its proper role.

SJR15 called on Alaska's congressional delegation to oppose cuts to federal Medicaid spending, warning that reductions would threaten healthcare access across the state, especially for low-income residents, seniors, people with disabilities, and rural communities that rely heavily on Medicaid-supported providers and services.

The Alaska State Senate passed SJR15 on May 19, 2025 by a vote of 14 to 6. We have assigned pluses to the nays because neither healthcare nor social welfare is the legitimate object of government. Medicaid, as with many other "entitlement programs," discriminatorily and unjustly provides "eligible" low-income persons, who have little or no tax liability, with government funds at the expense of other hard-working citizens. Alaska must reject the use of taxpayer dollars for this ever-expanding and unsustainable federal-state program that is not authorized under Article 1, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution.