It’s time to make your voice heard and show your support for the university!

The House Finance Committee is hearing public testimony this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday and it’s critical that legislators hear your story about why the university matters to you, your family and friends, and our communities. If you’re wondering what to say, you can start by thanking legislators for their support of the University of Alaska.

Here’s where the university’s budget stands right now:

• During last week’s closeout hearing of the university’s budget subcommittee, an amendment sponsored by Rep. Adam Wool added $19 million to the university’s operating budget.
• �On Monday, subcommittee chair Rep. David Guttenberg presented that amendment to the full House Finance Committee, where it passed on a vote of 8-3 with bipartisan support.
• �The university’s FY19 operating budget currently stands at $336 million.

Testify either by going to your local Legislative Information Office (LIO) or by calling in during the time specified below. Find your LIO here: http://akleg.gov/lios.php. If you can’t make it to an LIO, you may call in during time allocated for the Off Net Sites – in Juneau, call 907-586-9085, in Anchorage, call 907-563-9085, and in all other locations, call 844-586-9085.

Thursday, March 1 :
1:00 – 3:00 p.m. – Homer, Kenai, Ketchikan, Kodiak, Mat-Su, Seward
3:15 – 4:45 p.m. – Utqiagvik, Dillingham, Fairbanks
4:15 – 4:45 p.m. – Off Net Sites

Friday, March 2 :
1:00 – 2:30 p.m. – Juneau
2:45 – 3:45 p.m. – Sitka, Petersburg, Delta Junction, Unalaska, Glennallen, Tok
4:00 – 5:00 p.m. – Bethel, Cordova, Kotzebue, Nome, Valdez, Wrangell
5:00 – 6:00 p.m. – Off Net Sites

Saturday, March 3 :
9:00 – 10:00 a.m. – Off Net Sites
10:15 – 11:45 a.m. – Anchorage
12:00 – 1:00 p.m. – Off Net Sites

Public testimony is limited to 2 minutes. Plan to sign in at your LIO or call 30 minutes prior to the end of each period, otherwise public testimony may close early. If you can’t make it to testify during one of those times, you can also email the House Finance Committee members at housefinance@akleg.gov.

When contacting legislators, avoid using university email or other resources, and do so on your own time, such as lunch time or after work.

Tips for advocates and a briefing sheet on our FY19 operating budget are available online at www.alaska.edu/state.

Thank you for all you do for the University of Alaska.

The classified section of the Statewide Voice can be used to sell, buy or trade household items, vehicles, computers, etc. It is also a great place to advertise fundraisers or events for sports teams, scout troops, churches and other organizations. No commercial advertising please. To list your classified ad or event listing contact Statewide Voice editor Monique Musick at mmusick@alaska.edu.