[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6127326,"mediaKeyId","2663733-63f8b46d37e9aaa9982d687aaf8a343d","parentId",2663733,"title","House Education Committee advances teacher loan‑repayment pilot (HB28) after split roll call, 4‑3","audioSeconds",701,"startMs",6577000,"endMs",7278000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2663733-63f8b46d37e9aaa9982d687aaf8a343d&start=6577&end=7278","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2663733-63f8b46d37e9aaa9982d687aaf8a343d/thumbnail_6577000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6127326/Alaska/House-Education-Committee-advances-teacher-loanrepayment-pilot-HB28-after-split-roll-call-43","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6127326-6d1585828086e6d71e6d576d71a068b6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445430&Signature=obmVKbpXXNEe2BqC3q8BJgOviCDvdgvMZl-z7tfqQIh6DbbsBiuSJHdfBoTQ4nAgYgaHKL4qyGFWBUIZttxBgQ~TIbN1Zaf7ORrjDEnQwTFUIXM7993fAB8Kz84Qbg59xsqvElLDD~tlcA07GiK1K7UpAPO1rh8OLZIFzVs~4SYJhSOVDufOxh6ZQDMHFqOb19A44sQH-c3TJW~6c8xK0cg9TO9YjlvElVo39J85-XgxOdU3245UzPeJA0MmWgAcCeUEZgRGFWzCFmWxNhc2ZM7c2g5vEgY9W1F-FxNcdD9r-V5ea3HBAicZKbyA-8d3SbK4Bl9Qk~hSoIrI0YxPzg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Alaska State Legislature","date","2025-03-17T00:00:00Z","article","House Bill 28, a measure to create or reactivate a teacher and state‑employee loan repayment program, was moved out of the House Education Committee on March 17 after a 4‑3 roll‑call vote. The vote followed an objection, floor discussion of funding sources and a debate about program design and sustainability.

Nut graf: Sponsor Representative Andy Story moved HB28 as a loan‑repayment pilot designed to recruit and retain educators and other public employees. Opponents argued the proposed funding source—the Higher Education Investment Fund—was not an appropriate or sustainable use of the account; supporters said a modest pilot would be a prudent, innovative use of the fund.

Representative Story moved the bill and described it as an innovative pilot to bring educators and state employees to Alaska and encourage them to stay. Representative Schwanke (objecting) and others said the Higher Education Investment Fund should remain dedicated primarily to scholarships (Alaska Performance Scholarship) and related higher‑education investments; Schwanke said the fund’s sustainability was a concern and preferred alternative loan‑repayment models that emphasize retention past multi‑year milestones.

Representative Story replied that similar repayment programs had produced positive returns in other contexts and that this bill uses a repayment (not forgiveness) mechanism that avoids the administrative and default risks that had earlier troubled other state programs. Representative Underwood asked staff to gather additional data on past programs; Story noted the bill’s design differs from earlier loan forgiveness programs and argued it could be run as a $1 million‑per‑year pilot spread across multiple years.

A roll call was requested and recorded. Members voted as follows: Representative Eisheid — yes; Representative Underwood — no; Representative Schwanke — no; Representative Elam — no; Representative Deibert — yes; Co‑chair Andy Story — yes; Co‑chair Himshoo — yes. The tally: 4 yeas, 3 nays; the bill was advanced from committee.

Ending: The committee clerk posted the committee vote and concluded the hearing; the bill will proceed in the legislative process with the committee record reflecting the divided vote and objections.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","03/17/2025 08:00 AM House EDUCATION","oneSentenceSummary","House Bill 28, a measure to create or reactivate a teacher and state‑employee loan repayment program, was moved out of the House Education Committee on March 17 after a 4‑3 roll‑call vote.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature Alaska, Alaska","taxId",78559,"location","Alaska","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6127331,"Committee takes public testimony, fiscal estimate on HB105 to add mental‑health education to K‑12 health standards",696,5786000,6482000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2663733-63f8b46d37e9aaa9982d687aaf8a343d&start=5786&end=6482","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2663733-63f8b46d37e9aaa9982d687aaf8a343d/thumbnail_5786000.jpg","/articles/6127331/Alaska/Committee-takes-public-testimony-fiscal-estimate-on-HB105-to-add-mentalhealth-education-to-K12-health-standards","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6127331-f0bdd7368d79d57b2bd4685c4f36a1b0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445430&Signature=H5uyyyAWV91KzMmrECmbXOReJkQJOuA75LUkWYwyPOy8X9l5xP~LuXiPug7royMs8MXrQ48k6uj-1vUzYuI0xl8Ea1AAjOQTwTQwprNcOOEccuI6ycpP5He5j2sp0XmPCICaknwPDEuTgoWVxtS9VVjoRjvaIp4KoXWkQw1bHbIIZ9X1pdxeDYSAeIX9dw-0gmK2eulyiFoEirBZodpjrj8OI9~brK9vfA6bWSdS9Vfr~X8U8kkhtfMOZoL3GETzw-mgzB8rfSmIofx4ffOJnmQDpuEfOB~2sqp4LV2iHTQGFff2tXl-Gna5ikZubBzyBQrLF2ivCmgzpY7mUIixBA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 105, which would require the Department of Education and Early Development to include mental‑health content in kindergarten through 12th‑grade health education guidelines, drew public testimony and a department fiscal estimate during the March 17 House Education Committee hearing.

Nut graf: Supporters said adding mental‑health education could reduce stigma and help identify students who need services; opponents urged a broader, holistic curriculum and cautioned against an approach focused on psychiatric diagnosis and medication. The department provided a first‑year fiscal estimate and the committee set an amendment deadline as the bill moves forward.

Multiple witnesses testified in support. Caroline Storm (vice chair, Alaska Eating Disorders Alliance, testifying personally) said eating disorders are mental illnesses with high suicide risk and argued early education could enable intervention. Trevor Storrs (president and CEO, Alaska Children’s Trust) testified the bill “supports schools who choose to include mental wellness as part of their health education curriculum” and pointed to Kids Count data showing increases in students reporting persistent sadness and suicide planning. Adrian Richardson (pastor and president of a post‑secondary scholarship/prep program, testifying personally) said integrating mental‑health supports into schools could help identify students and connect families to services.

The committee also heard an alternative perspective from Kathleen Wiedemeyer (Citizens Commission on Human Rights). Wiedemeyer urged a broader, “holistic” curriculum that would include non‑psychiatric providers and information about medical and nutritional causes of distress; she asked the committee to require a more inclusive group of experts in any guideline process.

Kelly Manning, deputy director for the Department of Education’s Division of Innovation and Education Excellence, presented a fiscal estimate tied to the bill’s implementation tasks. The department estimated a first‑year cost of $216,000 to update standards and convene a guideline‑writing committee. Manning’s breakdown included $120,000 in convening expenses, $30,000 for a facilitator, $6,000 for regulation‑change work, and $50,000 for committee member stipends. The department characterized the convening cost as a standard estimate for a work group charged with updating standards and meeting the bill’s reporting requirements in year one.

Representative Galvin, sponsor of HB105, received no committee questions that required the bill to be held for additional immediate action; the committee set an amendment deadline of Thursday, March 30 at 3 p.m.

Ending: HB105 will advance through the committee process with an amendment deadline; the department and sponsor offered follow‑up materials to support drafting and potential amendments.","House Bill 105 would direct the Department of Education to update K‑12 health education to include mental‑health learning objectives; the committee heard supportive testimony and a department fiscal estimate of $216,000 for first‑year convening and guideline work.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6127336,"Karen Perdue defends long service, oversight priorities as she seeks reappointment to University of Alaska Board of Regents",1104,3385000,4489000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2663733-63f8b46d37e9aaa9982d687aaf8a343d&start=3385&end=4489","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2663733-63f8b46d37e9aaa9982d687aaf8a343d/thumbnail_3385000.jpg","/articles/6127336/Alaska/Karen-Perdue-defends-long-service-oversight-priorities-as-she-seeks-reappointment-to-University-of-Alaska-Board-of-Regents","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6127336-c730a493c7fd4b8aa0055d7df06d2c9e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445430&Signature=a6G~az6igxdDgyUWZ8mkMaCEEZ~2yeITsW4Nz141GJWI3UiR30F5ixXgLCrJgoH3sjCLU6G1p2UkcGf90x4KRT6OMgrMcAWp8E9K7D9jWmGXnrBdKQWJAKYDQrM4NqNJPeXOZG-2KWnfq5-z2BZu3sExVoACpk1uvGxdK8fcNgENGYsA9qUL5xoMN49erI3d0f6jcKwYd83S2nnMgBvcDWyjwXhyC5sMG4450virgRAyWU31Lec0bZQ07KuX7dO10TwrmOOOo48z6L2GnowZSgwEVubpbsoF8cbfbzt1HiEP7EGVbCdJhiW4Fe6IIzLbpd88PzCvNuvSNxTzmj14qA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Karen Perdue, a Fairbanks resident and former commissioner of health and social services, told the House Education Committee on March 17 she seeks reappointment to the University of Alaska Board of Regents and described roughly 18 years of prior university service in administrative and regent roles. Perdue said she has prioritized program stability, enrollment growth and workforce development during her regent tenure.

Nut graf: Perdue framed the university’s near‑term priorities as boosting enrollment, strengthening research investment and shoring up teacher education and student support. Committee members asked about developmental course completion, dual enrollment and the Board’s February action to remove DEI language; Perdue said she will seek open communication with students and faculty and said the university must “maximize opportunities where the work aligns and minimize risks” tied to uncertain federal funding.

Perdue noted she has worked on academic programs in health care, helped expand a multi‑site distance‑delivered nursing program and said UAF’s Alaska Center for Energy and Power and other research units were strategic assets. She told the committee the university had awarded roughly 46,000 degrees and certificates during her time working with UA and said recent enrollment growth was “the first time in a decade or more.”

Representative Schwanke raised concerns about students’ readiness for 100‑level courses and the role of developmental education; Perdue said dual‑enrollment programs now serve about 4,000 students and that academics have devoted significant attention to preparatory courses and retention, and she offered to provide data on trends.

On the Board’s February action to remove DEI language, Perdue said she missed that particular meeting but that most motions are posted about a week ahead and public testimony is generally taken for agenda items. She said some actions have been treated by the board as emergent and that she believes board members acted out of fiduciary concern to protect the university’s funding. Several committee members requested follow‑up about whether that specific motion had been posted and whether public testimony had been taken.

Public testimony included endorsements from University of Alaska alumni and community leaders. John Davies (former regent and former legislator) praised Perdue’s preparedness and governance work; Jomo Stewart, president of the Fairbanks Economic Development Corporation (testifying personally), highlighted Perdue’s health‑care background and value to workforce and program development. Phil Moser testified online opposing confirmations of the governor’s nominees in light of the board’s DEI decision and raised concerns about the university’s equity office and student safety; his remarks were recorded as opposition to the nominations.

Ending: The committee recorded that it had held public testimony on Perdue’s appointment under AS 39.05.080 and completed paperwork; no confirmation vote was recorded during this hearing.","Karen Perdue (Regent Perdue) described her prior decade on the Board of Regents, health‑care and university administration experience, and emphasized stability, recruitment and teacher education; public testimony largely supported reappointment though at least one speaker opposed confirmations citing recent DEI changes.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6127341,"Christine Ressler, ASRC Energy CEO and adjunct instructor, hears committee questions as she seeks University of Alaska Board of Regents seat",2742,621000,3363000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2663733-63f8b46d37e9aaa9982d687aaf8a343d&start=621&end=3363","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2663733-63f8b46d37e9aaa9982d687aaf8a343d/thumbnail_621000.jpg","/articles/6127341/Alaska/Christine-Ressler-ASRC-Energy-CEO-and-adjunct-instructor-hears-committee-questions-as-she-seeks-University-of-Alaska-Board-of-Regents-seat","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6127341-19f5cf560b21e335e6fc66caa60b706c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445430&Signature=KZ3Yg9BkMHlr05RsJrzEr2x14kJLhlIAurCCNtX57vpB31Pvibgw2VxrC1r-3TLgOd46sYNvNlRIaHMW6FCuLXaETCzpbbwK5zW4gKOcqJ9kIM5PBP3Eej~sVyfWBuNurQgN8C165MUFlakBUt6rSB~sQKfz6HZXVaRIrez214Jfp-oTCMAMGi04Cr1YtoO5uS5dSDRTU86HkugI9YJMYSHjBZUF2v3dZF5wffp1H4CHh8tZwETwbyLdWTI1GkZ1qPNpWq9u40P5aJNXAz-JY5OnbcbrpvBar4yfcELtDpoaE~UXK9ik6pNzhjTQ~~NV3yMkO9GEQgAGezGnKhnzZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Christine (Christy) Ressler, CEO of ASRC Energy Services and an adjunct instructor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, presented her background to the House Education Committee on March 17 as a nominee to the University of Alaska Board of Regents. She described a career that blends industry leadership and classroom teaching and said she wants the university to “prepare students and provide opportunities for the jobs of today and the economy of the future.”

Nut graf: The committee heard detailed testimony about Ressler’s industry and teaching experience, asked whether she supported a recent Board of Regents decision to remove references to diversity, equity and inclusion from system language, and took public testimony from multiple supporters and one speaker who opposed confirmations given recent board actions. The session also included committee-level questions about federal funding, recruitment and workforce pipelines.

Ressler said she has led ASRC Energy Services since 2018, described previous teaching at the University of Houston and Alaska Pacific University, and noted she began teaching innovation classes at UAF in 2023. She highlighted industry–university partnerships she helped run and said she was inducted into an innovation hall of fame in 2024. “I’m hopeful my input to the board helps prepare students and provides opportunities for the jobs of today,” she told the committee.

Committee members pressed Ressler on several topics. Co‑chair Andy Story asked about federal funding to the university system; Ressler said she was “just getting my feet wet” on the finance committee but that the current budget included about $200 million in federal dollars and that the federal outlook was uncertain. Representative Schwanke asked how industry could support programs such as the Alaska Native Science & Engineering Program (ANSEP) and process‑tech training; Ressler said she expects industry support and pointed to process tech programs supplying skilled workers for the North Slope and Kenai region.

On the Board of Regents’ recent action to remove DEI language, Ressler described the vote as “a difficult decision” taken under a tight deadline and said the board weighed potential financial consequences. She told the committee she believed the university remained “open” and that programs supporting native studies had continued. “If I had to do that vote over again, I would vote the same way,” she said.

Public testimony was strongly supportive. Shelley Cordova (executive vice president and general counsel, Arctic Slope Regional Corporation, testifying in a personal capacity) said Ressler “cares deeply about Alaska, our community, and education.” Multiple former students, colleagues and local leaders—Liam Sault, Mary Kay Hughes, Lori Davey, Gabriel Lau and Adam Lau—described Ressler’s classroom work and mentorship and urged confirmation. One online speaker, Phil Moser, testified against confirming the governor’s nominees in light of recent board actions on DEI and alleged problems with the Office of Equity and Compliance; his testimony raised concerns about campus safety and process and opposed the confirmations on that basis.

The committee opened but did not conclude any confirmation vote during the hearing; staff completed committee paperwork and noted the committee had held public testimony on the nominees in accordance with AS 39.05.080. The committee also heard public testimony on the State Board of Education nominees and on two bills later in the session.

Ending: The committee will complete paperwork and move through additional agenda items in later sessions; no final confirmation vote for Ressler was recorded in this hearing.","Christine (Christy) Ressler described a career at ASRC Energy Services and adjunct teaching at University of Alaska campuses and answered committee questions about federal funding, recruitment and a recent Board decision on DEI language; multiple industry and university colleagues testified in support.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

House Education Committee advances teacher loan‑repayment pilot (HB28) after split roll call, 4‑3

Committee takes public testimony, fiscal estimate on HB105 to add mental‑health education to K‑12 health standards

Karen Perdue defends long service, oversight priorities as she seeks reappointment to University of Alaska Board of Regents

Christine Ressler, ASRC Energy CEO and adjunct instructor, hears committee questions as she seeks University of Alaska Board of Regents seat