[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_25":26},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5},"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","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_27":28,"_29":30},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[31,75,87],{"_32":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":73},"mediaId",6088825,"mediaKeyId","2879315-4397c17e2ecc3e7c2768dc0b8d4aa35f","parentId",2879315,"title","Senate Finance hears bill to add Asian American and Pacific Islander history to K–12 curriculum","audioSeconds",1023,"startMs",4285000,"endMs",5308000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2879315-4397c17e2ecc3e7c2768dc0b8d4aa35f&start=4285&end=5308","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2879315-4397c17e2ecc3e7c2768dc0b8d4aa35f/thumbnail_4285000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6088825/Alaska/Senate-Finance-hears-bill-to-add-Asian-American-and-Pacific-Islander-history-to-K12-curriculum","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6088825-d8498ce12fe6fa2e6e2691ecf3dc3a39/orig.mp4?Expires=1769633744&Signature=SZMCBAXRXaOwIczDTlUAH47bZoMUnBf3PYMwW7Z8NM54ChK6Q5vjbKtRND5qvXO5wnmUN72Vywk-GYiXtxuuo8Q4lVJ~GUa2A6I5F0tTviA7wgHFnJQ4XpOSRDl2IVpQZZnsL~jpGaTIIgb2RNBWezrzoRaih00N9eaJnMAPNEx19OgiRxZCKLAoOoHDDOvwlf-kqMjQkhjDVprYim51ALszRrhG4UB9GOXlsoH6yhjmFp42BnUidl-7oQGaqSPRJHjonZJ~AsO3P4NwDWLnj4KHCJxDKQiManSzjTc6HuRj78Aa3quStpVuUuyyzLGUmkH8~c~wyuY73~YEehVdeQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Alaska State Legislature","date","2025-04-04T00:00:00Z","article","Senator Aldie Gray Jackson told the Senate Finance Committee in April that Senate Bill 6 would require each school district to \"establish and provide to students in kindergarten through twelfth grade a program\" that integrates Asian American and Pacific Islander history and contributions into the K–12 curriculum. The sponsor said the change would give students \"a fuller, more comprehensive understanding and respect of the diverse cultures, histories, and contributions\" of AAPI people in Alaska and the nation.

The sponsor told the committee the bill now carries a zero fiscal impact after an education committee change and that DEED has a position that will assist with implementation. \"This bill now has a 0 fiscal impact after a small change in the education committee,\" the sponsor said.

Invited testimony came from Carol Dan, co‑director of Make Us Visible Alaska, who described the nonprofit's curricular resources and her own experience growing up Filipino American in Juneau and not learning Filipino American history in local schools until college. \"When students see themselves reflected in the curriculum, it fosters a sense of belonging,\" she said.

Public testimony included Ray Ward, a Juneau resident and taxpayer, who praised the bill and its sponsor and said the legislation helps recognize cultural contributions across the state. Committee members asked about which grades would receive instruction, whether other ethnic groups are already included in statute, and the potential burden to districts. Senator Gray Jackson and staff explained the statute language requires districts to establish programs for K–12 and that the term \"Asian American and Pacific Islander\" is broad and intended to address underrepresented groups; staff said the provision was not intended to exclude other groups.

The committee closed public testimony and set SB6 aside for further consideration; members did not take a final vote. DEED's fiscal note presented to the committee was a zero note (OMB component 2,796).

Why it matters: Supporters said adding AAPI history to K–12 instruction would promote representation, reduce bullying and bias, and help students from AAPI communities see themselves in the curriculum. The sponsor described the bill as part of a larger effort to improve diversity and historical integrity in classroom materials.

Next steps: Committee staff will continue review of the committee substitute language and coordinate with the sponsor's office and DEED on implementation and any needed technical changes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","04/04/2025 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE","oneSentenceSummary","Senator Aldie Gray Jackson told the Senate Finance Committee that Senate Bill 6 would require school districts to establish programs integrating Asian American and Pacific Islander history and contributions in K–12 classrooms.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature Alaska, Alaska","taxId",78559,"location","Alaska","headline","","shortSummary",{"_32":76,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":77,"_40":78,"_42":79,"_44":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6088830,"Committee hears bill to require personal finance instruction in high school",860,3400000,4260000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2879315-4397c17e2ecc3e7c2768dc0b8d4aa35f&start=3400&end=4260","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2879315-4397c17e2ecc3e7c2768dc0b8d4aa35f/thumbnail_3400000.jpg","/articles/6088830/Alaska/Committee-hears-bill-to-require-personal-finance-instruction-in-high-school","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6088830-aaddd85d199d25a1a7dbda734f1df271/orig.mp4?Expires=1769633744&Signature=MABJh9kRNr63h9SxglxMcfC-QQRp1pHbI5CmhACr1YuGUUA-7VW44RTV2QkKviLJBYKYzsrkA4AGUqWjg9ALWZhtAbuUucTOJf3qbN~kEifzR~uV1~srMsx27Dgf3F~2N6U~ZDaFsFOIgKkM5N6ERIlcvNz7xPacDh9pFntUGxBmjEyz1N0Yb5ExS-kA8RPt0IrXWuETn0sxCDe2THyQfG8bwuKQ0GEdrpFowD7AWfHeps7RYBdabCT1Ksxah4F-v~Gp8mWFj27hb1TiPwVyvokMVaHX03bTMYqXohgUsuSHXdWSvAC4vv4u3MxAleMaOZMM2D~JZiR7AlvF0uHNjA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Bill Wilkowsky, identifying himself as the sponsor and State Senator for East Anchorage, told the Senate Finance Committee in April that Senate Bill 22 would require instruction in personal finance in high school. The sponsor described the requirement as a \"half credit requirement\" that could be incorporated into other classes such as math or economics rather than requiring a standalone course.

Invited witnesses and stakeholders told the committee they supported the bill. Ross Goble, a board member of Junior Achievement of Alaska and speaking as a parent and business leader, said a recent Department of Education survey found that \"65 percent of high school graduates in our state feel unprepared to manage their personal finances.\" He urged the committee to adopt the bill to equip students with budgeting and money‑management skills.

Tim Sullivan, executive director of the Financial Reality Foundation, said the foundation runs realism fairs that reach about 2,000 students a year through roughly 50 fairs but that \"this 1 hour class is not nearly enough\" to teach what students need. Lauren McVay, CEO of True North Federal Credit Union and vice chair of the Alaska Credit Union League, told the committee \"High school is the right time\" to deliver basic financial skills and that students are more likely to learn if the instruction reaches them when they are receptive.

Katie Capozzi, president and CEO of the Alaska Chamber of Commerce, testified the Chamber supports making personal finance a graduation requirement and noted the bill includes free or low‑cost curricular resources and a delayed effective date to allow districts to prepare.

Senator Kiehl (committee member) reported a fiscal note from DEED (student and school achievement, OMB component 2,796) showing a one‑time FY2026 cost of $76,000 of unrestricted general funds. Sponsor Wilkowsky said he expected the fiscal note could be tightened because many resources are already available and might reduce implementation cost.

The committee took invited and public testimony and then set SB22 aside for further work; no final committee vote was taken.

Why it matters: Supporters cited low financial literacy indicators for Alaska students and adults, saying the requirement would provide uniform exposure to budgeting, loans, savings and other practical money skills at a time students are deciding on post‑secondary options and personal financial commitments.

Next steps: Committee staff will review fiscal assumptions and implementation details before the bill returns to committee for further action.","Senator Bill Wilkowsky told the Senate Finance Committee in April that Senate Bill 22 would require personal finance instruction for high school students, allowing the content to be incorporated into existing classes rather than forcing a standalone course.",{"_32":88,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":89,"_40":90,"_42":91,"_44":92,"_46":93,"_48":94,"_50":95,"_52":96,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":97,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":98,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6088835,"Senate Finance panel hears bill to expand REAA fund to cover Mount Edgecumbe maintenance and teacher housing",542,2876000,3418000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2879315-4397c17e2ecc3e7c2768dc0b8d4aa35f&start=2876&end=3418","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2879315-4397c17e2ecc3e7c2768dc0b8d4aa35f/thumbnail_2876000.jpg","/articles/6088835/Alaska/Senate-Finance-panel-hears-bill-to-expand-REAA-fund-to-cover-Mount-Edgecumbe-maintenance-and-teacher-housing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6088835-adb7ab13facd8e1b08bbe3e7447176dc/orig.mp4?Expires=1769633744&Signature=UHakIvFaGgiixrcrhfMgLQS6L1jGkQsbbvAeNrhu-g3kB~vA-3D4Bx77ASh7~zn7c3ewhISqSaV02l~mC9Ju238f6Mhe1W1qv3e1PgFd7mjH4kCYfh4cyydvlZNaK-LXuSiNGyOwG6WSQk1-WdcJHFgAYBSslOetC-V8vz~ma2Lxi4A7AJL-ZW~mD~gGmRi6iq2g4buQyJb57S-XwRomV3XoaWqAnRrqR5sxI9sFyOmgePPWzmE9W735y65UBWaFBNpzmmIPb1L5peglfKsY4GmfTm4PUmSUhU5TxLRgi6lE9E~yVNVrcSEerXWBjMQNnHrfN00lcEziRdjF7t6BZQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Liz Harpold, staff to Senator Olson, told the Alaska Senate Finance Committee in April that Senate Bill 146 would amend the Regional Education Attendance Area (REAA) Fund to \"include major maintenance and construction at Mount Edgecumbe High School and major maintenance for teacher housing in REAA or small municipal areas as allowable uses for this fund\" and would remove the $70,000,000 cap on the fund so balances would not lapse to the general fund.

The bill drew a series of committee comments emphasizing Mount Edgecumbe's unique maintenance and housing needs. Senator Gary Stedman said the school competes for funding along with other state facilities and lacks an advocate in the current funding structure, saying students there are \"kind of out there by themselves as a third wheel.\" He noted the school's dormitories date from around World War II and described cramped conditions he saw on a recent visit. \"The girls and boys dormitories were built in World War II,\" Stedman said, and refurbishments over time have not fully addressed the facilities' age.

Senator Kiehl (committee member) reviewed a fiscal note from the Department of Education and Early Development, School Finance and Facilities (OMB component 2,737). The fiscal note requests $313,300 of unrestricted general funds and two new full‑time positions in the first fiscal year, dropping to $297,300 in ongoing costs after startup. Committee members asked whether existing state programs or the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation might be able to help reduce staffing needs reported in the fiscal note.

The committee opened and closed a public hearing with no in‑room or online testimony and then set the bill aside pending further work on fiscal notes. Liz Harpold told the committee the bill had been introduced in a prior legislature as SB113 and had passed the Senate 18–0 before failing to advance in the House.

Why it matters: Mount Edgecumbe High School is administered under the REAA structure and has boarders and teacher housing tied to its operations; changes to allowable uses of the REAA Fund could change how the school's long‑deferred maintenance and housing needs are prioritized and funded.

Next steps: Committee staff said they will follow up on fiscal questions and return with tightened fiscal estimates before the committee takes final action.","Liz Harpold, staff to Senator Olson, told the Alaska Senate Finance Committee in April that Senate Bill 146 would amend the Regional Education Attendance Area (REAA) Fund to allow major maintenance and construction at Mount Edgecumbe High School and major maintenance for teacher housing and would remove a $70 million cap that could otherwise lapse to the general fund.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate Finance hears bill to add Asian American and Pacific Islander history to K–12 curriculum

Committee hears bill to require personal finance instruction in high school

Senate Finance panel hears bill to expand REAA fund to cover Mount Edgecumbe maintenance and teacher housing