Dear ASEA Members,
This Monday, on the very last day he could take action, Governor Dunleavy vetoed HB 78 to provide a defined benefit pension to public employees. He’s chosen to ignore the bipartisan support in the House and Senate and the voices of thousands of state employees, teachers, and public safety officers pressing the urgent need for this landmark legislation.
With the stroke of his pen, Governor Dunleavy has turned his back on public employees and the thousands of Alaskans who count on the delivery of public services every single day. He has chosen to allow our recruitment and retention crisis to continue, which will exacerbate the deterioration of our state services. Alaskans will go hungry when their SNAP benefits are late, roads are unmaintained, snow is not plowed, federal dollars are lost, all because of Governor Dunleavy’s decision.
While disheartening, this veto is by no means the end. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. This is the furthest we’ve ever gotten in the fight to restore pensions for public service. I am so proud of our membership, and the Alaska labor movement, in what we have accomplished this year. We are emboldened to press forward until public employees receive a pension for their public service.
Thank you to all those who called, testified, and stood in solidarity with us. We hope you’ll continue joining us in the fight next year.
In solidarity,
Heidi Drygas
Executive Director