Fairbanks Legislative Office hosts town hall with Rep. Stapp and Sen. Kawasaki advocating for increased school funding
The Fairbanks Legislative Office held a public town hall on Saturday with Representative Will Stapp and Senator Scott Kawasaki, who traveled from Juneau to answer questions from attendees. The focus of the event was on education, and after the town hall, both Rep. Stapp and Sen. Kawasaki spoke to the media about House Bill 69, which aims to increase school funding.
Rep. Stapp emphasized the need for increased funding to address rising inflation costs, especially in areas with high energy costs like Fairbanks. Sen. Kawasaki, who attended school in Fairbanks, highlighted the importance of funding for students to pursue their passions, noting that budget cuts have led to reductions in programs like music education.
Governor Mike Dunleavy expressed support for additional school funding but raised concerns about the price tag and the lack of meaningful policy in current proposals. Despite these challenges, Sen. Kawasaki shared that he has received emails from students across the state advocating for increased funding, emphasizing the importance of investing in future leaders.
As discussions continue on how to address the funding gap for schools, both legislators and advocates are hopeful that policymakers will prioritize the needs of students and ensure they have the resources to succeed. The town hall provided a platform for community members to voice their concerns and push for meaningful change in education funding.
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Photo credit www.alaskasnewssource.com
