I will be back on the Kenai Peninsula next weekend with a town hall in Cooper Landing on Friday, March 28, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Cooper Landing Community Hall at 18511 Bean Creek Road. On Saturday, March 29, I will be joined by Reps. Justin Ruffridge and Bill Elam for a Joint Town Hall from 10 a.m. to noon at the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly Chambers at 144 N. Binkley Street in Soldotna.

It was another busy week in the Capitol. Both U.S. senators gave their annual updates, the Legislature voted down the creation of the Department of Agriculture, and the education omnibus bill, House Bill 69, was heard in the Senate Education Committee.

This week my Senate Labor and Commerce Committee heard a presentation from the University of Alaska Anchorage on all of the options that they provide for workforce development. This hearing was jam-packed with usable information for folks who want to learn more about what UAA has to offer. Currently, I am working to expand opportunities for plumbing and electrical education at AVTEC by using unallocated State Training and Employment Program grant funds instead of our limited general fund dollars.

On Wednesday, the Labor and Commerce Committee heard two very important insurance reform bills. Senate Bill 132 is designed to modernize and streamline Alaska’s insurance regulations and Senate Bill 133 would make sure that people who need medical care don’t need to wait ridiculous amounts of time for health insurance companies to approve standard treatment plans from reputable providers. As chairman, I am able to introduce bills on behalf of the committee. My staff and I are responsible for drafting and carrying these bills through the process.

My bill, Senate Bill 35, also had a hearing this week in the Senate State Affairs Committee. Instacart, Door Dash and other delivery apps provide additional income and at-your-doorstep convenience for many on the Kenai. When customers are too busy or unable to go out, delivery services help get meals, groceries and other goods to the folks who need them.

Drivers for these delivery services appreciate the opportunity to work for themselves, setting their own hours and choosing which assignments to accept, working as little or as much as they want to.

I introduced Senate Bill 35 to make it clear that these drivers are independent contractors, preventing the sort of bureaucratic overregulation that could bring an end to the operations of these services in Alaska. Uber and Lyft drivers are classified as independent contractors in Alaska State Law, and services like Instacart and Door Dash should be as well.

I am honored to be your state senator and I want to hear from you. You’re welcome to call my office at 907-283-7996 or email me at Sen.Jesse.Bjorkman@akleg.gov. I hope you’ll take the time to share your questions and ideas.