I’m holding town hall meetings on Friday, Feb. 28 at the Sportsman’s Club in Moose Pass from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., and on Saturday, March 1 at the Nikiski Rec Center from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly Chambers in Soldotna from 2 to 3:30 p.m. I hope you’ll stop by to share your questions and ideas.

Can’t make it? You’re welcome to call my office at 907-283-7996 or email me at Sen.Jesse.Bjorkman@akleg.gov.

We’ve had a big step forward on Kenai Peninsula road projects with the release of a draft second amendment to the Department of Transportation’s Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). The amendment includes the delayed phase 1b of the Cooper Landing Bypass (listed as Sterling Highway Milepost 45-60). Dirt work is slated to continue on the east side of the project this summer, moving the completion date up years sooner than the previously forecast 2032. The amendment also includes funds for an early work package for the Sterling Safety Corridor (Sterling Highway Milepost 82.5-94).

DOT is taking comments on the STIP Amendment No. 2, which includes these projects, through March 20. Visit dot.alaska.gov/stip and look on the right side of the webpage for the link to the 2024-2027 STIP Amendment No. 2 Dashboard to search on the map or by project name for Kenai Peninsula projects.

The Puppy Dog Lake Solar Farm project, which would have been a big change to the Nikiski landscape, is not moving forward. It is now delayed indefinitely due to concerns over economic feasibility as the developers and their financiers reassess their options.

Legislation in committee

The Alaska Board of Veterinary Examiners plays an important role for our state. The Board’s work ensures that veterinarians practicing in our state are qualified to provide great care of our family pets, sled dogs, livestock, and other domestic animals. My bill, S.B. 98, which would extend the Board to 2031, passed out of the Senate Labor and Commerce this week and will next be heard in the Senate Finance Committee.

Next week the Senate House and Social Services committee will hear Senate Bill 88, which I introduced to help address concerns that foster parents have shared with me and improve the outcomes for our kids in foster care. Studies show that every time a child is moved from one placement to another, there is an impact on the child, an effect that is magnified if the child is under 6. The bill’s first priority is to place children with family members more quickly. It creates a 30-day timeline with specific requirements regarding family searches. This will help minimize the number of placements a child may experience. S.B. 88 also provides the State with more latitude to make placement decisions that are in a kid’s best interest.

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.