Since 2020, I have served in the Legislature with a clear and positive vision. Business, not government, is the backbone of our prosperity. To enable commerce and improve the condition of our people, we need to become much more efficient and effective in the delivery of core services.
So, did I "Walk my Talk"? In short, Yes! Here's what I have done in the last four years:
Since 2020, I have served in the Legislature with a clear and positive vision. Business, not government, is the backbone of our prosperity. To enable commerce and improve the condition of our people, we need to become much more efficient and effective in the delivery of core services.
So, did I "Walk my Talk"? In short, Yes! Here's what I have done in the last four years:
James Kaufman gets the job done. See what he's done for our district in the last four years!
I have built a high functioning Senate office that prioritizes transparency, constituent outreach, and clear communications. Over 20,000 Facebook users reached, 10,000 email subscribers, and hundreds of meetings with constituents, organizations and groups from across the state
Sponsored and passed 10 common-sense laws reducing government spending, protecting land access rights for Alaskans, removing barriers to working for truck drivers and injured workers, helping reduce high energy costs, supporting affordable housing, honoring our fallen peace officers, and more.
I have continued to apply downward pressure to unnecessary spending and to advocate for balanced budgets. I have only supported balanced budgets during my tenure.
I continue to say no new taxes without a spending cap in place.
For two years, I have served as the Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee. I have prioritized efforts to (1) secure funding for our district's capital project priorities, (2) secure $200 million for the critically important Port of Alaska in Anchorage, (3) improve snow plowing response in Anchorage, (4) improve our ferry system so it can serve communities who rely on it and reduce its reliance on state dollars, (5) improve the way DOT does projects, and more.
I organized the Anchorage Delegation into a functional regional group of legislators focused on advocating for bipartisan and common sense proposals. I served as the House co-chair 2021-2022 and the Senate co-chair since 2023. We have successfully secured $200 million for the port of Alaska, and more recently advocated for continuation of a $45 million yearly federal grant to maintain UAA’s Arctic Domain and Awareness Center
Government Efficiency
My Bills: Successfully (and unanimously) passed two cost reduction and government efficiency bills. Learn more about them:
Repeatedly supported efforts in 2023 and 2024 to increase predictable, reliable funding for our neighborhood schools, improve accountability with the way funds are used, expand opportunities for home and correspondence schooling, trade and technical education, and charter schooling.
Continue to meet with with educators and school administrators in our local schools to discuss how to improve the quality of education in our state.
Supported the Higher Education Investment Fund, providing scholarships for students seeking college and career/vocational education after highschool.
Secured $2 million to build safe routes to schools and parks at O'Malley Elementary, Trailside Elementary, and Abbott Loop Community Park
Helped to deliver $200 million in critical funding for rebuilding the Port of Alaska. Met regularly with project leadership to ensure a well-managed project, and toured the Port of Alaska with the US Secretary of Transportation to discuss funding, project progress, and improvements in project management.
Created and spearheaded a program to onboard community councils and others with the tools they needed to effectively obtain available capital project funding.
