By BRENDA JOSEPHSON
James Kaufman served a term in the State House before winning election in 2022 to represent Anchorage District F as a Senator. When he arrived in Juneau, he brought his vision of “a limited, accountable, efficient, and transparent government that provides opportunities and respects personal freedoms.” With 25 years of experience managing large and complex projects, he was prepared to lead the charge for Alaska’s stability, security, and innovation through common-sense budgeting at the state level.
Before holding an elective office, Kaufman worked as a quality manager and team leader in his professional career, helping management teams improve the quality and efficiency of their projects on the North Slope. As a new legislator, he quickly leveraged his team-building expertise to organize the 24 legislators representing Anchorage, Eagle River, and Girdwood into the Anchorage Delegation. The delegation focuses on bipartisan issues affecting residents in the Anchorage region, including infrastructure, homelessness, food security, housing, and education. Kaufman served as the delegation’s House co-chair from 2021-2022 and Senate co-chair since 2023.
Senator Kaufman was the 17th member to join the Senate Majority Caucus, ensuring that sensible conservatism had a greater voice in the 33rd Legislature. He expressed to me that “it was a tough decision, but one that I made to fight for conservative values from the inside and to make sure we weren’t left out of the critical decisions that will shape Alaska’s future.” He applied this approach to his responsibilities as Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee and Vice Chair of the Senate Health & Social Services Committee. He also served on the Legislative Budget & Audit, Judiciary, and Resources Senate committees. Furthermore, he served in four Senate Finance Subcommittees, including Natural Resources, Health, Revenue, and Family & Community Services.
Serving on the committees positioned Kaufman favorably to advance his legislative objectives, which center around three areas aimed at improving the lives of Alaskans. The Senator outlines his focus areas as follows:
- Stability: “Stability means fixing Alaska’s broken systems—whether it’s the budget, education, or transportation infrastructure. By stabilizing these critical areas, we can create a foundation for long-term growth and sustainability.”
- Security: “Security means protecting our infrastructure, ensuring energy and food security, and supporting first responders. By investing in these areas, we’re building a safer, more resilient future for all Alaskans.”
- Innovation: “Innovation is the key to Alaska’s future prosperity. By removing obstacles, promoting new technologies, and allowing our universities to lead in research and development, we can drive economic diversification and create a thriving, competitive economy.”
Senator Kaufman has walked his talk for the last four years, advancing each of his objectives by successfully passing 10 pieces of legislation into law and advocating for his district with many other initiatives. Here are a few highlights:
He aimed to increase government efficiency and reduce costs with two of his first bills. Kaufman sponsored HB187 and SB25, both of which became law unanimously. HB187 repealed several outdated and redundant publications. SB25, another measure to enhance governmental efficiency, closed several long-dormant funds, saving significant administrative costs. Both acts established a process that identifies outdated publications and inactive funds and recommends their repeal to the legislature, thereby saving money in future budgets.
To address infrastructure security needs, the Anchorage Delegation collaborated with Mayor Bronson and the Anchorage Assembly. These efforts secured $200 million for the Don Young Port of Alaska in Anchorage, ensuring the port’s continued ability to import 60% of the state’s food. The delegation also secured funding for homelessness response and advocated for the renewal of a $45 million annual federal grant to maintain UAA’s Arctic Domain and Awareness Center.
In response to the specific security needs of Abbott Loop, Huffman/O’Malley, and the Lower Hillside, the collaborative efforts resulted in $2 million in direct funding for his district, the first significant district-level funding in a decade. The project list represents over half of Kaufman’s district’s top priorities, including projects to build safe routes to schools and parks, necessary drainage for several neighborhoods, and evacuation routes for Hillside.
Senator Kaufman took action to protect the public from cybersecurity threats by sponsoring and passing SB134, which requires insurance companies to secure Alaskans’ sensitive health and financial information. The law, which requires insurance companies to establish data security requirements to protect the public from data breaches, received broad bipartisan support.
In an effort to seek better innovation across Alaska, Kaufman has been a steadfast advocate for an “all of the above” approach to energy. He fought for our ability to responsibly develop our resources, joining the successful push to see the Willow project. He was the catalyst for the passage of HB62, the companion bill to Kaufman’s SB33, which extended the Renewable Energy Grant Fund, supporting efforts to lower energy costs for families. He advocated for passage of this legislation in order to further energy independence in more of Alaska’s communities.
As chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, Kaufman introduced SB123, an act removing unnecessary requirements for individuals applying for a commercial driver’s license. This bill was a practical solution to alleviate a shortage of truck drivers and keep commerce moving in the state. The Teamsters Local 959, Alaska Trucking Association, Alaska Technical Center, and Northern Industrial Training all supported the legislation. The governor signed the law, and it became effective on July 30, 2023.
The passage of legislation to restore the Citizens’ Advisory Commission on Federal Management Areas (or CACFA) in Alaska was another win for the people. Kaufman sponsored SB34 to ensure Alaskan representation in federal government decisions that affect Alaska’s land access. The commission monitors federal government actions, holds hearings on federal land decisions, and posts information regarding historical and new regulations. A wide range of federal land users will comprise the commission, which aims to offer independent, unbiased information and assistance to individuals. According to Senator Kaufman, “CACFA provides people a way to navigate federal land use issues and improves Alaska’s interface with the federal government by allowing Alaskans to collectively voice their concerns to government officials making policy decisions.”
Finally, with the introduction of SB147, Kaufman demonstrated his commitment to effective governance. Alaska’s Workers’ Compensation program has long been a cost to both the state and its employees, without delivering results. Less than half of the injured workers who applied were eligible for the system’s rehabilitation plan several years ago, and only an average of 13 out of 140 eligible workers successfully completed the program. Kaufman’s bill passed, fixing this disparity and shifting the program’s focus from training workers for a new profession to helping them return as soon as possible to their current job. This was a positive step forward for using state dollars efficiently to protect injured workers.
These accomplishments are noteworthy, but Senator Kaufman told me that he looks forward to returning to Juneau for the next legislative session so that he can continue to work on making the State of Alaska more efficient and effective at delivering core services. He specifically focuses on establishing appropriation limits, strategic planning, and promoting innovation and economic development, for which he has already introduced legislation.
His plan for appropriation limits, outlined in SJR4 and SB20, seeks to create a statutory and constitutional framework that ties government spending to the health of our state’s economy. The current limit came into existence in 1982, as the oil industry was approaching its peak output. Kaufman’s plan includes a constitutional upper limit to cover unexpected needs. It sets a functional ceiling based on the average of the private sector’s economic performance over the last five years, calculated as real GDP minus government spending. Linking the state’s expenditure cap to the state’s private economy would encourage the government to adopt policies that promote the expansion of the private sector while maintaining a right-sized government.
In SB21, Senator Kaufman has proposed an approach to bringing strategic planning to the State of Alaska. SB 21 would better integrate the state’s planning with our budgeting processes by requiring that our annual budgets align with a four-year strategic plan. Those leading and conducting the work in each department set the goals, objectives, and key performance measures for each budget cycle. This will allow the legislature to consider department budgets based on those strategic and performance-based department plans. This method aims to assist the state in improving efficiency and performance in critical services that facilitate commerce and promote public well-being.
Additionally, technological advancement and new ideas are key to ensuring Alaska’s future prosperity. Kaufman intends to foster innovation in Alaska by establishing a “regulatory sandbox program” in SB251. This forward-looking bill aims to establish an Office of Innovation & Economic Development and an Alaska Innovation Council to make recommendations to the governor and legislature on how Alaska can better encourage innovation and economic competitiveness. The Innovation Council will identify and promote innovation-based businesses, encourage seed and start-up capital investment, and foster entrepreneurial capacity to promote innovation-based economic development. The plan establishes the state’s authority to issue innovation permits and provide regulatory and technical assistance to innovators in order to enable commerce that benefits all Alaskans.
Senator James Kaufman is a visionary leader who understands the value of collaboration and teamwork. He has demonstrated his commitment to promoting the state’s prosperity through balanced policies that assist citizens in overcoming challenges that make living in our communities difficult, all while safeguarding what makes Alaska special. In short, Senator Kaufman delivers for us.
Visit James Kaufman’s website, Kaufman 4 Alaska, for more information about his legislative achievements, vision for Alaska, and to donate to his campaign.
Brenda Josephson is a Haines resident. She co-authored the white paper Restoring Public Trust: Legislative recommendations for Alaska’s Property Tax Assessment Process.
tl;dr = Kaufman voted to put Loki Tobin and Forrest Dunbar in charge of education. Kaufman voted to make Wielochowski rules chair. We all owe Jennifer Johnston an apology.
The truth about James Kaufman is the truth! Thanks for reminding us of these two (of several) absolutely terrible votes. The Republican Party should have insisted that an actual Republican ran in this race.
Agreed, until true light is shined on all ” the go along to get along charlatans ” in OUR legislature are truly exposed will the hemorrhaging of fraud, waste & abuse STOP, period. Liberty Ed
Prior to his first election he ran on a full pfd and even told me personally in my driveway. Yet he has voted against it every time. He is a liar. The PFD is a tax on the poor to keep the wealthy from paying their fair share.
Did the same to me at my front door.
Charlatans, the bunch of them wearing the Chameleon Jacket!
Kaufman is and has been a big disappointment by putting the Democrats in charge and out right lying to his constituents by saying one thing and then voting just the opposite. Looking at the Primary results, he’s losing his conservative base.
No Chameleon Jacket can change the real person it covers up! Beware Alaska Liberty Ed
I won’t support him or his politics.
He lost all six of my family members votes just because he handed leadership over to the Democrats when conservatives put him in charge.
Never ever again will He see a vote from me or anyone I associate with.
Your time has come to a dead end Jim. Your Fired!
Bravo Brother send them PACKING ! Liberty Ed
Kelly Merrick is no better. She put all the democrats in charge in the name of unity. She’s voted with Forrest Dunbar 98% percent of the time. She needs to go and be replaced by Jared Goecker for Senate. Eagle River needs to vote her out.
One time, I sent James an email asking about the intent of a bill that had a confusing title. Rather than respond to my email, he picked up the phone and called me. We talked for about half an hour.
No candidate is perfect. Yes, he is moderate, but it’s disturbing to see you all support his opponent. Really?
Juneau Gal (I assume you live in Juneau)
Obviously you do not live in the district James Kaufman is supposed to represent in the state senate. Those of us who live in his district should have a say as to how he votes, what he does, and who he spends 30 minutes on the phone with. if he does not have time call his constituents, what motivates him to call you in Juneau? From all of this and more — this guy has got to go!
Yes, I live in Juneau. The conversation started about how we had met, people we both knew in common (my family has been in Alaska since 1902), and he knows quite a few of my family members. Then we got to brass tacks and discussed my questions.
He is not perfect. Heck only one man walked the earth that was, and look what they did to him.
I’m just surprised you will vote for a hard core Democrat to spite him. Seems foolish.
How else are we supposed to get rid of a LIAR?
Voting for Him again just empowers him to lie cheat and steal our PFD amongst the other atrocities when voted for handing the power over to the Democrats.
Once again you are fired, Jim.
Moderate aka as UniParty NeoCon politico.
Be who you are – just please don’t lie to people when you’re running for office.
The George, Jeb , Lindsey, Mitch, Mitt, McCain all did/do the same.
They all espouse what the people really want – then govern and legislate somewhere different.
I’m really tired of these types.
Begich, please be different.
He lost us with his actions/inactions on the dividend and putting democrats in high places…….too bad.
You can put lip stick on a pig, it’s still a pig. He’s what I call a “Judas republican”, he campaigned as republican and made all kinds of promises to the voters. Once elected he joined the democrat party and just be being on the democrat Senate Majority Caucus allowed the democrats to control bills and policies that actually hurt Alaska and it working class. There are to many “Judas republicans”, when they lie to the voters we should be able to remove them quickly.
For those who say “He’s got to go” about Kaufman….have you taken a look at his opponent? Nothing but support for unions, building public sector retirement programs, and “better life through taxation”.
I admit that Mr. Kaufman has not been as conservative as I might like but he’s a far better choice (based on his actions to date, not just the campaign rhetoric) than his opponent.
If one determines that the only thing that matters is the PFD, that’s shortsighted and likely to impair electing legislators who work to better Alaska’s economy.
One thing the liberals do better than conservatives is they stick together even when they disagree vehemently. The only way conservatives ever win is if they start sticking together. No candidate is perfect, but rejecting Kaufman simply because he is not as extreme as you would like is lunacy and guarantees that liberals win. So, start working together even if you don’t always agree. I will support Kaufman because he is not a true liberal and he has done good things as pointed out in the article by Brenda Josephson.
Kaufman’s decent, has good instincts, wants to do right, is a far better choice for productive Alaskan people than his opponent.
.
Kaufman tries to be a useful member of Alaska’s lobbyist-legislator team, in which the lobbyist half outnumber the legislator half 7 to 1, and characters like Peoples Imperial State Senator Cathy Giessel are (supposedly) on his team.
.
Yeah, compromise is the order of the day, like it or not.
.
Why? Because crusading, making mortal enemies of colleagues whose support you must have if you want stuff for folks back home, will not get the job done, but will get you tossed out of The Club, making you useless to folks back home and anywhere else for that matter.
.
James doesn’t need to speak for himself, all voters need is a 1500-word jargon-jammed hagiograph from someone else to figure out who he is?
.
Wrong!
.
Note to James: Brother, you’re up against an opponent whose Party machine despises everything for which America and Alaskans stand, whose Party machine is ready, willing, and able to cheat their way to victory through Alaska’s easily corruptible election system.
.
Want to keep your job, take care of your people, James, -you- must make your corner of the election too big to rig, and you damned sure don’t do that with someone else’s clumsily cobbled together essay.
.
So… you, James, gotta write, and right now, the way we’ve heard you talk, a down-to-earth, populist kinda guy, who’s been there and done that, worked in the swamp, walked on the backs of alligators and lobbyists to get from here to there, and lived to tell about it.
.
Then you do it some more, and visit voters, especially Democrat voters, until your name’s a household word, much more than anything on a campaign sign.
.
Democrat voters? Too right, James, they’re the ones you want to convince, the ones who need to know you in a way that preaching to the choir will never accomplish.
.
You up for that, James?
Yes, Kaufman is a moderate. But he is analytical, rational and smarter than 99% of the other legislators.
Comments are closed.