By TIM BARTO
It’s nice to have allies, especially in today’s political climate, and it’s reassuring to know there are like-minded people who support positive things, such as life and family. Such a gathering took place this past Tuesday, as Alaska Family Council held a reception at the Governor’s Mansion in Juneau.
Mike Dunleavy couldn’t attend because of an important trip outside, but he was gracious to still allow his official residence to be the gathering spot for the event, outside of which flew two pro-life flags, right below the Alaska state flag – a bold display of support for the pre-born.
Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom and Attorney General Treg Taylor were in attendance representing the executive branch, and with the following members of the legislative branch:
Reps. Jeremy Bynum, Sarah Vance, Justin Ruffridge, Bill Elam, Julie Coulombe, Mia Costello, David Nelson, Jamie Allard, Delena Johnson, Cathy Tilton, Jubilee Underwood, Elexie Moore, George Rauscher, Kevin McCabe, Mike Prax, Frank Tomaszewski, and Rebecca Schwanke; Sens. James Kaufman, Shelley Hughes, Rob Yundt, and Rob Myers.
These elected officials (Republicans all) were joined by church leaders, pregnancy resource center volunteers other pro-life staff members, and some folks who simply support AFC’s work and wanted to hear what the group is focusing on.
Dahlstrom addressed the gathered, speaking of the need for maintaining faith-based principles, especially at a time of fierce political divisiveness and debate. Her calm but confident demeanor projected optimism for the future of the state.
AFC Vice President Tim Barto informed the crowd of some of the bills AFC is supporting, such as Sen. Shelley Hughes’ constitutional amendment (SJR1) stating there is nothing in our state’s constitution that may be construed to secure or protect a right to an abortion or require state funds to pay for an abortion. Hughes continues to be one of the most outspoken supporters of common sense and common decency. She knows this proposed amendment, as well as other conservative social causes she supports, will bring condemnation from the Left, but she maintains her integrity by continuing to stand up for traditional values.
As does Rep. Jamie Allard, who has once again introduced a bill (HB40) to save girls’ sports from intrusion and ruination by boys who think they’re girls. Rep. Allard has also introduced a bill (HB45) to disallow flags promoting political ideologies – to include race, gender, or sexual orientation – from being flown inside public schools.
Rep. Sarah Vance has two bills (HB46 & HB47) designed to prevent from minors from accessing online pornography, and stiffening penalties for people who make, distribute, or sell that most vile of sexual material.
Sen. Robert Myers has put forward a bill (SB9) to provide a safe way for parents who don’t want to, or feel they can’t, take care of their infant children to drop them off in a secure manner at hospitals, emergency rooms, and police and fire departments. Representative Tomaszewski introduced the same bill (HB64) in the House. While it’s unfathomable to many of us that a parent would give up their young child, these proposed infant safety devices provide an alternative to the horror stories we hear about infants being left in dumpsters, bathrooms, or snowbanks.
All the bills mentioned so far come from conservative stalwarts, the type of people with whom AFC most commonly aligns, but there are a few bills that the organization supports that come from less likely sources. AFC supports SB18 and HB57, bills introduced by Sen. Bill Wielechowski and Rep. Zack Fields, respectively, which call for prohibiting cell phones in the schools.
Wielechowski also introduced a financial literacy bill (SB22) that makes sense. Teaching students about money, investments, student aid applications, and how to balance a checkbook provides real-world knowledge they will all use.
Even Sen. Gary Stevens has a bill (SB23) AFC likes – a mandatory Civics class for high schoolers. A couple of decades ago Social Studies replaced Civic, kicking the door open for lessons based on wokeism, critical race theory, and revisionist history. Civics calls for teaching the foundational principles and documents of the United States, federalism, and elections and campaigns. As with the financial literacy requirements, this is stuff every American student should know.
AFC President Jim Minnery also spoke at the event, giving an update on the state of AFC and announcing an effort to reduce abortions within the Native communities. Alaska Natives make up 15 percent of the state’s population but are the recipients of nearly 30 percent of the state’s abortions. This runs counter to what is actually a historically pro-life population.
Minnery also let the assembled know that LifeWise Academy, the privately run and financed organization that takes public school children to Bible study during school hours is slated to begin such a program to Clark Middle School students this Fall.
So, while it often feels as though Alaska’s conservatives are losing influence because the current “bipartisan” coalitions prevent conservative social bills from being heard, it is nice to know that there are people working to advance good legislation and forward pro-family and pro-life principles.
Tim Barto is vice president of Alaska Family Council and a regular contributor to Must Read Alaska.