Latest news with #Gray-Jackson
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Alaska Gov. Dunleavy signs law declaring March as Women's History Month
Elizabeth Peratrovich, second from left, is one of the leading female civil rights leaders in Alaska history. On Thursday, Gov. Mike Dunleavy signed a bill declaring March to be Women's History Month in the state. Former Territorial Gov. Ernest Gruening signs the Alaska Equal Rights Act of 1945 in the photo. (Photo courtesy of Alaska State Library, ASL-PCA-274-1-2) Alaska will recognize March as Women's History Month, under a new law signed by Gov. Mike Dunleavy on Thursday. 'This legislation encourages schools, communities, and organizations to honor the contributions of women who have shaped our state and nation,' Dunleavy said in a statement on social media. He shared a photo of signing Senate Bill 43 into law, pictured by himself at his desk in his Juneau office, with the Alaska and U.S. flags on either side. Bill sponsor Sen. Elvi Gray-Jackson, D-Anchorage, celebrated the occasion. 'Women's history in Alaska is not only about past achievements but is also a way to honor the current and future contributions of women in Alaska,' Gray-Jackson said in a written statement Thursday. 'This bill is aimed to encourage our Alaskan communities to honor the contributions of women who have helped paved the way throughout our state's rich history.' Gray-Jackson thanked legislators for supporting the legislation, including Rep. Carolyn Hall, D-Achorage, who carried the bill in the House. 'Together, we will continue to inspire the future generations of Alaskan women,' she said. This year, the Alaska Legislature has a historic number of women representing districts across the state, with the first majority of women serving in the Alaska House of Representatives – also recognized in a letter of support for the bill by former U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola, the first woman to represent Alaska in the U.S. House of Representatives. 'It would be fitting for this legislation to be passed by our 34th Legislature, where we have a record number of women serving our state,' she wrote, acknowledging several trailblazing female leaders of Alaska, including Alaska's first female U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski. Murkowski and Peltola served alongside each other in the Alaska House from 1999 to 2002. 'By recognizing Women's History Month, we make it clear to women, especially young women and girls that they should not be afraid to be the bold leaders Alaska needs to guide us into the future,' Peltola said. 'We also honor the trailblazers that came before us, displayed remarkable leadership, and now serve as role models for our generation and the next.' Next year will be the first March that the law will be in effect. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Anchorage senator proposes ‘homeless bill of rights' for Alaskans
TJ Beers holds a sign to advocate for the rights of people experiencing homelessness outside the state Capitol on April 9, 2024. Beers was homeless for four years and in three states. "I don't know how I survived," he said. (Photo by Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon) Over the past two years, nearly 100 homeless Alaskans died on the streets of Anchorage. This week, Anchorage Democratic Sen. Elvi Gray-Jackson introduced legislation that seeks to codify the rights of homeless Alaskans, including the right to take shelter in a public place as long as doing so doesn't obstruct traffic. 'Mine (bill) doesn't say 'homeless bill of rights,' but that's what it's basically about,' Gray-Jackson said by phone on Friday. 'What the bill would do is ensure that individuals experiencing homelessness are not denied access to essential services such as medical care, clean and safe living conditions, and equal opportunities for employment' just because they're homeless, she said. Last year, a former homeless man-turned-advocate named TJ Beers traveled to the Alaska Capitol to urge lawmakers to pass a 'homeless bill of rights' in order to keep homeless Alaskans from being unnecessarily harassed by civil authorities. Rhode Island, Connecticut and Illinois have already enacted laws affirming that homeless residents have equal rights to housing, medical care, movement and private property. Last year, Gray-Jackson said, she wasn't in a position to answer Beers' request, but this year, she could make it happen. 'When I tell somebody I'm going to do something, I keep my word,' she said. Gray-Jackson, a former member of the Anchorage Assembly, said that during her time in that role, she made a point to visit homeless camps 'because I wanted them to know that I'm their legislator, and I represent them too.' Anchorage's many homeless encampments are a hot topic in the community, and the city has been in several legal disputes about whether it has the power to remove those encampments. Gray-Jackson said she doesn't believe her bill would stop the city from clearing camps. She said she doesn't agree with people who say they're going to 'solve homelessness.' Instead, she said, 'what we're going to do is mitigate homelessness and make the situation better for all.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Alaska Senate approves ‘Women's History Month' declaration, sends it to House
Sen. Elvi Gray-Jackson, D-Anchorage, speaks in favor of Senate Bill 43, declaring March as Women's History Month, on Monday, March 3, 2025. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon) The Alaska Senate voted 19-0 on Monday to declare March as Women's History Month in Alaska. Senate Bill 43, sponsored by Sen. Elvi Gray-Jackson, D-Anchorage, advances to the House for consideration. A hearing will take place at 3:15 p.m. Thursday in the House State Affairs Committee. No new regulations or holidays would be declared if the bill were to become law, and state agencies estimate no costs. Speaking before the vote, Gray-Jackson said women like Katie John, Mary Peltola and Lisa Murkowski are examples for young girls to follow, and preserving the history of their actions, through an annual observance, is important. 'It will serve as a yearly reminder that women's contributions are not an afterthought. They are the foundation of our past, our present and our future,' Gray-Jackson said of the declaration. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
