Contributed by David Vesper, AK TFRM Chapter Lead & TFRM Legislative Manager
No doubt. We live in unprecedented times in Alaska right this very minute. Many Alaskans are losing their livelihoods, careers, jobs and wages under the government’s attempts to flatten the curve of the novel coronavirus- known as COVID-19.
The stark reality of managing a diminished budget on limited resources as well as preventing oneself from becoming infected is a much different world than just two months ago. I am confident noncustodial parents and their families in Alaska are facing a particularly daunting hardship greater than anyone else with impending child support payments due and the oppressive punitive measures if not paid on time and in full.
Cathy Muñoz, deputy commissioner at the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, says they are seeing a seven to eightfold increase in unemployment claims. “Leading up to this pandemic, this situation, we were at probably the lowest unemployment rate in our history. We have been slammed with new applications…” (Source: KTVF)
Early last week and before the job numbers were released, I wrote to every Alaska senator and representative about the precarious situation involving noncustodial parents and child support.
I asked them to consider the following:
1. Provide PFD backpay to every Alaskan under the statutes and rules.
2. Provide a 3-month moratorium on interest in child support arrearages.
3. Forgiveness on all interest for missed payments due to the loss of 15% income or loss of job after 30-days of filing a petition to modify child support if the case is not heard due to COVID-19 restrictions with 30-day extensions if the case is still not heard.
4. Update the AK CSSD to provide this guidance to Alaskans during this pandemic.
So… how does the Alaska 31st Legislature react? With petty and feckless leadership.
Not only did the majority of legislators not care about Alaskan noncustodial parents, but they defecated on you and laughed as they did it. On 28 March, the Operating Budget Conference Committee chaired by Representatives Neal Foster (D) and Jennifer Johnston (R) and Senators Bert Stedman (D) and Natasha von Imhof (R) stripped the $1,000 Coronavirus stimulus to PFD recipients and cut this year’s PFD to $500. Also, this committee devised a strategy to divvy up $1.5B in a “Reverse Sweep” that further drains our state savings, known as the Constitutional Budget Reserve or CBR. According to the Alaska Department of Revenue on 28 February, the CBR stood at $2.2B. Mind you, this was done before the market crashed last week. Backed by Speaker of the House Bryce Edgmon (U) and Senate President Cathy Giessel (R), a binding caucus forced their members to support these provisions in HB 205 and it passed in both chambers with overwhelming bipartisan support.
Congratulations. Out of billions of dollars of revenue in this state, you are worth $500 in a year that features the greatest pandemic since the Spanish Flu of 1918-19 and the greatest economic collapse since the Great Depression. I hope you can pay rent, utilities, food, car, AND child support with that money… in October!
For every horrible decision that comes out of Juneau, I hear 100 people say, “VOTE THEM OUT!” Easier said than done. The fact is simple. Campaigns are funded by special interest groups like Big Labor, Big Oil, Big Education, and party ideologues. The people in their districts usually vote them back in because it is special interest that shows up to influence their votes and the voting records of these lemmings in Juneau.
Your vote only belongs to one district. Even then, the lack of political activity on your part contributes to the nonsense down in Juneau. You have one vote. Leverage it. You leverage your vote by speaking out. Unless you are apathetic and do not care about your present situation. Then, by all means, continue on to your daily business.
You can find out their votes and who contributes to their campaigns on Legiscan at https://legiscan.com/AK/rollcall/HB205/id/955063.
