State of Alaska Archives: on Families & Children
Bill Walker:
First Lady will chair Alaska Children's Trust
The well-being of Alaska's families, especially our children, is something my wife Donna and I--and each of you--care about deeply. In 2009, Donna worked as a caseworker for the Office of Children Services. She saw firsthand the heartbreaking
neglect and abuse being suffered by our most vulnerable population, Alaska's children.Her first official act as First Lady was agreeing to serve as Honorary Chair of the Alaska Children's Trust, an organization that works to provide real solutions
to preventing child abuse and neglect.
I also ask that this legislature make Alaska the next state to pass Erin's Law.
This is a bill that will enable our schools to further implement a proven, age-appropriate program to help children identify sexual abuse and seek help. We will take an important step toward protecting the lives of so many young, precious Alaskans.
Source: State of the State address to 2015 Alaska Legislature
Jan 22, 2015
Bill Walker:
Background checks for guardians of incapacitated individual
HB 5: Authorizes a Relative to be the Guardian of an Incapacitated Individual: Vetoed by Governor Bill Walker Legislative Summary: [A court may appoint as guardian or conservator] an adult related by blood, marriage, or adoption
(instead of being the spouse, adult child, parent, or sibling), or an unrelated person if the court finds no conflict of interest.
Veto Message:I have vetoed HB5 [because it ends the requirement that any] potential conflict of interest
is insubstantial. The most common type of conflict of interest is when the person to be appointed is also serving as a service provider. The bill would remove the requirement that a person with a potential conflict of interest be a family member.
In short anyone--related or not--could have legal control over the vulnerable person's legal affairs and finances. Requiring a background check, for example, would be needed in order for me to be assured that vulnerable Alaskans will be protected.
Source: Alaska legislative voting records: HB 5
May 16, 2015
Mary Peltola:
Family for people in Western Alaska is our social security
[On family values]: "Family for people in Western Alaska is our social security. In most Native traditions, we don't really have words for stepsister or stepbrother, or half sister or half brother," she said. "We tend to not have words that make us
further distant, but closer in, and it's because we knew that that half sister or stepsister or sibling is access to more resources and more labor. There are only benefits to growing your family."
Source: Anchorage Daily News on 2022 Alaska House incumbent
Aug 8, 2022
Mike Dunleavy:
Fought for parents to raise kids according to their values
During the five years I served in the State Senate, no legislator worked harder to protect families from government overreach,
and to defend the rights of parents to raise and educate their children according to their values.
Source: 2018 AK governor Campaign website AlaskansForDunleavy.com
Sep 1, 2018
Mike Dunleavy:
Women & children face highest sexual assault rate in nation
The most important thing a government can do is keep its citizens safe. We all know crime is out of control. To put this in perspective, New York City has a sexual assault rate of 28 incidences per 100,000 people. Compare this to Anchorage, which has
132 sexual assaults per 100,000 people. That's almost five times that of New York City.The women and children of Alaska, must be made safe, and we have an obligation, all of us in this room, to do everything we possibly can to stop this scourge in
Alaska.
Today begins a new day in our state. From this day forward, we will not cater to the criminals and ignore the victims. To law-abiding Alaskans, I say this to you: I care if your loved ones are threatened. But to the criminals, and to the
rapists and molesters who see women and children as nothing more than opportunities, I say this to you: We will do everything in our power to stop you, apprehend you, and put you in prison for a very long time.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Alaska legislature
Jan 22, 2019
Sarah Palin:
Recognize the vital role of family child care homes
- WHEREAS, family child care provides a vital service for Alaska families, neighborhoods, and communities. By caring for the youngest Alaskans in home-based environments, family child care providers ensure that children are able to grow and learn
where they are also happy, safe, secure, and stimulated.
- WHEREAS, family child care providers understand the importance of family & home; ensure long-term stability; and give parents convenient support close to home, among other benefits.
- WHEREAS,
family child care is thus able to nurture children across a broad spectrum of development. With help from neighborhoods and communities, they can uniquely cater to, support, and include children of all levels of ability, need, activity, and curiosity.
- Family Child Care Week in Alaska, and encourage all Alaskans to recognize the vital role family child care homes play in the lives of our children.
Source: Alaska Governor's Office: Proclamation, "Child Care"
Mar 28, 2008
Sarah Palin:
Caring for special needs kids is part of culture of life
One of the great privileges given to me last year was the chance to be a witness for the truth that every child has value; to say to special needs children that they are beautiful and loved. And needed. We learn more from them than they from us.
Across America, a great change is coming in public policy affecting these children, and Alaska can lead the way. This is a part of the culture of life where every child is cherished and protected.
Source: Alaska 2009 State of the State Address
Jan 22, 2009
Sean Randall Parnell:
Choose Respect: $12M to eradicate domestic violence epidemic
Increasing public safety remains a core priority--and that will not change. Increasing public safety means shining the light of justice and a ray of hope into places where domestic violence and sexual assault have ruled, for we will not rest until every
Alaskan lives safe from abuse and terror. Our administration's budget includes nearly $12 million to eradicate this epidemic. The Choose Respect initiative focuses on prevention and enforcement, and it provides services for victims and survivors.
But Choose Respect is more than just a government initiative--it is a personal initiative. It is about each of us honoring the dignity and value of every human being.
It is about setting people free from generations of abuse.
Source: Alaska 2012 State of the State Address
Jan 18, 2012
Pat Chesbro:
Reinstate and expand the 2021 Child Tax Credit
In order to thrive in the workplace, working families must have access to affordable childcare. I support the provisions in the Build Back Better Act that address the long-standing crisis in childcare in Alaska. The 2021 Child Tax Credit of
$3000-$3600 for all working families lifted many children out of poverty, but it was not extended beyond 2021. I will fight to reinstate the credit and expand it in the future.
Source: 2022 Alaska Senate campaign website ChesbroForAlaska.com
Oct 7, 2022
Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023