FAIRBANKS, AK – Today a group of 14 Alaska State Legislators sent a letter to Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Dan Sullivan (R-AK), and Representative Nick Begich (R-AK) urging them to oppose federal funding cuts for research and higher education.

President Trump’s budget request includes billions in cuts for federal agencies including the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the National Science Foundation (NSF) and many other federal research agencies. These cuts will result in millions in lost revenue for the University of Alaska and will jeopardize the worldclass artic research at UA. The United States Congress has until October 1 to complete its budget process.

Representative Ashley Carrick (D-West Fairbanks), who authored the letter, issued the following statement:

“These funding cuts will be disastrous for our university and will impact our strategic defense preparedness, our economic vitality, and world-class arctic research. Unfortunately, the State of Alaska does not have the financial resources to make up for such a large shortfall in lost funds. I hope our congressional delegation will support this important research funding to preserve American research dominance and national security.”

Alaska State Legislators who signed onto this letter include:

Representative Robyn Burke (D-Utqiagvik)

Representative Maxine Dibert (D-Downtown Fairbanks)

Representative Ky Holland (NA-Anchorage)

Representative Andy Josephsen (D-Anchorage)

Representative Rebecca Himschoot (I-Sitka)

Representative Alyse Galvin (NA-Anchorage)

Representative Sara Hannan (D-Juneau)

Representative Andrew Gray (D-Anchorage)

Representative Carolyn Hall (D-Anchorage)

Senator Elvi Gray-Jackson (D-Anchorage)

Senator Bill Wielechowski (D-Anchorage)

Senator Löki Tobin (D-Anchorage)

Senator Scott Kawasaki (D-Fairbanks)

Read the full letter here.