There’s a tired narrative that Republicans don’t care about public education. But as a Republican, a legislator, and a father with young kids in our local public schools, I can tell you first hand: I care deeply about the quality of our schools, the strength of our teachers, and the future of Alaska’s students.
I didn’t run for office to burn the system down; I’m here to do the hard work of reforming it responsibly.
That’s why I voted to override the governor’s veto of House Bill 57, not because I disagreed with his concerns about student outcomes, but because I believe the work we did as the Republican minority was strong, conservative, and focused on real reform.
This was not the first time I voted for HB57, it was the third. Each time I did so after careful review and consideration to ensure that the bill reflected sound policy and Republican priorities. I stand by my decision.
Throughout the session, I fought to bring responsible conservative solutions to the table. I stood firmly against HB69; the Democrat majority’s unsustainable spending bill, and supported the governor’s veto of it. I also worked to ensure the governor’s education priorities were heard and many of them helped to inspire and ultimately form HB57.
Was HB57 perfect? No. Did it include all of the governor’s demands? No. Was it good policy? Yes.
The bill included a $700 base student allocation adjustment, a $20 increase over last year’s $680 level. It’s important to understand that this wasn’t just “free money.” It came with real, structural policy changes aimed at improving our education system. Things like accountability, charter school protections, early literacy efforts, and targeted support for career and technical education were built into this legislation.
For too long, we’ve relied on short-term patches and political theater. That hasn’t served students, families, or taxpayers. This year, we found a better path. One that stabilizes funding and advances real reform.
And perhaps most importantly, this year’s funding was placed within the education foundation formula, something that hasn’t been done consistently for nearly a decade. That matters. Formula funding ensures stability, transparency, and accountability. It tells local school districts what to expect and helps taxpayers see where the money goes.
Supporting public education doesn’t make you less of a Republican. It means you care about your community and want the next generation to succeed. I believe we can invest wisely, expect results, and strengthen our schools and that’s exactly what I’ll continue fighting for.
Rep. Bill Elam represents District 8 in Alaska House of Representatives.
