Senator George Rauscher (R) and members of the Mat‑Su Legislative Delegation meet with the Matanuska‑Susitna Borough leadership, school board members, and the mayors of Wasilla and Houston on December 18, 2025, to discuss the region’s legislative priorities for 2026, including education governance, public safety, and infrastructure development. (Source)
By Gina Hill | Alaska Headline Living | December 2025
As Alaskans prepare for the 2026 legislative session, local leaders in the Matanuska‑Susitna Borough are taking no chances. On December 18, 2025, Senator George Rauscher and the Mat‑Su Legislative Delegation convened joint meetings with borough officials, school board members, and the mayors of Wasilla and Houston to hammer out priorities that directly affect daily life in the region. From ensuring safe schools to boosting economic growth at Port MacKenzie and securing transparency in healthcare costs, the discussions highlighted a region determined to shape state policy in ways that matter most to its residents.
Residents interested in following education policy firsthand can attend the next school board meeting on January 21, 2026, at 6 PM at the MSBSD Central Office, 501 N Gulkana, Palmer, where these priorities and other governance issues will be discussed.
Education Priorities for Mat‑Su Borough School District
Local education leaders presented a comprehensive set of priorities to guide the Legislature in 2026:
• Aligning school board terms with state and local election cycles to streamline governance and improve voter engagement.
• Strengthening parental rights in education decisions, a topic that continues to spark statewide debate.
• Enhancing school safety and student well‑being, addressing growing concerns among families and educators.
• Ensuring education funding stability and workforce support, including teacher recruitment and retention.
• Instructional boundaries, a priority to ensure clear, consistent guidelines in curriculum and enrollment.
The School District has officially published the full 2025‑2026 legislative priorities online for residents and lawmakers:
👉 Mat‑Su Borough School District Legislative Priorities
Mat‑Su Borough’s Top Legislative Goals
The Borough laid out six top priorities, reflecting economic, safety, and governance needs:
- Fisheries and Bycatch Reduction: Policies to support sustainable fishing practices while minimizing bycatch.
- Alaska State Trooper Staffing: Addressing law enforcement presence as the Borough’s population grows.
- Port MacKenzie Development and Infrastructure: Expanding cargo and industrial capacity to drive local economic growth.
- Statewide All‑Payer Claims Database: Promoting transparency in healthcare costs to inform policy and public understanding.
- Support for State Land Transfers to the Borough: Empowering local development and resource management.
- Allowing Four‑Year School Board Terms: Aligning school board terms with other elected officials for governance efficiency.
The Borough’s full legislative priority list, with detailed background materials, is available online here:
👉 Mat‑Su Borough Legislative Priorities
Context and Broader Implications
The Mat‑Su Borough’s infrastructure and economic priorities are part of ongoing discussions about unlocking regional growth potential.
Port MacKenzie is viewed as a strategic economic asset, with local leaders pushing for enhanced rail connections and industrial capacity.
Healthcare transparency remains another focus, with the push for a statewide all-payer claims database aligning with national trends toward open data and informed policymaking.
Education governance reforms and safety initiatives highlight the region’s commitment to its families, educators, and students.
Looking Ahead
As the 2026 Alaska legislative session approaches, these priorities will be translated into proposed bills, committee hearings, and budget negotiations. Local stakeholders, including residents, business owners, and educators, will be closely monitoring developments as the session unfolds in Juneau, ensuring that the voices of the Mat‑Su Borough are heard loud and clear.
