Christopher Nas, the city’s contracted lobbyist, told the Wasilla City Council that the next Alaska legislative session will be dominated by budget issues and that Wasilla should prioritize certain local projects and guard against changes that would shift pension costs to municipalities.

Nas told the council the governor’s budget blueprint implied a multi-billion-dollar adjustment and that conversation will revolve around education, public safety pensions and how federal dollars are administered. “The governor introduced his budget on December 15, which outlined about a $3,000,000,000 deficit ... but if you look at it from a historical perspective ... you’re looking at about a $285,000,000 deficit if you basically maintained spending from last year,” Nas said.

He recommended the city concentrate on items that would relieve local burdens — specifically public safety funding that would support Matcom and proposed trooper stations — and urged caution on pension reform. “Because, you know, you could have a very quick amendment ... that could put more onus on those local governments for contribution,” Nas said.

Nas also flagged the administration’s attention on education policy, fisheries issues, and how federal programs such as broadband and transportation will be handled under the new presidential administration. He advised the council that securing and maintaining relationships with the state delegation will be important for municipality-level deliverables.

Councilmember Graham asked where the city should focus its lobbying. Nas replied: “From an operating standpoint, we want to make sure that those programs, particularly public safety ... for the Matcom ... you have money in the budget for a new trooper station, Talkeetna. Those things are moving forward because that puts some takes some ease off of the city.”

Nas said the legislative dynamics are fluid — including which members hold the majority — and emphasized that some funding steps require supermajority votes in the legislature, which will affect how and when projects get funded.

No formal council action resulted from the briefing; councilmembers asked questions about where Wasilla’s advocacy should be targeted during the session.