Representative Ashley Carrick

06/19/2026

Happy Juneteenth! 💛💙

Juneteenth Freedom Day commemorates the formal end of slavery in America. Two years ago, the Legislature passed SB 22, which made Juneteenth an official state holiday. This means that state employees have the day off, and this is an important date for everyone to celebrate and reflect on the progress we’ve made as a nation and the work that is still before us. SB 22 was sponsored by Senator Elvi Gray-Jackson, and I was proud to co-sponsor this important bill.

The NAACP of Fairbanks, Alaska will host their annual Juneteenth Celebration event tomorrow at the Carlson Center! I truly hope to be back from the Juneau special session and able to join the festivities. Thank you to the NAACPfor hosting this wonderful event every year!

06/17/2026

Joint Hearing on Election Eligibility⚖️🗳

Next Monday, June 22 at 1:00pm, the House State Affairs and House Judiciary committees will be hosting a joint hearing on candidate eligibility criteria with the Division of Elections and the Lieutenant Governor’s Office.

This has been an increasingly important and relevant topic of discussion, and this hearing to get clarity on the subject follows recent actions to take a candidate off the ballot in the United States Senate race. You can watch this hearing on akleg.gov.

06/17/2026

🚧The latest update from DOT on the Geist/Chena Pump/Parks Highway area resurfacing project! After an initial chaotic start to the project, DOT has implemented changes that will hopefully better accommodate the community.

🚧 UPDATE: Changes Coming to Peak Hour Traffic on Chena Ridge Road 🚧

We’ve been hearing your feedback, and we know the traffic delays through this work zone have been frustrating, especially during the afternoon commute.
 
To help keep traffic moving, we’re making a change to the traffic control plan.
 
🕓 From 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, Dartmouth Drive will be CLOSED. Only right turns onto Chena Ridge Road will be permitted for access to local businesses and residential areas.
 
Why? Because every left turn requires traffic on Chena Pump Road to stop. During peak travel times, those stops quickly create backups and longer wait times. By eliminating left turns during the busiest part of the day, traffic can continue moving more efficiently.
 
We know this isn’t the most convenient solution, but it is the best option we have to reduce delays while work continues.
 
We also need everyone’s help. Please follow all traffic control signs, closures, and directions from flaggers. Driving around closures or ignoring traffic restrictions doesn’t save time. It creates safety hazards, causes additional delays for other drivers, and makes it harder for crews to complete the work as quickly as possible.
 
Our traffic control personnel and construction crews are out there every day doing their best to balance safety, construction needs, and keeping traffic moving. We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we work through this project together.
 
Thank you for helping us keep traffic moving and our crews safe. 🚧

06/15/2026

Here’s the most recent construction season updates for the Geist/Chena Pump/Parks Highway area! Let’s work together to stay mindful of the construction crews out in the roadways over these next two weeks, and stay tuned for more information from our office as the construction season progresses.

🚧 Heads Up, ! 🚧

Construction on the Mitchell Expressway ramps and Geist/Chena Pump Road begins tomorrow, and crews will be working around the clock.

Beginning at 7 p.m. on June 12:
❌ All Parks Highway ➡️ Chena Pump OFF-ramps CLOSED
❌ Anchorage-bound Geist Road ➡️ Mitchell ON-ramp CLOSED
❌ Left-turn access from Chena Pump onto the Mitchell ON-ramp CLOSED
✅ Right-turn access from Chena Pump onto the Mitchell ON-ramp remains OPEN

Traffic Impacts:
🚗 One lane in each direction from Amherst Drive on Chena Pump to Kyle Court on Geist Road
🔄 University Avenue is the recommended detour route

Pedestrians:
🚶 Flaggers will assist crossings at Geist Road near the overpass and at Chena Pump/Dartmouth
🚸 Follow posted detour signs and flagger instructions

Access:
🏘️ Riverstone access will be via Dartmouth Drive
➡️ Kyle Court access will be RIGHT-IN/RIGHT-OUT only while traffic is reduced

Please plan ahead, expect delays, and use caution in the work zone. Thank you for your patience while these improvements are underway!

Resurfacing

06/11/2026

Help your fellow Alaskans!🩸

The Blood Bank of Alaska recently announced that they are experiencing a critical shortage. During the summer months, the blood bank sees an increase in demand for blood due to a heightened tourist and seasonal worker season, and other factors. This year the national supply they can typically rely on is unable to bridge the gap for donations, meaning Alaskans need to do their part to help those in need!

My staff and I visited the blood bank on Wednesday, and each donated a pint! It was quick, easy, and painless… plus they supplied snacks and even girl scout cookies! Did you know that each pint donated can save 3 lives? The Fairbanks blood bank is open Tuesday-Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm weekly and is accepting ALL types of blood. If you are able, now is a good time to donate.

06/10/2026

Fresh Foods and Farmers Markets!!🥕🍅🫐

The Tanana Valley Farmer's Market is officially open, with dozens of local vendors coming together every Wednesday and Saturday to sell local goods, including locally grown produce!

The Alaska Farmers Market Association has run a program for the past 5 years providing a dollar-for-dollar match on fresh foods bought at the Farmers Market for individuals using SNAP, WIC, and Senior Nutrition Incentive Programs. This program is a great way for individuals to get access to fresh, locally grown foods, supporting both local farmers and business owners, and program users alike.
This session, I introduced a budget request to continue this funding match. I am happy to report that $300,000 was secured in this years Operating Budget to extend this important program! At a time when food is more expensive than ever, I am proud to promote programs which support both individuals using food assistance programs, and local Alaskan businesses. This work is already paying dividends—the SNAP benefit usage for the month of May hit an all-time high at our Tanana Valley Farmers Market.

Be sure to stop by the Tanana Valley Farmers Market this summer, to enjoy the amazing food, fresh produce, and incredible goods that our community has to offer!

06/09/2026

Meet and Greet Event Reminder! 💙💛

Join me tonight (June 9) from 6pm-8pm for a Meet and Greet at Blackspruce Brewing Company! We can discuss the end of the regular session, work being done during special session, or just chat about issues important to you!

I look forward to seeing you there!

06/07/2026

Gasline Legislation Update! 👷‍♀️🚧🔨

The Legislature has been working hard this special session on HB 381,the gasline legislation. I have provided extensive gasline legislation updates in recent editions of the Carrick Capitol Connection, my weekly enewsletter, on the process so far.

Last week, the House Finance Committee set an amendment deadline for today (June 7), with the committee set to begin the amendment process on Monday (June 8). I expect the amendment process to take several days, as thorough conversation will be had on each amendment offered, and the bill will then be advanced to the Floor for a vote.

Keep an eye out for future updates here, as well as future editions of the Carrick Capitol Connection, which you can sign up for here. I will be breaking down the amendment process and providing additional updates on this legislation as it materializes before the end of special session!

06/05/2026

Upcoming Carrick Community events, GVEA rate increase information, and more in this weeks edition of the Carrick Capitol Connection!
Check it out here: https://conta.cc/4urU6Jq