Ken Fate is no stranger to being a megaphone for public information. The former general manager for Raven Radio took over for longtime Sitka LIO Marie Murray last year. (Emily Kwong/KCAW photo)
With the legislature in session, Alaskans need not fly to Juneau to participate in government. Scattered throughout the state are nearly two dozen Legislative Information Offices – or LIOs – where citizens can watch, listen, and testify during public hearings.
Ken Fate knows a thing or two about being a megaphone for public information. He’s the former general manager of Raven Radio and now, the information officer for Sitka’s Legislative Information Office.
(Music from “I’m Just a Bill”)
For children of the 1970s, there is one song from the educational series “Schoolhouse Rock” that stands the test of time.
“I’m just a bill, sitting on capitol hill,” Fate croons in homage to the tune, “I’m Just a Bill.” “[Bill] is all sad. He’s not law yet, but spoiler alert, but by the end he becomes a law!”
The Sitka LIO is a spacious building where citizens can listen to government meetings and testify on bills. Fate can be found fielding phone calls and questions there, five days a week.
“I’m drawn to helping community. Broadcast was a way to do that all at once. The Legislative Information Office is a way to do that one person at a time,” Fate says.
Fate compares the LIO job to that of a librarian. He hasn’t “memorized all the books,” but knows where to find them and most importantly, is undaunted in the search.
“[A person may] look at what you need to do and have no idea where to begin. I don’t necessarily either. But if someone comes in and has a question, I can help and we’ll figure out what to do,” he said.
Sitka’s Legislative Information Office. (Emily Kwong/KCAW photo)
The questions Fate receives are a mixed bag. Some days he will be tracking down a birth or death certificates and other days permanent resident applications. The offices provides permanent fund dividend (PFD) assistance for those in need, but the LIO’s primary mission is to help citizens track those bills on capitol hill. The Legislature’s website is akleg.gov. Much like locals call his former place of employment KAY-CAW instead of K-C-A-W, Fate is hesitant to correct those who say “A-K Leg” for short.
FATE: It should be pronounced “A-K ledge dot gov”
KWONG: What do you say?
FATE: “A-K leg” (Laughs) It’s easier to say and sticks in the head better!
Fate wants citizens to bookmark this website. On the homepage is a link that lists all public testimony opportunities available that day, everything from net neutrality to plastic bag fees.
Peering over the tops of his glasses, Fate motions to a glass door behind us. “That room right there where the teleconference is happening, that puts you right there into a committee meeting. That allows you and your voice to be heard in this governmental process,” he said.
He then scrolls to the bottom of AKLeg website. There’s a number to text (559-245-2529) that will enroll your cell in updates on any particular bill. For those true legislative diehards, there’s even an Alaska Legislature app for iOS devices. You can stream a meeting of the House Finance Committee with the tap of a finger.
The abundance of tools is a far cry from the early days of Sitka’s LIO. For over 17 years, Marie Murray was its steady guide and oversaw the renovation of the building. Fate tips his hat to his predecessor.
“[Marie] taught me to be curious in many different directions and to have confidence of the office,” Ken says. “I remember the first time she saw me after I was hired full time she said, ‘Ken, you’re now an officer.'”
With a few months on the job, Fate said the deepest rewards come from helping citizens untangle the knots of bureaucracy and realize their dreams. Recently, he helped an individual acquire a state business license for the first time. They stood together for the final step, watching the license come out of the printer.
“It was kind of like the business was born that moment: the certificate is printed and comes out and held with two hands and looked at. It’s like, “Wow, this is happening.” And it’s really cool to help people move forward with projects or ideas, or sometimes struggles,” Fate said.
Sitka’s Legislative Information Office (LIO) is open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
