Opinion: Vote to override veto was the right call

The Legislature’s vote to override the Governor’s education veto was the right call--not just for our union members, but for every students, parent, and community that relies on a functioning public school system.

This wasn’t about more bureaucracy or unchecked spending. It was about restoring stability and keeping promises--so schools can retain staff, meet rising costs, and make sure classrooms are ready on day one. No business, no family, and no school can operate under constant financial uncertainty. The override restores that baseline.

Now that funding is secured, it’s time to focus on what really matters: fixing the problems. Our students deserve better outcomes. That means holding districts accountable, investing in proven strategies, and respecting the people doing the work on the ground-not undermining them with more centralized control from Juneau.

Let me be clear: I don’t support expanding state-level bureaucracy or stripping power from locally elected school boards. That’s not conservative—and it’s not effective. Local communities, not distant bureaucrats, know what their kids need. And frontline staff—classified employees, teachers, tradespeople—have been raising the alarm about what’s broken for years. We deserve to be part of the solution.

This vote gives Alaska a chance to get back on track. Let’s use it wisely—with reform that works, funding that’s stable, and decisions that stay close to home.

Rick Morgan is the president of the Classified Employees’ Association