Senator Johnny Ellis Democrat -- District L State Senator, 1993-present; State Representative, 1987-92. Overview of Senator Ellis and UAA Senator Ellis is an alumnus of the Anchorage campus and has been a major UAA supporter since he was first elected. He has effectively advocated for budget requests to rebuild the University. Senator Ellis has been a strong advocate for WWAMI, nursing, social work, the library, and student housing. In 2003, he was an advocate for funding to support a library program to digitize historical photographs. In 2004, he helped pass the workforce development legislation and the intellectual property bill. As usual, Senator Ellis was a key supporter for University funding and for the Integrated Science Building. In 2007, he supported a research appropriation bill. He received an endorsement from APEA/AFT. Senator Ellis featured UAA in his Dec. 2007 newsletter. In 2008 he helped with the capital budget and with funding for the Health Sciences Building and Sports Complex. He attended the USUAA event on campus in January 2009. Senator Ellis introduced the Alaskan Achievers Incentive Program (AAIP) as Senate Bill 33. This bill is a merit and needs based scholarship fund for Alaskans who go to an in-state college. AAIP will go a long way in making college a more affordable goal for Alaskans while growing Alaska’s workforce. Senator Ellis also was a cosponsor for SB 18 which would increase funding for WWAMI and SB23 which would repeal the current defined contribution retirement plans. As a member of the Senate Finance Committee, Senator Ellis was particularly instrumental in increasing the University’s funding levels over what was recommended by the House. Senator Ellis introduced amendment #4 which provided $1,025,000 in General Funds for UAA’s new Science Building. In 2010 Senator Ellis prefiled Senate Bill 206 for $50 million each for new engineering buildings at UAA and UAF. Because of his leadership, $5m was added to the Senate capital budget for the UAA engineering building. Senator Ellis was one of the co-chairs of the University of Alaska Boosters Caucus In 2011, Senator Ellis continue his efforts on behalf of UA by introducing SB107 which would provide $75m for the engineering building at UAA and $50m for an engineering facility at UAF. Senator Ellis also introduced an amendment to the UA operating budget to support the Recruitment and Retention of Alaska Native Nurses (RRANN) and he supported funding for staffing for the new Health Sciences Building. Senator Ellis was also very helpful in introducing funding for the UAA Honors Program. If the Association awarded five stars, they would be given to Senator Ellis. Senator Ellis' Web Page