My office staff has also joined me in Juneau. Many of you have already met or spoken with Caroline Hamp and Liz Harpold (pictured: center and right). I’d also like to introduce you to our new office member, Martin Stepetin Sr. (pictured: left). He is a First Alaskans Institute Public Policy Fellow.
Read More →I am very thankful we all survived the major earthquake recently. The damage to roads, homes, schools and businesses was severe in some places, especially in the Anchorage and Mat-Su areas, but there were no serious injuries or loss of life. Many thanks to our emergency responders, DOT and utility workers, public officials and local public radio for keeping us informed, safe and for repairing the damage. I heard reports from teachers in our school district that the alert system and procedures worked well, allowing them to get their students to safety and help them remain calm during the tsunami warning. We have a lot for which to be thankful. The list of resources I provided on my Facebook posts following the earthquake are attached here. The Kenai Peninsula Borough will be hosting a Community Emergency Response Team Training in Soldotna, Kenai and Homer areas early in 2019. If you are interested in learning how to help your community during a disaster, please sign up!
Read More →As many of you already know, the Alaska State House has been struggling to organize caucuses for the upcoming legislative session. In an effort to encourage bipartisanship and to focus first and foremost on our constituents, I sent the following letter to my fellow legislators:
Read More →Events over the past week have forced open the doors of opportunity. I respect Representative Knopp for recognizing the fragility of a small, partisan majority. Our government was not established by one party or the other, nor one region. It takes people on both sides of the aisle, and all parts of our great state, coming together and putting the needs of Alaskans first.
Read More →Session begins Tuesday, January 15th and it’s my goal to make it to the communities of District 36 before then. I am in the process of planning trips to Hydaburg and Metlakatla. I will be in Wrangell Tuesday December 11th and Wednesday December 12th.
Read More →The proposed Alaska Marine Highway summer schedule is now available to review. The schedule for May through September of 2019 is available online: The Department of Transportation wants to make sure the schedule meets community needs and is accepting written….
Read More →Juneau – On Sunday, Alaska Governor Bill Walker signed Administrative Order 300 calling for action to ensure the survival of Alaska Native Languages, many of which are threatened with extinction. Administrative Order 300 began as House Concurrent Resolution 19, which passed the Alaska Legislature this year with broad bipartisan support. The resolution was guided through the legislative process by sponsor Representative Dan Ortiz (I-Ketchikan).
Read More →Anchorage – Today, Alaska Governor Bill Walker signed legislation into law to help Alaskans improve their commercial fishing businesses. House Bill 56, sponsored by Representative Dan Ortiz (I-Ketchikan), updates the state loan fund to account for increasing costs for permits, vessels, and equipment.
Read More →Ketchikan – Earlier this week, Alaska Governor Bill Walker signed a bill into law to help the valuable geoduck, sea cucumber, and sea urchin fisheries in Southeast Alaska. House Bill 354 updates the protocol used by the Southeast Alaska Regional Dive Fisheries Association to charge an assessment to its members. The old assessment method that required a vote by a majority of all permit holders to authorize an assessment change was difficult to achieve because many permit holders no longer participate because their permits are nontransferable. HB 354 changes the threshold to change assessments to a three-quarters vote of the Board of Directors and a majority vote of permit holders participating in the election.
Read More →Ketchikan – Alaska Governor Bill Walker signed legislation into law on Monday adding the Race to Alaska to the list of events eligible for a “race classic” game of chance permit. House Bill 18 will allow the Greater Ketchikan Chamber of Commerce to offer a “race classic” contest based on people guessing the winning time of the 750-mile Race to Alaska, which is a human-powered boat race from Port Townsend, Washington to Ketchikan, Alaska. Similar “classics” are offered by the Chamber’s of Commerce in Juneau, Fairbanks, Kenai, Seward, Petersburg, Delta, and Big Lake.
Read More →