Senate Majority Bipartisan Coalition Website

State Senator District E

Senate Majority Leader

Senator Cathy Giessel Newsletter

UPDATES

Issues affecting

your family, community and jobs.

October 30, 2025

Dear friends and neighbors,

Sunday, Nov 2

Daylight Savings Time ends ("fall back one hour")

This absurd manipulation of light started back under President Carter under the premise that it would "save energy". It hasn't.

Parts of Arizona and Hawaii do not change their clocks each year.

Alaskans hate this Daylight Savings Time. Its not only disruptive to calendars, but its completely wrong for our "sun location".

Bills to stop DST:

HB 41, HB 229, SB 26, SB 102

· Some of the bills put Alaska on permanent Standard Time.

· Some put Alaska on permanent Daylight Savings Time which means we would stay on Pacific time (at least one hour or more out of synch with our sunlight).

· Lots of controversy.

· Federal Law allows states to choose to stay on Standard Time (daylight time). Federal Law prohibits states from choosing to go on permanent DST without Federal approval.

Nov 18 – Last Sunrise of 2025 in Utquiagvik

Typhoon Disaster Updates

In the newsletter below is a whole section outlining:

· Unemployment Assistance

· Small Business Administration Loans

· Oil & Hazardous Substance Release Fund expenditures

· State Disaster Relief Assistance

· Red Cross Update

· Team Rubicon Update

Items in this Newsletter:

· Catch up with Cathy Events - DATE CHANGE

· Typhoon Disaster Updates

· SNAP (food stamps) Suspended Nov 1

· Administrative Orders Concern

· Plastic Recycling ends Oct 31

· Current Topics, Stuff I Found Interesting, Arctic Issues, Economy, Education, Politics, Healthcare,

· Resource Values, Permanent Fund

· Alaska History - November

Email me

Past Newsletters

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Catch up with Cathy

These are informal coffee conversations in which the folks that attend determine the topics of interest and concerns.

DATE CHANGE:

November 15 22: 9-10am at the Grind in Girdwood

Last one: December 13: 10:30-11:30am at Bells Nursery Cafe on Specking Road

Paige (my staff) and I love these meetings! They are small groups and we can talk about what interests the folks who attend.

Last weekend topics of discussion:

· Bill brought information about national security, China, Alaska's border.

· Dave brought up the numbers on PFD vs. state services that the perm Fund draw brings to Alaskans. (we are going to follow up and get numbers from Leg Finance on this)

· Baby surrender boxes at fire stations legislation

· Adding 911 dispatchers as first responders as opposed to secretaries

· Pension bill, Teachers not on social security, tier 4 is bad and empower doesn't do a good job

· Bradley Lake power grant that we need to match $200M

· Education funding, correspondence schools testing and BSA allocations for them

· Internet sales tax bill veto and possible override when back in session

· RCV and open primaries

· Our judicial council is pretty good and relatively non partisan way to make sure judges get chosen

We all had a great time discussing these issues. The group was very engaged in the topics. I really enjoy hearing the subjects that are of interest to folks, and the feedback and information that people share.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance now available for qualified individuals in Western Alaska

Oct. 27, 2025

Western Alaska — Individuals who lived or were employed in the Lower Kuskokwim Regional Educational Attendance Area (REAA), Lower Yukon REAA, and Northwest Arctic Borough areas at the time of the disaster may be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA).

In response to a request for federal assistance by Governor Mike Dunleavy, the jurisdictions of the Lower Kuskokwim REAA, Lower Yukon REAA, and Northwest Arctic Borough have been officially declared disaster areas due to the severe storms, flooding and remnants of Typhoon Halong that occurred Oct. 8-13, 2025.

Individuals living or working in the disaster area may qualify for DUA if they have experienced any of the following:

· Disqualified or exhausted entitlement to regular Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits;

· Worked, were self-employed, or were scheduled to begin work or self-employment in an area covered by the disaster declaration;

· Became unemployed or unable to work as a direct result of the disaster;

· Unable to reach their place of employment or business as a direct result of the disaster;

· Cannot work due to an injury caused by the disaster; or

· Have become the major support of the household due to a death directly related to the disaster.

Get more information here

OFFICE OF DISASTER RECOVERY & RESILIENCE

Release Date: Oct. 27, 2025

Release Number: AK 21338-01

SBA Offers Relief to Alaska Private Nonprofits Affected by October Storms

Low interest disaster loans now available

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the availability of low interest federal disaster loans to private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Alaska affected by severe storms, flooding, and remnants of Typhoon Halong occurring Oct. 8-13.

The disaster declaration covers the Alaska Lower Kuskokwim Regional Educational Attendance Area, Lower Yukon REAA and Northwest Arctic Borough.

Full Information Document here

Notification of Response Fund Access for 2025 Typhoon Halong Event

Use of the Response Account of the Oil and Hazardous Substance Release Prevention and Response Fund for the 2025 Typhoon Halong.

Under AS 46.08.045(b), the Department of Environmental Conservation is required, within 120 hours of using money in the Response Account, to provide a written report to the Governor and the Legislative Budget and Audit Committee summarizing the release, the state’s actions, both taken and anticipated, and the costs of the state’s actions, both taken and anticipated.

With this notification, please find attached information regarding the Department’s best estimate of the anticipated use of the Response Account to address the subject incident. As further information becomes available to us, we will report to you any additional use of the Response Account.

Full Notification Document here, with $2.5 Million Expenditure enumeration

*************************************

Dept of Environmental Conservation

Financial Status of Oil and Hazardous Substance

Release Prevention and Response accounts

As of the most recent reporting period, the balance of the Oil and Hazardous Substance Release Prevention and Response accounts was $42,343,064.59.

(Unofficial Dept of Revenue 9/30/35 balance = $44.4 million)

This reflects the following components as of December 31, 2024:

· Unreserved/unobligated Response Account: $41,960,225.16

· Surcharge Account (AS 43.55.201): $382,839.43

· Response Mitigation Account: $0.00

These figures represent the third quarter balance reported to the Department of Revenue by the Department of Administration and is prior to the state’s expenditure related to the Typhoon Halong event.

Alaskan leaders assess cost of long-term support for those displaced by Halong. Alaska's News Source

State begins distributing disaster aid to residents of Western Alaska, federal aid also approved. Alaska Beacon

The State of Alaska has begun distributing disaster relief payments, totaling over $217,000 as of Friday, to residents of western Alaska impacted by storm damage from ex-Typhoon Halong. The state has received more than 940 applications for state individual assistance, according to a statement from the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. Applications are open on the state’s website, through Nov. 9.

Are States Ready to Cover More Disaster Costs? Governing

It’s not yet clear how much financial support states can expect from a reimagined FEMA. A new analysis of past costs sheds light on the gaps they might have to fill.

RED CROSS ASSISTANCE UPDATE

Here’s an update of our ongoing efforts:

Sheltering & Transition

We continue to transfer clients from congregate shelters to non-congregate sheltering (NCS) in hotels organized by the State’s contractor. Our Red Cross teams continue to help clients pack, with transportation, escorting them to their rooms, and offering welcome baskets to ensure a warm and dignified transition to this next phase of recovery. Congregate shelters will remain open until every client has safely moved to their next step.

Please know that the following numbers are very fluid as people continue to transfer and additional people, who may have been temporarily staying with family members, request shelter.

Shelter Snapshot (October 29):

Alaska Airlines Center – 71 clients

William A. Egan Civic & Convention Center – 101 clients

Long House Hotel – 0 clients - Closed

Chefornak School – 4 clients

Lewis Angapak Memorial School – 4 clients

Negtemiut Elitnaurviat School – 6 clients

Nearly 200 people are currently in the non-congregate shelters.

Feeding Support

With the help of our feeding partners, we have served over 49,400 meals and snacks, including traditional foods to best meet the needs of the community.

Financial Assistance & Client Services

Immediate Financial Assistance (IFA) is underway in shelters. 100 cases opened, serving 405 individuals, to help families meet urgent needs. The Alaska Institute for Justice is embedded in our response, providing translation of critical information to ensure culturally respectful communication.

Reunification Services

Our teams are actively reconnecting families separated by the disaster. Anyone needing help can visit redcross.org/gethelp or call 1-800-RED-CROSS.

Workforce Commitment

More than 230 dedicated Red Cross responders are actively supporting these efforts across Alaska, bringing compassion, expertise, and a deep commitment to walking alongside communities as they recover from Typhoon Halong.

Team Rubicon Update

Donation Request List for Storm Survivors in Anchorage, Bethel, and Affected Villages in the Y-K Delta

Anchorage, AK (October 29, 2025) – Team Rubicon has been working in close concert with local nonprofits and local, state, and federal agencies to develop and distribute an up-to-date list of needed donations for the survivors of Typhoon Halong. Volunteers from the veteran-led disaster response organization—whom we call Greyshirts—have been working hard at the central donations collection warehouse to collect, organize, and deliver the donated needs identified by local partners to the evacuee shelters in Anchorage and newly opened warehouses in Bethel.

The donation center is at 1120 East First Avenue in Anchorage, open 7 days a week, from 9-4pm, 907-205-8685. Greyshirts will be there to intake and process donations every day of this ongoing operation.

Team Rubicon reminds people interested in donating that we are currently only accepting NEW donation items and ask that no used items be dropped off at the warehouse. We also ask that all food items, including water, to be delivered to the Food Bank of Alaska. Members of the public interested in donating to the survivors and evacuee shelters are encouraged to bring the following NEW items to the warehouse (top and bolded most needed):

Ongoing urgent needs:

· Luggage, including duffel bags

· Mattress pads (for cots and floors)

· Air mattresses (for host homes)

· Children’s pants (boys and girls, all sizes)

· Tissues

· All large sizes of sports bras (no underwire)

· Crafting supplies (especially traditional, including fabric, beading, crochet hooks, needles, crafting supply organizers)

· Winter boots (small to size 8 1/2)

· Men’s and women’s clothing (Especially larger sizes, undergarments, and men's pants)

· Shower shoes or crocs

· Hats and gloves (Specifically children’s hats and adult gloves)

· Pillows

· Hygiene products

· Sleeping bags

November SNAP (food stamps) Suspended

A bulletin from Alaska Dept of Health

"As many of you have likely seen, Food Nutrition Services (FNS) has issued notice to states that November 1^st SNAP benefits will not be issued due to insufficient funds. I have attached a FAQ regarding questions related to the SNAP benefit suspension anticipated to start on Saturday, November 1^st. Please note this is a dynamic situation with a shifting federal landscape. We will do our best to be communicative as guidance develops.

Our priority is to ensure Alaskans have continued access to essential nutrition assistance. Due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has directed all states to suspend the issuance of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for November 2025. As a result, the Division of Public Assistance (DPA) is unable to issue November SNAP benefits until further notice from FNS. DPA will continue to accept and process SNAP applications, reported changes, and mid-certifications that are submitted during this time. Doing so will support DPA staff to act quickly to restore SNAP benefit distribution when FNS provides additional guidance.

As the situation develops, we will update our webpage and our social media channels."

FAQ from Dept of Health is here.

Thousands of Alaskans likely to go without food aid in November as federal shutdown begins. Alaska Public Media

“Unfortunately due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, the USDA's food nutrition services has directed all states to stop issuance in November for SNAP benefits because there's no federal funds available,”

Food banks are preparing for a surge as federal food aid could be paused in the government shutdown Anchorage Daily News

Food banks and pantries were already struggling after federal program cuts this year, but now they’re bracing for a tsunami of hungry people if a pause in federal food aid to low-income people kicks in this weekend as the federal government shutdown persists.

From an Alaska Constituent

Senate District E

"Administrative Orders"

"Dear Senator Cathy Giessel,

I am writing as an Alaskan to express my deep concern regarding Administrative Order No. 359 and Administrative Order No. 360, recently issued by Governor Dunleavy. While these orders cleverly focus on buzzwords like fiscal “responsibility”, and “efficiency”, they miss the mark entirely and in fact create more work for government agencies, less certainty in our state’s permitting process and undermine Alaska’s last line of defense for the protection of Alaska fish and wildlife resources we all care for and depend upon. In particular, a mandate that natural resource permits be issued automatically if arbitrary deadlines are not met makes a mockery of the permitting process and completely erodes the public’s confidence in the ability of agencies to protect Alaska’s land, air, water, fish, and game.

In summary:

-The Legislature, as the people’s representative body, must play a role in reviewing significant policy changes of this scope.

-AO’s would weaken and complicate the permitting process for extractive development projects in favor of outside extractors while reducing protections for our fishing, hunting, and outdoor recreational industries here in Alaska.

As my representative in Juneau, I am respectfully requesting that you:

1. Review these Orders in detail to ensure they align with legislative intent and constitutional balance.

2. Hold public hearings to gather input from Alaskans who will be directly impacted.

3. Assert legislative oversight over administrative actions that carry broad and lasting implications for our economy and communities.

Alaskans believe in right-sized, accountable government, respect for our state’s resources, and the importance of sustaining Alaska’s way of life.. Administrative Orders should reflect those values. Thank you for providing the checks and balances necessary to protect both Alaska’s economy and its people.

Signed: A District E Alaskan"

My Comment:

Here is AO 359 and AO 360

Yes, these Orders from the Governor do just what my constituent outlines.

AO 358

And AO 358 does more - effectively vetoes bills that have been passed. A bill passed, and was not vetoed, that included a fee on outside insurance companies that are costing Alaskans more for healthcare. Because of AO 358, the regulations to stop this healthcare cost increase were prevented from being written; so the bill effectively was vetoed and sits ineffective right now. The Governor has told the Legislature he wants "no increased fees, fines, or taxes".

Alaska Plastic Recovery

Grizzly Wood

If you've been bringing your plastics (#1, 2, 5, and #4 Yogurt Lids) to recycle at the MOA site...

Last Day for this year - October 31

October Newsletter from Alaska Plastic Recovery Is HERE.

Current Topics

Why States Should Think Again Before Closing Primaries

While closed primaries may be appealing to entrenched political parties, they are incompatible with the modern American electorate, whose view of both major parties is near record lows. In states with a larger population of independent voters, mirroring the national level of 43 percent, or where voters are not currently required to affiliate with a party when registering to vote, such as in Texas and Ohio, excluding such a large segment of the voting population may be untenable.

(My Comment: Sixty percent (60%) of Alaskans do not choose to be Republican or Democrat. Republicans want to go back to closed primary elections, preventing people voting for some R and some D candidates in the Primary. This disenfranchises more than half of Alaskans, preventing Alaskans’ choices from being heard.)

Alaska DNR commissioner leaves job

(My Comment: Another Gubernatorial candidate? I hope not. John Boyle is an intelligent person who cares about Alaska. He would be far more effective in helping Alaska move forward in another role than Governor. Newly appointed John Crowther is a very capable person and will do well leading DNR, at least for the coming year.)

Chicago and most cities with National Guard deployments are safer than Anchorage, stats show Alaska Beacon

An analysis of federal and state crime data by the Alaska Beacon, building upon a larger analysis by Stateline, shows almost all of Trump’s deployments have targeted cities with lower violent crime rates than Anchorage and other places in Alaska.

Things That I Found Interesting

Billionaire seeks controlling interest in GCI, regulatory filings show. Alaska Beacon

Alaska’s largest residential internet provider may soon come under the control of billionaire businessman John Malone, one of America’s biggest private landowners and wealthiest people. On Oct. 3, Malone filed paperwork with the Regulatory Commission of Alaska asking for permission to take majority ownership of GCI Liberty Inc., the parent company of GCI Communications, Alaska’s largest internet company.

(My comment: And with NO PERSONAL INCOME TAX in Alaska, ka-ching!)

Jay Hammond’s PFD intent language - The Alaska Landmine

Opinion: Teaching in the Last Frontier: A Filipino POV - Anchorage Daily News

1 big thing: The power to do almost anything. Axios

Eye on what matters most: Under this theory, there's little to stop or slow ever-expanding presidential power. This pushes power away from ordinary voters, through their congressional representatives, and into the hands of one person. This theory of virtually unlimited presidential power isn't new. But it's never been stretched this far, this fast.

Facing attacks. Axios

50% of respondents at critical infrastructure organizations said they had already faced an AI-powered attack in the last year.

U.S. adversaries embrace AI. Axios

China: Chinese hackers are using AI "as a side saddle" or "a buddy" to enhance their influence operations and other schemes. Russia: Hackers have been experimenting with AI-powered malware in their attacks on Ukrainian entities as part of the ongoing war.

Arctic Issues

Three ways the US can build a more lethal fighting force in the Arctic. Atlantic Council

As the Pentagon reportedly plans to focus on the Western Hemisphere and homeland security in its upcoming National Defense Strategy, it must not neglect the United States’ northernmost border: the Arctic.To secure all US borders and deter adversary bellicosity in a critical frontier, the Pentagon should take three steps: harmonize command structures through liaison officers and exercise synchronization, expand the Army’s Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center in Alaska, and deepen NATO non-Arctic member participation in polar training.

Energy

Alaska LNG project nets preliminary agreement with Tokyo utility. KDLL

Tokyo Gas has not said it would buy Alaska LNG Reporting From Alaska

(Comment from a reader: "As I read the news reports fawning over the Tokyo Gas “announcement,” I find it increasingly frustrating that reporters are not reporting the actual language of the letter. Sigh.

(Nikkei Asia; Oct. 24) -The deal, signed between Tokyo Gas and Glenfarne Group, the developer of the Alaska LNG project, is not legally binding, the Japanese company said. But Tokyo Gas said it will allow the company to "gather information on the project's development and consider its economics, with an eye toward future LNG procurement possibilities.")

Politics

Dunleavy administration contracts national law firm to review investment of state savings. ADN

(My comment: This article raises more questions than it answers. Linkage between parties, money taken from our savings account to invest with uncertain approvals from Dept of Law and Governor, who is the law firm who is doing the work… I’d encourage folks to read the article and follow the topic.)

The Peril of a White House That Flaunts Its Indifference to the Law. NYTimes

Trump's National Guard deployment raise worries about state sovereignty. Alaska Beacon

“I don’t want this to be a political conversation but, I mean, the fact you bring people from other states who maybe have different politics — I think it shows an administration that’s trying to pit people against other people,” Shaoul said. The campaign to send the National Guard into Democratic-leaning cities he describes as crime-ridden has so far reached Los Angeles; Washington, D.C.; Memphis, Tennessee; Chicago and Portland. He has federalized — taken command of — hundreds of active-duty guard members to staff the deployments.

Four attorneys seek upcoming open seat on Alaska Court of Appeals Alaska Beacon

On Nov. 5, the Alaska Judicial Council will take public testimony and vote on a list of finalists for candidates to replace longtime Judge Bethany Harbison.

Trump plans to nominate state fish and game attorney for Alaska federal judgeship Alaska Beacon

Trump to nominate state natural resources attorney to vacant Alaska federal judge position Anchorage Daily News

President Donald Trump plans to nominate Aaron Peterson, an attorney with the Alaska Department of Law’s natural resources division, for one of two open federal judgeships on the bench of the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska.

Cox names Outside attorney to serve as Alaska’s solicitor general Anchorage Daily News

Lorence does not currently reside in Alaska and is not a member of the Alaska Bar Association. She is expected to move to Alaska later this year, a department spokesperson said, and will be permitted to practice law in Alaska under a provisional license until she is admitted to the Alaska Bar.

Transportation

Ferry advisory board questions economic analysis of planned terminal 28 miles north of Juneau ADN

The economic impacts of the new ferry terminal “are contingent upon speculative, yet potentially significant, industrial development opportunities,” economist Ed King wrote in a report commissioned by the Department of Transportation, adding that Alaska Marine Highway System “operational savings alone do not justify the capital cost from a pure finance perspective” but “the value of broader public-sector benefits should be considered.”

Education

Anchorage School District to hold public meetings on plan to close two more elementary schools. ADN

District administrators released a plan early this month to close Fire Lake Elementary School in Eagle River and Lake Otis Elementary School in Anchorage. The plan would allow charter schools to operate out of the vacant buildings next school year.

Health Care

1 big thing: Rethinking the drug talk. Axios

"This is about mental health, stress management and life skills. ... Prevention isn't anti-drug education — it's building resilience so they never need the drugs in the first place."

Thousands of Alaskans likely to go without food aid in November as federal shutdown begins. Alaska Public Media

Food banks are preparing for a surge as federal food aid could be paused in the government shutdown Anchorage Daily News

Rural housing and homelessness Talk of Alaska

PODCAST: Housing for people who have been sleeping outdoors becomes more urgent as winter approaches, and as the chronic shortage of affordable housing persists across the state, new complications such as the federal government shutdown and the sudden housing crisis in the Kuskokwim region are adding pressure to plans for helping Alaskans find shelter. What are state and city leaders working on and how can people help? The ongoing need for safe, affordable housing is our discussion on this Talk of Alaska.

Alaska Oil Resource Values

Alaska North Slope crude oil price (10/28/25): $65.90

FY26 budget (beginning 7/1) is fully funded at a

forecast of $64/barrel of oil.

History of prices:

9/2024: $63.63

9/30/23: $87.99

9/30/22: $86.91

6/29/22: $116.84

3/08/22: $125.44

12/22/21: $75.55

March 2020: $12.29

7/3/2008: $144.00

ANS production (10/08/25): 481,677 bpd

Montana edges Alaska in antimony race. Mining News North

While Alaska permitting lagged, the company quickly pivoted to Montana, where its Stibnite Hill project received approvals from the state's Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) earlier this month.

Denmark backs Greenland graphite mine. Mining News North

Among these, graphite has grown increasingly vital as expanding clean energy production and subsequent Chinese export restrictions have reshaped global supply chains, positioning the battery material as critical to both energy security and resource independence. Intended to advance the Amitsoq graphite project as it enters its pre-development phase, the financing follows its June designation as a strategic project under the EU's Critical Raw Materials Act, a classification that highlighted its importance to European supply security.

Mixed news for Red Dog zinc production. Mining News North

Teck, Canadian owned company, attributes the lower zinc output forecasts to wetter weather, which is limiting access to some of the remaining reserves.

Precious Metal Prices

October 29, 2025

Gold - $3934.20

Silver - $47.65

Platinum - $1586.00

Palladium - $1382.00

Rhodium - $7800.00

Alaska Permanent Fund

website

Fund value October 7, 2025 - $86,566,300,000

PFD payout from ERA, Fiscal years 1982-2024: $31.3 billion

Over $100 billion total earnings over lifetime of the Permanent Fund