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Senate Majority Bipartisan Coalition Website
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State Senator District E
Senate Majority Leader
Senator Cathy Giessel Newsletter
UPDATES
Issues affecting
your family, community and jobs.
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Dear friends and neighbors,
Happy Thanksgiving!
Map Monday: Two Thanksgivings, One Decisions That Divided the Nation. NCSL
President Franklin D. Roosevelt made a bold decision in 1939, sparking a spirited debate across America. To extend the holiday shopping season, Roosevelt moved Thanksgiving Day to the third Thursday in November from the fourth, according to the National Archives. The change to the day originally set by Abraham Lincoln ignited a controversy, with 22 states celebrating on the new day and 23 the old, and three states celebrating both days, according to the New York Times of the day. Critics dubbed the new day “Franksgiving.” Later, other states decided to celebrate the earlier day, but Congress finally intervened to end the confusion and set the holiday on the fourth Thursday in November.
Items in this Newsletter:
· Anchorage Security and Defense Conference
· Permanent Fund Report. 10-31-24
· Perm Fund Video re: investment decisions
· Perm Fund Video re: careers in finance
· Providence Nurses Speak About Virtual Nurses
· WestJet Announces Alaska Service
· AK DOT Avalanche Safety with Drone Technology
· Inaugural Rural Child Trauma Institute
· Current Topics, Stuff I Found Interesting, National Security, Fisheries, Economy, Politics, Healthcare
· Resource Values, Permanent Fund
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This Conference ended on Nov. 21 but I wanted to share just a few points from that last day.
Strategies for infrastructure emphasized dual use infrastructure, use of innovations and technology, shared goals. The Denali Commission was represented by incoming Federal co-chair, Julie Kitka. I appreciated her attention to maximizing the use of Federal funds that often go unspent. Fuel storage needs maintenance and upgrade in rural Alaska; this stored fue could also serve military use.
Co-chair Kitka also spoke about our fisheries; she said that right now China consumes 52% of the world's fish proteins, with their goal being 80%. She pointed out that this will be at the cost to Alaska fish harvest. When Russia was testing war equipment in the Bering Sea in the last year, Alaska fishing vessels had to stop fishing and evacuate the area. China and Russia flagged military vessels are also being used to fish.
There was much more related to security and resilience, cyber security, risk assessment. All this requires an awareness, commitment to action, and commensurate appropriations. An interesting statement was made: "Strategies without appropriations are hallucinations."
U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan had a recorded message to the Conference, calling out the Russian and Chinese bombers and fighter jets maneuvering along Alaska's border. He said that 3 years ago 7 Russia/China naval vessels we in our EZ; we sent one, 150ft USCG vessel to respond. Two years ago, 12 Russia/China naval ships entered our EZ; we sent 4 naval destroyers in response. So we are upping our response. He called for the reopening of the Adak naval station, as the gateway to the Arctic, rather than Guam.
These notes that I've shared with you are barely touching the surface of all the information discussed at the meeting. Overall, this was a very interesting and informative conference.
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The short video with the Investment Officer and Risk Officer is very interesting, explaining the investment strategies.
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A short video - advice on pursuing an Investment Career!
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Providence Nurses Speak Out About New Virtual Nurses
Providence Hospital nurses raise the alarm about "virtual nursing" used to replace bedside hospital care.
Nurses at PAMC have delivered a petition to their CEO and filed federal labor charges, all in opposition to hospital managers' plans to decrease the number of bedside nurses in two critical hospital units at PAMC where "virtual nurses" have been introduced.
Nurse to patient ratios are a standard metric that helps make sure that each patient in the hospital receives enough attention and care. In the two PAMC units where nurses already take more patients than standards set in Oregon and California would allow, PAMC management wants to increase the number of patients even more, while promising help from virtual nurses.
Virtual nurses are licensed RNs who can video conference into a patients' room from anywhere in the world to talk to patients and fill out some electronic paperwork. Providence's says each virtual nurse will be helping with between 18-30 patients at a time. Hospital managers have promised that "virtual nurses" will be able to pick up the slack and support bedside nurses who are being forced to care for more patients, but the RNs in Anchorage have pushed back, saying that the majority of their work is at the bedside, in-person caregiving, and adding to their already heavy patient-load compromises the safety of patients.
Here is a round-up of all the coverage of the press conference, along with a link to photos.
Media Coverage:
Anchorage nurses' union takes action against hospital over virtual nurses' concerns. Your Alaska Link
Providence nurses say Anchorage hospital's plan for 'virtual' teams puts patients in danger. ADN
New virtual nursing model at Providence raises concerns for some nursing staff. Alaska's News Source
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WestJet Announces First-Ever Service to Alaska
WestJet new Anchorage-Calgary route starts summer 2025
(Anchorage, Alaska) – Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) is excited to welcome WestJet Airlines as it launches its inaugural service to Alaska in summer 2025. This new route will connect Anchorage (ANC) to Calgary International Airport (YYC), strengthening ties between Alaska and Canada and offering travelers convenient access to WestJet’s extensive network.
Starting June 29, 2025, WestJet will operate twice-weekly flights between Anchorage and Calgary. Calgary International Airport, a major hub for WestJet, provides seamless connections to destinations across Canada, the United States, Europe, and Asia, making it easier than ever for Alaskans to reach a variety of global destinations.
This new route also opens Alaska to Canadian travelers, inviting them to experience the state’s stunning landscapes, unique recreational opportunities, and vibrant culture. The Anchorage-Calgary connection is expected to enhance tourism and strengthen economic ties between the regions.
“We are thrilled to welcome WestJet’s new service between Anchorage and Calgary. This route strengthens our connection to Canada, offering travelers more convenience and opportunities to explore everything both Anchorage and Calgary have to offer,” said Angie Spear, Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, Director. “WestJet’s commitment to this market reflects the growing demand for seamless travel options, and we are proud to support this expansion. We look forward to a successful partnership with WestJet and encourage travelers to take advantage of this exciting new service.”
The ANC-YYC route will operate twice weekly, from June 29 through September 7, 2025, with schedules designed to align with peak summer travel demand and provide smooth connections through WestJet’s Calgary hub.
“We are excited to be adding service between the iconic tourism destination of Anchorage and Calgary, our global hub, where guests can further seamlessly connect to our vast network of 40 domestic destinations across Canada and nine transcontinental destinations featuring convenient service to both Europe and Asia,” said John Weatherill, WestJet Group, Executive Vice-President and Chief Commercial Officer. “The parallels that exist between Anchorage and Calgary’s recreational landscapes are undeniable and we are proud to provide our guests with this convenient link to further fulfill our guests travel aspirations this summer as Canada’s leisure champion.”
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Alaska DOT&PF Enhances Avalanche Safety with Innovative Drone Technology
November is Avalanche Awareness Month in Alaska
(ANCHORAGE, Alaska) — In observance of Avalanche Awareness Month, the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) is proud to highlight recent technological advancements in and strategic partnerships in avalanche mitigation to ensure the safety of the public, and accessibility of Alaska's highways.
Alaska’s rugged terrain and extreme winter conditions make avalanche management a critical component of maintaining highway safety. Each year, the DOT&PF’s avalanche response teams work diligently to ensure the state’s roadways remain accessible while minimizing risks to travelers. The department appreciates the public’s continued patience when crews are performing mitigation work.
In early 2024, DOT&PF, in partnership with the Alaska Railroad Corporation (ARCC), successfully tested Drone Avalanche Reduction Technology (DART). This initiative involved deploying and detonating explosives via U.S.-made Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) to trigger controlled avalanches. This pioneering effort demonstrated the potential of drones to enhance safety and efficiency in avalanche mitigation.
The State of Alaska is moving away from military artillery as a primary means of avalanche mitigation and will adopt Remote Avalanche Control Systems (RACS). UAS will help fill the gap where RACS are not feasible or economical.
“Collaborating with the Alaska Railroad, private industry and researchers and universities has allowed us to leverage cutting-edge advancements and apply them to Alaska’s unique challenges,” said Tim Glassett, DOT&PF Avalanche and Artillery Program Manager. “By working together, we’re not only improving safety for our highways but also setting a new standard for avalanche control systems worldwide.”
RACS are fixed-position detonation installations commonly used in mountainous areas to protect infrastructure from natural avalanches. They are becoming the international standard for avalanche hazard reduction. The integration of UAS technology complements these systems, offering flexibility in areas where fixed installations are impractical.
As winter is underway throughout Alaska, DOT&PF remains committed to keeping Alaska's highways open and safe for travelers. The department encourages the public to stay informed about road conditions and avalanche mitigation work by visiting 511.alaska.gov or downloading the 511 Alaska Travel App.
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Inaugural Rural Child Trauma Institute: December 4!
This virtual event will focus on the unique challenges of providing trauma informed care for children living in rural communities including access, provision of treatment via telehealth, provider training in evidence-based practices, rural engagement, and cultural competency.
Please visit the Alaska Child Trauma Center page to register! There is no cost to attend, but pre-registration is required.
Sessions include:
Navigating the Impact of Military Service on Rural Child Trauma with Mary Beth Goodman; MA, LPC, NCC.
This presentation will explore the unique challenges faced by children in rural areas impacted by a parent’s military service. It will delve into the intersection of rural isolation, community dynamics, economic factors, and the cultural nuances that contribute to trauma in these children. The discussion will emphasize the importance of culturally competent care and the need for tailored mental health interventions that build resilience and support the well-being of these vulnerable children.
TRIBES Parenting Curriculum presented by the University of New Mexico
The TRIBES Parenting Curriculum aims to empower individuals, families, organizations, and communities with the knowledge and tools needed to transcend trauma for healthier children, families and communities.
This curriculum in unique because it seeks to acknowledge the parents’ experience of their own parenting history and journey; impacts that influenced parenting behavior; and processing those impacts before moving into skill building and information sharing on child development – thus transcending the trauma.
Developed by experts in Historical Trauma, child development, adult learning theory, trauma-informed facilitation, and cultural safety & adaptation, this curriculum aims to be accessible, informative, practical, and localizable. This curriculum will be implemented in Alaska next year.
Rural Child Trauma Toolkit Development by Alaska Behavioral Health staff
This workshop will introduce a new toolkit resource that is under development by the Alaska Behavioral Health team. This toolkit will provide accessible resources for providers engaged in the treatment of trauma with children who live, or have lived, in rural communities. Participants will be asked to provide feedback on toolkit materials and suggestions for further development.
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Current Topics
Anchorage 8th grader wins first ever National Civics Bee. Alaska Public Media
Romig Middle School 8th grader Emily Brubaker won the first ever National Civics Bee at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation headquarters in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 12. Scores for each round of the bee were weighted and even during the final round, contestants were unaware of who was in the lead until the winner was announced.
Stuff I Found Interesting
Among butter clams, which pose toxin dangers to Alaska harvesters, size matter, study indicates. Alaska Beacon
Butter clams, important to many Alaskans’ diets, are notorious for being sources of the toxin that causes sometimes-deadly paralytic shellfish poisoning. Now a new study is providing information that might help people harvest the clams more safely and monitor the toxin levels more effectively.
If you think you know it all, it's time for some 'intellectual humility'. NCSL
Research shows that people who approach the world with “intellectual humility” have a better command of facts, better memory and better impulse control, says John Medina, a developmental molecular biologist who focuses on brain development. As a result, they manage conflict better, he adds.
National Security
Denmark and Greenland to discuss Arctic defense cooperation amid global tensions. Eye on the Arctic
Denmark’s Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen is visiting Greenland for the second time this year to talk Arctic security with Greenland’s Defense Minister Vivian Motzfeldt. The discussions come after an invitation from Greenland to delve into defense policy, and Greenland’s role in any future regional defense investments.
Fisheries
Alaska seafood processing workers made more money in 2023, but there were fewer of them. Alaska Beacon
The employment trends are what would be expected in an industry struggling to find workers, said Dan Robinson, the state economist who wrote the analysis for the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development’s monthly magazine. “I do think the reason for that is just they’ve had to work harder to get workers and to pay workers more to come there,” said Robinson, the department’s research chief and author of the article in the November issue of Alaska Economic Trends.
Alaska's total commercial salmon harvest this year was ultra-low in both quantity and value. Alaska Beacon
The number of Alaska salmon harvested by commercial fishers was the third smallest since all-species records began in 1985, and the value to harvesters, when adjusted for inflation, was the lowest reported since 1975, state officials said.
Economy
1 big thing: Trump counties' disproportionate dependence on federal cash. Axios
The incoming administration will face stark fiscal arithmetic: Most federal dollars go to direct transfers to Americans, disproportionately located in the very places that propelled Trump back to the White House.
(My Comment: Alaska is very dependent on federal money. What happens when new Trump administration cuts off the funding?)
The industries that could be hardest hit by Trump's immigration crackdown. Axios
President-elect Trump's vow to deport millions of undocumented immigrants could eliminate workers from U.S. industries already projected to face labor shortages.
(My comment: Alaska relies on Filipino teachers. Will these be denied?)
Nonresident hire rises amid workforce shortage. Alaska Business
Hiring from Outside isn’t necessarily a bad thing, Robinson cautioned, but it is “one of the things that happens when you don’t have the people living in the state [to fill jobs].” The nonresident hire rate normally hovers around 20 percent, but it’s been rising steadily since dipping in 2019 to 18.5 percent.
Editorial: What does Alaska's nonresident workforce cost us? ADN
In some rural communities that have struggled to hire law enforcement officers, the local governments have turned to flying in police officers who live Outside. The officers work shifts reminiscent of North Slope oil workers — a couple weeks on, then a flight back Outside to the communities where they live with their families.
Opinion: Make Social Security benefits fair for all. ADN
Commentary: Changes to federal law driving up costs would be in Alaska's interest, alongside America's. Alaska Beacon
For states with limited manufacturing or industrial capacity – like Alaska – BABA is effectively a policy that transfers wealth and jobs to other parts of the country. While other states may benefit from BABA’s mandates, in Alaska it’s driving up costs, causing delays, and threatening critical infrastructure projects in some of our most vulnerable communities.
(My comment: I appreciate what these mayors have expressed. I understand their request for a “waiver”. An alternative would be for Alaska to get back to work and productive policies. If we hadn’t been ignoring the erosion of our education system for the last 10+ years, we would have the workforce doing innovative stuff. If we had been listening to public safety and public health, we would have safe communities with thriving families. Unfortunately we’ve been held hostage by trivia and policies that have driven our economy downward and our population moving out of state. I remain optimistic that with rational policy makers coming to Juneau, rational policies will follow…and not face gubernatorial vetoes.)
Alaska's minimum wage will increase in 2025. Alaska Department of Labor
Politics
Record number of women state lawmakers. Axios
Turnout, ballot splitting and a blue Anchorage: 3 takeaways from Alaska's election results. ADN
Alaskans again showed a strong propensity for split-ticket voting.
Ranked-choice voting repeal results leaves mixed reaction among Alaskans. Alaska's News Source
(My comment: Voters who choose not to rank are that same as voters who choose not to vote in certain races. Some people only choose to vote in a Presidential race, leaving “down-ballot” races blank. They are not “being disenfranchised”; they are, as the Alaska Supreme Court observed, expressing their preference and right to vote or not. People who choose to not vote at all are not being “disenfranchised”. Disenfranchisement happens in closed primaries when only certain people get to vote their desires. Vehemently partisan loyalists oppose letting people cross ballot vote, thereby disenfranchising the more than 60% of Alaskans who are not Republican or Democrat.)
Susan Carney tapped as next chief justice of Alaska Supreme Court. Alaska Public Media
Carney will serve a three-year term as chief justice after winning a majority vote of the five-member Alaska Supreme Court. She’ll serve as the administrative head of the Alaska Court System and will likely preside over the first majority-female Alaska Supreme Court, since all three attorneys nominated to replace Maassen are women. Carney will also be the only judge on the bench not appointed by Gov. Mike Dunleavy.
Healthcare
Alaska's gonorrhea rate is the nation's highest and chlamydia rate is third highest. Alaska Beacon
Alaska had the nation’s highest rate of gonorrhea last year and the third-highest rate of chlamydia, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported. The rankings are from the CDC’s newest annual report on sexually transmitted infections, which was released last week.
Recently unionized home care workers in Alaska approve first contracts. Alaska Beacon
“Growth in the direct care workforce has not kept pace with the growth in the senior population,” said the most recent Alaska State Plan for Senior Services. Worker shortages have plagued both home care services and assisted living facilities, according to the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority. While the percentage of elderly residents in the state is one of the smallest in the nation, that population segment is growing faster in Alaska than in any other state.
Alaska crests fourth wave of opioid epidemic as more people combine methamphetamine with opioids. Alaska Public Media
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Alaska Oil Resource Values
Alaska North Slope crude oil price (11/27/24): $71.62
FY24 budget (beginning 7/1) is fully funded at a
forecast of $73/barrel of oil.
Price on 9/30/23: $87.99
Price on 9/30/22: $86.91
Price on 6/29/22: $116.84
Price on 3/08/22: $125.44
Price on 12/22/21: $75.55
ANS production (11/26/24): 498,011 bpd
Global natural gas market may experience a tighter supply-demand balance this winter. EIA
The last two winters in the Northern Hemisphere were exceptionally mild, keeping global natural gas markets well supplied and balanced at relatively low prices. Prices going into this winter are only slightly higher than last year at the same time based on current forward natural gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) prices in Europe and Asia. If weather remains mild this winter as in the past two winters, we expect a relatively stable global supply-demand balance with prices similar to the previous two winters. But if Europe and Asia experience colder temperatures this winter than in the past two years or other operational and market risks materialize, global supply-demand balances could tighten, leading to elevated natural gas prices and potential price spikes.
Canada's oil patch warns Trump's tariffs would raise US gasoline prices. Bloomberg
The U.S. imports almost 4 million barrels of relatively cheap Canadian crude a day, an arrangement that allows the U.S. to export an even greater amount of its own higher-value oil while still meeting domestic demand. While oil and gas were spared tariffs in Trump’s first administration, his post on Nov. 25 said he would impose 25% tariffs on “ALL products” from Mexico and Canada on his first day in office. “The Canada-U.S. energy partnership is more than 100 years old and is highly correlated to national security, energy security, economic security and geopolitical security,” Lisa Baiton, chief executive officer of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, said in an emailed statement.
(My comment: This populist policy by the US makes no sense. Canada is our largest and most reliable trade partner. In addition, they step up in the Arctic security and defense realm. This proposed policy against Canadian trade demonstrates a lack of information and critical thinking.)
Precious Metal Prices
November 27, 2024
Gold - $2641.61
Silver - $30.07
Platinum - $942.93
Palladium - $1008.91
Rhodium - $4600.00
Alaska Permanent Fund
website
Fund value November 26, 2024 - $81,938,000,000
PFD payout from ERA, Fiscal years 1980-2024: $43.9 Billion
$100 Billion total earnings over lifetime of the Permanent Fund
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