Fairbanks: Canada, the U.S. and Us

March 21, 2025

Dear Neighbors,

Today is the 60^th legislative day, half way through the legislative session, the first official day of Spring and my birthday! The Capitol has been abuzz during this midpoint in the session as bills have begun to move, the budget has taken form, new initiatives have been introduced and others have been met with defeat. The education omnibus bill that has passed the State House is being considered in the Senate, United States Senator Lisa Murkowski and Senator Dan Sullivan visited Juneau to address the legislature in joint sessions with very differing viewpoints and the budget is set to be on the House floor in the upcoming week. Check out all of the news right here or contact me directly at the legislative offices at 907.456.7423.

Senator Kawasaki cutting his birthday cake!

What Happens in Washington Ripples Across the US

There has been a lot of discussion about the happenings in Washington and we were able to hear first-hand from our congressional leaders this week at separate joint sessions. Working with our DC partners is important because the state budget is more than 40% made up with federal funds and even a larger portion of our economy is directly tied to the federal government. A bad decision in DC means a bad outcome in Alaska plain and simple.

Senator Murkowski joined us on Tuesday to talk about her time in Washington as she is on Senate Appropriations and has considerable seniority. With a House, Senate and White House controlled exclusively by Congressional Republicans it might make things easier. However, the activity from the White House has led to thousands of critical Alaska job losses and cuts to Medicaid mean that those costs might be shifted to states that can afford the responsibility or result in a loss of services to needy Alaskans. The Senator left us in a rather somber-but realistic mood.

Senator Murkowski addressing the Alaskan State Legislature

Senator Sullivan was escorted through a raucous crowd of local residents and Capitol visitors advocating for him to host his own public town hall meetings, stand up (or at least speak up) on some of the issues related to frozen federal funds that are harmful to Alaska and to support Ukraine over the Trump Administration admiration of Russian President Putin. His speech delved in to the history of the Obama and then Biden administrations and then back to President Jimmy Carter. The Senator spoke to claps of support of the way the Trump Administration has promoted a natural gas line in Alaska though admitting it isn’t close to being sanctioned at this point.

Protestors waiting to confront Senator Sullivan

Our Closest Economic Partner and Neighbor Country - Oh Canada!

President Trump recently imposed 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico despite economic warnings of higher costs to consumers, especially in Alaska and our unique geography of sharing a border with our North American neighbor. Canada has announced retaliatory tariffs in response.

The Alaska economy is so integrated with our very own exports of over $596 million of goods to Canada and imports $753 million of goods from Canada in the most recent year. Tariffs are essentially taxes charged on goods from other countries to try to equalize a trade balance and often end up with higher prices that are borne by producers and then transferred directly to consumers through costs. As we are so dependent on Canadian products here in Alaska, these tariffs are likely to increase our already high cost of living.

SJR9 and HJR11 are resolutions recognizing the relationship between Alaska and Canada and recognizing the importance of the United States-Mexico-Canada agreement that was negotiated by President Trump in 2018.

An infographic explaining tariffs and how the consumer bears that cost

A Better Government – Week of Bill Hearings

During my time in the Senate, I have worked hard to improve government function by making it transparent, responsive and more accountable to the people. I take my job here with the greatest level of importance and recognize all 35+ thousand voters in the district as my direct boss. I work for you! Here are a few bill hearings and a simple note on legislation that I have introduced to help make government work again.

Better Elections Bill – The omnibus elections bill that has been working through the Senate is also moving forward in the House this upcoming week. The HB43 by Rep. Calvin Schrage (I-Anchorage) will be heard in the House State Affairs Committee at 3:15 pm on 3/25. The SB64 by Senate Rules will be heard again on the 3/25 and 3/27 at 3:30pm and public testimony will be open for that bill. Elements of the bill include speeding up the timeline for results, ability to ‘cure’ an error in your ballot, cleaning voter rolls more frequently, postage-paid mail in ballots and creating a rural liaison to help ensure voting access in remote Alaska.

Taking Money Out of Politics – The House/Senate will begin to hear versions of a bill that would limit campaign contributions and finally bring some sense to these high-priced local elections. The Circuit Court struck down the Alaska campaign finance reforms two years ago after a challenge by the Republican party. For the last two cycles, millions have poured into state and local elections because there is absolutely no limit an individual may contribute and no limit from an individual lives out of state. HB16 and SB116 will both have hearings and public testimony available. Both would impose $2000 caps on the amount an individual may donate to a candidate for office. Public testimony SB116 will be taken on Thursday 3/27 from 3:30-5pm. Public testimony on HB16 will be taken on Saturday, 3/29 from 1-3pm.

To Offer Public Testimony - The Senate and House Committees will accept testimony directly to the committee through the teleconference system. Call Juneau 907.586.9085; Anchorage 907.563.9085; All Other Locations 844.586.9085. Emailed comments will also be taken and be part of the public record SenateStateAffairs@akleg.gov or HouseStateAffairs@akleg.gov.

In Times of Stress

Losing a family member is one of the most stressful experiences a person can go through. In addition to mourning their loved one, the family members also often face complicated and costly legal procedures. Going through the probate process can cost a family thousands, potentially tens of thousands of dollars in legal and filing fees.

To help combat this cost, I introduced Senate Bill 104, which would make it easier to transfer a title from a deceased person to a family member. The bill would be an extension of the Uniform Property Transfer Act, which was passed in 2014. At no cost to the state, SB104 would allow countless Alaskans to pass down boats, vehicles and some manufactured homes to beneficiaries with more ease and therefor help simplify the potentially complicated, costly, lengthy and painful process of probate following the death of a loved one.

I am working across the aisle with this bill – it is a companion bill to HB18, sponsored by Representative Rauscher. This bill is also supported by probate lawyers and the Alaska Trust and Estate Professionals (ATEL.)

Funding Cut Fear of the Week

I’ve been writing a lot about how Alaska looks to be negatively impacted by the federal funding cuts, because so many organizations here in Alaska could lose federal funding. Alaska is the MOST federally-dependent state, more than 41% of our annual revenues coming from the federal government. While uncertainty looms, we need to be prepared.

One of our local organizations that could take be taking a hit is the Tanana Chiefs Conference. TCC is concerned that federal cuts will negatively impact their ability to provide health care in Interior Alaska. TCC gets approximately 2/3 of their funding from Medicaid, whose budget could be cut by as much as $2 trillion next fiscal year. The TCC provides healthcare services for approximately 18,000 Alaska Native patients mostly in Fairbanks.

TCC says they are preparing for the federal cuts. They currently have approximately $40 million in reserves that they may have to dip into this reserve while they try to figure out alternative funding sources. The overall health and wellness of our community depends on organizations such as the Tanana Chiefs Conference and it is important that we advocate for them as we face these economic challenges.

If you have been impacted by the federal funding cuts, take Representative Alyse Galvin’s survey here: The Impact of Federal Funding and Layoffs on Alaskans.

Chief Andrew Isaac Health Center in Fairbanks where TCC administers most of its health care

Another New Government Department? Not So Fast!

The Legislature in a Joint Session considered an Executive Order from Governor Dunleavy to create a new Department of Agriculture. From time to time, EO’s are used to help reorganize an administration and this Governor has already used it once to create a new Department of Family and Community Services that has costs millions of dollars-but may have created some efficiencies for the Department of Health. I support a Department of Agriculture. I chartered and chaired the Legislative Food and Farm Caucus. I introduced legislation more than 10 years ago to establish a permanent Department. The EO went too far without the benefits of public testimony, thoughtful committee consideration or even a plan for how to fund a new department. In the end, I am hopeful that we will consider legislation but only if it can be properly funded.

Events In and Around Town

Below are some of the many exciting events happening in Fairbanks.

You’re on Thin Ice! Nenana Ice Classic

Don’t forget to buy your tickets for the Nenana Ice Classic! Rumor has it that the ice is unusually thin this year, so keep that in mind when you make your predictions about when the Tanana River’s ice will go out.

For more information go to nenanaakiceclassic.com Good luck to all of you. My bet is in!

FNSB Animal Shelter Design Open House: Friday March 21, 5:30 – 8pm at the Carlson Center Prow Room

Come learn about the design progress of the proposed new animal shelter.

Puppy Yoga: Sunday March 23, 11 am at the Mac Federal Credit Union.

Help raise money for Forget-Me-Knot Animal Rescue, while getting exercise and hanging out with puppies!

Strike!: A Musical and Dramatic Review: Friday and Saturday at 7:30 pm, Sunday at 2 pm at the Salsbury Theatre

The UAF Department of Theatre & Film's spring show will be running this weekend and next. Come watch a musical about the

Fairbanks Native Association Recruitment Event: Tuesday March 25, 1-4 pm at the Fairbanks Job Center.

FNA is hiring! To find out more about what job openings they have available, attend their recruitment event

https://www.fairbanksnative.org/job-opportunities/

My Staff and I are Here for You

As always, I will continue to keep you updated on what I’m working on in Juneau throughout the session. If you have any questions about anything going on in the Capitol or at home, feel free to give me a call or shoot me an email – as always, my staff and I are working for you. We will assist you with the issues important to you and your family.

Working Hard for Fairbanks Families,