Fairbanks: Responding to the AG, Local Events and more!

July 24, 2023

Dear Neighbors,

Summer has been flying by and these last couple of weeks has been busy! I hope you all were able to enjoy the intermittent sunshine among the clouds and rain and stifling heat. I was so happy to see such a good turnout at summer community events and can’t wait to see more. Read on to hear my response to Alaska’s Attorney General to obtain your private health records, learn about events coming up in and around Fairbanks, upcoming trainings and more!

The Attorney General Must Uphold the Constitution

The Attorney General Treg Taylor recently signed on to a letter that seeks to give government access to private medical records of other states. Specifically, this letter targeted those who live in a state that have banned abortion access. To be clear, abortion access remains legal under the Alaska Constitution and the citizen right to privacy. The letter, signed by Attorneys Generals from Republican-led states, asks for specific health and private medical records from other states. The Attorney General and the government have no business poking around in private medical data of Alaskans even if this happens outside of our own borders.

Regardless of who you are, neither the Alaska Attorney General nor Governor should have access to private medical information. Period. I have dedicated years to defending the right to privacy in Alaska and don’t plan on stopping anytime soon. I would urge Alaskans to continue learning to be vigilant to ensure that those in power uphold the Constitution and read the recent Alaska Beacon article about the letter HERE. Contact the Governor’s Office at 907.451.2920 to let your opinions be heard today.

The Tanana Valley State Fair -- A Hometown Tradition

This week the Tanana Valley State Fair begins! From July 28^th to August 6^th our local fairgrounds in Aurora will be full of people from all over, rides, good food and arts and entertainment. The Fair turns 99 years old this year and I can’t wait to see what they have in store for us this year. This year, the bridge at Noyes Slough will be closed as it is being replaced after decades of service. It will mean that travel must be through Danby Road to the light on College Road. Alternative parking with a shuttle will also be available at the Randy Smith Middle School during peak hours and the full schedule is HERE! What event or activity are you the most excited about?

Job Training Opportunities for Future Workers

Alaska Works Partnership is hosting FREE trainings this fall that go over a range of skills to help get people ready for a wide range of careers including construction! The Bipartisan Infrastructure Act Bill and the Inflation Reduction Act that passed Congress a year ago is the largest investment in America since the New Deal under the Roosevelt Administration after World War II. It will bring billions of dollars of construction to rebuild roads, buildings, bridges and airports over the next 10 years and workers of all ages and states in life are needed for these local jobs. If you’re interested in signing up for any of the upcoming trainings and want to see a full list, click here.

Tomorrow, July 25^th, the Joy Community Center Field will host the third annual Literacy Famer’s Market for kids. This event is geared toward children who are in pre-K through sixth grade and will be going from 3-6pm. There will be literacy-based activities, food and the Fairbanks Public Health Center will be there to provide childhood immunizations in time for the next school year.

100 Years and Steaming Along

The Alaska Railroad is celebrating it’s 100^th year of serving the state, Alaskans and communities across the Railbelt. While the rail engine no longer is powered by steam, the rail road continues to deliver freight and passengers from Seward to Fairbanks year-round. The AKRR is one of the only railroads that is owned by a state since the purchase of 656 miles of track, 682 freight cars, 51 locomotives and 45 passenger railcars from the federal government in 1985. I was fortunate to be on hand to speak at the 100 year anniversary and ceremony where the official ‘golden spike’ was struck in Nenana to celebrate the centennial. In the next 100 years, the railroad could be extended to mining areas, like the Mahn Cho Mine prospect in Tetlin, north to Nome or even across North America to join the Trans-Canada Railway! Contact the External Affairs Director, Christy Terry, for more information.

My Staff and I are Here for You

As always, I and my staff are are still working for you. Feel free to contact my office and we will assist you with issues important to you and your family.

Working Hard for Fairbanks Families,