Dear Friends and Neighbors,

The weather feels a little more like fall than a lot of people are in the mood for. But there's good news for those of us flogging the water for cohos: the fish can't tell it's raining.

Some of the fish in question.

Dollars and Sense

Last week, HB 345 became law. The governor didn't sign it, but as long as he doesn't veto a bill, the job gets done.

HB 345 has two key pieces. The first is Rep. Andi Story’s safety ladder bill. The second is the heart of my disaster assistance legislation. Starting at the end of November, condo owners will forever get the same help as single-family home owners if the worst should happen.

That means access to disaster assistance grants for both structural damage and personal property. It's a big step toward helping folks get back on their feet after natural disasters.

Rep. Story & I were privileged to present a citation remembering Les Spickler. A business owner, member of the school board, hospital board, rotary, chamber, and more—Les left big shoes to fill in the capital city.

I’m Just a Bill

Almost every bill the legislature passed this session has hit the governor's desk by now. This past week he blessed some, guillotined others, and gave a few some benevolent neglect.

A few recent highlights:

• The executive branch has had a terrible time getting food assistance (SNAP benefits) to needy Alaskans on time. Last year the program was in full-fledged crisis. (We’re still facing fines from the federal government over it.) Since then the Department of Health did some good work recruiting staff and reducing paperwork, but there’s still a backlog. This year we passed a bill changing how folks become eligible for SNAP. The new “categorical eligibility” makes the application process for hungry people a whole lot smoother. It also increases access to the federally-funded benefits. The governor didn't sign it, but because he didn't veto it either, it will take effect soon.

• Alaska has too few health providers in just about every field. Mental health professionals are particularly scarce. Right now, Associate Counselors can use their master's degrees to provide care under the supervision of Licensed Professional Counselor while they work the hours they need for their own LPC license. But because they're not licensed, they can't take insurance. That makes their services prohibitively expensive for most Alaskans. The new law will treat associate counselors the same as similar mental health clinicians working toward a full license. They'll be able to take insurance—including Medicaid—so more Alaskans can get help.

• A temporary fix for correspondence schools is now in effect too. While we wait for a court decision about whether paying for private school with public dollars is constitutional, we passed a temporary law to ensure homeschool families can continue getting help with correspondence. That hitched a ride on a bill requiring schools to have Narcan on hand so they can handle opioid overdoses. We all wish it weren’t necessary, but it's an important precaution.

Some bills did not survive their trip to the third floor. The most recent lowlights are:

• A bill fixing a loophole in vehicle rental taxes. The Department of Revenue has had trouble collecting the tax from online person-to-person vehicle rentals (Think of companies like Turo.) The Department of Law says there is no question the taxes are due under current law. Some folks owe huge amounts in back taxes that they may or may not have collected. The governor just vetoed a compromise bill that made collecting and remitting the taxes easy for Alaskans. And in a compromise, it limited back taxes owed. Why he vetoed a bill his administration needs, I have no idea.

• The other bill to feel the axe required insurance plans to cover up to 12 months of contraception. It covers only contraceptives, not medication used in abortions, and passed with bipartisan support. The veto will have the biggest effect in more remote parts of the state where there's no pharmacy. But most states have rules like these because it makes preventing unwanted pregnancies easier for people in rural and urban areas alike.

There’s another step for the vetoed bills. When the legislature is back in session, we’ll have a shot to override the vetoes. Past legislatures have voted on whether to override only very rarely. But there’s increasing support for reading the constitution to require a meeting in joint session to consider overriding vetoes. That will make for some interesting votes—and politics—in January. 

In the audience at the Transboundary Mining Conference.

Conjunction Junction

Canada is an excellent neighbor in countless ways. Problems with their mines have been a long-running and difficult exception. The Tulsequah Chief has been leaking toxic orange goo into the Taku River for decades. And just this summer the Eagle gold mine in Yukon had a huge cyanide leak the company may not have the funds to remediate.

We know it's possible to do mining right in our part of the world, but when mines upstream fail, the effects spread downhill. Toxic leaks kill fish, endanger hunting, and hurt people.

Tlingit & Haida hosted a transboundary mining conference last week. Attendees included federal resource managers, Lower 48 Tribes, Canadian First Nations, and me (among others.)

For a very long time the U.S. and Canadian governments have talked without results. Historically, those talks haven't included Tribal governments either.

That’s finally changing.

The International Joint Commission, created by a treaty between the U.S. and Canada, is taking a new, collaborative approach in the Elk/Kootenai drainage where Canadian waters flow into Montana. For 13+ years advocates heard that a cooperative approach with the two countries, Tribes, First Nations, and miners was impossible. Now it’s happening.

Alaskans have long been told a real voice in how mining gets permitted in British Columbia is impossible. Now there will be a working model to point to. We’ll keep pushing for a collaborative approach on our border—and hopefully some results. 

Skagway Windy Valley Babies

Have a little one? Head to the library on Wednesday mornings for stories, songs, and more!

Skagway Fall Clean Sweep

On Oct. 4, help out with the community clean up before the snow starts. There’ll be coffee and baked goods for volunteers!

Skagway Bird Walk

Join the Skagway Bird Club on Oct. 13 at Pullen Pond. Learn about birds and nerd out with other bird watchers!

Skagway Ranger Chat

The Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park has ranger chats every day through the end of this month! The topic is ranger’s choice—come hear what they love about Skagway and the park!

Haines Silver Salmon Derby

The salmon derby kicks off on Sept. 15! Get out fishing for fun, food, and bragging rights!

Haines Nature Walk

On Sept. 9, meet at the library to head out for a tour of the town flowers! Smell the roses before the season ends.

Haines Story Time

Bring the grade schoolers to the library for stories, songs, and crafts on Wednesday after school!

Haines Farmers Market

Through the end of the month, you can check out the Farmers Market on Saturdays! You’ve got just a few more Saturdays to join the fun and get some fresh food!

Gustavus Summer Slideshow

On Sept. 13, head to the Community Center for a slideshow of the summer! Send in your submissions by this Sunday if you have awesome summer photos to share!

Gustavus Open Mic

Share your talents Sept. 21 at open mic night! Play music, share a reading, or cheer on the performers!

Klukwan Pet Care

HARK is coming to Klukwan on September 19 to help clip nails & vaccinate your furry friends.

Klukwan Community Garden

The gardening season won’t last much longer. You can still come out on Tuesdays and Thursdays this month to the Klukwan Community Garden to play in the dirt. No experience needed!

Juneau Annual Food Fest

Head to the JACC on Sept. 7 for the annual end of season harvest fair and food festival! Check out the baked goods, fresh produce, crafts, and more!

Juneau Rough Reads

Next weekend join Theatre in the Rough for a series of play readings! There’s a different play each night for four nights, and proceeds go to the flood relief fund!

Juneau Fiber Friday

Bring your current fiber arts project (or start a new one) and join other artists knitting, crocheting, weaving, felting, and more on Sept. 27!

Juneau Garden Club

On Sept. 7, head to the Mendenhall library for the Juneau Garden Club. This month’s meeting is about landscaping with trees!

Juneau Eldercare Summit

The Juneau Economic Development Council is hosting Southeast's first-ever summit on the challenges and opportunities of caring for seniors October 1-2. There are even some travel scholarships for folks who live outside of Juneau!

Is there an event in our district I should know about? Please call or email!

Want to Send Snail Mail?

Alaska State Capitol

Room 514

Juneau, AK 99801

You Can Call:

800 550 4947

907 465 4947

Or Email Me!