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Among all the sections in the so-called Big Beautiful Bill that will drive up the federal deficit, pour billions into defense and border security and cut federal spending on Medicaid is one item that shows Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski was thinking ahead. The senator said she successfully negotiated to add a provision that delays until at least 2028 new federal penalties on Alaska for its shamefully high error rate in processing SNAP benefits (food stamps) for needy people. The penalties — if the state cannot solve its problems and reduce its e...
Support Public Media To the Editor: As I write this, the House of Representatives has passed H.R.4, a ‘rescission package’ that includes eliminating funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. This would mean no federal support for radio stations like KFSK – 30% of the station’s budget. This drastic cut to our community station would not only devastate the institution, it would cause immense harm to a key piece of our emergency response. I hope you join me in calling on our Senators Murkowski, at 202-224-6665, and Sullivan, at 202-224...
Alaska’s Most Valuable Resource To the Editor: Politicians like to talk about Alaska’s vast and valuable resources, but they seem to forget that our most precious resource is our children. Children’s opportunities to grow, learn, and thrive are short-lived, and every single day matters. Year after year, we watch Governor Dunleavy veto funding for Alaska’s students. I keep thinking about the damage that’s happening to our children every minute that our Governor continues to kick this can down the road. Our children and our schools cannot af...
by Philip Hofstetter There is no question: the federal budget reconciliation now under Senate review would severely harm Alaskans, especially in rural communities. As CEO of one of Alaska’s last three community-owned critical access hospitals, I see the consequences firsthand when people lose healthcare coverage. This bill adds layers of bureaucracy and new Medicaid restrictions that threaten to choke off care entirely. Fortunately, our senators can choose to block it. If the Senate rushes this legislation through, an estimated 33,918 A...
To the Editor: This past weekend over 125 people gathered at Sandy Beach as part of the largest national day of demonstrations in American history (per analyst G Elliot Morris) to say ‘No Kings.’ To everyone who came, contributed a dish and helped it be an event full of neighborly civic engagement, we say thank you! For anyone who missed out but wants to learn more about how to stay connected with others concerned about the state of our democracy, email us at petersburg.neighbors.ak@proton.me or join us at our next meeting on Wednesday, Jun...
Gov. Mike Dunleavy used his veto powers last week to take away $50 million in state funding approved by the Legislature for local school districts across Alaska. He said low oil prices had cut into revenues, and the state could not afford to spend the money. He used the same oily excuse for his other budget vetoes, including cutting two-thirds of the money legislators had appropriated for major maintenance work at nine schools in Alaska, leaving behind $13 million in funding for just three projects from a list that exceeds $300 million....
No surprise, but the state ferry Matanuska, once the stalwart of the fleet, needs more than 120,000 pounds of new steel to replace extensive sections of rust on the ship. Launched in 1963, the Mat has endured decades of saltwater and seas. But no more—it is tied to the dock in Ketchikan, serving as floating housing for ferry workers. It has been held out of service since late 2022. The citizens advisory board that watches over the Alaska Marine Highway System has recommended the state “make all due effort” to officially remove the ship from...
Hot dogs and inalienable rights To the Editor: Silos and echo chambers are comfortable, especially for folks on the far right or far left. The discord we see in the federal government does not belong in a community such as ours. Although we can agree to disagree, isn’t it better to find common ground instead? If you are uncomfortable with difficult conversations, there still is a way to meet part way. Enjoy a cup of coffee or tea with someone and chat about all the things that make us human. Ask questions and listen. So many of our concerns a...
Thank you all! To the Editor: I want to express my most sincere and heartfelt (literally) thank you and appreciation for the rapid and exemplary care I received from our local EMTs/ambulance crew, all of the PMC ER nurses, doctors and hospital staff and the Petersburg Police Department last Wednesday. You all very well may have saved my life. I also want to give a shoutout and thank you to the Airlift Northwest nurses and crew on the medevac flight to Anchorage. The care I received on that flight was also exemplary. We are truly blessed in...
Community support for Beat the Odds To the editor: Petersburg Medical Center Foundation’s Beat the Odds provides resources in Petersburg for people with cancer. Our generous sponsors helped raise over $37,000 during our last fund drive. We acknowledge the contributions of Petersburg Mental Health Services and an incredibly special gift from the late Scott Olson. Thank you to First City Council on Cancer in Ketchikan, Wrangell Cancer Care, and Cancer Connection in Juneau. In 2024 over $35,000 was provided to assist with expenses for P...
News diversity makes us smarter To the Editor: Like many of you, I value the Pilot for its fair coverage of local news and views. In its pages we see the facts of our local issues, so that we can make decisions together despite our various political leanings. Unfortunately, this consensus reality breaks down as soon as we zoom out beyond the island, turn on cable news, or lock into our social media and video algorithms. When it comes to national news, most of us are more influenced by monied interests than we care to admit, even when we think...
Alaskans who want a larger Permanent Fund dividend, more state funding for K-12 education and the university, more money for child care services, highway maintenance or harbor improvements, more state aid for water and sewer projects, the state ferries or mental health services, or additional tax incentives to encourage business investment have a limited number of choices. They can cut from one area to divert money somewhere else. They can take more money out of the Permanent Fund, spending today but having a poorer tomorrow when the available...
Empowerment Through Education To the Editor: This past weekend, 11 determined women gathered with certified handgun instructors Cheryl and Dave from Citizens Firearms of Haines for a powerful and inspiring experience in firearm safety and self-defense. The training began Friday evening with an engaging classroom session focused on the fundamentals of handgun safety. Early Saturday morning, despite pouring rain and overcast skies, the group reunited at the Petersburg Rod and Gun Club for a full...
The president’s budget proposal for the federal fiscal year that starts Oct. 1 is full of bold moves, big changes and controversy. That was expected. But one proposed spending cut stands out as closer to home than others. The budget office proposes to reduce federal funding for the nationwide Essential Air Service program by 52%. Among 177 small communities in the 50 states and Puerto Rico, the program covers daily air service to Wrangell, Petersburg, Yakutat and Cordova. What is particularly aggravating is the budget office’s explanation of...
No one else more fit for the job To the Editor: We first just want to congratulate Coach Rick Brock on his retirement from teaching and extend a thank you to him for all the time he has spent in the classroom dedicated to his students. Aside from this, Coach Brock has dedicated an unmatchable amount of time to the boys high school basketball program, bringing back many successes and awards, including another state title and coach of the year award just this past year. He has shown up for the team year in and year out for way too long to now...
The Legislature is in its 10th year of struggling to balance Alaskans’ wishes and wants for a large Permanent Fund dividend with the checkbook reality that is much less than the wants. It’s been an annual political and fiscal battle ever since Gov. Bill Walker in 2016 bravely cut that year’s PFD in half after legislators had approved an unaffordable dividend while the state budget was in a deep billion-dollar deficit, made worse by low oil prices. Mike Dunleavy, who was then a state senator, vowed to push legislation to undo the gover...
I Feel So Blessed To the Editor: Reaching out to our entire community with a heartfelt THANK YOU!!! To all my friends, family, loved ones, well wishers, and prayer senders, to the EMTs, PMC staff, Medivac staff, PPD staff, Providence Alaska Medical Center staff, and Providence St. Elias staff – your generous and caring support both physically and emotionally have followed my sons and me to Anchorage for life-saving medical care. One never knows what the next day is going to bring. Your continued support is much needed and appreciated along this...
If you support To the Editor: Everyday we are barraged with the chaos that is the current administration. Take a hard look at how current policies are impacting most Americans. While some promises may sound appealing on the surface, the actual policies from this administration tell a different story. If you support lowering the deficit, know that this administration’s tax policies mostly benefit the wealthy and corporations, while adding trillions to the national debt. If you feel like waste, fraud and abuse should be addressed in our governmen...
Fiscal conservatives like to say that Alaska has a spending problem. Solve it, cut programs, and the good tax-free life can continue — along with a fat Permanent Fund dividend every fall. The other side in the budget debate says the state has a revenue problem. They cite the political refusal to consider changes in oil taxes, mining taxes or corporate taxes, the rejection of a return to the pre-oil-days personal income tax, even the denial of an increase in the lowest-in-the-nation motor fuel tax rate. They say raise new revenues and a good l...
Dear Neighbors To the Editor: I humbly ask that you look beyond the two names at the bottom of this letter. See us all as we are: your Neighbors whose children play with yours, who celebrate holidays beside you, and who have built lives here in Petersburg. Tonight, I wonder who’ll be next – taken simply for where we were born, what we believe, how we worship, or whom we love. Dear Neighbor, will you be there for us? When you see me at the grocery store, you smile and wave. Your son and mine jumped off the Blind Slough bridge together last sum...
I figured all terrorism was equally bad. No distinctions allowed. Aiding in the murder — stealing of life, liberty or property — from innocent people deserved strong punishment. Terrorism by the far-left or far-right, foreign-born or U.S.-born, religious zealots or atheists, rich or poor, people wearing burkas, balaclavas or Brooks Brothers suits are all equally punishable under the law. Anyone and everyone who encourages or helps terrorists belongs in prison for the public’s protection. Except in the Trump administration, where who you know,...
The legislature continues to work on the operating budget. Diverse legislative priorities and less income from oil and gas are making it challenging to agree on a budget as a legislature this year. However, I will continue to work with my colleagues from all parties in the House, Senate and the governor’s office to come up with a compromise budget. This will be a deep dive to explain why it is so difficult to put together a budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Our budget is a mix of federal revenue (almost always designated for certain purposes...
We felt loved and cared for To the Editor and this wonderful community: One year ago I came very close to dying. I got very, very sick with three upper respiratory viruses which allowed a strep infection to turn into pneumonia which caused sepsis or toxic shock syndrome. All in a matter of days. Luckily, I live here in Petersburg, the best place on earth. The doctors, nurses, and staff at Petersburg Medical Center were amazing and got me out on a medivac as quickly as possible. The outpouring of love, prayers, good vibes, cards, and gifts was...
Education Funding To the Editor: Article VII of the Alaska Constitution requires the Legislature to “maintain a system of public schools open to all children of the State.” Alaska Statute (Alaska Students’ Educational Bill of Rights (3)) states “A quality education for students of all ages is a concrete investment that vastly improves the future prosperity, welfare, productivity, and vitality of society.” The indisputable, mathematical fact is that at least for the last 10 years (years in which I served in the Alaska State House), the Legis...
Alaska’s two U.S. senators both believe that President Donald Trump’s pro-development administration will be good for the state’s natural resource economy, creating jobs, boosting tax revenues and building long-term prosperity. Both support the president’s initiatives to unlock resources that had been placed off-limits by the administration of Joe Biden and others before him. And both want the federal government to operate efficiently and reduce spending. Beyond those shared beliefs, however, the two came across as worlds apart in their a...
