Video Clips
Quoted moments from Alaska public meetings, hearings, and press conferences.
0:34
“We gave ourselves the task of cutting $2 million out of the budget, plus finding revenue of $2 million. We did not cut $2 million out of our budget. We barely scraped by with $1 million, and then we added a bunch of other things.”
Juneau: June 8, 2026 Regular Assembly Meeting · Jun 8, 2026
0:53
“there is no doubt that the cuts and reductions that we have made and have proposed to make, of which there were at least 34, probably more added after, have impacts. And that's just the reality of having less revenue to fund, and less recurring revenue, I will say, to fund recurring expenses.”
Juneau: June 8, 2026 Regular Assembly Meeting · Jun 8, 2026
0:47
“The assembly proposes to cut $261,000, and that's like a 39% reduction, I think.”
Juneau: June 8, 2026 Regular Assembly Meeting · Jun 8, 2026
0:45
“When I look at the things that we do have on our reduction list, you know, JDC, Travel Juno, Eagle Crest, and the City Museum being the big ones that we reduced here, my heart breaks.”
Juneau: June 8, 2026 Regular Assembly Meeting · Jun 8, 2026
0:11
“This ordinance also recognizes $525 million in forecasted revenue and $20 million in transfers from different, different fund balances.”
Juneau: June 8, 2026 Regular Assembly Meeting · Jun 8, 2026
0:14
“This ordinance appropriates $545 million for the entirety of the city and borough of Juneau's FY27 operating budget, excluding including the school district.”
Juneau: June 8, 2026 Regular Assembly Meeting · Jun 8, 2026
0:32
“we are looking down the barrel of an incredible amount of budget cuts next year, and we really do have to find the balance. I don't think it's going less, and I don't think it's removing the cap altogether, but I frankly would be comfortable with a higher number than 30 even.”
Juneau: June 8, 2026 Regular Assembly Meeting · Jun 8, 2026
0:14
“I would move to amend the amount from $30,000 to $50,000.”
Juneau: June 8, 2026 Regular Assembly Meeting · Jun 8, 2026
0:49
“our fund balance right now is one bad sales tax quarter away from having no funds to deal with our operating expenses, let alone a major natural disaster or other disaster.”
Juneau: June 8, 2026 Regular Assembly Meeting · Jun 8, 2026
0:13
“Motion carries with 6 yeas and 3 nays.”
Juneau: June 8, 2026 Regular Assembly Meeting · Jun 8, 2026
0:43
“We set out to make reductions in services of at $2 million, and we did not meet that. And the way that we got our fund balance out of the negative numbers and back to a positive number was to eat into our CIP.”
Juneau: June 8, 2026 Regular Assembly Meeting · Jun 8, 2026
0:21
“I'd like to change that single item amount from $30,000 to $20,000”
Juneau: June 8, 2026 Regular Assembly Meeting · Jun 8, 2026
0:12
“Kootsnoo Dachikani Yan, the grandchildren of Angoon, is a dance group composed of all clans and ages.”
Sealaska Heritage Institute: Celebration 2026 | Day 2 - Thursday June 4 · Jun 4, 2026
0:41
“On October 26, 2024, Angoon finally received an apology from the US Navy and official representatives of the Department of Defense for the October 26, 1882 bombardment of Rangoon. This apology was consistently pursued over the years and now provides the opportunity for closure.”
Sealaska Heritage Institute: Celebration 2026 | Day 2 - Thursday June 4 · Jun 4, 2026
0:32
“Ages from 2 to 18 from Angoon. Since the group includes all clans, the members learn traditional songs and dances.”
Sealaska Heritage Institute: Celebration 2026 | Day 2 - Thursday June 4 · Jun 4, 2026
0:12
“The Koozie Da Kwan dancers was formed in 1985 by Angoon, in Angoon, by Matthew Fred Sr., their head.”
Sealaska Heritage Institute: Celebration 2026 | Day 2 - Thursday June 4 · Jun 4, 2026
0:32
“Hoodsie Da Kwan literally means all clans of the town. This name was initially used during the 1904 Sitka Potlatch. Angoon has participated since 1979, and they have some original members still participating, of which they treasure.”
Sealaska Heritage Institute: Celebration 2026 | Day 2 - Thursday June 4 · Jun 4, 2026
0:19
“It is important to know who you are, know your clan history and family relationships. It is with hope that our children,”
Sealaska Heritage Institute: Celebration 2026 | Day 2 - Thursday June 4 · Jun 4, 2026
0:17
“Grandchildren learn all our cultural values, that they grow up using these values as a guideline to help keep them on task during their life.”
Sealaska Heritage Institute: Celebration 2026 | Day 2 - Thursday June 4 · Jun 4, 2026
0:43
Troy Meink
“The DAF's lean budget over the years has also resulted in a $50 billion facilities maintenance backlog.”Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Department of Defense (Murkowski): Hearings to examine proposed budget estimates and justification for fiscal year 2027 for the Department of the Air Force. · Jun 9, 2026
0:35
Kenneth Wilsbach
“the F-35 has performed marvelously in Epic Fury. And you're right, the aircraft availability averages out over the course of time at about 50%, but of the jets that we actually had forward performed much, much greater than that.”Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Department of Defense (Murkowski): Hearings to examine proposed budget estimates and justification for fiscal year 2027 for the Department of the Air Force. · Jun 9, 2026
0:40
Chris Coons
“it is also demonstrably the case these current operations and recent operations have strained readiness, sharply reduced important munitions inventories, and weakened our hand to respond to tomorrow's threats.”Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Department of Defense (Murkowski): Hearings to examine proposed budget estimates and justification for fiscal year 2027 for the Department of the Air Force. · Jun 9, 2026
0:49
Chris Coons
“the administration has at times, um, talked in competing ways, with one breath insisting our current operational tempo is risk-free, and in the next requesting billions for additional vital munitions.”Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Department of Defense (Murkowski): Hearings to examine proposed budget estimates and justification for fiscal year 2027 for the Department of the Air Force. · Jun 9, 2026
0:56
Chris Coons
“The request places critical resources, multi-year munitions procurements, spare parts for the F-35 program, key missile defense space programs into a reconciliation package that I doubt will ever be enacted.”Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Department of Defense (Murkowski): Hearings to examine proposed budget estimates and justification for fiscal year 2027 for the Department of the Air Force. · Jun 9, 2026
0:29
Chris Coons
“The Department of the Air Force is requesting nearly $100 billion in the defense discretionary budget, from $257 enacted to $351 billion that we're evaluating here today.”Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Department of Defense (Murkowski): Hearings to examine proposed budget estimates and justification for fiscal year 2027 for the Department of the Air Force. · Jun 9, 2026
0:42
Troy Meink
“Without a reconciliation and a year-long CR that keeps us at the $890-ish total, that would have significant impacts on our readiness. A lot of the investments we've just been talking about to meet the the unmanned vehicles, as well as, you know, the increased readiness for weapons systems to increase the F-35 readiness, as well as the munitions procurement. All that is substantially impacted if we stayed at 890 without a reconciliation or other mechanism.”Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Department of Defense (Murkowski): Hearings to examine proposed budget estimates and justification for fiscal year 2027 for the Department of the Air Force. · Jun 9, 2026
1:14
Susan Collins
“The administration is proposing that a significant portion of funding for both of these modernization programs be done through a third reconciliation bill, a bill that may never happen. For example, of the $154 million request for the power thermal management upgrade for the engine, only $10 million is requested in the base budget. What is the impact on these programs if they are not fully funded in fiscal year 2027, and what would be the implications for the defense industrial base?”Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Department of Defense (Murkowski): Hearings to examine proposed budget estimates and justification for fiscal year 2027 for the Department of the Air Force. · Jun 9, 2026
0:56
Mitch McConnell
“Core pieces of the President's defense agenda, like multiyear procurement contracts for critical munitions, Half of the F-35 program, Golden Dome, and DROME dominance initiatives are all requested as a one-off reconciliation spending, not a full year base appropriations.”Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Department of Defense (Murkowski): Hearings to examine proposed budget estimates and justification for fiscal year 2027 for the Department of the Air Force. · Jun 9, 2026
1:01
Kenneth Wilsbach
“What that tells us is that when you prioritize the funding for the parts and the weapon system sustainment, the jet flies really well. And that's why in this budget we have $24 billion for weapon system sustainment and $10 billion for flying hours and $4.5 billion for the working capital fund, which funds the necessary parts and weapon system sustainment. A large portion of that is for F-35”Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Department of Defense (Murkowski): Hearings to examine proposed budget estimates and justification for fiscal year 2027 for the Department of the Air Force. · Jun 9, 2026
0:18
Troy Meink
“It is the appropriate amount of money to, to build the KC-46s. Essentially, Senator, it's the max rate that Boeing's able to produce the aircraft.”Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Department of Defense (Murkowski): Hearings to examine proposed budget estimates and justification for fiscal year 2027 for the Department of the Air Force. · Jun 9, 2026
0:31
Mitch McConnell
“It's also a recipe for major disruptions in the very possible event that party-line reconciliation fails. The administration's choice to structure an ambitious $1.5 trillion request in this way is yet another missed opportunity to put key aspects of our common defense on a stronger and more enduring fiscal footing.”Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Department of Defense (Murkowski): Hearings to examine proposed budget estimates and justification for fiscal year 2027 for the Department of the Air Force. · Jun 9, 2026
0:17
Mitch McConnell
“I think it's safe to conclude there will not be another reconciliation bill. So it's really not an option.”Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Department of Defense (Murkowski): Hearings to examine proposed budget estimates and justification for fiscal year 2027 for the Department of the Air Force. · Jun 9, 2026
0:41
Troy Meink
“this budget leverages existing commercial production capacity and takes full advantage of multiyear procurement for our most critical munitions, totaling 39,000 weapons of all types by FY '33.”Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Department of Defense (Murkowski): Hearings to examine proposed budget estimates and justification for fiscal year 2027 for the Department of the Air Force. · Jun 9, 2026
0:54
Mitch McConnell
“Also glad to see the fiscal year '27 request begin to address the issue of operational readiness rates by investing more in F-35 spares. But the department will continue to step on its own tail if it insists in housing procurement with new airframes, primarily in one-off reconciliation spending.”Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Department of Defense (Murkowski): Hearings to examine proposed budget estimates and justification for fiscal year 2027 for the Department of the Air Force. · Jun 9, 2026
1:02
Mitch McConnell
“If fielding the F-35 remains an operational necessity, both for the United States and for our allies, there's really no excuse for not placing it squarely in full-year appropriations.”Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Department of Defense (Murkowski): Hearings to examine proposed budget estimates and justification for fiscal year 2027 for the Department of the Air Force. · Jun 9, 2026
0:37
Chris Coons
“This year, more than most, this subcommittee understands and must understand your goals in building this budget, whether or not it's realistic to grow this fast, and the smartest ways to reprioritize your budgets in the case that reconciliation does not occur.”Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Department of Defense (Murkowski): Hearings to examine proposed budget estimates and justification for fiscal year 2027 for the Department of the Air Force. · Jun 9, 2026
0:40
Susan Collins
“I would just suggests that it is taking a terrible risk and creates instability when you're counting on a third reconciliation bill for the bulk of the money rather than doing base funding through the defense appropriations bill.”Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Department of Defense (Murkowski): Hearings to examine proposed budget estimates and justification for fiscal year 2027 for the Department of the Air Force. · Jun 9, 2026
0:27
Troy Meink
“The fiscal year 2027 President's Budget breaks that pattern with the $338 $1.8 billion request for the DAF, a 34% increase from last year.”Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Department of Defense (Murkowski): Hearings to examine proposed budget estimates and justification for fiscal year 2027 for the Department of the Air Force. · Jun 9, 2026
0:29
Troy Meink
“Foundational readiness. Boosting readiness requires increased and stable funding, particularly given the age of many of our platforms. The FY27 budget request increases our foundational readiness investment by 34%, providing the jump needed to truly recover.”Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Department of Defense (Murkowski): Hearings to examine proposed budget estimates and justification for fiscal year 2027 for the Department of the Air Force. · Jun 9, 2026
0:46
General Saltzman
“the FY27 budget landmark investment of $71.1 billion for the Space Force represents a generational opportunity to position the force to meet the rapidly expanding threats and demands of the nation.”Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Department of Defense (Murkowski): Hearings to examine proposed budget estimates and justification for fiscal year 2027 for the Department of the Air Force. · Jun 9, 2026
0:43
Kenneth Wilsbach
“Weapon systems sustainment funding increased to over $24 billion and flying hours to nearly 10 billion.”Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Department of Defense (Murkowski): Hearings to examine proposed budget estimates and justification for fiscal year 2027 for the Department of the Air Force. · Jun 9, 2026
0:46
General Saltzman
“the FY27 budget boosts our top line by 130% and our end strength by 27%.”Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Department of Defense (Murkowski): Hearings to examine proposed budget estimates and justification for fiscal year 2027 for the Department of the Air Force. · Jun 9, 2026
0:41
Troy Meink
“Across the fight, about 60% of that 30,000-plus weapons are coming from there, so that That tells you the level of investment, 60% of the weapons going forward across the fight.”Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Department of Defense (Murkowski): Hearings to examine proposed budget estimates and justification for fiscal year 2027 for the Department of the Air Force. · Jun 9, 2026
0:37
Ian Jeffries
“other agencies in the DOT have embraced performance-based regulations, whether it's FAA, whether it's FHWA, whether it's FTA. The FRA, for some reason, has not, you know, really come around to that concept.”Senate Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, Freight, Pipelines, and Safety (Sullivan): Hearings to examine how technological advances are driving transportation innovation. · Jun 9, 2026
0:31
Chris Spear
“Trucks are business to business, whereas cars are business to consumer. If you're buying a car, you're going to pick the things that you want on that car. If you don't want things that drive technology, you know, you're going to come up short on that. Businesses to businesses will design systems around moving freight more efficiently, more safely, more environmentally friendly.”Senate Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, Freight, Pipelines, and Safety (Sullivan): Hearings to examine how technological advances are driving transportation innovation. · Jun 9, 2026
0:50
Chris Spear
“Congress should solidify the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's role as the primary authority over motor vehicle safety standards. Trucking is a national industry, and vehicle standards must remain national as well. When states or courts impose equipment standards beyond federal law, it creates a fragmented regulatory landscape”Senate Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, Freight, Pipelines, and Safety (Sullivan): Hearings to examine how technological advances are driving transportation innovation. · Jun 9, 2026
0:57
Laura Chase
“Digital technologies must be treated as core transportation elements. They are fundamental to how the system operates and how it performs, and how it delivers outcomes for the American public.”Senate Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, Freight, Pipelines, and Safety (Sullivan): Hearings to examine how technological advances are driving transportation innovation. · Jun 9, 2026
0:41
Laura Chase
“Federal leadership plays a critical role. A clear national approach to transportation technology will provide direction reduce fragmentation, and give public agencies and private partners alike greater confidence to invest. Establishing consistent national frameworks for areas such as automated vehicles, data privacy, and system interoperability can help ensure that innovation is deployed safely and at scale”Senate Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, Freight, Pipelines, and Safety (Sullivan): Hearings to examine how technological advances are driving transportation innovation. · Jun 9, 2026