Video Clips
Quoted moments from Alaska public meetings, hearings, and press conferences.
Zac Johnson
“The bidding's already been done. We've already approved it, right? I would like the assembly to reconsider a budgetary— a budget-approved item through a negotiated procurement contract has already met all the requirements of that purchase. Just seems like unnecessary bureaucracy to me.”Kodiak Borough: Assembly Work Session of June 25, 2026 Part 1 · Jun 25, 2026
Zac Johnson
“all it does is save staff time from going through the bidding process because the agency has already done the bidding for you. That's why we get to realize those sales. Something I think, for me at least, it would be a no-brainer.”Kodiak Borough: Assembly Work Session of June 25, 2026 Part 1 · Jun 25, 2026
Bo Whiteside
“I support this as well. I mean, there's, there's the fiscal savings which are obvious, but factoring in the administrative burden, it's— there's two parts to that.”Kodiak Borough: Assembly Work Session of June 25, 2026 Part 1 · Jun 25, 2026
Zac Johnson
“It's kind of appalling that Sourcewell wasn't being used before.”Kodiak Borough: Assembly Work Session of June 25, 2026 Part 1 · Jun 25, 2026
Jeff Woods
“This seems like a total no-brainer to me. It's efficient. It's kind of scary that we're actually looking at efficiency to me a little bit. But yeah, this will be getting my support.”Kodiak Borough: Assembly Work Session of June 25, 2026 Part 1 · Jun 25, 2026
Charles Glagolich
“It's happening in Sitka and Gustavus. I've never been there. I can't even pronounce it. They have realized that that's the direction to take, and you get pointed for our local community in the right direction.”Kodiak Borough: Assembly Work Session of June 25, 2026 Part 1 · Jun 25, 2026
Bo Whiteside
“if the administrative burden and the burden of enforcement can be addressed, including exempting our local residents from harvesting some fish and game for their freezers, then, then I'd support it going to the ballot.”Kodiak Borough: Assembly Work Session of June 25, 2026 Part 1 · Jun 25, 2026
Bo Whiteside
“I think the biggest hurdle for this would be the burden of enforcement. I mean, you have— I don't know how the state would— respond to, I guess, a cooperative approach to this and, and sharing records with us. But I do agree that there's a very high amount of transporters coming from the mainland down here to extract fish and game resources, a very, very high amount.”Kodiak Borough: Assembly Work Session of June 25, 2026 Part 1 · Jun 25, 2026
Jeff Woods
“if you were trying to, say, ship something out, you had to have a hunting/fishing license to go ahead and obtain whatever resource most likely that you're trying to extract. Theoretically, one could use the resident's address put on said hunting or fishing license to determine whether or not that would potentially fit as a resident of Unit 8 or not. There's that, assuming such a step would be legal. Uh, second off, if you're trying to collect such a tax, uh, the most obvious points of collection would either be through the shipping companies or through the airport, primarily.”Kodiak Borough: Assembly Work Session of June 25, 2026 Part 1 · Jun 25, 2026
Valerie Erson
“They have concerns about the impact of a fish box excise tax on their businesses. We are also concerned with the idea that an excise tax is being discussed with the specific goal of bypassing a public vote. While we can appreciate that the Kodiak Island Borough needs to identify funding to support its activities, there should be an opportunity for the public and small businesses that would be impacted to have input into discussions on tax matters, review any proposals, and ultimately vote, as this could impact many families.”Kodiak Borough: Assembly Work Session of June 25, 2026 Part 1 · Jun 25, 2026
Jeff Woods
“I understand lodges are concerned and charter boat operators are concerned about a $10 box tax.”Kodiak Borough: Assembly Work Session of June 25, 2026 Part 1 · Jun 25, 2026
Jeff Woods
“I don't like a system where we take, take, take without a dedicated way to repair, replace, or replenish.”Kodiak Borough: Assembly Work Session of June 25, 2026 Part 1 · Jun 25, 2026
Jeremiah Gardner
“My big concern here— excuse me— is for locals. I think language should be in here where if you are a resident of Kodiak, that I don't think that this should apply to you to some degree. There's, there's got to be a concession in there.”Kodiak Borough: Assembly Work Session of June 25, 2026 Part 1 · Jun 25, 2026
Jeff Woods
“Sitka currently has a fish box tax where they levy $10 a box for seafood leaving the Sitka Borough. We have a much larger natural resource extraction footprint than Sitka does, I would wager to say.”Kodiak Borough: Assembly Work Session of June 25, 2026 Part 1 · Jun 25, 2026
Scott Smiley
“I'm not sure that we can have a rule that says if you're a Kodiak resident, you don't have to pay a tax, but if you're not a Kodiak resident, you do have to pay it. I think it came up with regard to fishing licenses for state residents and non-state residents. And there was originally— it was a huge amount of money for out-of-state, and the state Supreme Court said no, it has to be balanced in some way.”Kodiak Borough: Assembly Work Session of June 25, 2026 Part 1 · Jun 25, 2026
Jared Griffin
“it sounds like there's consensus to move forward with it.”Kodiak Borough: Assembly Work Session of June 25, 2026 Part 1 · Jun 25, 2026
Nova Javier
“On June 4th, 2026, Assemblymember Johnson submitted his resignation letter from the assembly effective today. There are still more than 90 days remaining in the term since the position he holds will not end until October 2027.”Kodiak Borough: Assembly Special Meeting of June 25, 2026 · Jun 25, 2026
Nova Javier
“Would anyone like to change their vote? Motion passes 6-0.”Kodiak Borough: Assembly Special Meeting of June 25, 2026 · Jun 25, 2026
Jared Griffin
“I think that the best compliment that you can give somebody who's leaving a group or a committee or a board is that you made us better.”Kodiak Borough: Assembly Special Meeting of June 25, 2026 · Jun 25, 2026
Nova Javier
“June 26th and July 3rd, we're going to, um, advertise the seat on the Kodiak Daily Mirror. Starting on Saturday, June July 11th, we will be receiving applications. The assembly is scheduled to conduct interviews with applicants on July 16th. If the assembly is ready to make an appointment, they can do so on the July 16th regular meeting.”Kodiak Borough: Assembly Special Meeting of June 25, 2026 · Jun 25, 2026
Jared Griffin
“Up first is accepting the resignation of Assemblymember Dave Johnson and declaring the Assembly seat vacant.”Kodiak Borough: Assembly Special Meeting of June 25, 2026 · Jun 25, 2026
Nova Javier
“If you're not ready, we can call a special meeting the following week. But by code, we need to make the appointment 30 days after you declare the seat vacant.”Kodiak Borough: Assembly Special Meeting of June 25, 2026 · Jun 25, 2026
Donald Trump
“That give farmers and ranchers the necessary resources to ensure American crops are the healthiest and the most abundant and the most affordable. And we're always working for the farmer. We want to make it better and easier for you.”White House: President Trump Participates in a Rose Garden Club Dinner with American Farmers · Jun 25, 2026
Donald Trump
“we're doing the $11 billion relief. To help you get through a pretty difficult period of time. We're never going to let you down.”White House: President Trump Participates in a Rose Garden Club Dinner with American Farmers · Jun 25, 2026
Donald Trump
“my first term, we had an agricultural trade surplus. Biden took that surplus and turned it into a $50 billion agricultural trade deficit.”White House: President Trump Participates in a Rose Garden Club Dinner with American Farmers · Jun 25, 2026
Donald Trump
“We're delighted to be joined by some of the hardest working, most dedicated patriots in our country. That's called the American farmers.”White House: President Trump Participates in a Rose Garden Club Dinner with American Farmers · Jun 25, 2026
Donald Trump
“yesterday, we also called on Congress to pass a supplemental funding bill that will provide $11 billion in relief towards specialty crops and helping our great agricultural producers rebound from the losses that they had due to the Biden administration's horrible, horrible rules and regulations. So we're going to be getting an $11 billion payment in relief to our farmers. And Brooke, you'll distribute that money hopefully equitably. You'll do it equitably and you'll do a great job with it.”White House: President Trump Participates in a Rose Garden Club Dinner with American Farmers · Jun 25, 2026
Donald Trump
“tonight I want to just say thank you. And that's why you're here. You're at this very incredible place called the White House.”White House: President Trump Participates in a Rose Garden Club Dinner with American Farmers · Jun 25, 2026
Donald Trump
“Earlier today in the Oval Office, it was my honor to sign an executive order directing federal agencies to accelerate agricultural innovations.”White House: President Trump Participates in a Rose Garden Club Dinner with American Farmers · Jun 25, 2026
Donald Trump
“in his last year, farm bankruptcy rose to the highest levels ever, more than 55% up.”White House: President Trump Participates in a Rose Garden Club Dinner with American Farmers · Jun 25, 2026
Bruce Westerman
“In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it, and the bill is ordered reported. The bill as amended is ordered reported to the House with the recommendation that it be favorably approved.”House Natural Resources (Begich): Markup of H.R. 9250 (Rep. Westerman), “Great American Outdoors Act 250” · Jun 24, 2026
Bruce Westerman
“Reforms included in HR 9250 will encourage more public-private partnerships, better prioritize deferred maintenance projects to visitor-facing recreation assets, create new transparency and accountability requirements, and streamline project delivery.”House Natural Resources (Begich): Markup of H.R. 9250 (Rep. Westerman), “Great American Outdoors Act 250” · Jun 24, 2026
Bruce Westerman
“This is simply economic self-sabotage, and Mr. Magazine's amendment is absolutely correct, and I strongly support it.”House Natural Resources (Begich): Markup of H.R. 9250 (Rep. Westerman), “Great American Outdoors Act 250” · Jun 24, 2026
Bruce Westerman
“We look forward to working with them to send this bill to President Trump's desk in time for America's 250th birthday celebrations.”House Natural Resources (Begich): Markup of H.R. 9250 (Rep. Westerman), “Great American Outdoors Act 250” · Jun 24, 2026
Bruce Westerman
“By improving visitor access and encouraging tourism, this legislation will support more than 72,000 jobs and over $26.4 billion in economic activity. Activity for gateway and tribal communities near national parks, forests, wildlife refuges, and public lands.”House Natural Resources (Begich): Markup of H.R. 9250 (Rep. Westerman), “Great American Outdoors Act 250” · Jun 24, 2026
Bruce Westerman
“The ANS brings the House legislation into alignment with bipartisan language that passed out of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee last week by voice vote. This ANS also reflects feedback and technical assistance offered from the Trump administration.”House Natural Resources (Begich): Markup of H.R. 9250 (Rep. Westerman), “Great American Outdoors Act 250” · Jun 24, 2026
Bruce Westerman
“the committee is meeting to consider H.R. 9250, Legislation that will reauthorize the Great American Outdoors Act's Legacy Restoration Fund for an additional 5 years, renewing one of President Trump's signature conservation achievements from his first term. In partnership with Ranking Member Huffman, we have come together on this historic legislation with the support of 140 bipartisan co-sponsors, 70 Republicans and 70 Democrats, and more than 140 organizations.”House Natural Resources (Begich): Markup of H.R. 9250 (Rep. Westerman), “Great American Outdoors Act 250” · Jun 24, 2026
Bruce Westerman
“the question is on the amendment offered by Mr. Magaziner, designated Magaziner Number 1. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Those opposed, no. The opinion of the chair, the noes have it, and the amendment is not agreed to.”House Natural Resources (Begich): Markup of H.R. 9250 (Rep. Westerman), “Great American Outdoors Act 250” · Jun 24, 2026
Bruce Westerman
“The question now occurs on reporting H.R. 9250 As amended to the House with the recommendation that the bill be favorably approved.”House Natural Resources (Begich): Markup of H.R. 9250 (Rep. Westerman), “Great American Outdoors Act 250” · Jun 24, 2026
Jennifer Springman
“Over the past 10 years, our investigations involving universities have resulted in 15 False Claims Act settlements, recovering nearly $9 million for NSF.”House Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight (Begich): Safeguarding Federal Research Funds · Jun 24, 2026
Keith McCormick
“Last fiscal year, the Department of Justice recovered $6.8 billion through False Claims Act settlements and judgments, marking the highest single-year total in the law's 160-year history. Nearly 1,300 of those cases were brought not by the government authorities, or the auditors, but by whistleblowers who came forward on their own, accounting for more than $5.3 billion of that recovery.”House Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight (Begich): Safeguarding Federal Research Funds · Jun 24, 2026
Jennifer Springman
“agencies are talking a lot more now than they used to, but one gap is that there isn't a single government-wide system where all of the documents are being housed. So, for example, if someone discloses information to NASA, an NSF program officer doesn't have the ability to see that automatically unless they reach out to NASA to ask it.”House Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight (Begich): Safeguarding Federal Research Funds · Jun 24, 2026
Nick Begich
“DOJ recovered over $52 million across 9 cybersecurity False Claims Act settlements in fiscal year 2025. How many of those cases originated from whistleblowers versus proactive government audits?”House Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight (Begich): Safeguarding Federal Research Funds · Jun 24, 2026
Jennifer Springman
“In past investigations, we found that universities were often aware of their faculty members' foreign funding and positions overseas, but did not disclose this information to NSF. For this reason, we have initiated proactive investigations into whether universities are disclosing this information to NSF as required.”House Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight (Begich): Safeguarding Federal Research Funds · Jun 24, 2026
Keith McCormick
“The Department of Justice recovered more than $52 million last fiscal year in cybersecurity-related False Claims Act settlements alone. And notably, most of those cases involved misrepresentation rather than an actual breach.”House Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight (Begich): Safeguarding Federal Research Funds · Jun 24, 2026
Jennifer Springman
“For every dollar that's obtained through deception or otherwise misused is a dollar that could have supported a meritorious proposal. The true victims are the researchers, students, and institutions that competed fairly for these limited resources only to see the funds diverted to individuals who obtained them through fraud.”House Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight (Begich): Safeguarding Federal Research Funds · Jun 24, 2026
Eileen O'Mara
“The current regulation provides for companies that you're a bank or you're not a bank. What we're asking for is a payment charter that supports companies like Stripe to serve American businesses that are building on us and serving their communities. The skinny charter does not solve for this because it does not give us direct access to ACH.”House Financial Services: Future of Payments · Jun 24, 2026
Paige Paridon
“Institutions seeking novel charters seek access to the Federal Reserve payment infrastructure and the implicit imprimatur of federal oversight without accepting the full scope of those obligations. That is not a formula for innovation. It is a formula for regulatory arbitrage and for the gradual erosion of the safety and soundness standards that protect the American public.”House Financial Services: Future of Payments · Jun 24, 2026