Video Clips

Quoted moments from Alaska public meetings, hearings, and press conferences.

Speaker B

“I wanted 5%, I actually wanted very little tax, but the numbers that we were provided by Cheyenne basically show that we would need about a 6.5 to 7% sales tax to reach the same $130 million.”

Mat-Su Borough: Regular Assembly Meeting June 16 · Jun 16, 2026

0:03

Speaker A

“7% Would bring in $138,179,000.”

Mat-Su Borough: Regular Assembly Meeting June 16 · Jun 16, 2026

0:32

Speaker B

“Right now, area-wide property taxes for fiscal year '26, I think it was, was about— it was just shy of $130 million. We didn't even run a 5% calculation with all the price elasticity of demand and all that because we never had this conversation. Like, we want to help you with these numbers, but some of this stuff is just happening right now. And there would— so there's been no analysis on 5% because no one mentioned 5%. We, we ran numbers on 6, 6.5, 7, and 8 to provide a range.”

Mat-Su Borough: Regular Assembly Meeting June 16 · Jun 16, 2026

0:34

Speaker B

“In the 2025 assessed values listed here, $388,087 is your average value. Mill rate area-wide, 8.485. So the total tax paid would be $3,292. If you take 6.5% into that, you find out that you have to spend about $50,646 to meet the same tax you would pay for the property.”

Mat-Su Borough: Regular Assembly Meeting June 16 · Jun 16, 2026

0:11

Speaker A

“6.5%, we estimate will bring in $128,309,000.”

Mat-Su Borough: Regular Assembly Meeting June 16 · Jun 16, 2026

0:59

Speaker B

“People that do not benefit from this, the people who will pay more, who shoulder more of the tax burden, are renters, the uninsured, and small businesses.”

Mat-Su Borough: Regular Assembly Meeting June 16 · Jun 16, 2026

0:48

Speaker A

“I'm here representing the city in strong opposition to the ordinance 26032, and I just want to read our resolution into your record.”

Mat-Su Borough: Regular Assembly Meeting June 16 · Jun 16, 2026

0:30

Speaker A

“This is a transfer of administration to the borough, and with an estimated $360,000 for 2 full-time employees to manage this, what I would say, a very complex tax system— we literally chase people around for $12.50.”

Mat-Su Borough: Regular Assembly Meeting June 16 · Jun 16, 2026

0:55

Claire Knudsen-Latta

“it appears the application by the Alaska Gas Line Development Corporation, or AGDC, did not include the Fairbanks Spur, and thus, it is unlikely that FERC's May 2020 decision extends its jurisdiction over the spur.”

Alaska Legislature: Senate Finance - June 16, 2026 1:30pm · Jun 16, 2026

0:39

Frank Richards

“I'm told, but I've never seen it, it's less than $150 million. Understood. No, I think that's helpful because we've heard numbers from $150 to $200 and then $240, so we should be thinking in the range of the $150 range. Through the chair, Senator Steadman again, and I believe that that includes not only not only the initial 38 miles, but also extensions out now out to North Pole and potentially out and beyond into Eielson.”

Alaska Legislature: Senate Finance - June 16, 2026 1:30pm · Jun 16, 2026

1:05

Adam Prestidge

“the developer would initiate a tariff proceeding with the Regulatory Commission of Alaska and file for, as has been discussed, a system-wide tariff treatment that would allow the cost of the Fairbanks spur line to be spread across to other customers. the cost of the Fairbanks Spur Line would be spread across other gas buyers from the domestic pipeline.”

Alaska Legislature: Senate Finance - June 16, 2026 1:30pm · Jun 16, 2026

0:46

Claire Knudsen-Latta

“spreading the cost of the spur line across the entire system acts to decrease the rates related to the spur as costs are spread over a greater area. However, in utility and pipeline regulation, there is a well-founded principle which appears at 3 AAC 48510 that the causer of the cost and consequently recipient of the cost benefit should also be the one to pay the cost. System-wide recovery would be contrary to this principle as not all users of the system are causing the cost or receiving the benefits of the SPUR.”

Alaska Legislature: Senate Finance - June 16, 2026 1:30pm · Jun 16, 2026

0:54

Adam Prestidge

“That additional cost, if the RCA were to approve a tariff that spread the cost across all of the users, would be a a very low additional cost to Fairbanks consumers on top of what would be the $16 tariff. when we're talking about the incremental cost that would be spread across customers, you're looking at, you know, something— 10 cents. I can't pin down an exact number, but in the range of 20 to 30 cents per MMBtu of gas would be the amount that would be spread across all buyers.”

Alaska Legislature: Senate Finance - June 16, 2026 1:30pm · Jun 16, 2026

0:24

Adam Prestidge

“Extending it to all of the ratepayers across Alaska stretches that concept a little bit. Extending it to global LNG buyers extends it far outside of the bounds of commercial sensibility. And so we recommend removing that.”

Alaska Legislature: Senate Finance - June 16, 2026 1:30pm · Jun 16, 2026

0:44

Adam Prestidge

“the question might come, why would we want— why would other ratepayers in Alaska be willing to accept this additional cost? And the reality is, having Fairbanks have access to gas and being a buyer and consumer of gas off the pipeline is good for everyone.”

Alaska Legislature: Senate Finance - June 16, 2026 1:30pm · Jun 16, 2026

0:20

Lyman Hoffman

“I would expect, highly expect that there are going to be cost overruns. What happens to the Fairbanks spur line given the language in Section 19 that I referred to?”

Alaska Legislature: Senate Finance - June 16, 2026 1:30pm · Jun 16, 2026

1:24

Claire Knudsen-Latta

“proposed statutory revisions with HB 381 require that for a project to be eligible for tax abatement under AS 43, 59-010, it must include a spur line to the City of Fairbanks and Fairbanks North Star Borough, and the cost of the spur line must be allocated in a just, reasonable, and not unduly discriminatory manner across all consumers system-wide.”

Alaska Legislature: Senate Finance - June 16, 2026 1:30pm · Jun 16, 2026

0:55

Adam Prestidge

“it is not a firm commitment that all of the permits must be obtained because that is outside of the scope of the project developer's control. That is outside of 8 Star's control. At the end of the day, if there is a regulatory agency that for some reason declined to issue permits for the Fairbanks Spur Line, we wouldn't want that to jeopardize the tax treatment for the overall project that benefits the entire state of Alaska.”

Alaska Legislature: Senate Finance - June 16, 2026 1:30pm · Jun 16, 2026

0:43

Adam Prestidge

“if it is Glenfarn that builds the Fairbanks Spur Line, or if it is an Alaska Native corporation, or one of the utilities, or a joint venture that includes all of those parties or some of those parties, it doesn't have an impact on the eligibility of the Alaska LNG Project. So long as these conditions are satisfied.”

Alaska Legislature: Senate Finance - June 16, 2026 1:30pm · Jun 16, 2026

0:21

Adam Prestidge

“when we talk about the Fairbanks Spur Line, we are— and again, we will give the specific final numbers, but just for frame of reference for this conversation, approximately 30 miles with a diameter of 12 to 14 inches in diameter.”

Alaska Legislature: Senate Finance - June 16, 2026 1:30pm · Jun 16, 2026

0:41

Claire Knudsen-Latta

“Not knowing who will construct or operate the line means that the commission cannot answer questions about whether the spur will be economically regulated or not. Additionally, the commission cannot speak to whether the operator will seek certification under AS4206 or AS4208.”

Alaska Legislature: Senate Finance - June 16, 2026 1:30pm · Jun 16, 2026

0:38

Speaker A

“the next item of business is an executive session for this subject that Uh, tends to prejudice the reputation and character of any person, provided the person may require a public discussion. So, Madam Clerk, do you want your evaluation scheduled in executive session or public?”

Mat-Su Borough: Special Assembly Meeting for the Annual Evaluation of the Borough Clerk - June 16, 2026 · Jun 16, 2026

0:22

Speaker A

“I move to give the clerk a 3.3% COLA and a 2% step increase. Okay, discussion by the assembly? Any objection? Okay, hearing no objection, then the motion passes.”

Mat-Su Borough: Special Assembly Meeting for the Annual Evaluation of the Borough Clerk - June 16, 2026 · Jun 16, 2026

0:18

Speaker A

“Those present in executive session will be the mayor, the assembly, and the clerk. Okay, is there any discussion on the motion? Is there any objection to the motion? Okay, hearing no objection, then we enter into the executive session at 4:03.”

Mat-Su Borough: Special Assembly Meeting for the Annual Evaluation of the Borough Clerk - June 16, 2026 · Jun 16, 2026

0:21

Speaker C

“Executive session, please, Madam Mayor.”

Mat-Su Borough: Special Assembly Meeting for the Annual Evaluation of the Borough Clerk - June 16, 2026 · Jun 16, 2026

0:19

Speaker A

“hearing no objection, we will exit executive session at 4:48.”

Mat-Su Borough: Special Assembly Meeting for the Annual Evaluation of the Borough Clerk - June 16, 2026 · Jun 16, 2026

0:37

Speaker A

“They also need to file campaign and financial disclosures with the Alaska Public Offices Commission. Running for the assembly involves significant visibility and engagement with residents, events, and media on local issues. A successful campaign requires strong organization scheduling, fundraising, volunteers, and communications. Appointing a campaign treasurer for financial reporting to the Alaska Public Offices Commission is advisable.”

How To Run For Office In Juneau, Alaska · Jun 16, 2026

0:43

Speaker A

“All community members vote for all assembly seats, which include at least 3 positions on the ballot each year, with terms lasting 3 years. Members can serve up to 3 consecutive terms, and local elections are nonpartisan. To serve in the assembly, candidates must be: 18 or older, registered voters in Juneau, and residents for at least 1 year before the election. To run for office and appear on the ballot, candidates must file paperwork with the CBJ Clerk's Office in mid-June. July, including a declaration of candidacy and a nominating petition with at least 25 signatures.”

How To Run For Office In Juneau, Alaska · Jun 16, 2026

0:40

Speaker A

“Members typically attend 5 to 9 meetings per month with varying workloads throughout the year. Staying connected with the community, listening to residents, and addressing time-sensitive issues outside of regular meetings are also essential parts of the role. The assembly consists of 9 members: the mayor and 8 assembly members. 6 Members must reside in their elected districts, while 2 can live anywhere in the community.”

How To Run For Office In Juneau, Alaska · Jun 16, 2026