Video Clips

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

Lisa Murkowski “I'm wondering if you can share with the committee what you might consider meaningful consultation with territorial governments would look like. Before the federal government advances any future leasing decisions.”

Senate Energy and Natural Resources (Murkowski): Business meeting to consider S.1547, to amend title 54, United States Code, to reauthorize the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund. · Jun 17, 2026

Henry Hofschneider “Governor Hapiteng and Governor Guerrero have written a letter to Chairman Lee to introduce the legislation to place a moratorium.”

Senate Energy and Natural Resources (Murkowski): Business meeting to consider S.1547, to amend title 54, United States Code, to reauthorize the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund. · Jun 17, 2026

Mike Lee “Mr. Henry Hofschneider, Chief of Staff to Governor David Apatong of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, or CNMI, here today because the governor is dealing with the impact of a major typhoon that has hit his territory.”

Senate Energy and Natural Resources (Murkowski): Hearings to examine the state of the U.S. Territories. · Jun 17, 2026

Mike Lee “Earlier this year, my colleagues and I called on the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of the Interior to terminate the CNMI Economic Vitality and Security Travel Authorization Program, a Biden-era policy that allows nationals from the People's Republic of China to enter the Northern Mariana Islands for up to 14 days without a visa. This policy has threatened uh, to create, and in some cases created, serious problems. Chinese nationals have been convicted of trafficking methamphetamine into the CMI— CMI. The program has facilitated birth tourism and created additional travel avenues to Guam.”

Senate Energy and Natural Resources (Murkowski): Hearings to examine the state of the U.S. Territories. · Jun 17, 2026

Mike Lee “I continue to urge the Department of Homeland Security, along with the Department of the Interior, to terminate the CNMI Economic Vitality and Security Travel Authorization Program and to end Hong Kong's participation in the broader Guam CNMI Visa Waiver Program.”

Senate Energy and Natural Resources (Murkowski): Hearings to examine the state of the U.S. Territories. · Jun 17, 2026

Mike Lee “Mr. Hofschneider, do you think it makes sense for the citizens of one of America's biggest, most menacing adversaries, that is the People's Republic of China, should be allowed to enter a U.S. territory without a visa?”

Senate Energy and Natural Resources (Murkowski): Hearings to examine the state of the U.S. Territories. · Jun 17, 2026

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

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

“the borough's ordinance serial number 26032 would impose a 6.5% area-wide sales tax in addition to the city's existing sales tax, resulting in a combined sales tax of 9% within the city of Wasilla. And whereas the proposed borough sales tax would substantially increase the tax burden on purchases made within the city and may negatively affect local businesses, residents, nonprofits, and consumers.”

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

“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

“7% Would bring in $138,179,000.”

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

“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

“Based on the information that we've reviewed that came from your finance department, the impact on our city is a decrease gross sales of 9.75%. Consumers will shop outside the region. They'll go online and they will buy less.”

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

“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

“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

“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

“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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“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

“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

“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

“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

“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

“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

“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

“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

Karen Norsworthy “I suggested, you know, the one thing that we haven't looked at in a while was probably the mayor. And if we were going to do anything that—”

Anchorage Assembly: Salaries and Emoluments Commission Meeting · Jun 16, 2026

Pat Redmond “Do we want to look at any from the Lower 48? I did I don't, I don't think we need to. I think it should be within Alaska.”

Anchorage Assembly: Salaries and Emoluments Commission Meeting · Jun 16, 2026

Karen Norsworthy “the current salary for the mayor is $145,000 a year plus a little bit of change on that. And I think it has been— it was— I'm looking back in the notebook the last time we looked at the mayor's compensation. And I think it looks like it was in 2020 when we went to the $143,000. And prior to that, The last time it was increased was in 2015. So in 2015, it was $132,000, almost $133,000 a year.”

Anchorage Assembly: Salaries and Emoluments Commission Meeting · Jun 16, 2026

Karen Norsworthy “I would suggest somewhere around 5%— 5 to 8% would be my suggestion on making adjustment on the salary. When I look at some of the— and granted, they're union employees— some of their contracts have given as much as 8% on increases. So you have a fair amount of employees that are making more than the mayor now.”

Anchorage Assembly: Salaries and Emoluments Commission Meeting · Jun 16, 2026

Karen Norsworthy “get information on the salary from what the governor makes, I would say the chancellor, the school district superintendent, because looking at other government employees and not diving into the private sector. Yeah, I will work with the clerk because she'll be more versed in the process, so I'll coordinate with her. Okay, good. Yeah, and then I would say the mayor of Fairbanks, Juneau as well.”

Anchorage Assembly: Salaries and Emoluments Commission Meeting · Jun 16, 2026

Jasmine (Clerk, Municipality of Anchorage)

“the commission shall afford an opportunity for the public to be heard before rendering any decision that changes compensation.”

Anchorage Assembly: Salaries and Emoluments Commission Meeting · Jun 16, 2026

Kimberly Hays “I would prefer if we could do it late July because we're going to have to have another meeting. And to Karen's point about people turning off and budget season, I would prefer to do it as soon as everybody can, which sounds like sometime in July.”

Anchorage Assembly: Salaries and Emoluments Commission Meeting · Jun 16, 2026

Karen Norsworthy “I think we can look at the governor. I think we can look at the chancellor of UAA and some other comparable positions within the city.”

Anchorage Assembly: Salaries and Emoluments Commission Meeting · Jun 16, 2026

Pat Redmond “if we made a change this year, it would be effective next— it wouldn't be effective until the next mayor, or the next election. So it'd be 2 years out? When's— how long is the mayor's term? This is Commissioner Hayes. It would be April 2027.”

Anchorage Assembly: Salaries and Emoluments Commission Meeting · Jun 16, 2026

Karen Norsworthy “it seems to me we're kind of at that timeframe where we might want to take a look and making an adjustment there.”

Anchorage Assembly: Salaries and Emoluments Commission Meeting · Jun 16, 2026

Karen Norsworthy “I'd like to suggest that we maybe try and schedule something in maybe end of July, first part of August, and then maybe we can look at over the last like 5 years, get information on— let's just look at the workforce with the municipality, I think is worth looking at, is how much, you know, along with the assembly, what's the percentage of increase that has happened there.”

Anchorage Assembly: Salaries and Emoluments Commission Meeting · Jun 16, 2026

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