July 2023 Newsletter

Welcome to the July 2023 newsletter! Anchorage has been rainy this summer. So, we hope you had a sunny Fourth of July! We thank you all for reading our monthly newsletter! Furthermore, SWAMC would like to thank our returning and new members for joining us in our mission. With your partnership, we can ensure that Southwest Alaska reaches its full potential! Your partnership is appreciated and valued.

FY24 SWAMC Membership Renewal Form Open

As a friendly reminder, the FY24 membership form is open. If you haven't had the chance to renew your SWAMC membership, here is a link to our online form. We thank you for joining us. It is because of members like you that we can continue remarkable work!

If you have any questions or concerns about your membership, please feel free to contact Executive Director David Nelson at his email: dnelson@swamc.org. You may also call us at 907-562-7380.

Nick Mangini July Update

June was a busy month. Aside from everyday harvesting and testing at my farm, I engaged in several public speaking events and a workshop for farmers. To start June, GreenWave (a nonprofit from the East Coast) hosted a workshop for farmers across North America. Nineteen farmers came to Kodiak to learn about planting, designing, and harvesting methods. We also heard about cooperatives from the world’s largest Organic Valley and Andrew Crow from UAA. The following day, I gathered seven local farmers and a KALI representative to discuss forming a Kodiak Island co-op. We subsequently met again a week later but are still working out details. I also met with Chandler Kemp from UA Dillingham to go over energy use on the farm and connected him with another local farmer to start collecting data.

I was busy finishing projects even in the later part of the month. I met with 27 students (2nd-6th grade) in a summer program and got to explain how kelp farming works. I listened to their ideas for kelp-based products. Lastly, I did two talks about Korea and my trip with WWF. Seventeen people from the community and Sea Grant attended. Julie Decker, Markos Scheer, and I presented to 56 attendees worldwide via a webinar about our trip and what we learned from our time in Korea.

Somehow in this jam-packed month, I fit in a trip out of the Aleutian Chain with Executive Director David Nelson. We had nine stops and tried our best to meet with someone at each stop or at least leave our business cards for future contact. We got to see existing infrastructure, hear the needs of community members, and take in the sheer beauty of Southwest Alaska.

BEAD 2023 Funding Allocations Announced

On June 26, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced its funding allocations for $42.45 billion. All 50 states, including Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, will receive support from NTIA, expanding internet access by funding planning, infrastructure deployment, and adoption programs. To learn more about the BEAD program and the 2023 allocations, check out NTIA's website.

Sen. Gary Stevens – Senate District C

I hope everyone had a fun and safe July 4th holiday! Thank you to everyone who has contacted me with your concerns regarding the Governor’s decision to veto education funding. The legislature worked together to adequately fund the BSA during this past session. As you know it was hard fought but in the end, a reasonable and responsible budget was agreed upon. I was saddened but honestly not shocked by the Governor’s veto. This will make it extremely difficult for our school boards to keep teachers, adequately pay them and provide the educational services students require and communities demand. It is a big lift to find the votes needed to override the veto (45 total). I believe I have the votes in the Senate, but this will be very difficult in the House which is much more supportive of the Governor’s positions. We will try to get the numbers for a special session and if not, this will be the most important question for us to address in January.

I look forward to visiting the communities of District C this interim. Please reach out to your regional LIO or contact my office with any questions on state issues: Sen.Gary.Stevens@akleg.gov 907-486-4925 or 1-800-821-4925.

Sen. Lyman Hoffman – Senate District S

I hope that your summer is going well. Since the legislature adjourned session in May, the Governor was sent the FY24 Operating/Capital/Mental Health budget bill, House Bill 39. Many of you know that he vetoed some education funding plus some other items. It appears there is no will in the legislature to call ourselves back into a Special Session to override these vetoes. The legislature will have five days, once we reconvene in January, to vote for an override.

Towards the end of June, Governor Dunleavy signed into law, Senate Bill 98: Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation and Power Cost Equalization Endowment Fund. SB 98 moves the management of the PCE Endowment from the Department of Revenue to the Permanent Fund Corporation. The PCE Program remains the same. It is my hope that this move will continue to grow the PCE Endowment fund for many years to come ensuring economic assistance to communities and residents of rural electric utilities where energy costs are significantly higher than in urban areas in our state.

I have a couple of bills that remain active for the next session. SB 140 will increase the internet for schools passed the Senate and is awaiting scheduling for the House floor. SB 141 renames the Aleknagik Bridget the Raymond & Esther Conquest Bridge at the request of the community. SB 141 is in the Senate Transportation Committee. I expect a hearing on the bill will be scheduled once we reconvene.

My office in Juneau is open and my staff, Patricia Walker and Mardion Boario, continue to assist our communities when assistance is requested. My other staff, Tim Grussendorf and Sam Greely will return later this fall.



Rep. Bryce Edgmon – House District 37

On May 18th, the first day of a 30-day special session, the legislature adjourned after the House concurred with the Senate’s version of the FY24 Budget. As co-chair of the House Finance Committee, I was able to play a role in the final negotiations and passage of a balanced budget, which didn’t draw from savings. Governor Dunleavy signed the bill into law in June but did veto a number of items, including increases to K-12 education, Head Start, and public radio.

A lot of work awaits the legislature next year, including crime bills introduced by the Governor and possible work on a fiscal plan. Two of my top priorities will be to pass a permanent increase to the Base Student Allocation (BSA) and restore a defined benefits retirement program for state employees. In the meantime, I intend to closely monitor the impact of the Governor’s veto of half of the K-12 increase appropriated by the legislature, among other vetoes. Another priority will be Senate Bill 140, which will help rural schools and libraries access faster internet service through participation in the federal e-rate program. I will also focus on the many budget needs that exist in our communities, and advocate for the highest possible PFD we can afford.

Please keep in touch with my office with your concerns and comments. I hope you have a safe and productive summer.

Have an announcement or story to share with the region?

Let us know! We may be able to include it in our next newsletter.

Call (907) 562-7380 or email dnelson@swamc.org.