Email from Alaska Senate Majority Senator Kawasaki's Juneau Note   September 30, 2025 View as Webpage Hey Neighbors, With the crisp air and snow falling, the Interior is making its quick transition from Fall to Winter. Time to bring in the vegetables, make sure the vehicle is ready, prepare for the many nights of great Aurora viewing and winterize the house. Also, after the tragedy of a few weeks ago, remember we can disagree, but not be disagreeable. There is never a time when political violence is acceptable. We are all Alaskans and Americans and as sad as 9/11 was I saw our country unify. We must continue to fight for our common good. As a reminder, early voting for the October 7 municipal election is underway until October 2 at the Bentley Mall (at the Michael’s end). Early voting is a great way to ensure that your vote is counted in case you are unable to go to the polls on election day. You can find more election information for the ongoing municipal elections on the Borough or City website. (Smaller) PFD Checks Arrive this Week - Why? It is that time of year again when the annual Permanent Fund Dividend starts arriving to eligible Alaskans! The budget that passed the Legislature included $685.3 million for the payment of PFD checks this year meaning every eligible Alaskan who applied will be receiving $1,000. The dividend check means different things to different people. For myself, I used it for winter car maintenance and heating oil. As Alaskans we have a blessing with the dividend program and I will continue to fight for it every year. Over the last 12 years, the state budget has had major annual, structural deficits due to the passage of SB21, the oil wealth giveaway and the narrow defeat of the voter referendum. When the state had billions in savings, they were used to continue funding the basic services and some public services ended or were cut. The last two administrations have had to use Permanent Fund earnings to balance the budget, rather than historically using them to pay the Permanent Fund Dividend. Cuts to the PFD have been the worst way to fund government services because it acts as a flat tax only on Alaskans and most impacts seniors, children, families with large families, rural Alaskans and the poor. If the state continues to allow our resources like, oil, gas, fish and minerals be exploited without producing a return to Alaskans as mandated in the Alaska Constitution, then we will soon see more cuts to services and a lower PFD. I have introduced legislation with my colleagues so that Alaskans can begin to claw back some of the value of our limited natural resources and hope to have more support as Alaska tries to balance the state budget. There is a good article from Brad Keithley about the difficult task to balance the budget and also provide a full-PFD: HERE! Mining Potentials in Our Back Yard Several community elected leaders and I, were invited to tour the new project by the United States Antimony Corporation (USAC), known as the Mohawk Mine. The mining operation is in the Ester Dome area, and the local community is understandably concerned about the potential impact on them. As a member of the Senate Resources Committee, it was important for me to personally engage with the leadership of USAC to gain a deeper understanding of their motivations for breaking ground in Alaska. The Legislature is mandated to manage our resources for the “maximum benefit of its people,” and antimony is an essential mineral used in the manufacturing of ammo, lead-acid batteries and flame-retardant materials. At this point, the Mohawk mine is one of the few domestic Antimony mines in operation. Making our Alaskan minerals even more critical to manage. The tour began with a presentation of the three phases of the project, the first of which would commence immediately and involves collecting the leftover antimony the Gold Rush miners left behind in their pursuit of gold. These two minerals are often found together, but back then, there was little value in the element. USAC will start by claiming those deposits and then move to phase two, where they will “trench” the area. “Trenching” is a process where an operator uses an excavator to remove vegetation from an area, exposing the underlying rock. The third phase consists of an underground mine. Both USAC and its marketing company, Blueprint, were quick to state that the project would not culminate in an open-pit - though we have not seen a request for a permit yet.  During the tour, USAC frequently emphasized their desire to engage with the local citizens. So, I challenge you to hold them to that promise and reach out with your concerns about the Mohawk Mine. My office will happily facilitate any communication. In Honor of the Missing and Murdered I had the honor of being invited to witness Chief Ridley and the Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) make Fairbanks history by unveiling the first-ever memorial benches to honor Alaskan Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP). Located outside David Salmon Tribal Hall, the memorial benches sit beneath a recently installed pavilion. A plaque stands nearby overlooking the Chena River, informing visitors that this space is dedicated to the lives of Indigenous mothers, daughters, sons, brothers, friends, and neighbors who have been stolen, lost, or remain unanswered. The amount of missing and murdered indigenous people is an ongoing and urgent crisis in our state. In 2021 alone, 229 cases of missing and murdered Indigenous persons were reported in Alaska. This heartbreaking figure mirrors our state’s 229 federally recognized tribes. A 2017 study by the Urban Indian Health Institute documented cases of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls in 71 urban cities, including several Alaskan cities. Approximately 80% of those cases occurred after the year 2000, suggesting many earlier cases were undocumented and unacknowledged. There are 5 ongoing Indigenous missing persons cases in Alaska’s interior. You can help by submitting anonymous tips, raising awareness, and educating yourself and others about these cases. If you’re in the area, I encourage you to visit the memorial bench. To the families affected by these atrocities: I hope this memorial offers a space to reflect, grieve, heal and find strength. Fort Wainwright 9/11 Ceremony There are a few moments in the history of our nation where every citizen can tell you where they were when they heard the news. 9/11 is one such event. Twenty-four years later, many young people are now old enough to vote or serve in uniform who never lived through the national anger of that day. Each year, I spend this day with the dedicated personnel on Fort Wainwright as a reminder of the sacrifices made by soldiers, first responders, and families in the years since. The ceremony was solemn, as always, but with an emphasis on the human connection needed to ensure national defense. Our soldiers are not machines; they are flesh and blood, with families who care for them. When our soldiers feel supported, they are a stronger and more effective fighting force. Col. John Campbell echoed this truth by stating, “It is leaders who know their people, teammates that look out for one another and a community that refuses to let anyone stand alone. That is how we respect the sacrifice of 9/11.” With Alaska serving a critical role in our national defense due to our geographic location, it is vital that our community remain a supportive partner to our local military base. As the Senator representing Fort Wainwright, I have worked hard to enact legislation that created a military help center for soldiers and their families. This help center allows families to transition smoothly into our Fairbanks community by providing vital resources and information that were once difficult to find. I believe this support is key to ensuring our nation’s independence. The rallying cry of 9/11 has always been “Never Forget.” For those who lived through the day, the images are seared into memory. But there is a generation now coming of age who didn’t experience it firsthand. As a nation, we know how memory can fade President Roosevelt once called Pearl Harbor, “a date which will live in infamy,” yet few today can recall the shock and outrage of December 7, 1941. We cannot allow that to happen with 9/11. That day reminded us that freedom has a cost, that our strength lies in community and the importance of unity in the face of adversity. I will again be at Fort Wainwright next year to honor that truth and I urge all of us to carry forward the lessons of 9/11, ensuring we truly never forget. Join Representative Dibert for Moose Soup! My Legislative colleague representing District 31 will be hosting her 3rd annual Moose Soup with Max. You’ll share good food, community and conversation with Representative Maxine Dibert from 5:30-7:00 PM Oct. 1st at the JP Jones Center! The interim session is special to Fairbanks because when else are you able to share your point of view with local legislators over some warm Interior Alaskan cuisine? I have seen firsthand Rep. Dibert’s dedication to education, responsible resource development and lowering costs for Fairbanks families. I believe this event is a great opportunity for all of us to stay connected and work together. See you all then! My Staff and I are Here for You  As always, I will continue to keep you updated on what I’m working on in Juneau throughout the session. If you have any questions about anything going on in the Capitol or at home, feel free to give me a call or shoot me an email – as always, my staff and I are working for you. We will assist you with the issues important to you and your family. Working Hard for Fairbanks Families, Senator Scott Kawasaki Alaska State Senator Serving the City of Fairbanks, Ft. Wainwright & Badger Road Share This Email Share This Email Share This Email   As your Senator, I am here to listen and help. Contact me anytime. Senator Lisa Murkowski Fairbanks Office: 250 Cushman St, Suite 2D Fairbanks, AK 99701 (907) 456-0233 or Email Senator Dan Sullivan Fairbanks Office: 101 12th Avenue, # 328 Fairbanks, AK 99701 (907) 456-0261 or Email Congressman Nick Begich Fairbanks Office: 542 4th Avenue #210 Fairbanks, AK 99701 (907) 251-4560 or Email     IN JUNEAU: Phone: (907) 465-3466 FAX: (907) 465-2937 State Capitol Building Juneau, AK 99801 IN FAIRBANKS: Phone: (907) 456-7423 1292 Sadler Way Suite 308 (AlaskaUSA Credit Building) Fairbanks, AK 99701 Toll Free: (866) 465-3466 EMAIL Sen.Scott.Kawasaki@ akleg.gov WEB aksenatedems.com/ sen-kawasaki Here are some ways to let your voice be heard regarding issues important to you. Write a Letter to the Editor: submit up to a 350 word letter to the Fairbanks News Miner via their website: [link removed] Contact the Governor: Governor Dunleavy's Fairbanks office may be reached at (907) 451-2920. You can also visit the state website at gov.alaska.gov   Senator Scott Kawasaki | Alaska State Capitol, Rm. 119 4th Avenue & Main Street | Juneau, AK 99801 US Unsubscribe | Constant Contact Data Notice