Email from Alaska Senate Majority Standing Together for Western Alaska Photo by Alaska National Guard Over the weekend of October 11–12, the remnants of Typhoon Halong struck Western Alaska, severely impacting the coastal villages of Kipnuk and Kwigillingok. The storm displaced around 1,000 residents from their homes. Tragically, one person has been confirmed dead, and two others remain missing. My heart goes out to the people and families affected in Western Alaska. We stand together through times like these, Alaskans supporting Alaskans. If you’d like to contribute to relief and recovery efforts, here are some ways to help: Western Alaska Disaster Relief 2025 Fund Red Cross Permanent Location for Donations Address: 1120 E 1st Ave, Anchorage, AK Time: Daily, 9am to 4pm  *Please make sure all donations are new items Shutdown Impacts Alaska SNAP Today, November 1st, Alaskans will not receive SNAP benefits due to the ongoing federal government shutdown. That means more than 66,000 Alaskans face losing their food assistance benefits. Though on October 31st, two federal judges in Massachusetts and one in Rhode Island ruled that the administration cannot simply stop SNAP benefits. They also ruled that the administration must use contingency and emergency funds to cover SNAP benefits. Here is what you can continue to do: Contact your Federal Representatives: U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski Phone: 202-224-6665 U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan Phone: 202-224-3004 U.S. Congressman Nick Begich Phone: 202-225-5765 Other Resources: Call 211 (toll-free 800-478-2221) - A confidential helpline offering local support and referrals Find a food pantry near you - Call the phone numbers listed to find out when their hours of operation are and eligibility requirements Food Bank of Alaska Friends in Serving Humanity (FISH) Downtown Hope Center (Anchorage Only) *These local organizations also accept donations and volunteers. Before you arrive or drop off items, please make sure to call or look at their website and follow their directions. Celebrating Alaska-Taiwan Relations On October 9th, I had the honor and privilege of traveling to Seattle to present Senate Joint Resolution 8: International Relations with Taiwan at the Taipei Economical and Cultural Office Reception. It was a beautiful event celebrating the strong and growing relationship between our state and Taiwan, highlighting our deep economic, cultural, and educational ties. We remain committed to fostering an environment where both our state and the people of Taiwan continue to thrive and grow together. Legislative Budget & Audit Committee The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 19th. It will be an all-day meeting, starting at 10:00 a.m. The Work Continues On October 28th, I attended a tour of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southcentral Alaska's Woodland Park Club on 36th Avenue. I felt it was important to be part of the discussion, given the increasing focus on public education and the critical role that afterschool programs play in supporting students and families. During the visit, I had the opportunity to learn more about the programs they offer, met with the limited staff, and gain a better understanding of how these initiatives contribute to youth development, academic support, and community engagement. Another important note about the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southcentral Alaska, since October 20th they had to temporarily pause their clubhouse after school programs across the state and athletics program in Anchorage due to a lack of cash flow until further notice. They receive 70% of their funding from the federal government and the rest is through foundation, individual, and corporate funding. Their goal is to reach at least $250,000 to be able to reopen the clubhouse program, so far, they have raised about $52,000. If you’d like to contribute, here are some ways to help: Volunteer Donate During the weekend of October 24th, I attended an AI Workshop in Sacramento, California sponsored by the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). It was an informative and engaging workshop featuring a series of panels that explored the growing role of artificial intelligence in the workforce, education, and the energy sector. Speakers and experts from across the country shared valuable insights on how AI is shaping innovation, improving efficiency, and creating new opportunities while also addressing the challenges of implementation, ethics, and accessibility. It was an excellent opportunity to learn more about how states can responsibly integrate AI technologies to better serve our communities. On October 20th we toured Bettye Davis East Anchorage High, Clark Middle, and Russian Jack Elementary schools - the three schools that support the Deaf community in Anchorage. It was an incredibly educational experience, highlighting the dedication of educators and the vibrant culture of Deaf students. We look forward to seeing meaningful legislation passed that uplifts and empowers the Deaf community across Alaska. From October 13th to 17th, I attended the NCSL 2025 Health Costs Seminar & Prescription Drug Policy Conference. It was an incredible opportunity to learn about strategies to address rising health care costs in our states. The conference brought together national experts from across the country to discuss state policies on health system consolidation and competition, insurance affordability, prescription medications access and pricing, and overall health care affordability. Everyone deserves equitable and affordable access to health care and prescription medications. On October 7, 2025, my staff and I were honored to be invited to a Mental Health Taskforce meeting in Wasilla, which we joined virtually. During the meeting, we heard from stakeholders across the state about the critical importance of mental health education and the value it brings to students. Many emphasized how this support could make a meaningful difference in students’ lives, often in ways they may not yet realize are available to them. I look forward to continuing to advocate for our communities that would benefit from this and look forward to the passage of SB41, An Act Relation to Mental Health Education in K-12. Coffee with Constituents Mark your calendars! I will be hosting a Coffee with Constituents to speak with community members about legislative updates, local priorities, and the work we are doing to support Alaskans. I encourage everyone to attend! Everyone's input is invaluable as we continue to strive to work together. Location: SteamDot Coffee 600 E Northern Lights, Anchorage, AK 99503 Date: Saturday, November 15th, 2025 Time: 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM Interim is Still Here! During the interim, our work continues. My staff is in the Anchorage office Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. I am typically in the office from 11:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., unless I have an earlier meeting scheduled with constituents. Please don’t hesitate to reach out, we’re here to assist and always welcome the opportunity to connect.  The interim is a valuable time to develop new legislation, refine bills previously introduced, and meet with stakeholders to educate, gather input, and build support for policies that benefit both my constituents and the broader community. It’s also an opportunity to attend community events, visit local facilities, and prepare for the upcoming legislative session, which always comes faster than expected.  Please don’t hesitate to reach out or stop by, we’re here to serve you.  As always, it is my honor to work for you! Staff contact: Clark Bickford Chief of Staff 907-269-0174 Jamie Bagley Legislative Aide 907-269-0174 Jeff Stepp Legislative Budget & Audit Aide 907-465-3721 Send us an Email Follow Me on Facebook Follow Me on Twitter I’m Senator Elvi, always..... "Listening and Representing Your Interests!” Alaska Senate Democrats | Capitol Building 4th Avenue & Main Street | Juneau, AK 99801 US Unsubscribe | Constant Contact Data Notice