Email from Alaska Senate Majority Senator Kawasaki's Juneau Note   27 November 2025 View as Webpage Hey Neighbors, As we head into the Season of Giving, I am thankful to my family, friends and neighbors who have entrusted me with the honor to represent you in the Alaska Senate. This time of the year makes me acutely aware of the importance of connections. We have seen a spate of violent crimes in our community recently along with increased economic hardship with increased attention toward affordability. It is more important than ever to reach out and support one other. We are in this great community together and no one should feel alone. Places you can volunteer, support and utilize include the Food Bank, Rescue Mission, Interior Center for Non-Violent Living, Stone Soup Kitchen, the Senior Centers in both Fairbanks and North Pole, Crisis Line, Resource Center for Parents and Children, NAMI of Fairbanks, The Door and many more. Because of our strong sense of civic responsibility Fairbanks has earned the title of the Golden Heart City time and time again! In addition to the holidays, our legislative offices are preparing to head to Juneau and would like to hear directly from you-the voters. I will host a Town Hall Meeting on one evening and then a Holiday Open House in the Legislative Information Offices on the following week. Hope to see you all around this Thanksgiving Week! ‘It Takes a Team’ Town Hall Meeting As the legislative session approaches, I am excited to announce a Town Hall on Wednesday, December 3rd, at the Noel Wien Library Auditorium from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. I am also happy to have fellow members of the Alaska Legislature joining me for this event. Representative Mike Prax, and Representative Ashley Carrick will be on stage with me to hear your concerns and answer your questions. We will also be joined by the new City of Fairbanks Mayor Mindy O’Neall and Fairbanks North Star Borough Mayor Grier Hopkins. Our Congressional Delegation from Washington DC will also be represented by their local office staff. Having local, state and federal government represented in one room makes a real difference. At past town halls, constituents have sometimes raised concerns outside the jurisdiction of Alaska lawmakers. With both mayors and federal representation in attendance, you will be able to get answers from the right people answer your questions. Your questions are essential to the success of this Town Hall and this Democracy because it helps us understand the needs of Fairbanks Families. You are welcome to answer your questions live at the event, but I know not everyone is comfortable speaking in public. If you prefer, or if you already have a question in mind, you may submit it in advance by following this link. My staff will gather these submissions before the Town Hall so we can make sure the full range of concerns is addressed. You may ask your question on this simple form: HERE! A Holiday to Celebrate – A Legislative Open House The Fairbanks Legislative Information Office (LIO) is hosting its annual Holiday Open House on December 8th from 4:00–6:00 pm! The event will take place on the third floor of the Global Credit Union building near Home Depot and everyone is welcome to stop by. While I’m away in Juneau during session, staying connected with my Fairbanks constituents is always a challenge, especially for those who prefer in-person conversations. That’s why our office is so grateful for our Fairbanks LIO. Their team offers a local, accessible space where residents can get information, share concerns and stay engaged with their state government even when I’m across the state and sequestered in isolated Juneau. If you have time on December 8th, I hope you’ll swing by the Open House to meet the LIO staff, learn more about the services they offer, and enjoy some holiday cheer. An Alaska National Guard for Alaska I am saddened by the deaths of WV National Guardsmen who were in DC on orders by the President, which have since been declared illegal by a Federal Judge. On the 8th of October, Major General Ronald Burkett issued a memo directing National Guard leadership in all 50 states to establish new Quick Reaction Forces (QRFs) of up to 500 troops each. Alaska was ordered to establish 350 troops within our ANG. The order specifies that these units are to be trained not for disaster response, but for crowd management and riot control, to include the use of batons, body shields, pepper spray, and Tasers. The directive arrived just days before Typhoon Halong devastated western Alaska on October 12th. In that crisis, the Alaska National Guard did what they have always done. They mobilized rapidly and provided professional, compassionate assistance to affected communities. Their response proves that our ANG already has the capability to deploy swiftly during true emergencies. Representative Andrew Gray and I as the Co-Chairmen of the Legislative Joint Armed Services Committee were deeply concerned by the timing and purpose of this QRF order. Alaska has never experienced a riot in its history. Our population is geographically dispersed, and there is no reasonable scenario in which a 350-member riot-control force would be necessary in our state. More importantly, according to retired Lt. Colonel Daniel Maurer, a veteran Army officer and former Judge Advocate General, the memo may rely on assumptions that render the order unlawful. Military personnel are required to follow lawful orders issued by the Commander-in-Chief, and it is the responsibility of state leadership to ensure that federal directives comply with the law before implementing them. Such a force would not help us during natural disasters and appears entirely unrelated to actual needs which is why our Committee sent a formal letter to Adjutant General Saxe urging him to scrutinize the directive and reconsider establishing a riot-control QRF.  We believe every action taken with our National Guard must serve the people of Alaska, comply with the law, and support the real emergencies our communities face, not hypothetical scenarios that have never occurred in our state’s history. Alaskans Need Accessible and Affordable Health Insurance Thousands of Alaskans who rely on the federal marketplace for health insurance are experiencing sticker shock as they apply for coverage for the coming year. That is because key health care subsidies that have helped millions of Americans afford their insurance are set to expire. As Congress continues debating whether to extend the tax credits, Alaskans will see how sharp premium hikes will hit our wallets, and our access to life-saving health care. Federal subsidies that keep plans in the health care marketplace affordable are set to expire if Congress does not act to extend them by the end of the year. In fact, the question of whether to extend the subsidies was the fundamental debate behind the recent, record-breaking government shutdown. Ending federal subsidies will also have the unintended consequence of making insurance premiums in private markets higher as more of the burden of care is shifted to fewer insurers who cover care of the uninsured. The state estimates that over 27,000 Alaskans buy insurance through the Affordable Care Act. KFF Health News reports that nationwide, enrollees who benefit from federal subsidies will see monthly payments increase on average by 114% if federal subsidies disappear. But Alaskans could see much higher jumps because of fewer insurance companies working in state and fewer options for healthcare providers. The Alaska Beacon reported earlier this fall that the average monthly insurance payment for some Alaskan residents using state insurance will rise from $128 to more than $1000 if the subsidies expire – likely causing some to opt out of insurance. Now, with subsidies potentially ending and upcoming restrictions to Medicaid, nonprofit will probably see an increase in people seeking medical care.  Open enrollment on the federal marketplace lasts until Jan. 15. For coverage that begins with the new year, the deadline is even sooner – on Dec. 15. Fairbanks-It’s a ‘Happening’ Place! It is a busy time of year whether it is an office or family Christmas Party or a benefit for a local church or charity! Make sure to check out these events over the next week. November 27 Local Authors Market at Solstice Books 10 - 4pm 721 2nd Ave December 4 Fairbanks Resource Agency Annual Gala 630- 930pm Westmark Gold Room December 4 – 5 Doyon Arts and Crafts Bazaar 8 - 5pm Doyon Plaza Building, 1 Doyon Place December 5 First Friday Queer 5 -9pm Market Dena Movement Commons, 526 Gaffney Rd December 5 Ashlee Spann Benefit and Silent Auction 7 – 11pm 122 N. Turner Street December 6 Southside Winter Holiday Market 10 – 5pm JP Jones Center December 6 The Nutcracker 2 – 4pm Hering Auditorium December 6 Well Being Concert 7 -9pm 1755 Westwood Way December 10 42nd Annual Distinguished Citizens Banquet - Congrats Gary and Sue! 6- 10 Westmark Gold Room 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: 101 12th Avenue, # 172 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 | Juneau, AK 99801 US Unsubscribe | Constant Contact Data Notice