All the news and updates you don't want to miss. Rust, Reentry, & Revision November 1, 2019 Dear Friends and Neighbors, Happy First Friday! I hope you had a fun and safe Halloween. My kids were kind enough to share some of their candy with me. My pants won't fit right for a while, but it was worth it. (Trying to) dance Tinikling at the Kamayan Feast at the Filipino Community Hall last week. I didn't break an ankle, at least. Reentry & Recovery I got to be part of a reentry simulation hosted by Tlingit & Haida this week. The U.S. Attorney's office designed the program to illustrate what people go through getting back to society after incarceration. It did a great job capturing some of the tough issues people face trying to land on their feet after serving time: struggles to get an ID, find a job, find a place to live, and meet all the conditions of probation and parole. No simulation can recreate the struggle to do all that while dealing with substance abuse or mental health issues. Ultimately, we won't be able to tackle crime in Alaska if we don't find a way to help people get on track once they're out of prison. Investing in the success of former inmates stops them from making new victims. Special thanks to Talia Eames for organizing the event and Christina Love for her incredibly powerful speech about living with⁠—and recovery from⁠—substance abuse and trauma. At the reentry simulation, getting a (symbolic) taste of the challenges people face getting on their feet after incarceration. Donating blood at the Blood Bank of Alaska Juneau center last Friday. Every 8 weeks! Hope to see you there! Rust & Reschedules A new month brings rough news for AMHS. The LeConte needs more metal work than the Department of Transportation planned for⁠—and more than is in the budget. On top of that, the Aurora is headed for scheduled maintenance and the department doesn't have the money to fix both right now. They've decided to stop work on both until they figure out which one to fix. With the two brand-new dayboats waiting in Ketchikan for new side doors, the department announced they're suspending service to Gustavus, Angoon, Tenakee, and Pelican as of yesterday. And they're planning once-a-week service to Haines and Skagway and every-other-week to Hoonah. That's less service than the not-enough in the fall schedule. It's way less service than the legislature thought we were appropriating for. I'm encouraging the department to come to the legislature for a supplemental so they can meet the minimum need. I've been getting calls from Gustavus constituents whose return tickets got cancelled. They⁠—and their cars⁠—are stranded around the system. At this point we're past politics. The state of Alaska needs to keep its commitment to communities and individuals. I'll keep working with the department on ideas to get them home. It's taken many years for our ships to hit this level of disrepair. But the crisis is at our door. First, we need to get stranded folks back home. Then we need to come up with a plan⁠ to keep enough ships running for decent year-round service. There's a budget fight ahead as we gear up for next session. Students from the UAS Sense of Place class visited the Capitol last week. They had great questions! Former Gov. Bill Sheffield visited Skagway last month. Welcome back to Southeast, governor! (Thanks to Jan Wrentmore for the photo.) Revisiting the Vision The Alaska Committee had a long strategy session on Saturday. The nonprofit group is dedicated to improving Juneau as Alaska's capital city and fighting occasional attempts to waste state money moving the capital. It was a thoughtful and productive session, with some good ideas for the next steps we can take to serve Alaskans. The framers of our constitution talked about three great centers: higher learning in Fairbanks where the University is headquartered, commerce in Anchorage, and government in Juneau. We all benefit from a strong, well-balanced Alaska. All my best, Events around District Q Skagway Live Music with J.DOT Come out for an evening of live music and fun on Nov. 9. See more here. Skagway Fermenting DIY Join the Skagway Traditional Council and Glacial Natural to learn all about fermentation on Nov. 13. Don’t forget a knife and cutting board! Here are the details. Juneau Unmasking Disability Come out for a night of music and fun to support SAIL on Nov. 2. I’m auctioneering, so I’ll see you there! Here’s the info. Juneau Roadless Rulemaking Public Meeting Come learn more about the Roadless Rule process and ask your questions at this meeting hosted by the U.S. Forest Service Nov. 4. Learn more. Juneau Snovember Film Series Check out the mountain films and festivities at Eaglecrest, starting Nov. 9. See more information here. Juneau UA Scholars Award Reception Celebrate with our newest class of UA scholars on Nov. 14. Here’s more information. Klukwan Bald Eagle Ceremony Come to this ceremony at the Jilkaat Kwaan Heritage Center on Nov. 9. See more here. Gustavus Roadless Rulemaking Public Meeting Come learn more about the Roadless Rule process and ask your questions at this meeting hosted by the U.S. Forest Service Nov. 7. Learn more. Haines Annual Doll Fair Bring your favorite doll or stuffed animal for a tea party, dress up, and crafts at the Haines Sheldon Museum on Nov. 2. See the details. Haines Lingít Language Classes Join in this beginner level course, taught by Marsha Hotch from Nov. 5-26. Get all the information and register here. Haines Wild & Scenic Film Festival and Local Artists Show Films, art, food, and more at the Chilkat Center hosted by Takshanuk Watershed Council Nov. 8. Get more information. Haines 25th Annual Alaska Bald Eagle Festival The amazing annual festival is coming up soon, with a local art bazaar, film, eagle release, and more. See the Nov. 6-9 schedule. Is there an event in our district I should know about? Please call or email! Visit Me! Alaska State Capitol Room 419 Juneau, AK 99801 800 550 4947 907 465 4947 Email Me! ‌ ‌ ‌ Contact My Staff: Edric Carrillo 907 465 6419 [email protected] Cathy Schlingheyde 907 465 6827 [email protected] Senator Jesse Kiehl | Alaska State Capitol, Rm. 419, 4th Avenue & Main Street, Juneau, AK 99801 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | About Constant Contact Sent by [email protected]