They Are Watching.
Democracy is never guaranteed. Every generation must preserve it, defend it, and fight for it.
Dear friends and neighbors,
No matter how we slice it, a sizable portion of our community woke up this morning to devastating news.
The rhetoric on both sides of the national election told us that the outcome of this election cycle may determine the fate of our country, and this very well could be true. Elections have consequences; only time will tell where this one will take us.
As we navigate what comes next, I hope we all remember that passionate advocacy is good—it shows we care and are invested in the results. There were so many advocates involved in this election cycle, from local races to national ones, and please know your efforts did not go unnoticed. Activism is the work our democracy needs, and to paraphrase Vice President Harris now is not the time to step back.
Turning to Alaska, several local and state elections are too close to call. No matter how the next few weeks turn out, I hope you all will join me in recognizing that now is the time to show the kids how winning and losing is done graciously. In an election cycle immersed in fearmongering and language that “othered” the opposing side, it’s time to remember that we are all Alaskans first. Civility and kindness are the cornerstones of who we are.
It’s time to thank the other candidates for their service because running for elected office in our small towns and rural communities can be challenging. I applaud and sincerely appreciate people willing to step up and serve their community. It is often a thankless job; speaking from personal experience, running and serving in elected office takes great personal fortitude.
Those who gave their time, talent, and treasure in this election cycle deserve our collective gratitude. Whether you were the candidate, put up a yard sign, or perhaps knocked on doors every weekend, you did the work to ensure this American experiment continues to build a more perfect union. We will continue to strengthen our democracy because it is up to us to continue to defend and fight for our nation.
Now is the time for everyone who participated in the trenches or watched along on the sidelines to show our kids how we treat one another after the race is won. The kids are watching. It’s time to shake the hand of the opposing side. We Alaskans depend on one another, and it is time to set aside divisive rhetoric and rebuild our community’s cohesion.
Because what comes next is up to all of us. Governing is a team activity that only works well if we stay engaged. Our responsibility to future generations of Alaskans and Americans is to stay involved and hold our elected officials accountable.
Thanks again to everyone who rolled up their sleeves this past election cycle. The work is not done, and I hope you will join me in continuing it in the weeks, months, and years to come.
With gratitude,
Löki Gale Tobin
Task Force on Child Care makes recommendations to the Governor and policymakers.
Over the last 18 months, a dedicated group of Alaskans has been working on improving childcare in Alaska. I was honored to be a non-voting legislative member of the Governor’s Task Force on Childcare, which has wrapped up its work with a final report to Governor Dunleavy.
Notable recommendations in the final report include:
Complete a comprehensive assessment for leveraging school spaces for child care.
Provide technical assistance to school districts and municipalities that want to provide child care in schools.
Streamline the process to become a license-exempt provider.
Offer incentives for child care providers through the Child Care Grant Program for providers that meet certain criteria, including serving children with special needs.
Establish guaranteed eligibility for a childcare subsidy and an increased reimbursement rate for children of parents who work in a licensed or approved childcare setting.
“These targeted recommendations aim to create a more accessible, affordable, and high-quality child care system in Alaska, benefiting families and supporting the state’s economic growth. Through innovative solutions and collaboration, the task force seeks to build a sustainable child care infrastructure that promotes the well-being and development of Alaska’s children.” - Excerpt from the Governor’s Task Force on Child Care 2024 Report #2
Right now, the Alaska Department of Health is taking public comments on some changes to the child care regulations that resulted from the Task Force’s first round of recommendations in 2023. The regulation change seeks to make it easier for tribal entities to offer childcare options. It also repeals a requirement that a child care provider who is only providing care to a qualifying relative has at least a high school diploma or GED.
The Department of Health is accepting public comments on the proposed regulation changes through November 18.
A public hearing will be held on November 14 from 1-3 pm. Call 1-800-893-7840 to comment.
Written public comments can be emailed to ambra.mavis@alaska.gov.
Protect salmon habitat by commenting on proposed “water reservation” regulations.
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has extended a scoping period for the public to weigh in on potential changes to the state’s water management regulations. Specifically, DNR is asking people to weigh in on the regulations pertaining to water reservations, also known as “In-Stream Flow” reservations. These reservations allow government agencies, private individuals, and organizations to secure legally enforceable rights to keep water in rivers and lakes for fish.
An In-Stream Flow reservation is an important tool to protect salmon and other species from the harmful effects of large-scale mining and other major projects that use large quantities of water. Most applications for In-Stream Flow reservations come from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, but citizens also have the right to apply. Securing a reservation can be costly and time-consuming because it generally requires collecting five years of hydrologic flow data. However, the Chuitna Citizens Coalition has gone through the process of securing a water reservation on the middle fork of the Chuitna River, and the Bristol Bay Heritage Land Trust is working on a series of water reservations in the Bristol Bay watershed.
Right now, the Alaska Department of Natural Resources is asking the public for input before it proceeds with a regulation package that will impact water reservations. The scoping period is open until November 29th at 5 p.m. You can submit comments to dnr.water.regulation@alaska.gov or through an online comment portal.
Some of the questions that the Department would like input on are: Should additional information be required to justify the need for a reservation of water? What types of data and methodology should be required in securing a reservation? Should only State resource agencies, such as DNR or Alaska Department of Fish and Game, hold the certificate of a reservation of water? Who should hold a certificate of a reservation of water? Are the review requirements clear and adequate?
These questions are technical, but you don’t have to be an expert in water management regulation to submit comments in support of maintaining water in rivers to protect Alaska’s salmon runs. The process to establish in-stream flow reservations should be clear, and it should be accessible to citizen groups and tribes. Right now, salmon are enduring changing ocean and river conditions due to climate change – they need all the help they can get. Please lend your voice in support of strong regulations protecting salmon.
Alaska Veterans and Military Spouses Job Fair will be held Thursday in Anchorage.
The State of Alaska is holding a job fair on Thursday to help veterans and military spouses find jobs. Over 100 employers and training providers will be on hand, including employers in the construction, healthcare, oil and gas, and transportation industries.
The Alaska Veterans and Military Spouses Job Fair will be held on Thursday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Alaska Airlines Center. The address is 3550 Providence Drive. The job fair is sponsored by the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development and the Alaska Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
Thursday’s job fair is free to attend and those seeking a job are asked to bring copies of resumes and business cards. You might also dress for a potential interview.
