Petersburg’s borough assembly is taking up U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan’s offer to talk about H.R. 1, also called the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA).
H.R. 1 is a wide-ranging spending and tax bill that was signed into law in July. The bill includes much of President Trump’s domestic policy agenda, including changes to Medicaid, tax cuts, and phasing out clean energy tax incentives. In Alaska, the bill directs more oil and gas leases in Southcentral’s Cook Inlet, and offers tax cuts for whaling captains. Many impacts of the bill in Alaska are still unknown.
Sullivan is offering to personally give a presentation outlining what is in the bill that impacts Alaska. According to Sullivan’s staff in D.C., he’s offering this to communities across the state, sending letters to municipalities and local organizations. He recently presented in Wrangell over the weekend.
Sullivan met in person with Wrangell’s assembly to discuss capital projects before delivering the OBBBA presentation to members of the town’s school board and Chamber of Commerce.
Sullivan sent a 26-page letter dated Aug. 22 to Petersburg Mayor Mark Jensen claiming that the bill has been inaccurately described by “far-left dark money groups.” Sullivan states he’s “setting the record straight with facts about what is actually in the bill.”
The letter elaborates on points outlined in the presentation, which is linked on his website.
Sullivan’s staff noted he would deliver the presentation over Zoom. The Petersburg Borough Assembly directed the borough clerk to invite Sullivan to a future assembly meeting.
Assembly member Bob Lynn was the first to weigh in during the discussion.
“I don’t think it’s appropriate for us to accept this, for a couple reasons,” he said. “Senator Sullivan would really be better to talk to the community as a whole, because the community has much more input than we do on this. And so I’m not in favor of this as-presented.”
Assembly member Scott Newman followed with comments.
“I feel just exactly the opposite of that,” said Newman. “I think this is a perfect opportunity for him to make a presentation that is available to everybody that is listening. And I think it’s a good venue for people to learn what it’s all about.”
Assembly member James Valentine agreed.
“As the assembly, it’s just the easiest way for it to get to the public,” Valentine said. “I think that it’s always good to hear what our senator has to say, regardless of whether or not we agree or disagree.”
Assembly member Rob Schwartz said he agreed with Newman and Valentine. Vice Mayor Donna Marsh noted assembly meetings are open to the public.
“I think this would be an appropriate venue for that discussion to happen,” she said.
Mayor Mark Jensen and assembly member Jeigh Stanton Gregor were not present and excused from the Oct. 6 meeting.
Sullivan is running for another six-year term next year.
Besides Sullivan’s offer, the assembly approved a sublease agreement for a residential walkway, and approved a bid award for the Scow Bay Generator 2 Design Build project to Dawson Construction. Dawson is also the company contracted for the new hospital project.
The next regular Petersburg Borough Assembly meeting is scheduled for Oct. 20.
