U.S. Senator. Lisa Murkowski listed a number of achievements in her speech Wednesday to an assembly of the Alaska Legislature, as she is every year.
Murkowski was quoted as saying that there are millions of dollars that will be coming to Alaska from Federal infrastructure laws and also from Alaska-bound earmarks “nearly three-quarters of one billion dollars” — which she sought in the annual budget bills for appropriations.
Then she flipped.
“It’s an amazing sunny day here in Juneau. As sunny as it can be but there’s another portion of my speech that might not be as bright,” she said, saying she was able to preview the speech with her son, who dubbed”the “tough love” part.
She mentioned the past decade of exodus and stagnation in the economy of Alaska and an earlier recuperation from COVID-19 than nearly every other state.
“Alaska must be a place that people would like to move and are keen to stay because they work in jobs that provide for their families and they have a great home and have schools that are good which allow their children to excel, and they enjoy the kind of lifestyle which is unparalleled other where,” she said. “Where we provide for our friends and fellow Alaskans in the event of tough times.”
Murkowski is 65 and has been a member of her position in the U.S. Senate for 20 years. Her first speech was at members of the Legislature as the highest-ranking legislator in the State’s delegation and she deviated more than she typically does within the legislative mandate. The topic of her address was clearly aimed at Republican lawmakers who are unable to address the state’s fiscal crisis, other than through reducing the state’s government services.
Murkowski called on lawmakers to develop a vision and aim to it, especially in the realm of transportation. She referenced the past Rep. Jeannette James of North Pole, who sought an extension of rail lines to Canada and also her father former governor. Frank Murkowski, a champion of “big ideas” such as rail extension.
“We must think in terms of how we move our people and resources, our garbage, and our freight,” she said. “Let’s not be slack on this one.”
She told lawmakers that they cannot depend solely on federal funds and that they must contribute by assuming the state’s portion of the costs.
“I would like to ensure that I did not cause any trouble by making some more direct remarks,” she said as she closed her remarks. “I did not always stay in my own lane today.”
