Asthma is a condition in which a person’s airways narrow and swell making breathing difficult.

For some people, asthma is a minor nuisance. But for others, it can be a major problem that interferes with daily activities and may lead to a life-threatening situation.

Steven Reifman, 73, was being examined by Dr. Kathleen Dass — and the grandfather of 2 has battled with asthma since he was 8 years old.

“When you can’t breathe and you are thinking about your next breath, it takes a tremendous psychological effort, it really does… like, ‘oh God, I got to breathe again,'” said Steven.

Carrying a rescue inhaler all the time and on bad days, visiting the emergency room would be the norm for Steven, and even though all that has changed since he started treatment with Dr. Dass, Steven hopes that his journey can motivate others.

“You really do worry about the ability to take your next breath and it’s extremely distressing that something so fundamental, it would be like worrying about if your heart was going to beat next,” said Steven.

Dr. Dass says asthma is incredibly common, “it’s every other patient I’m seeing right now.” Dr. Dass says studies also show that asthma, in general, tends to affect more females than males.

“People are not able to go to school, they are not able to do their basic activities of daily living, they’re not able to go to work, it affects every aspect, it also affects their sleep,” said Dr. Dass.

Dr. Steve McGraw from Ascension Providence Hospital says viruses, fluctuations in temperature — all those combined with air pollution can make it challenging.

“We have really big industrial sites, that make a lot of the material that makes our air quality worse. How close are they to where people live? Can we do things to mitigate what comes out of their smokestacks?” said Dr. McGraw.

The American Lung Association’s recent State of the Air report reveals that Detroit’s particle pollution, which directly impacts air quality, recorded more unhealthy days with daily spikes in 2021 and slightly worsened compared to the years prior.

The Michigan Department of Health said, “they are working to improve indoor air quality in Detroit childcare facilities, provide in-home asthma education in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties, and develop policies to reduce bus and car idling on school property as well as promoting electrification of school buses.”

On a personal level, both doctors recommend not smoking around asthmatic patients, keeping homes free of insects like cockroaches, and getting an allergy test whenever possible as most allergies could trigger an asthmatic event.

This story was originally published by WXYZ in Detroit, Michigan.

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Oceano and the area designated as CDF/Mesa 2 zone in Nipomo, which includes Highway 1 between Callender Road and Calle Bendita, are places with a long history of air pollution concerns.

“[They] regularly see more particulate matter in their air, so we wanted to target those areas so they can clean their indoor air pollution when air pollution outside is typically higher,” explained Meghan Field, San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District Public Information Officer.

These are high-priority zones that will have access to 600 free air purifiers that will be distributed in April and May by the San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District.

“We wanted to pick an area that was impacted by the blowing dust, wildfire smoke, and is typically an area underserved in our county,” Field added.

Focusing on Oceano, U.S. Census data shows that 45% of the population is Hispanic and 45% white, which is why spreading the word about these purifiers will be done in both English and Spanish.

“We’ve partnered with Center for Family Strengthening, their Promotores Collaborative [also known as community trusted messengers] to try to get the message out about this program to our Spanish-speaking community,” Field said.

It is common for residents to have to stay indoors when conditions are unhealthy.

“We hear reports of people that have allergies or have exacerbating preexisting lung conditions, but asthma seems to be a regular complaint,” Field said.

To receive a purifier, the San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District has some requirements.

“One purifier per home. People will need to qualify for that,” Field explained. “We won’t be retaining any information, but people will need to prove that they live in one of those areas and they’ll need to show income eligibility.”

A couple of examples are income taxes or participation in low-income programs such as WIC, SNAP or Section 8 housing.

“Latinos have to be informed and educated that these are there provided free of cost because sometimes they can’t afford it,” said Allene Villa, Oceano Community Services District Director.

At the distribution events, there will be workshops at which people can learn how to use an air purifier, where it should be placed and general tips on how to keep clean air inside your home.

The first of two pop-up events will take place on April 30, 2022, at 9 a.m., and the second on May 3, 2022, at 4:30 p.m. Both will be at the Oceano Community Services District located at 1655 Front Street in Oceano.

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03.16.22

Includes Congressionally Directed Spending Allocations for Alaska, Investments for Providing Economic Opportunities & Reauthorization of VAWA

President Biden signed the Fiscal Year 2022 Consolidated Appropriations Act into law yesterday. The bill includes Congressionally Directed Spending allocations U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) secured for over 65 local projects in Alaska, through a new process which restores Alaskans’ ability to have a voice in federal budget decisions by helping to identify and address needs in the state.

In addition to funding priorities for Alaskan communities and emergency aid for Ukraine, the bill includes policy provisions authored by Senator Murkowski such as the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) reauthorization Act of 2022 and the Rural Maternal and Obstetric Modernization of Services (Rural MOMS) Act.

“Today is a big victory for every Alaskan who will benefit as a result of this bill package being signed into law. Through consultation with Alaskans, I was able to secure important investments that will spur economic development, improve Alaskans’ quality of life, and make our communities safer—and that’s just scratching the surface. Through the reinstituted Congressionally Directed Spending process, Alaskan taxpayer dollars are returning back to the state in the ways in which communities have prioritized—giving them a greater say in the targeted projects that need our most immediate support,” said Senator Murkowski. “There were also broader initiatives included that will make a significant impact across the state. The Rural MOMS Act will help ensure that new and expecting moms living in rural communities receive the care they need. And with reauthorization of VAWA, we are empowering survivors to have access to the support they need, while also creating a safer future for all women. I look forward to seeing firsthand the positive, tangible impacts this bill package will have on all Alaskans.”

Materials:

• Click here for a list of bill highlights and funding priorities.
• Click here for Interior-Environment specific highlights, of which Senator Murkowski is Ranking Member.
• Click here for VAWA reauthorization provisions.   
• Click here for the full list of Congressionally Directed Spending allocations.

ICYMI: What They Are Saying about Congressionally Directed Spending to Alaska

Click here to view a map of Alaska’s FY22 Congressionally Directed Spending allocations and ‘What They’re Saying.’

 

• Fairbanks: $10 million to assess known contamination, remediate, and demolish the Polaris Building, which poses significant health and safety risks to the Fairbanks community.

“Once bids are reviewed, a contract awarded, the building eventually demolished and debris cleared, the next goal will be to fill in the vacant lot. The options are boundless. It will be a cornerstone for redevelopment of downtown Fairbanks and the goal is to put something there to help bring a vibrant economy to the downtown. Without Senator Murkowski’s support, it would not have been possible. Senator Murkowski and her staff did the heavy lifting and Fairbanks will be the better for it. This funding, to the city of Fairbanks, will remove an eyesore in the downtown that has not been occupied or operated in over 20 years. I knew Senator Murkowski was the only one whom could achieve this for the city of Fairbanks. And the senator achieved it.  Period.”

– David Pruhs, Chairman of the Polaris Building Working Group

• Statewide: $100,000 to the Alaska Division of Agriculture for statewide surveys of invasive pests. 

“The threat of invasive species is a serious concern for Alaska and it’s pristine environment. The costs of eradication after an infestation is established increase exponentially, as shown by the millions of dollars being spent on Elodea eradication. Funding to survey and find problem invasive(s) before they become established is crucial to keeping Alaska clean. We appreciate Senator Murkowski and Alaska’s Congressional Delegation providing this direct funding provided through the Animal and Plant Health Service (APHIS) to the Alaska Division of Agriculture.”

– David W. Schade, Director of the Alaska Division of Agriculture

• Metlakatla: $540,000 to provide the Metlakatla Indian Community with an emergency backup generator.

“We are thrilled to hear the news that two of Metlakatla’s capital requests have been funded! We thank Senator Murkowski for hearing us and working hard to deliver on these appropriations which are critical to Metlakatla’s economic development, environmental stewardship, and energy security. Senator Murkowski has always been a good, faithful friend and strong ally of ours, like family, like Uncle Ted who we know would be very proud, today, because your victories are Alaska’s victories. So, thank you, Aunty Lisa, for keeping our people close to your heart. We won’t forget it.”

– Albert Smith, Mayor, Metlakatla Indian Community, Annette Islands Reserve

• Kenai: $385,000 to implement the community’s wildfire hazard mitigation plan, which includes addressing spruce bark beetle infestation that can lead to catastrophic wildfire. 

“This funding is critical to the City of Kenai as we look to address the devastating impacts of the spruce bark beetle infestation in our community and mitigate the increasing danger of wildfires created by the vast number of spruce trees killed by the spruce bark beetle. With this funding we will be able to remove thousands of hazardous trees in the City to protect homes and public facilities.”

– Brian Gabriel, Mayor of the City of Kenai

• Anchorage (Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium): $27.6 million to the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium to expand the Alaska Native Medical Center Emergency Department.

“We are extremely grateful to Senator Murkowski for securing the funding to expand and renovate the emergency department at the Alaska Native Medical Center (ANMC). This funding will address longstanding limitations in space and appropriate environment of care challenges in the emergency department and for people experiencing a behavioral health crisis. Quyana (thank you) to Senator Murkowski for your tireless work on behalf of Alaska Native people.”

– Valerie Nurr’araaluk Davidson, President/CEO, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium

• Wasilla: $1.5 million to the Mat-Su Food Bank for warehouse renovations and equipment to improve the ability to collect and distribute food to those in need.

“The MatSu Food Bank is extremely grateful to Senator Murkowski for her recognition of our mission to fight food insecurity for the Alaskan people and the Matanuska Susitna Borough community. The $1,500,000 Congressionally Directed Spending award that she obtained for the Food Bank will allow us to build infrastructure we so desperately need to provide for local emergency food needs. On behalf of the staff, Board of Directors, and volunteers of the MatSu Food Bank, I express our sincerest gratitude to Senator Murkowski for helping us to help our community to fight food insecurity.” 

– Eddie Ezelle, Executive Director, MatSu Food Bank

• Juneau: $420,000 for Alaska Heat Smart to support the installation of air-source heat pumps in lower-income households.

“The Board of Alaska Heat Smart, a Juneau-based nonprofit, thanks Senator Murkowski for her Congressionally Directed grant. This funding will reduce heating costs by about $1,000 annually for more than 50 lower-income Juneau households by replacing inefficient heating systems with heat pumps. This is particularly timely given the recent surge in heating oil costs. Operating on clean hydroelectricity these heat pumps will also improve indoor air quality and contribute to Juneau’s climate goals by reducing carbon emissions.”

– Steve Behnke, President of the Board, Alaska Heat Smart

• Kotzebue: $27.7 million to the City of Kotzebue to support the construction of an access road from Kotzebue to Cape Blossom.

“The funding for the Cape Blossom Road is the next step towards building a deep water port that will help us reduce the cost of goods coming into our community. It will provide much needed economic relief and stimulate economic growth as well. We are grateful for the efforts of Senator Murkowski in supporting Rural Alaskans in this area through this bill.”

– Sandra Shroyer-Beaver, Mayor, City of Kotzebue

• Nome: $1.5 million to the Nome Community Center to provide housing and public health services for chronically homeless individuals through the Housing First Project of Nome.

“The Housing First project in Nome will provide permanent supported housing for chronic homeless.  The federal funding for the project helped us to secure the additional funding needed for construction.  If the federal government believed in the project, then state and local funders felt it was viable.  The project was launched by Nome Community Center after years of working on solutions for ending homelessness in Nome.”

– Rhonda Schneider, Executive Director, Nome Community Center

• Skagway: $10.2 million to expand capacity at the Wastewater Treatment Plant, which has recently experienced capacity difficulties due to increased use.

“On behalf of the Municipality of Skagway, I want to sincerely thank our federal delegation for once again working hard to support our community. We are thrilled that $10.2 million has been included in the FY22 appropriations bill for our Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrade; the funding will ensure that we can continue to operate safely for the health and safety of residents and visitors alike.”

– Brad A. Ryan, Skagway Manager, Municipality of Skagway

• Fairbanks: $2 million for the University of Alaska Fairbanks to support the research, testing, and evaluation of counter unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS) in law enforcement operations.

“The Alaska Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration (ACUASI) at the University of Alaska Fairbanks thanks Senator Murkowski for securing $2M for Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) research in support of our law enforcement colleagues. We look forward to working with our Alaskan colleagues to identify and test C-UAS technologies that will work in Alaska’s challenging environment to protect law enforcement personnel, assets, and infrastructure from careless, clueless, and criminal UAS activities.”

– Dr. Cathy Cahill, Director, Alaska Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration, Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska Fairbanks

• Anchorage (University of Alaska Anchorage): $295,000 to update and expand medical skills workforce labs at UA.

“The shortage of health care professionals is particularly detrimental to Alaska. We face an aging population, health inequities, as well as high rates of domestic violence and sexual assault. This funding helps UAA grow our health workforce through technology and cutting-edge training for our graduates. We are grateful for Senator Murkowski’s support to strengthen Alaska’s health care workforce.”

– Andre Rosay, Dean of the College of Health at the University of Alaska Anchorage

• Sitka: $840,000 to the Sitka Sound Science Center for renovation of educational facilities used for aquaculture training programs.

“Sitka Sound Science Center is thrilled about this news. We are grateful that Congress is investing in aquaculture education in Alaska through our organization. This facility will support salmon, be a place of learning for generations to come and be a symbol of community spirit in coastal Alaska.” 

– Lisa Busch, Executive Director, Sitka Sound Science Center

• Statewide (Sealaska Heritage Institute): $250,000 to increase early literacy among Alaska Native children.

“I have to thank Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Rep. Don Young for their hard work to fund our award-winning early literacy program Baby Raven Reads. This appropriation means we can continue the Baby Raven Reads program, which has been a boon to Native children across Southeast Alaska since it began in 2015. Studies have shown significant progress in early literacy skills among Baby Raven Reads participants, and the family activities and books developed through the program have proven to be a model for early-literacy programs. This program has succeeded because we teach children through the Native world view. They see themselves and their culture in our activities and books, and that makes learning and reading fun for them.” 

– Dr. Rosita Worl, President, Sealaska Heritage Institute

• Girdwood: $800,000 toward the construction of a new Community Health Clinic.

“We are very excited and grateful to Senator Murkowski for her many years of support for healthcare services in Girdwood. This funding will allow us to complete the final phases of our new clinic building so that we will have space to provide fully integrated behavioral health care in addition to primary care. This could include group therapy, support groups and health education seminars and other specialty care for the community. This is a wonderful boost!”

– Tawny Buck, Executive Director, Girdwood Health Clinic

• Petersburg Borough: $8 million for the construction of a new hospital. 

“Alaska’s population consists of 32 percent living in isolated rural communities off the road system, which results in unique challenges in providing timely and comprehensive quality healthcare to its residents. Over the past two years, rural community healthcare facilities were critical in maintaining routine operations of preventative, chronic and emergency care while quickly and efficiently mitigating the ever-changing risks of Covid-19. Petersburg Medical Center is a community based critical access hospital, long term care facility, primary care clinic and home health agency. Through its efforts to educate, vaccinate, treat, and care for patients, PMC helped lead the community in keeping its citizens, workers, schools, and economy safe from the disastrous results of Covid. PMC is one of the largest employers on Mitkof Island and is housed in a building that is at the very end of its useful life. This project is critical to the health and economic viability of the Borough of Petersburg and the people who call it home.”

– Phil Hofstetter, Petersburg Medical Center CEO

• Juneau: $2 million to Southeast Conference to help establish a pilot program for electric ferries.

“Since 1958, Southeast Conference has helped guide community, regional, state and national maritime priorities into a ferry system that has historically met the transportation needs of coastal Alaska. This investment is timely and will inform and facilitate strategic implementation of the next generation of a modernized fleet that meets Alaska’s community transportation needs!”

– Robert Venables, Executive Director, Southeast Conference

• Wrangell: $2.08 million to the City & Borough of Wrangell to fund a connection pipe between the Upper Reservoir and the Water Treatment Plant as a means of accessing the upper reservoir’s water.

“We greatly appreciate the work to help get the funding approved.  This project will greatly improve the safety of our upper dam reservoir and assist with the quality of our drinking water.”

– Jeff Good, Borough Manager, City & Borough of Wrangell

• Kodiak: $3.25 million to replace a failing wastewater lift station.

“The City of Kodiak is pleased to receive this funding appropriation spearheaded by Senator Murkowski and supported by our Alaskan Delegation. The residents of Kodiak can be assured infrastructure as important as safe water and sewer are maintained and functioning, allowing our community residents this basic amenity. This $3.25 million will be used to replace our largest wastewater lift station after a catastrophic failure occurred in May 2019. Thank you Senator for your steadfast support of residents of Alaska.”

– Mike Tvenge, Kodiak City Manager

• Old Harbor: $1.5 million to provide Emergency Operations Center Grant Program funding to the Alutiiq Tribe of Old Harbor to construct a new tsunami shelter community center.

“On behalf of the Alutiiq Tribe of Old Harbor, we would like to say Quyanaa ‘Thank you’.  This funding opportunity will help provide a tsunami shelter above the tsunami inundation zone for our community. Most of our main infrastructures are located within the threat zone. During evacuations most of our families are all huddled in their cars and trucks on the landfill road, gas is very expensive so when tsunami warnings go for hours on end, families would turn their vehicles off and sit in the cold to preserve fuel.  The funding for this shelter would be able to provide safe gathering and harboring during a time of crisis and keep our families safe from the elements.”

– Loyd Ashouwak Sr., Alutiiq Tribe of Old Harbor Tribal President 

• Fairbanks: $5 million for the Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys to support efforts to map coastal and nearshore Alaska.

“We very much appreciate Senator Murkowski’s strong support for mapping Alaska, including mapping our coastlines and nearshore areas. Many of Alaska’s coastal communities face serious challenges from flooding and erosion, and the basic data needed to help those communities is lacking. These funds will fund the basic mapping and data collection needed to assess and mitigate flooding and erosion impacts, and improve community resilience. The State of Alaska views this as an opportunity to expand our coastal mapping collaborations with NOAA and collectively prioritize the use of these funds to address some of our many overlapping community-focused mapping objectives.”

– Steve Masterman, Outgoing State Geologist & Director of the Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys

• Juneau: $2.5 million to United Human Services of Southeast Alaska to build a facility that will host multiple organizations providing public health and social services for vulnerable populations, to be known as the Teal Street Center.

“We’re delighted Teal Street Center will receive this essential support.  Teal Street Center will be the social services hub that serves thousands of Southeast Alaskans every year, bringing together programs for seniors, low-income households, veterans, youth and people with disabilities on one convenient campus.  This funding will help us complete construction and open the doors for our nine tenant agencies by the end of this year. Senator Murkowski has been a longtime champion of Teal Street Center, and we’re grateful for the time and effort she and her staff have dedicated to supporting social services in Juneau.” 

– Joan O’Keefe, Executive Director, United Human Service of SE Alaska

• Anchorage: $2 million to the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) to support the development of housing units for essential professionals in rural Alaska.

“All Alaskans seek access to safe, quality, affordable housing. In rural communities, too often critical jobs that support community health and wellbeing go unfilled because there’s no place for families to live. We’ve heard stories of teachers who accept jobs in remote Alaska, land and visit their classroom and find out that the school building itself will also serve as their bedroom. The State of Alaska has long committed funds to our Teacher, Health and Public Safety Housing and we’re proud of the 500 units that have been constructed to meet community needs. Senator Murkowski’s announcement of $2 million she secured along with her colleagues for teacher/health professional and public safety housing will support AHFC and the State’s investment, improving health, safety and the lives of Alaska’s youth and elders.”

Bryan Butcher, CEO/Executive Director of Alaska Housing Finance Corporation.

• Statewide (CDVSA): $5 million for the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault to provide programmatic support for victim service organizations statewide

“Thank you Senator Murkowski! Your commitment to meeting the needs of victims and survivors of domestic and sexual violence is unsurpassed. CDVSA is grateful for the $5.0 million set aside included in the FFY2022 federal budget, to meet the needs of Alaska programs serving victims, survivors and their families of domestic, sexual and other violent crimes. Due to the significant drop in federal 2021 VOCA funding, CDVSA has struggled to fully fund our 35 community-based grant programs; these one-time funds provide CDVSA with needed time to build a stable budget to support critical programs across Alaska.

– L. Diane Casto, Executive Director of the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault.

• Statewide (Fish and Wildlife Service): $750,000 for an Invasive Species Early Detection Rapid Response Strike Team in southcentral Alaska

“The Service works closely with our partners to protect Alaska’s environment, economies, and ways of life from invasive species. Thanks to a strong statewide partnership, including the state of Alaska, we have been able to keep the number of invasive species in Alaska low. The funding for a new early detection and rapid response team in Southcentral Alaska invests in that successful partnership and will expand capacity in an area at high risk for invasive species introduction and spread.”

– Martha Williams, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

• Ketchikan: $236,000 to Women in Safe Homes (WISH) to support the final stages of construction of the WISH Shelter in Ketchikan.

“Women In Safe Homes (WISH) has seen an over 20% increase in the number of individuals seeking our service in the past 2 years. The federal funding was critical for the completion of the renovation of the new WISH domestic violence shelter. Our new shelter allows us to provide an ADA accessible, family supportive shelter for victims and their families as they work to move forward with their lives. WISH would not have been able to meet the growing demand for our services in our former location.”

– Agnes Moran, Executive Director, WISH

• Bethel: $500,000 to the University of Alaska Anchorage to launch an Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program (ANSEP) Acceleration Academy at the Bethel campus.

“This is another step towards ANSEP’s goal to provide a quality education and a life of unlimited possibilities for every Alaskan. Together we are making a profound and positive impact on the lives of the students, their families, their communities, the state and within our strategic partner organizations that will endure for generations. I’d like to thank Senator Murkowski for her steadfast support of ANSEP and for providing high-quality educational opportunities in the State of Alaska.”

– Dr. Herb Schroeder, Vice Provost for ANSEP and Founder

• Anchorage (Covenant House Alaska): $500,000 to implement a statewide training program to address youth, child, and family homelessness in Alaska.

“The support from this funding will be transformational for young people who are experiencing homelessness and human trafficking in Alaska. It is our goal to help our statewide partners implement the highly successful, mobile case management program, known as the Permanency Navigator model. Young people in communities all across Alaska will benefit from having individualized navigation services to help them complete their education, land jobs and find permanent housing. This funding will also ensure statewide partners have the data framework to track their outcomes in order to lift the voices of our future generation of leaders. Senator Murkowski has been a tireless advocate for vulnerable young people and we thank her for ensuring all Alaska youth will get access to the support they need.”

– Alison E. Kear, Chief Executive Officer of Covenant House Alaska

“We are thrilled to receive this much needed support to bring increased coordination and training to agencies serving youth and young adults experiencing homelessness. Alaska is a national leader in innovative service delivery given our unique geographic, transportation, and cost of development challenges. This funding will help agencies across the state have better access to training resources as well as provide unprecedented opportunities for youth with lived experience to continue to be the drivers of our work to prevent and end homelessness.”

– Brian Wilson, Executive Director of the Alaska Coalition on Housing and Homelessness.

• Anchorage: $2 million for the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission to support Alaska fisheries and the adoption of 21st century technology.

“The North Pacific Fisheries Association (NPFA) continues to advocate for the use of electronic monitoring (EM) as a tool to provide informative data to fisheries managers.  NPFA welcomes the news that Senator Lisa Murkowski’s Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) request for $2 million to the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission for the implementation of EM was included in the FY22 Omnibus Appropriations Legislation. Senator Murkowski and her staff continue to demonstrate a commitment to EM and robust fisheries management data. Thank you.”

– Malcolm Milne, Board President of North Pacific Fisheries Association 

“On behalf of the Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association, I would like to thank Sen. Murkowski for her continued support of electronic monitoring technologies that meet the needs of Alaska’s community based commercial fishermen. Her recent Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) request of $2 million to the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission to support the purchase of EM systems for use in Alaska’s fisheries will provide at-sea monitoring data that is critical for sustainable fisheries management for years to come.” 

– Linda Behnken Executive Director of the Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association

• Kodiak: $987,000 for the Alaska Research Consortium to develop a refrigeration certificate training program for Alaska seafood processors.

“Participants from this program will be highly employable and meet the ongoing demand by the seafood industry for skilled ammonia refrigeration technicians in Alaska. Individuals will receive an industry certificate for each level, clearly stating the skill levels acquired during the training. This will give seafood processing managers a clear understanding of the skill-level of an employee applying to work in ammonia refrigeration.  The program will provide a career path for Alaskans in the seafood industry and ensure that processors have the personnel needed to sustain Alaska’s reputation for the highest quality seafood.”

– Jay Stinson, president of the Alaska Research Consortium.

• Wasilla: $23 million to the MyHouse Mat-Su Homeless Youth Center to fund the construction of a commercial building to support programs that offer services to homeless youth, which will be known as the Carson Cottle Center. This project would expand MyHouse’s successful job training programs statewide and offer additional space for the programs offered.

• Wasilla: $1 million for MyHouse Mat-Su to support additional programmatic services for clients, including job training, sex trafficking recovery support services, as well as transitional housing wrap-around services.

“MY House will use this funding to fulfill the needs of the homeless youth population we serve by offering a facility to bring together community-based partnerships with local businesses on the ground floor, offering job training and experience to clients and open to the public. This project will also provide office space for additional community partners, needed services for clients, a variety of housing options that are currently not available and will serve difficult-to-house youth and young adults in an effort to prevent adult homelessness in our community and across Alaska. 

This building is designed to be a sustainable green build by an architect that graduated from local Colony High School, who has a degree from Harvard University in Architecture and won a Time Magazine Award for a building design on Skid Row in Los Angeles. This will be a landmark facility for Alaska being built for our community by MY House, an organization that has received recognition both locally and nationally for effective services and very positive outcomes for homeless youth.”

– Michelle Overstreet, Founder and Executive Director of MY House

• Anchorage (United Way of Anchorage): $1 million to make improvements to the 2-1-1 system.

“Through earthquakes, pandemic, and countless everyday challenges, 2-1-1 has been a crucial lifeline to every Alaskan for 15 years. Today, whether they live in the heart of the city or far off the road system, 2-1-1 has risen to meet the challenge of the pandemic and connect Alaskans with badly needed testing, vaccine appointments, rent and utility help, and so much more. The federal funding that Senator Murkowski secured will allow United Way of Anchorage to expand and improve the 2-1-1 system to meet increasing demand. I thank Senator Murkowski for always putting Alaska first and working to fund Alaskan priorities like 2-1-1 that build more resilient communities.”

– Clark Halvorson, President and CEO of United Way of Anchorage

Related Issues:

Budget, Spending, and the National Debt

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State Rep. Dan Frankel and Sen. Jay Costa say its time to close what they call loopholes in Pennsylvania’s law regulating smoking in public places. That would mean ending exemptions for places like casinos and private clubs.Watch the full report in the video player above. “If we cannot count on private businesses to do the right thing, even when it’s the financially smart thing to do, then it’s time for political leaders to step in and insist on the protection of the health of our constituents,” said Frankel, D-Allegheny, 23rd District.Frankel said when casinos were open with pandemic mask requirements, it meant no smoking for gamblers and casinos did not lose revenue. He and Costa argue that the damage to health from secondhand smoke is a danger to casino employees who are faced with exposure while serving smoking customers.Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 sought reaction from Rivers Casino.John Donnelly, counsel to Rivers Casino, said, “It’s a controversial issue. A lot of people, a lot of our patrons do smoke and like to smoke. A lot of patrons don’t like it. It’s a national issue and a local issue, it’s happening all over the country.” Donnelly said Rivers Casino is not taking a stand against or for the proposal to entirely ban smoking in casinos.”We’re a highly regulated industry. The most regulated industry in the country, really. We will abide by whatever the wisdom of Harrisburg is,” Donnelly said.Some casinos elsewhere have decided not to bring back smoking since masking has been lifted.”They’ve not lost revenue, but patrons are continuing to come to those locations. And we need to make sure that not only casinos but other locations are doing the same thing that needs to be done,” Costa, D-Allegheny, and PA Senate Minority Leader, said.Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald said, “We need to make this same thing happen in our casinos and in other private clubs, that these workers are protected.””Pennsylvanians should not have to choose between their jobs and their health,” Frankel said.Former Rivers Casino employee Nichole Gallagher spoke at the lawmakers’ news conference. She has mild asthma and says she kept developing bronchitis while working as a server to smoking customers.”I worked when I was sick because I had to work and the money was good and I got worse from working in cigarette smoke,” Gallagher said.Molly Pisciottano of the American Lung Association and the Breath Free PA Coalition said lawmakers should close loopholes in the PA Clean Indoor Air Act.”We know people do have the right to breathe clean air and should not be exposed to these harmful toxins can cause lung cancer and exacerbate other lung health issues such as asthma and COPD (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease),” Pisciottano said.Some smoking and non-smoking gamblers who spoke with Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 outside Rivers Casino said they favor having some sort of smoking area available there.”I want to give them a place to go because I’ve actually left a winning machine in a casino, just because somebody was smoking next to me and the smoke was going literally right in my face,” said Peggy Franzese, a non-smoker from Hopewell Township. Mona Spehar, a smoker from Shaler said, “I probably would resort to more online betting if they don’t permit smoking inside.” She said she doesn’t agree with the proposal to pass a tougher law in Pennsylvania.Pennsylvania’s Clean Indoor Air Act was passed in 2008. It regulates smoking in public places and workplaces.

PITTSBURGH —

State Rep. Dan Frankel and Sen. Jay Costa say its time to close what they call loopholes in Pennsylvania’s law regulating smoking in public places. That would mean ending exemptions for places like casinos and private clubs.

Watch the full report in the video player above.

“If we cannot count on private businesses to do the right thing, even when it’s the financially smart thing to do, then it’s time for political leaders to step in and insist on the protection of the health of our constituents,” said Frankel, D-Allegheny, 23rd District.

Frankel said when casinos were open with pandemic mask requirements, it meant no smoking for gamblers and casinos did not lose revenue. He and Costa argue that the damage to health from secondhand smoke is a danger to casino employees who are faced with exposure while serving smoking customers.

Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 sought reaction from Rivers Casino.

John Donnelly, counsel to Rivers Casino, said, “It’s a controversial issue. A lot of people, a lot of our patrons do smoke and like to smoke. A lot of patrons don’t like it. It’s a national issue and a local issue, it’s happening all over the country.”

Donnelly said Rivers Casino is not taking a stand against or for the proposal to entirely ban smoking in casinos.

“We’re a highly regulated industry. The most regulated industry in the country, really. We will abide by whatever the wisdom of Harrisburg is,” Donnelly said.

Some casinos elsewhere have decided not to bring back smoking since masking has been lifted.

“They’ve not lost revenue, but patrons are continuing to come to those locations. And we need to make sure that not only casinos but other locations are doing the same thing that needs to be done,” Costa, D-Allegheny, and PA Senate Minority Leader, said.

Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald said, “We need to make this same thing happen in our casinos and in other private clubs, that these workers are protected.”

“Pennsylvanians should not have to choose between their jobs and their health,” Frankel said.

Former Rivers Casino employee Nichole Gallagher spoke at the lawmakers’ news conference. She has mild asthma and says she kept developing bronchitis while working as a server to smoking customers.

“I worked when I was sick because I had to work and the money was good and I got worse from working in cigarette smoke,” Gallagher said.

Molly Pisciottano of the American Lung Association and the Breath Free PA Coalition said lawmakers should close loopholes in the PA Clean Indoor Air Act.

“We know people do have the right to breathe clean air and should not be exposed to these harmful toxins can cause lung cancer and exacerbate other lung health issues such as asthma and COPD (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease),” Pisciottano said.

Some smoking and non-smoking gamblers who spoke with Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 outside Rivers Casino said they favor having some sort of smoking area available there.

“I want to give them a place to go because I’ve actually left a winning machine in a casino, just because somebody was smoking next to me and the smoke was going literally right in my face,” said Peggy Franzese, a non-smoker from Hopewell Township.

Mona Spehar, a smoker from Shaler said, “I probably would resort to more online betting if they don’t permit smoking inside.”

She said she doesn’t agree with the proposal to pass a tougher law in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania’s Clean Indoor Air Act was passed in 2008. It regulates smoking in public places and workplaces.

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Originally Appeared Here

• File: Courtney Lamdin ©️ Seven Days

• A sign outside Burlington High School’s Institute Road campus

Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation officials are asking state legislators for a two-year extension on the deadline to test schools for airborne PCBs. They say the extra time will allow them to better support schools that detect contamination from the toxic chemicals, also known as polychlorinated biphenyls .

Last year, lawmakers allocated $4.5 million to test every Vermont school constructed before 1980 for PCBs. The deadline: July 1, 2024. The legislation followed the discovery of airborne PCBs at Burlington High School in the fall of 2020 — as the school district prepared for extensive renovations — that led to the campus’s closure. Last year, Burlington school commissioners voted to raze the existing building and build a new one on the high school’s Institute Road campus.

State officials have prepared for statewide PCB testing by surveying schools to see which ones qualify and contracting with six environmental consulting firms to conduct the work. They’ve also released updated guidance that details what schools must do if certain levels of contaminants are found. 

Lawmakers Pass Historic $7.3 Billion Budget Laden With Stimulus Funds

Lawmakers Pass Historic $7.3 Billion Budget Laden With Stimulus Funds

By Kevin McCallum

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But in a meeting of the Senate Education Committee last week, DEC Commissioner Peter Walke and senior environmental program manager Patricia Coppolino told lawmakers that the 2024 deadline won’t allow them to provide a personalized response to schools with elevated airborne PCB concentrations.

“I think we set ourselves up for an inability to provide that level of service that Vermonters are going to want in response to the discovery of PCBs in school if  we try to rush the testing process,” Walke told lawmakers.

Of Vermont’s approximately 450 schools, at least 318 qualify for PCB testing because they were constructed or renovated in the days when the chemicals were used in building materials like window caulk, lighting ballasts and tile adhesive. Seventy more schools have yet to respond to the state’s survey that determines their eligibility, Coppolino said.

Tests will cost between $15,000 and $20,000 for each school, Walke said. The full testing process — from figuring out what rooms need to be tested to getting the results back to the community — will take six to eight weeks.

In an interview on Tuesday, Coppolino elaborated on his desire to have the deadline pushed.

“It’s a lot of schools, and it’s technical information, and I want to make sure that staff can have the opportunity to review everything carefully [and] provide considerate responses and assistance to the schools,” Coppolino said. “Just sampling the schools is easy, but it doesn’t take into account what happens if indoor air issues are identified in a school.”

Coppolino said testing will likely begin between April and June of this year. 

In the committee last week, Sen. Brian Campion (D-Bennington) questioned Walke and Coppolino about whether it was wise to draw out the testing process, given that it could potentially mean that students were exposed to harmful chemicals for a longer amount of time. Walke said the DEC would make sure that schools most likely to have contamination — for example, those built during the “heyday” of PCBs, between 1960 and 1980 — would get first priority for testing.

One critical question is how PCB cleanup will be funded. Act 74 gives the DEC authority to require remediation when elevated levels of PCBs are found — but provides no funds.

Last week, Campion urged Walke to reach out to Vermont’s federal delegation to try to secure funds to address any contamination. Walke also floated the idea of working with the attorney general’s office to file litigation to get funding. Monsanto, the sole producer of PCBs in the U.S. from 1935 to 1977, recently paid millions to students, parents and teachers exposed to the chemicals through PCB-laden light ballasts at Sky Valley Education Center in Washington state.

The DEC plans to bring a more detailed timeline for testing to legislators later this spring. Lawmakers would have to pass new legislation in order to extend the testing deadline to 2026. 

Vermont Again Adds New PCB Guidance Ahead of Testing in Schools

Vermont Again Adds New PCB Guidance Ahead of Testing in Schools

By Alison Novak

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Originally Appeared Here