‘Petersburg Borough Protests Federal Funding Cuts to Alaska Congress’
TL/DR –
The Petersburg Borough in Alaska has written a letter to the state’s congressional delegation expressing fears over proposed federal funding cuts. The borough assembly voiced concerns over how these cuts could impact various programs and organizations in Petersburg, with potential effects on services like Medicaid and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The assembly unanimously agreed to send the letter and update it to reflect recent budget concerns and provide a list of all sources of federal funding Petersburg receives.
Federal Funding Cuts Raise Concerns for Petersburg Borough
Petersburg Borough communicates concern over proposed federal funding cuts to Alaska’s congressional delegation following a meeting where the borough assembly voted favorably on the letter of concern.
Petersburg’s economic director, Liz Cabrera, personally urged for approval of the letter. Cabrera emphasizes the potential negative effects these funding cuts could have on Petersburg’s programs and organizations.
She states, “The challenge would be, how do we make that up? In a lot of cases, there’s no mechanism for us to make that up.”
The letter outlines the potential impacts of funding cuts on Petersburg services, warning of “real life consequences for our residents.”
The letter lists various ways in which funding cuts may affect the community. It includes potential cuts to Medicaid and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that support Petersburg’s Mountain View Manor Elderly Housing and Assisted Living. Without federal subsidies, affected seniors and disabled community members may lose their homes.
Recent firings of 10 U.S. Forest Service workers in Petersburg as part of a nationwide reduction in federal workers are also mentioned in the letter.
The letter also references several infrastructure projects in Petersburg on hold since the advent of President Trump’s executive order, Unleashing American Energy. This order froze funds for all projects funded by two laws passed during the Biden administration, the Inflation Reduction Act, and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Assembly members have voiced concerns about the potential impacts of federal funding cuts on Petersburg. They highlight worries for the Petersburg Medical Center which relies on federal payments for services through Medicaid and Medicare, fearing increased costs of services and reduction in services offered by the hospital.
Assembly member Jeigh Stanton Gregor underlines the importance of letting the Alaska delegation comprehend the local impacts of these federal funding cuts.
Assembly members unanimously agreed to send the updated letter reflecting recent budget concerns and listing all sources of federal funding Petersburg receives to the Alaska Congressional Delegation. They expressed hope to continue voicing their concerns to Alaska’s congressional delegation as events progress.
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