Rep. Louise Stutes

09/11/2026

It was a fitting and somber tribute at USCG Base Kodiak this morning.

As we remember the lives lost, the families forever changed, and a country forever altered by the heinous terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, we also honor our first responders, service members, and every day Americans who showed extraordinary courage on that day and since.

Let us always remember.

09/11/2026

It was an honor to attend the ribbon cutting of the new USO Center on USCG Base Kodiak! What a fabulous organization and support for our local service members on and off base!

08/21/2026

I'm very pleased that AMHS was just awarded over $410 million in rural ferry funds from our federal government! Although I strongly question the use of $37.6 million for cascade point and would like to see more consistent state dollars for AMHS operations, this award is a massive win for our ferry system! Thank you to our congressional delegation for their support of this program! Here is how the funding is broken down:

• $161.2 million federal funding for AMHS operations across more than 20 communities.
• $153.4 million federal funding for design and construction of a replacement of the M/V LeConte
• $37.6 million federal funding for the Cascade Point Ferry Terminal
• $33.4 million federal funding for the Kake Ferry Terminal modernization, enabling the terminal to accommodate more of the AMHS fleet and larger vessels.
• $20.6 million federal funding to expand the Saxman Seaport
• $4 million federal funding for customer service and operations modernization, including implementing modern reservations and improving AMHS operating efficiency.

08/19/2026

I was honored to attend the ribbon cutting for Ouzinkie's new community connectivity center! Many thanks to Duncan Fields for working under a very short timeline with my office in 2022 to conceptualize this project and apply for CCPF funding. We were able to secure $1.4 million in that year's state capital budget for the center! it's really nice to see the funding put to such good use within the community!

08/11/2026

I was pleased to facilitate a meeting yesterday between AMHS, the Cordova City Council, the Chamber of Commerce, as well as community members to discuss options for ferry service during Cordova's 5-month gap from October to March. It was a productive conversation, and I am optimistic that we will find a path forward that provides some level of winter service. I also had a great meeting with Cordova District Fishermen United on local fisheries issues. Cordova is such a wonderful, hardworking community. Sadly, it was one of the worst local fishing seasons folks can remember and now, more than ever, we need ensure that families in the community have the best transportation options we can provide.

07/21/2026

There is still time to submit your comments to DOT on the draft winter Alaska Marine Highway schedule! Here is a letter submitted by Senator Stevens and myself in response to the proposed 5-month gap in service to Cordova. This gap would be an immense challenge to the community of Cordova and we hope that a solution can be found to deliver service to Cordova this winter.

You can submit comments by 5pm tomorrow (July 22nd) and attend a virtual meeting at 11am on Thursday (July 23rd) using this link: https://dot.alaska.gov/comm/pressbox/arch2026/PR26-0020.shtml

07/17/2026

I’d like to thank my colleagues on the Legislative Budget and Audit committee for unanimously approving my special audit request for Board of Fisheries! The Board of Fisheries is such an important institution for so many folks across the state. Whether you are a commercial, sport, subsistence, and/or personal use fisherman, Alaskans deserve a transparent public process, as well as a Board that follows its own policies, regulations, and statutes. An impartial and independent review of the Board’s regulatory process is now underway to ascertain if the Board is meeting those standards.

07/17/2026

Have your voice heard! There is about a week left to get public comments in on the proposed 2026-27 winter ferry schedule. Comments can be submitted online until 5pm on July 22nd at the link below. There will also be a virtual public hearing at 11am on Thursday, July 23rd, for DOT to hear community feedback and consider schedule adjustments for the Southwest and Southcentral routes.

Draft schedule: dot.alaska.gov/amhs/doc/winter_considerations_2026-2027.pdf

Public comments and virtual meeting information:
https://dot.alaska.gov/comm/pressbox/arch2026/PR26-0020.shtml

Looking at the large gaps in the schedule for certain communities like Cordova, there is very clearly work to be done to ensure that this essential service is fully funded and staffed. I am submitting public comments of my own, and I am also engaging with DOT to address some of the gaps in the final winter schedule.

07/04/2026

Happy 4th of July and our country's 250th anniversary! What a milestone! We are so fortunate to live here, enjoy the freedoms we do, and be part of this wonderful experiment. Stay safe out there today, everyone!

06/30/2026

This is big news! It's not a done deal just yet, but having a successful bidding process is a critical hurdle for the replacement M/V Tustumena!

(JUNEAU, Alaska) —The Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) has reached a major milestone in the procurement of the Tustumena Replacement Vessel (TRV), identifying Thoma-Sea Marine Constructors, L.L.C. as the apparent low bidder. The Louisiana-based shipbuilder submitted...