Alaska, one of two states without a cabinet-level agriculture department, is planning to create one
Driven by food-shortage fears during the COVID-19 pandemic and inspired by the recommendations of a legislative task force, Alaska lawmakers are considering the creation of a cabinet-level state Department of Agriculture.
In January, Gov. Mike Dunleavy issued an executive order that will automatically authorize the department unless state lawmakers specifically vote down the idea in a joint session of the state House and Senate by March 22.
Without that, the new department will become official on July 1.
Among the 50 states, only Alaska and Rhode Island lack a cabinet-level Department of Agriculture. Rhode Island is the only state with fewer farms than Alaska.
In a pair of legislative hearings Wednesday, legislators made it clear that they're unlikely to stop the governor's plan and are willing to support the idea.
In a 4-3 vote, members of the House Resources Committee declined to advance a resolution that would block the executive order.
Meeting separately, members of the Senate Resources Committee heard a presentation on the governor's proposal and voiced support for the idea.
Currently, Alaska regulates and supports agriculture through a division of the Alaska Department of Natural Resources. Speaking to legislators on Wednesday, DNR commissioner John Boyle said that agriculture can get lost among his agency's other missions.
'At times, it can be an afterthought when our state leadership gets focused on oil and gas issues,' he said.
Splitting agriculture into a separate department means there would be a cabinet-level commissioner to bring attention to farms, even after Dunleavy leaves office in two years.
'This is really a way to leave that lasting legacy … we as a state are saying agriculture is important to us and food security is a priority,' he said.
Sen. Shelley Hughes, R-Palmer, is a member of the Senate committee and chaired the state's food strategy task force. The task force's No. 1 recommendation is the creation of a cabinet-level Department of Agriculture.
That's because a commissioner would be able to champion the task force's other recommendations for boosting Alaska agriculture.
'The No. 1 reason is so this governor and future governors will have someone at the cabinet level to keep these items in front of them,' she said in testimony to the House Resources Committee.
Creating an agriculture department isn't free. The governor's office is requesting 13 new positions and a total of $10 million in funding, up $2.7 million from the current budget for the state's agriculture division.
The Dunleavy administration isn't requesting a corresponding cut to the DNR budget.
Speaking to the two legislative committees, Boyle said the request represents a base level. In its first stage, the Department of Agriculture wouldn't include mariculture — ocean farms for kelp, shellfish and other products — even though that's the fastest-growing sector of Alaskan agriculture.
Some functions of the Department of Environmental Conservation might eventually be transferred to the new agency as well, Boyle said.
'We really just wanted to get the framework set and built,' he said.
Both committees heard testimony from the Alaska Food Policy Council, Alaska Farm Bureau and FFA — formerly Future Farmers of America — in favor of the new department on Wednesday.
'I see a lot of opportunities,' said Rep. Donna Mears, D-Anchorage, later adding, 'agriculture provides a lot of opportunities for entrepreneurism and doing things for one's self.'
Rep. Zack Fields, D-Anchorage, said the new department's cost is the equivalent of about $8 from each Alaskan's Permanent Fund dividend.
'I kind of think it's worth it,' he said.
Boyle said the change would pay off.
'I know that there's very hard choices and tradeoffs to be made, but I believe that now is an especially appropriate time for Alaska to make the commitment that agriculture can play an important part in our state,' Boyle said.
SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
2 minutes ago
- USA Today
Oval Office meeting again puts rocky, tense Trump-Zelenskyy relationship to the test
Trump's appraisal of the Ukrainian president has been an exercise in zigzag diplomacy as their relationship has unfolded since Trump's first term. WASHINGTON – He has his bromance with Vladimir Putin. But President Donald Trump's relationship with Volodymyr Zelenskyy is more whiplash than kinship. Trump's appraisal of the Ukrainian president has been an exercise in zigzag diplomacy, deriding him one moment as a modestly successful comedian who doesn't want peace and the next minute calling him a nice man with whom he has a good relationship. "Did I say that?" Trump asked back in February, when reporters reminded him that just a week earlier he had mocked Zelenskyy as a dictator. "I can't believe I said that," he exclaimed. He said it. Zelenskyy returned to the White House on Monday, Aug. 18, to discuss a potential peace deal to end Ukraine's three-and-a-half year war with Russia. The visit marks his first time back since a disastrous Oval Office meeting back in February in which Trump berated him on live television and then kicked him off the White House grounds. This time, Zelenskyy brought some backup. French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and other European leaders joined Zelenskyy at the White House meeting with Trump. Trump's like-him-one-minute, lampoon-him-the-next relationship with Zelenskyy stands in stark contrast to his rapport with Putin. Trump gave the Russian leader a red-carpet welcome to Alaska on Aug. 15 for a summit that was big on pageantry but produced no results. The two leaders left The Last Frontier without a deal to end the war. Troubled history for Trump and Zelenskyy Trump and Zelenskyy have a troubled history. It started with a phone call that led to Trump's first impeachment. The two leaders connected in July 2019, just three months after Zelenskyy's stunning rise from television comedian to newly elected president of Ukraine. The call started off well enough. Trump congratulated Zelenskyy on "a great victory" and complimented him for a doing a terrific job, according to a summary later released by the White House. But then Trump asked for a favor. He pressured Zelenskyy repeatedly to reopen an investigation into a Ukrainian energy company to focus on a political rival, Joe Biden, and Biden's son, Hunter. At the time, Joe Biden was considered a likely candidate for president and would, in fact, go on to defeat Trump in the 2020 election. Democrats said Trump's asking a foreign government to investigate a political rival amounted to an egregious abuse of power. Trump was impeached for the first time just a few months later but was acquitted in a Senate trial. From then on, Trump and Zelenskyy have never been on the best of terms. Trump has insisted repeatedly that Ukraine's war with Russia would never have started if he had been president and at times has even appeared to blame Zelenskyy for the conflict. But it was Putin who started the war when he ordered Russian troops to invade their Eastern European neighbor. Trump has also taken Zelenskyy to task on social media when efforts to strike a peace deal have come up short. "Think of it, a modestly successful comedian, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, talked the United States of America into spending $350 Billion Dollars, to go into a War that couldn't be won, that never had to start, but a War that he, without the U.S. and 'TRUMP,' will never be able to settle," Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social on Feb. 19. "A Dictator without Elections, Zelenskyy better move fast or he is not going to have a Country left." A week later, Trump suggested he didn't remember calling Zelenskyy a dictator and insisted he gets along with Zelenskyy just fine. "I have a very good relationship with President Putin. I think I have a very good relationship with President Zelenskyy," he said. Discord on full display in Oval Office The next day, though, the discord between them exploded in spectacular fashion when Zelenskyy came to the Oval Office to sign a deal for the U.S. to receive revenue from Ukraine's minerals in exchange for military assistance. As tempers flared, Zelenskyy told Trump an ocean separates the U.S. from the conflict now, "but you will feel it in the future." "Don't tell us what we're going to feel," Trump shot back. 'We're trying to solve a problem. Don't tell us what we're going to feel." Trump mocked Zelenskyy's clothes, Vice President JD Vance called him "disrespectful" and Trump booted the Ukrainian president from the White House without signing the minerals deal. Trump later wrote on social media that Zelenskyy "is not ready for Peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations." Trump said Zelenskyy "disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office," adding "he can come back when he's ready for Peace." Trump and Zelenskyy met again in private at Pope Francis' funeral in Rome in April – the White House called the meeting 'productive' – and again at a NATO summit in June. Trump greeted Zelenskyy with a handshake when he arrived at the White House on Monday, Aug. 18 and said it was an 'honor' to have him back. Michael Collins writes about the intersection of politics and culture. A veteran reporter, he has covered the White House and Congress. Follow him on X @mcollinsNEWS. Contributing: Francesca Chambers and Joey Garrison
Yahoo
30 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Abbott calls second special session as first round ends with Democrats still out of state
With the Texas House still frozen by Democrats' absence from the state, Gov. Greg Abbott on Friday called a second special session to begin less than two hours after the Legislature gaveled out the first overtime round. The second session is set to consider virtually the same agenda that stalled in the first, with redistricting and disaster response at the top of the governor's priorities. As in the first session, Abbott called on lawmakers to also tackle stricter regulations on consumable hemp products, property tax relief and eliminating the STAAR test, along with a host of socially conservative measures. 'Delinquent House Democrats ran away from their responsibility to pass crucial legislation to benefit the lives of Texans,' Abbott said in a statement. 'We will not back down from this fight. That's why I am calling them back today to finish the job. I will continue to use all necessary tools to ensure Texas delivers results for Texans.' Most Democrats had not yet returned to Austin on Friday, again denying the House the quorum needed to conduct business on the first day of the second session. After gaveling in the second special session, Speaker Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, said he expected a quorum to be restored Monday, and for the House to complete Abbott's agenda, "and even some more," by Labor Day weekend. He said the House would move quickly next week to advance the governor's priorities, including "a strong pro-life bill" and legislation to "protect women's spaces," a reference to the so-called "bathroom bill" that would require people to only use restrooms in government buildings and schools that match their sex assigned at birth. During the first special session, the Texas Senate approved legislation cracking down on the manufacturing and distribution of abortion pills, similar to a proposal that stalled in a House committee during the regular session. Immediately after the Senate adjourned Friday, the upper chamber's State Affairs Committee began consideration of eight bills, including the abortion pill measure, the bathroom bill, a ban on THC products and a prohibition on cities using public funds to hire lobbyists. The Senate passed all of those bills during the first special session. At the same time, the House moved Friday to reissue civil arrest warrants for absent Democrats, with Burrows directing state law enforcement to bring to the Capitol any missing Democrats found within state lines. He added that absent members would be responsible for any state costs incurred by the walkout. 'Those who have refused to make quorum, I'm sure you're missing home," Burrows said from the dais Friday. "Do not think you have permission to return to Texas and enjoy a peaceful weekend before finally showing up to work." [Texas Democrats say they will return to state once session ends, California unveils retaliatory map] Democrats indicated that they were likely to return soon, saying in a Thursday statement that they would come back to the state after the first special session adjourned and California introduced a new congressional map designed to offset the GOP gains built into Texas' draft map. Texas senators, meanwhile, moved quickly to advance the map again during the second special session, scheduling a Sunday committee hearing that would lay the groundwork for the full chamber to pass the new district lines next week. 'Democrats fought back ferociously and took the fight to Trump across America," Rep. Gene Wu of Houston, chair of the House Democratic Caucus, said Thursday. 'We will return to the House floor and to the courthouse with a clear message: the fight to protect voting rights has only just begun.' Democrats presented their walkout as a success for sinking the first special session and prompting blue states across the country to consider retaliatory redistricting. And they lambasted Abbott for continuing to pursue the unusual mid-decade redistricting plan, arguing that Republicans were prioritizing the effort to pad the GOP's slim majority in the U.S. House — as demanded by President Donald Trump — over victims of the July 4 floods. The governor, who controls the agenda for overtime legislative sessions, again directed lawmakers to take up legislation on flood warning systems, emergency communications, natural disaster preparation and relief funding for impacted areas. He added a new item — "legislation to ensure and enhance youth camp safety" — after lawmakers filed a number of bills during the first special session that touched on camper disaster drills, improving camp emergency plans and providing life jackets in cabins, among other measures. The victims of the July 4 floods included 27 campers and counselors at storied Camp Mystic along the banks of the Guadalupe River. On Friday, Democrats continued to call on Abbott to send the remaining $70 million in the state's disaster fund to areas of the Hill Country and beyond affected by the floods. "It is time that leadership stop playing politics and start actually working for the people of Texas," Rep. Ann Johnson, D-Houston, said during a news conference Friday morning. Johnson later announced she would return to Texas "to continue the fight — from the floor of the House." Abbott's office has said that the $70 million total, in addition to the $150 million set to go into that fund Sept. 1, must be stretched across the next two years, adding that only the Legislature may appropriate new funds for disaster relief. More all-star speakers confirmed for The Texas Tribune Festival, Nov. 13–15! This year's lineup just got even more exciting with the addition of State Rep. Caroline Fairly, R-Amarillo; former United States Attorney General Eric Holder; Abby Phillip, anchor of 'CNN NewsNight'; Aaron Reitz, 2026 Republican candidate for Texas Attorney General; and State Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin. Get your tickets today! TribFest 2025 is presented by JPMorganChase. Solve the daily Crossword
New York Post
32 minutes ago
- New York Post
Workers are ‘job hugging' or clinging to their positions ‘for dear life': report
The pandemic era's 'great resignation' has morphed into desperate 'job hugging' — with workers clinging to their positions at levels not seen in nearly a decade, according to the latest data. The so-called quits rate among US workers slipped to 2.0% in June, far below the 3.0% peak of November 2021, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Just 3.14 million people quit in June — down from 3.27 million in May — marking a steady return to pre-pandemic lows. By contrast, 4.5 million people quit their jobs in November 2021. Advertisement Employees are holding onto jobs 'for dear life,' consultants at Korn Ferry wrote in a report last week that was cited on Monday by CNBC. 4 Many workers are clinging to their jobs 'for dear life' as quitting plunges to the lowest level in years. kieferpix – In total, about 47.4 million Americans quit their jobs throughout 2021, setting an annual record. As of June, around 19.3 million Americans have voluntarily quit their jobs year-to-date. Advertisement 'There is this stagnation in the labor market, where the hires, quits and layoff rates are low,' Laura Ullrich, director of economic research in North America at the Indeed Hiring Lab, told CNBC. 'There's just not a lot of movement at all.' 4 The era of job hopping has given way to 'job hugging,' with employees too fearful to leave. Studio Romantic – That has led to the voluntary quits rate crashing to lows unseen since 2016, outside the first days of the COVID pandemic. Advertisement 'There's quite a bit of uncertainty in the world — economic, political, global — and I think uncertainty causes people to naturally' remain in a holding pattern, Matt Bohn, an executive search consultant at Korn Ferry, told the Comcast-owned financial news service. He compared spooked workers to skittish investors sitting on the sidelines, waiting for the right opportunity. The lack of movement comes as higher interest rates make it more costly for businesses to borrow money and expand operations. Job growth has slowed sharply in recent months, with the hiring rate plunging to its lowest level in more than a decade, excluding early pandemic days. Advertisement 4 Rising uncertainty has left many workers paralyzed about their prospects for a new role. fizkes – More CEOs now plan to shrink their workforce over the next 12 months than expand it — the first time that's happened since 2020, according to a recent survey. A Conference Board poll published this month found 34% of executives planning cuts versus just 27% expecting to hire. The dramatic shift from the great resignation to the great stay reflects a labor market that's essentially frozen solid. Workers who couldn't stop quitting two years ago now won't budge. But this death grip on current jobs carries serious risks, experts warned. Job huggers are sacrificing cash because those who switch typically command higher wages than those who stay put, Ullrich noted. 4 Young entrants and recent graduates face an especially tough time breaking into the frozen job market. Andrey Popov – Workers getting too comfortable may stagnate rather than take on additional responsibilities or learn new skills. Advertisement This impacts their marketability and career growth when the labor market eventually improves, Bohn cautioned. Employers might also decide these static workers no longer meet performance standards. It's not inherently bad to stay in a job for a long time, experts stressed, but hugging too tightly can backfire. The freeze-up also makes it harder for new entrants like recent graduates to break in. With fewer workers moving up or out, there's nowhere for them to slot in, Ullrich told CNBC.
