Senator Jesse Kiehl · [email protected]

January 31, 2026 at 2:31 AM

Welcome to the Real Deal With Kiehl!

New Session, New Bill, New Staff! New Session, New Bill, New Staff January 30, 2026 Dear Friends and Neighbors, It's my favorite time of the year - session is here! Since it's the second session, bills from last year are still active, and a lot of new legislation is coming across the floor. But the …

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  Senator Jesse Kiehl · [email protected]

November 1, 2025 at 11:15 PM

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Trick-or-Legislative Update Trick-or-Legislative Update November 1, 2025 Dear Friends and Neighbors, Happy Halloween! I hope you have a safe and spooky weekend. This week’s newsletter comes with a big change in our office. After almost seven years on my staff—eight in the legislature—Cathy Schlinghe…

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  Senator Jesse Kiehl · [email protected]

October 17, 2025 at 12:51 AM

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Whistledown Pages Whistledown Pages October 16, 2025 Dear Friends and Neighbors, The October weather has me binging too many shows at night. Thus the titles in this week's newsletter. (I apologize for nothing.) The issues filling my dance card at work as we prepare for the season (just three months …

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  Senator Jesse Kiehl · [email protected]

September 28, 2025 at 1:30 AM

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Rainy Days Rainy Days September 27, 2025 Dear Friends and Neighbors, The rainy, windy weather is a good time for long meetings indoors (ideally with a hot cup of coffee). But I got out of the office—and out of town—to Sitka for Southeast Conference and the Village Public Safety Officer graduation at…

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  Senator Jesse Kiehl · [email protected]

September 13, 2025 at 5:20 AM

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No Failure to Prepare No Failure to Prepare September 12, 2025 Dear Friends and Neighbors, The rain is back, sure, but the silvers are still running and there's plenty of outdoor fun left to be had. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. People sometimes ask what my job is between legislative sessi…

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  Senator Jesse Kiehl · [email protected]

August 29, 2025 at 11:03 PM

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The Day's Labor The Day's Labor August 29, 2025 Dear Friends and Neighbors, Happy Labor Day! My sunburn and I plan on grilling Monday, and I hope you get out with friends as well. Before we all celebrate, some updates on recent legislative labors. The team at DOTPF showed me the impressive repair wo…

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  Senator Jesse Kiehl · [email protected]

August 5, 2025 at 1:40 AM

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Summer School Summer School August 4, 2025 Dear Friends and Neighbors, On Saturday the bells rang to call us into special session. The legislature completed just about all our work by the May deadline, but we didn't get to turn in veto overrides early. Read on for our summer school grades, plus some…

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  Senator Jesse Kiehl · [email protected]

July 23, 2025 at 12:55 AM

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Good Laws & Bad Regs Good Laws & Bad Regs July 22, 2025 Dear Friends and Neighbors, This newsletter comes to you from Bellevue where I’m at the Pacific Northwest Economic Region conference. It’s four valuable days talking and learning about shared issues and opportunities in front of America’s five …

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  Senator Jesse Kiehl · [email protected]

July 4, 2025 at 2:06 AM

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Independence Day Edition! Independence Day Edition! July 3, 2025 Dear Friends and Neighbors, Dear Friends and Neighbors, Happy Fourth of July! Do take some time with family and friends to celebrate. (Lots of details on Independence Day festivities in the events section below.) I'm sorry it's been a …

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  Senator Jesse Kiehl · [email protected]

April 30, 2025 at 4:27 PM

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Fixing Some Foul Ups Fixing Some Foul Ups April 30, 2025 Dear Friends and Neighbors, In the chaotic tangle of the legislative session, things can go awry. Last week's theme might just have been 'righting the ship.. Read on for bills to moot a lawsuit, state contracts, and the long-awaited salary stu…

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  Senator Jesse Kiehl · [email protected]

April 22, 2025 at 8:04 PM

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Digging for Coins in the Couch Cushions Digging for Coins in the Couch Cushions April 22, 2025 Dear Friends and Neighbors, We had a moment of quiet here on the hill–but we're well and truly past that now. We'll meet today to consider the Governor's veto of the BSA bill. I'm voting to override. In th…

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  Senator Jesse Kiehl · [email protected]

April 14, 2025 at 12:40 AM

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April Showers Bring May... Adjournment? April Showers Bring May... Adjournment? April 13, 2025 Dear Friends and Neighbors, Our rain came back this weekend. I wouldn't know what to do if we didn't have April showers to bring May rainfall. With May right around the corner, we're pushing hard on big bu…

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  Senator Jesse Kiehl · [email protected]

March 29, 2025 at 3:04 AM

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Root for the Home Team Halftime at Half Court March 28, 2025 Dear Friends and Neighbors, It's a big week for Southeast sports. I've been cheering for the Klukwan, Haines, and Juneau-AML teams at Gold Medal. We're also just a hair past the halfway point of session. That has us all sprinting back and …

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  Senator Jesse Kiehl · [email protected]

March 15, 2025 at 8:48 PM

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(Expensive) Eggs in One Basket (Expensive) Eggs in One Basket March 15, 2025 Dear Friends and Neighbors, Sorry I missed sending last week's newsletter. I thought about making this one a double issue to make up for it, but you haven't done anything bad enough to deserve that. Yesterday was Purim. The…

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  Senator Jesse Kiehl · [email protected]

March 2, 2025 at 1:13 AM

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Boats, Benefits, and Budgets Boats, Benefits, and Budgets March 1, 2025 Dear Friends and Neighbors, The Capitol has limited access to the internet, and I have none at home until the outage is fixed. But the work continues apace! Read on (perhaps belatedly, if you only got this after your data servic…

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  Senator Jesse Kiehl · [email protected]

February 23, 2025 at 1:19 AM

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Don't Panic. Don't Quit Don't Panic. Don't Quit February 22, 2025 Dear Friends and Neighbors, We don't take holidays off during session, but I sure didn't forget Presidents Day this year. Hundreds of people came to the Capitol to rally for our democracy and our constitution. We need Alaskans' energy…

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  Senator Jesse Kiehl · [email protected]

February 17, 2025 at 3:58 AM

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A pile of questions A pile of questions February 16, 2025 Dear Friends and Neighbors, Happy Valentines Day! I hope you spent some time with your loved ones. Remember today is Elizabeth Peratrovich Day. Just a couple of years ago, she was honored nationally for the first time. That's fitting, since s…

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  Senator Jesse Kiehl · [email protected]

February 10, 2025 at 5:43 PM

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Fear no more the heat o' the sun Fear no more the heat o' the sun February 10, 2025 Dear Friends and Neighbors, I don't know what to make of all the sunshine this weekend. But after a full week inside from the dark of morning to the dark of night, sunny days are my excuse for getting the newsletter …

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  Senator Jesse Kiehl · [email protected]

February 1, 2025 at 7:40 AM

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Time Warp Time Warp January 31, 2025 Dear Friends and Neighbors, For folks in the Lower 48, Sunday is Groundhog Day. On February 2, Alaskans honor the mighty marmot. Like rodents in spring, some issues poke their heads up again and again in the legislature. In the spirit of Marmot Day, this week's n…

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  Senator Jesse Kiehl · [email protected]

January 25, 2025 at 4:55 AM

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We're In! (session) We're in! (session) January 24, 2025 Dear Friends and Neighbors, The 34th Legislature convened on Tuesday and we're off and running! Those of us who won elections in November are thoroughly sworn in for our terms, and committees are under way. Now it's on to the work at hand! Thi…

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  Senator Jesse Kiehl · [email protected]

January 6, 2025 at 4:44 AM

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New Year, New Legislature New Year, New Legislature January 5, 2025 Dear Friends and Neighbors, Happy New Year! I hope you had a happy, healthy holiday season and spent some time with people you like. The Capitol's starting to buzz again as we get ready for session. I'm digging into the governor's p…

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  Senator Jesse Kiehl · [email protected]

October 5, 2024 at 12:15 AM

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Looking Ahead Looking Ahead October 4, 2024 Dear Friends and Neighbors, I got to attend the first-ever Southeast Alaska Eldercare Summit early this week and it really got me thinking. We need to do a better job meeting seniors' needs in our region. At the same time, we're seeing older Alaskans fill …

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  Senator Jesse Kiehl · [email protected]

September 7, 2024 at 2:33 AM

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Capitol Building Rock Capitol Building Rock September 6, 2024 Dear Friends and Neighbors, The weather feels a little more like fall than a lot of people are in the mood for. But there's good news for those of us flogging the water for cohos: the fish can't tell it's raining. Some of the fish in ques…

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  Senator Jesse Kiehl · [email protected]

August 24, 2024 at 2:57 AM

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That Was the Month That Was That Was the Month That Was August 23, 2024 Dear Friends and Neighbors, After a month-long break, there's a lot to catch up on! I'll keep the updates brief so you can get back to picking berries, fishing for silvers, or whatever fun fills your August weekends. Rep. Story …

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  Senator Jesse Kiehl · [email protected]

July 14, 2024 at 3:05 PM

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Back to School & Summer Break Back to School & Summer Break July 14, 2024 Dear Friends and Neighbors, I hope you're out enjoying the summer sun—especially on the weekends when it comes in its highly concentrated liquid form. Read on for the latest in the homeschool funding saga and the newsletter's …

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  Senator Jesse Kiehl · [email protected]

July 5, 2024 at 11:17 PM

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To Sign or Not To Sign To Sign or Not to Sign July 5, 2024 Dear Friends and Neighbors, Happy Independence Day weekend! I hope you got to join some Fourth of July fun. For the legislature, this time of year is suspenseful as the governor decides to sign or veto the bills we passed this session. We ha…

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  Senator Jesse Kiehl · [email protected]

June 23, 2024 at 12:26 AM

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Longest Day, Normal Newsletter Longest Day, Normal Newsletter June 22, 2024 Dear Friends and Neighbors, Happy Solstice! Can you believe the party poopers in charge of scheduling presidential debates put the first one right on top of our Juneau town hall? Reps. Story, Hannan, and I decided to let the…

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  Senator Jesse Kiehl · [email protected]

May 31, 2024 at 6:59 PM

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Bills Around the Clock Bills Around the Clock May 31, 2024 Dear Friends and Neighbors, The legislature ended in a constitutional time management pickle. Well, the House did. There was no special session, but they still went into overtime. More on that below. By the time this newsletter goes out I’ll…

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  Senator Jesse Kiehl · [email protected]

May 20, 2024 at 10:59 PM

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Session's Out Session's Out May 20, 2024 Dear Friends and Neighbors, We're adjourned! The Senate finished work Wednesday night with 13 minutes to spare. Now that I've caught up on a little sleep, here's a rundown on what happened: Rep. Story and I were honored to present the TMHS boys' and girls' Ba…

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  Senator Jesse Kiehl · [email protected]

May 6, 2024 at 3:29 AM

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End Game End Game May 5, 2024 Dear Friends and Neighbors, T-minus 10 days until this legislative session ends. As the time dwindles, we have a lot of major policy pieces left to finish. We’re having high voltage discussions (literally & figuratively!) Here are key things to watch for the next week a…

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  Senator Jesse Kiehl · [email protected]

March 30, 2024 at 1:33 AM

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Halfway Through, 90% To Go Halfway Through, 90% To Go March 29, 2024 Dear Friends and Neighbors, Happy Easter to those who celebrate it! Happy Purim to others. Happy several days in a row above 40 degrees to all! The newsletter has been delayed so I don't use any unpleasant language about education …

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  Senator Jesse Kiehl · [email protected]

March 11, 2024 at 3:29 PM

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Ack! This Newsletter is Late! Ack! This Newsletter is Late! March 11, 2024 Dear Friends and Neighbors, Sorry to be so far behind on getting you this newsletter! The legislature looks at the governor's executive orders this week. Last week the education funding saga continued. We're in the thick of t…

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  Senator Jesse Kiehl · [email protected]

February 26, 2024 at 2:46 AM

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Big Bills Big Bills February 25, 2024 Dear Friends and Neighbors, The House made all the headlines this week. With multiple floor sessions late into the night, they agreed on a major education funding bill. More below on that, other ed funding issues, and some other big (read: long) bills in the mix…

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  Senator Jesse Kiehl · [email protected]

February 19, 2024 at 12:51 AM

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New Fixes for Old Problems New Fixes for Old Problems February 18, 2024 Dear Friends and Neighbors, Friday was Elizabeth Peratrovich Day. Thanks to everyone who continues her legacy tireless work for equality and justice. We're in the middle of the session, and issues are coming fast from lots of di…

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  Senator Jesse Kiehl · [email protected]

February 10, 2024 at 3:50 AM

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Mr. Fix It Mr. Fix It February 9, 2024 Dear Friends and Neighbors, Along with love, St. Valentine is also the patron saint of beekeepers. Not exactly seasonal for Valentine's day around here as we look at another foot or so of snow. But perhaps the chill will help us all keep our stingers in check a…

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  Senator Jesse Kiehl · [email protected]

February 4, 2024 at 2:31 AM

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There's More Coming! There's More Coming! February 3, 2024 Dear Friends and Neighbors, I hear Punxsutawney Phil predicted an early spring yesterday. Hah! February 2 is Marmot Day here in Alaska, and I think the large rodents of the 49th state know we've got more snow on the way. This week's big news…

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  Senator Jesse Kiehl · [email protected]

January 29, 2024 at 1:57 AM

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Neither Snow Nor Snow Nor More Snow Neither Snow Nor Snow Nor More Snow January 28, 2024 Dear Friends and Neighbors, Much of the capital city shut down this week because folks were smart enough to get in out of the snow... and more snow. Not so the legislature—we will not be deterred. I like to thin…

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  Senator Jesse Kiehl · [email protected]

January 20, 2024 at 5:17 AM

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Away We Go! Away We Go! January 19, 2024 Dear Friends and Neighbors, We're back! A mere three feet of snow followed by Taku winds couldn't stop the legislature from getting right to work this session. I'm sorry to report we couldn't override the governor's education funding veto—there's more on that…

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  Senator Jesse Kiehl · [email protected]

January 7, 2024 at 12:05 AM

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Coming Soon to a Capitol Near You Coming Soon to a Capitol Near You January 6, 2024 Dear Friends and Neighbors, Happy New Year to you and yours! A new year means a new session. Alaska legislators are heading to Juneau from across the state to convene on January 16. Before the chaos begins, here are …

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  Senator Jesse Kiehl · [email protected]

December 14, 2023 at 3:10 AM

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It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Session is Coming to Town It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Session is Coming to Town December 13, 2023 Dear Friends and Neighbors, The holiday season is here! I hope you get to celebrate the season with people you like. I hope you can also stop by the Capitol Dec. …

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  Senator Jesse Kiehl · [email protected]

November 4, 2023 at 12:35 AM

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Gratitude & Concern Gratitude & Concern November 3, 2023 Dear Friends and Neighbors, Happy November! I hope you got to enjoy the trick-or-treaters on Halloween. We had preschoolers visit the Capitol and they were out-of-this-world cute. Adorable kids from Discovery Preschool trick-or-treated in the …

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  Senator Jesse Kiehl · [email protected]

October 21, 2023 at 2:54 AM

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Early Work Early Work October 20, 2023 Dear Friends and Neighbors, I spent nine days off the grid since the last newsletter. It was great. I had to catch up on the world's terrible troubles when I returned. It was hard. There isn't much a state legislator can do about the Israeli-Palestinian conflic…

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  Senator Jesse Kiehl · [email protected]

October 7, 2023 at 12:00 AM

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Fun and Games Fun and Games October 6, 2023 Dear Friends and Neighbors, With elections in every organized city in our district, this was a big week for local government. I want to thank the many people who threw their hats in the ring to serve us on assemblies, councils, and school boards. It's also…

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  Senator Jesse Kiehl · [email protected]

September 28, 2023 at 2:32 AM

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School Books & Ferry Tales School Books & Ferry Tales September 27, 2023 Dear Friends and Neighbors, It's been a minute! I hope you enjoyed our unusually sunny summer. I haven't sent an e-newsletter in a bit, so to help catch up I'll include some summer updates along with the new news in each of the…

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  Senator Jesse Kiehl · [email protected]

May 1, 2023 at 1:38 AM

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The Big Stuff The Big Stuff April 30, 2023 Dear Friends and Neighbors, The session has hit triple digits now—Friday was day 102 of 121. With Finance meeting twice per day, other committees still hearing bills, and some of my own legislation up for hearings in the House, there are several times this …

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  Senator Jesse Kiehl · [email protected]

April 22, 2023 at 6:27 AM

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The All Good News Newsletter The All Good News Newsletter April 21, 2023 Dear Friends and Neighbors, I've been squinting when I go outside these days. Luckily we're in the Capitol longer and longer hours this time of session, so there's no need to spring for sunglasses. The Legislature is in high ge…

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  Senator Jesse Kiehl · [email protected]

April 15, 2023 at 4:12 AM

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Whatever Floats Your Budget Whatever Floats Your Budget April 14, 2023 Dear Friends and Neighbors, Today was the 88th day of session. With just under five weeks left, some stress cracks are starting to show. But we won't let those get in the way of the work we're doing! Probably. Three hours of publ…

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  Senator Jesse Kiehl · [email protected]

April 8, 2023 at 12:26 AM

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Deep Thoughts for a Big Weekend Deep Thoughts for a Big Weekend April 7, 2023 Dear Friends and Neighbors, It's a holiday-heavy weekend! Passover, Easter, and Ramadan all coincide. That's happened fewer than four dozen times since the most recent of the three holidays came into existence. This week I…

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  Senator Jesse Kiehl · [email protected]

April 1, 2023 at 4:33 AM

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Oily Options & Speedy Spending Oily Options & Speedy Spending March 31, 2023 Dear Friends and Neighbors, I'm so sorry I missed last week's newsletter. Here's my shot at giving you two weeks of value—without doubling the length: Rep. Story & I were honored to present a Legislative Citation to Lions E…

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  Senator Jesse Kiehl · [email protected]

March 18, 2023 at 3:56 AM

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Dire Straits Dire Straits March 17, 2023 Dear Friends and Neighbors, Happy Saint Paddy's Day, folks! There was a lot of green in the Capitol today. There were also bagpipers. So today I learned the pipes aren't just Scottish instruments (We also did serious work. I promise.) This week was busy—inclu…

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