Unalaska, AK – A group of city representatives recently returned from a lobbying trip to Juneau. The entire trip cost the city about $30,000, which includes airfare and hotels for three council members, the mayor and the city manager and the cost of the seafood reception. The city spent about $16,800 on reception for state government representatives to teach them about our community. The price estimate, provided by city staff, includes the cost of buying and transporting the crab legs, paying entertainment, and providing giveaways.

Council member Katherine McGlashan was on the trip. She said the reception was successful and even the governor attended. "We send out a lot of invitations, but we focus on our senators and our representatives and the governor and all their staff."

During the trip they had 18 different meetings with various state legislators and government agencies. They focused on getting funds for specific projects, including $5 million for the powerhouse, $5 million for paving Ballyhoo Road, and $2 million toward building a new water treatment plant.

This was the first time in eight years the Unalaska delegation met with the governor as well. McGlashan said she thinks the trip was successful and she thinks the prospects are good for more state money to come to the community.

"I would say that our senators and our representatives are very aware of our community. And that they're aware that every year we at least give $27 million to the state with our taxes. And they know that we're the number one fishing port in the nation, and they realize that our funding is not as robust as it used to be. And we have all these projects that are coming up and they took our conversation very seriously."

The council members and mayor will all file reports with the city about their trip which will be available to the public through the city's website.