Debt “super-committee”:
· In reality, about a week to approve deal—whatever is approved must go to Congressional Budget Office for impact analysis
· Time is running out, trying to remain optimistic
· Congress and Senate needs to get their fiscal house in order
· While folks are waiting, some are constructing back-up plans
· Lots of discussions centering around where to make cuts and how to collect revenue
· Automatic cuts will happen in case “super committee” can’t come to a conclusion—but won’t happen until January 2013
· Some legislation in the works may not proportionately share funds with Alaska, especially rural communities
· Lots of people concerned about major corporations making big profits while paying zero tax
· “The line in the sand… keeps moving…”

9% of Americans approve of Congress performance:
· “I don’t question the polling data… I don’t question the voters who… tell me exactly what they think about Congress. We have to change the way we are operating. The system is broken…”
· Said he understands the frustration Americans feel
· People do not tell him how to vote, but more so voice the opinion that members of Congress and Senate must work together
· Said that if Anchorage operated in such a manner during his years as Mayor that the city would have fallen apart
· Thinks that more members of government should behave like the Alaska delegation—said he, Sen. Murkowski and Rep. Young work in a bipartisan and cooperative fashion and look to do what’s best for Alaska

Proposed stock trade restrictions for lawmakers:
· Agrees that it should be illegal for lawmakers to use privileged information to invest; they ought to avoid areas where their committee assignments are
· Discloses all income and financial information dating back to 1988 on website, including his wife’s
· Adds that his family decided to invest in Kraft Foods. Why? Son loves macaroni & cheese

Fannie Mae / Freddie Mac:
· Worked with Republican Sen. John Thune to co-author a letter regarding bonuses that these companies are giving their executives while asking the federal government for more money
· Received a response from companies, and that “… the paper they wrote on wasn’t even worth it…”
· Feels that the letter they got back was non-responsive, and that the companies haven’t taken ownership of their actions and that executives do not deserve these bonuses. Cites auto executives who in some cases took no pay when federal government gave them assistance
· Says he is working with Sen. John McCain and others to work on stipulations stating that these companies cannot use federal money to give bonuses