The Empty Office Podcast

with Senator Löki Gale Tobin
  • 5.0 (3)
  • POLITICS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Breaking down the interworkings of the Alaska State Senate. lgtobin.substack.com

  1. 6D AGO

    The Empty Office Podcast - Season 4, Episode 12

    On Sunday, March 29, Senator Löki Gale Tobin and Senator Gary Stevens were invited to speak to school district superintendents, principals, and business officials from across Alaska. The educators were visiting Juneau to participate in the Alaska Council of School Administrators' annual legislative fly-in. During her speech, Senator Tobin highlighted Senator Stevens’s work on behalf of public education in Alaska and called on educators and lawmakers to support Senate Bill 23, which requires the State Board of Education to make civics education curriculum resources available to school districts. The bill also requires students in Alaska to take a comparative government and civics education course prior to graduation. During his speech, Senator Stevens reflected on his time in the Alaska State Legislature and encouraged the educators in the room to keep working and advocating for a better public education system. Senate President Gary Stevens is known as the “Statesman of the Legislature.” He has been a member of the State Senate since 2003. During that time, he has served 8 years as Senate President, a record for the longest tenure in Alaska history. Senator Stevens is retiring this year after serving 26 years in the Alaska State Legislature. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lgtobin.substack.com

    41 min

  2. MAR 29

    The Empty Office Podcast - Season 4, Episode 11

    Today, Senator Tobin welcomes Diane Hirshberg back to The Empty Office Podcast. Hirshberg is the Director of the Institute of Social and Economic Research, which is commonly known as ISER. Hirshberg is a Professor of Education Policy at the University of Alaska Anchorage and is well known for her work studying the boarding school experience of Alaska Native students. In 2023, Diane Hirshberg co-edited the book “Education, Equity and Inclusion: Teaching and Learning for a Sustainable North.” She co-authored the chapter, “Adaptation isn’t just for the tundra: Rethinking teaching and learning in Alaska’s Arctic.” Diane Hirshberg currently teaches in the Master of Public Policy Program at the UAA College of Business and Public Policy. She has a Ph.D. in Education from UCLA and a Master of Public Administration from Columbia University. In this episode, Senator Tobin and Diane Hirshberg discuss the interplay between politics and public policy. They also delve into the history of ISER, which was created by the Alaska State Legislature in 1961 as a true research organization. During the conversation, Hirshberg noted that ISER has partnered with the Alaska Energy Authority and the Alaska Center for Energy and Power on the Alaska Energy Data Gateway, which combines community, socio-economic, and energy data into dashboards, tools, and new datasets to meet Alaska’s energy data needs. The Alaska Energy Data Gateway was discussed at length during a Lunch and Learn presentation for lawmakers and staff on Friday, March 27. ISER was also spotlighted during a Lunch and Learn on March 24, honoring the organization’s 65th anniversary this year. During Friday’s event, Senator Bill Wielechowski presented Diane Hirshberg with a citation from the Alaska Legislature for her 23 years of service at ISER and for her dedication to academic excellence and teaching. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lgtobin.substack.com

    1h 6m

  3. MAR 22

    The Empty Office Podcast - Season 4, Episode 10

    Senator Tobin and Mike Mason have a lively conversation with a team of representatives from the Alaska Public Interest Research Group (AKPIRG). The organization was formed in 1974 to protect consumers from businesses taking advantage of them in the name of profit. Today’s guests include: * Indra Arriaga (Executive Director of AKPIRG) * Claire Estelle Lubke (Economic Justice Lead at AKPIRG) * June Okada (Infrastructure Funding Analyst at AKPIRG) The music for this episode is the song “Broadway Blues” by the late Laco Pastorius. The person chosen by Indra Arriaga to sit next to Senator Tobin in the Alaska Legislature was the comedian Groucho Marx. The clip below is from “A Night at the Opera.” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lgtobin.substack.com

    28 min

  4. MAR 15

    The Empty Office Podcast - Season 4, Episode 9

    Today’s podcast serves as an update on the work of the Task Force on Education Funding, which was authorized by the compromise education bill (HB 57) that became law on July 1, 2025. Today’s guest is Representative Rebecca Himschoot from Sitka. She serves as a co-chair of the Task Force along with Senator Tobin. Rep. Himschoot is the co-chair of the House Education Committee. Prior to being elected to the Alaska State Legislature, Rebecca Himschoot was an elementary school teacher. She is also a former member of the State Board of Education and the Sitka Assembly. Topics discussed during the conversation include education funding, chronic absenteeism, and the importance of after-school activities and sports. The music for this episode is the song “Lady Madonna” performed by Dave Edmunds and the Refreshments. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lgtobin.substack.com

    40 min
  5. The Empty Office Podcast - Season 4, Episode 8

    MAR 8

    The Empty Office Podcast - Season 4, Episode 8

    Today, Senator Tobin welcomes Zac Clark to The Empty Office Podcast. In 2025, Clark was selected as the Director of Alumni and Community Engagement for the University of Alaska Anchorage. Prior to his new role, Zac Clark was the UAA associate director of Student Life and Leadership. He has worked for UAA for nearly 20 years. During this episode, Senator Tobin and Zac Clark discuss the UAA Legislative Internship program and the unique role that alumni play at the University of Alaska. The music for this episode is the song “Blues from Beyond” by Thurston Moore. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lgtobin.substack.com

    44 min

  6. MAR 1

    The Empty Office Podcast - Season 4, Episode 7

    For this episode of The Empty Office Podcast, Senator Tobin is joined by the newly elected Mayor of Fairbanks. Prior to being elected Fairbanks Mayor, Mindy O’Neall served six years on the Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly and was the Executive Director of the Cold Climate Housing Center. O’Neall is originally from Iowa. She moved to Alaska in 2004. O’Neall holds a BA degree from Iowa State University and a Master’s Degree in Professional Communications from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. “It did not surprise me one bit that Mindy went into politics. What she was passionate about, she was very passionate about and always believed in what was fair and right, and that that’s the way things should be.” - Michael Peters was the band director for Creston High School, where Mindy O’Neall graduated (Quoted by the Creston News Advertiser) During this episode of the podcast, Mike Mason referenced a speech delivered by the late Jess Jackson at a rally in Philadelphia to support his run for President in 1984. The speech is often referred to as the David and Goliath speech. “Because you must never forget that about the time we began to take over the cities, Nixon shifted the power to the suburbs. Now Reagan has shifted it to the states. So you have mayors who have more and more responsibility and less and less power. We got more and more votes and fewer and fewer services. We can not stop. We got to rise on higher.” - Jesse Jackson The music used for this episode of the podcast is the song “Embers in E Minor” by The Venterues. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lgtobin.substack.com

    49 min

  7. FEB 22

    The Empty Office Podcast - Season 4, Episode 6

    Today’s episode of The Empty Office Podcast features an in-depth discussion of the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) with Representatives Genevieve Mina and Carolyn Hall from Anchorage. Rep. Mina chairs the Alaska State House Health and Social Services Committee and is a member of the Department of Health’s Advisory Committee for the Rural Health Transformation Program. Rep. Hall is the co-chair of the Alaska State House Labor and Commerce Committee. Both committees are holding hearings to examine the RHTP and the dispersal of over $1.3 billion in federal funding over the next five years. The federal budget reconciliation bill that was passed last summer authorized the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). The five-year program was funded at $50 billion. Alaska is slated to receive more than $272 million a year. The Alaska Department of Health is currently accepting Letters of Interest until March 11. The Alaska Department of Health included 6 proposed initiatives in the approved application. * Healthy Beginnings: Investing in maternal and child health to help Alaskan families start strong. * Health Care Access: Expanding and maintaining access to essential health services in rural, remote, and frontier communities. * Healthy Communities: Promoting healthy lifestyles and investing in preventive care. * Pay for Value: Fiscal Sustainability: Pursuing innovative payment models to build a stronger, more sustainable health care system. * Strengthen Workforce: Growing and supporting skilled, resilient health care teams across Alaska. * Spark Technology & Innovation: Updating technology and infrastructure to improve care and drive innovation. Near the end of this episode of The Empty Office Podcast, Mike Mason noted the 10-year anniversary of the passing of Representative Max Gruenberg on February 14, 2016. On March 19, 2026, then-Rep. Chris Tuck delivered a speech written by Rep. Gruenberg that he never delivered. Rep. Gruenberg titled his speech the “Hope Speech.” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lgtobin.substack.com

    50 min
  8. The Empty Office Podcast - Season 4, Episode 5

    FEB 15

    The Empty Office Podcast - Season 4, Episode 5

    This week’s edition of The Empty Office Podcast features two physician assistants who are working with Senator Tobin on legislation to allow PAs to provide medical care to the fullest extent of their licensure in Alaska. The goal behind Senate Bill 89 is to increase the capacity of Alaska’s medical care system and reduce unnecessarily strict regulations on physician assistants. Today’s guests are Meghan Hall and Jenny Fayette. Meghan Hall is the past President of the Alaska Academy of PAs, and Jenny Fayette is a Member at Large of the Alaska Academy of PAs. “Alaska has a demonstrated need for increasing accessible medical care, reducing high medical costs, and decreasing barriers to experienced medical practitioners across Alaska. The majority of the physician assistants in Alaska practice in rural areas. Increasing the medical care available locally in rural Alaska produces better outcomes and less expensive care. This also allows patients to stay in their home communities, thereby reducing strain on hub communities.” - Senator Löki Gale Tobin The physician assistant profession was established in the 1960s to expand health care options. The first PA class graduated from the Duke University PA program on October 6, 1967. The opening music for this episode is the M*A*S*H theme song, and the closing music is the M*A*S*H Theme performed by Piano Kingdom. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lgtobin.substack.com

    33 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Breaking down the interworkings of the Alaska State Senate. lgtobin.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    with Senator Löki Gale Tobin
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    70
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © LGTobin
  • Show Website
    The Empty Office Podcast

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