The governor and his allies in the Legislature will soon be saying that oil prices have solved all of the state’s financial problems once again, avoiding the political risk in tax talk. But oil prices have not solved all of the state’s financial problems.
Read MoreWith the lack of diversity represented by Dunleavy/Meyer, someone other than Meyer is likely to take on the task of guarding the state seal and saying that Dunleavy is doing a great job.
Read MoreThis will make no dent in the impenetrable accountant armor that protects the Stedman hide. But if Dunleavy wants to call him a liar and a man who doesn’t keep his word, the governor should stop using state funds and pay for his allegations with campaign funds.
Read MoreIf I need medical advice, I’m going to err on the side of Sancho Panza and trust the professionals at Providence Hospital, Fairbanks Memorial Hospital and dozens of other Alaska institutions that are being maligned by the likes of Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson, Sen. Lora Reinbold and lots of others from the screaming and shouting community.
Read MoreThe Dunleavy ATV plan—which a former commissioner says was likely done as a favor to a friend or campaign donor—will legalize four-wheelers and tracked vehicles on many roads in the Fairbanks area as of Jan. 1. Operators would be legally required to be licensed, registered and carry insurance, the state says. Enforcement? Not likely.
Read MoreJay Hammond was not that far off the mark when he mentioned that the full-throated Clem Tillion roared with the “unmuted bronze bullhorn that passed for his voice.” To be fair, Hammond also had an “unmuted bronze bullhorn that passed for his voice.”
Read MoreThe Dunleavy administration wants to take a similar approach to the Permanent Fund because the high returns of the last fiscal year created volatility on the upside. That is the basis of their claims that the state can afford to withdraw extra billions from the Permanent Fund, never admitting that some of those gains are the product of a volatile market and could disappear in a flash.
Read MoreAbout 65 written comments and several speakers said the plan would have put the long-term health of the retirement systems at risk. The Dunleavy administration withdrew the plan once its rejection appeared certain.
Read MoreFalsely claiming to have found an immediate and painless budget cut, the governor and Revenue Commissioner Lucinda Mahoney want to reduce the annual payments made by the state to fund public employee pensions. They would start by cutting $65 million this year, with a total of $3 billion in reduced contributions between now and 2039.
Read More“Please take this disease seriously and please support your local healthcare workers. If you want good medical care for your dad’s heart attack, your car accident or your kid’s appendicitis, please for the love of all that is holy, please be part of the solution,” says Fairbanks radiologist Dr. Jessica Panko.
Read MoreThe decision by Senior U.S. District Judge John Sedwick Friday is a major defeat for Dunleavy and Babcock, who could be personally liable for their actions. The judge refused to go along with the claim of “qualified immunity” on the grounds that Dunleavy and Babcock should have known they were violating the constitutional rights of employees by demanding a loyalty pledge.
Read MoreThe only reason the state is advertising right now is because it is paid for with “free” federal money. A private company would never do this. The Dunleavy reelection campaign wouldn’t do it either. The TV ads should be stopped and the Dunleavy campaign should pay the bill.
Read MoreOn a new state-funded podcast hosted by one of two new press agents hired last month, Health Commissioner Adam Crum gave a similar “get the shot if you feel like it” pitch. That’s not what a competent health commissioner would tell Alaskans.
Fairbanks voters rejected candidate Lance Roberts, who said God opposes the wearing of masks, and candidate Patricia Silva, who endorsed many lies and baseless conspiracy theories promoted by QAnon.
Read MoreGov. Mike Dunleavy ordered that the special session take place as part of his re-election campaign. But the Legislature is not going to approve a bigger dividend. The $1,114 payments are set to go out this month. This is grandstanding by Dunleavy.
Read MoreOne of the big things here is that Dunbar did not raise his voice and did not make the situation worse by responding in kind to Myers. His level of patience in the minutes that followed was admirable and a lesson in leadership.
Photo: Paxson Woelber, Alaska Landmine)
Read MoreThe trip to the Kenai Peninsula for every state employee involved should be paid for by the Dunleavy campaign, but the governor is portraying it as an official state activity, promoting what he did on a government website.
Read MoreWhile the hospitals are packed with people who can’t breathe, we have political gas bags attacking medical science, and fools equating masks with tyranny and the Holocaust, fueling the frenzy of those who want to hear themselves scream.
(Photo: Paxson Woelber, Alaska Landmine)
Read MoreThe state Department of Natural Resources approved a mining exploration permit for work north of Chena Hot Springs Road on September 9. But it didn’t open the plan to public comment until posting a public notice September 28.
Read MoreIt’s not clear if the trust land office suggested that the company withdraw and avoid what was sure to become a major fight with the neighborhood, but that is possible.
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