The sentence that stands out in the state job offer is this: “There is a process which we must follow when making a hire of this senior level in state government in Alaska which includes the approval by Governor Dunleavy’s Chief of Staff.”

But there is no process like that in state law that must be followed. It is a Dunleavy policy to extend his political reach throughout state government.

The letter was sent to Sean Thomas August 23. He was selected by the independent board of the Alaska Aerospace Corporation to serve as president and CEO.

There is no rule that requires or suggests that the Alaska Aerospace Corporation should ask Dunleavy or his chief of staff for their blessing.

But Dunleavy and his chief of staff, Tyson Gallagher, refused to approve hiring Thomas—using their non-existent power—and the corporation rescinded the job offer to Thomas.

Thomas is convinced that Dunleavy blocked his hiring because Thomas signed the Dunleavy recall petition. There is no reason to believe that Thomas is mistaken.

The details of this story are in the Anchorage Daily News today. Read it here.

This incident and opposition from the corporation’s board are linked to Dunleavy’s decision to remove Bob McCoy, the director of the Geophysical Institute, from the chairmanship of the aerospace board.

On Thursday, Dunleavy ducked a question about the case during his budget press conference, claiming he doesn’t talk about personnel decisions. This is not about personnel. It’s about him claiming to have a power he does not have. I can see why he doesn’t want to talk about it.

I was contacted today by another person who has been waiting for months to hear back from the governor’s chief of staff in a somewhat similar situation. This person is certain that those who signed the recall petition are automatic disqualified from key promotions or appointments under Dunleavy.

The state law that established the Alaska Aerospace Corporation gives the board the power to hire its staff.

“The corporation may employ persons as staff it considers advisable, including an executive director, and may employ professional advisors, technical experts, agents, and other employees it considers advisable. The executive director and employees of the corporation are in the exempt service under AS 39.25,” state law says.

Nothing in state law gives the governor or the governor’s chief of staff the power to sign off on who is hired by the corporation.

In addition, the state law says “the director or designee of the Geophysical Institute of the University of Alaska” serves on the aerospace board. Dunleavy’s move puts him in violation of that law.

• KINROSS TRUCKS: The trucks Kinross purchased for its ore-hauling operation are making it through the roundabout on Chena Hot Springs Road with no trouble. When ascending the onramp from Chena Hot Springs Road to get back on the Steese, they are merging onto the highway at about 20 mph. The trucks are unable to accelerate on the climb to Hagelbarger. Kinross should be using some of its public relations money to inform drivers of what will be a constant road hazard.

• DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION: The defense authorization act proposes $168 million in military construction provisions for Alaska:

  Runway extension at JBER - $107.5 million

  Unaccompanied personnel housing at Ft. Wainwright - $34 million

  Aircrew alert facility at Hangar 18 on JBER - $7 million

  Soldier performance readiness center at Ft. Wainwright - $7.9 million

  Precision-guided missile complex at JBER - $6.1 million

  AMC standard dual-bay hangar at Eielson Air Force Base - $3.7 million

  Consolidated munitions complex at Eielson Air Force Base - $1.2 million

  JPARC joint range operations facility at Eielson Air Force Base - $1.1 million

• SPENDING: Sen. Dan Sullivan praised the $168 million authorized for Alaska in the defense bill as well as $203 million for a training center at JBER, “for a total of $371 million military construction dollars for Alaska this year.” A day earlier Sullivan complained, “Americans can’t afford any more of Bidenomics.”

• NOTHING IN WRITING: The six-member board of the Permanent Fund confirmed their plan Wednesday to evaluate the executive director and put nothing in writing, so that the evaluation does not have to be made public.

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