UAA faculty to University of Alaska Fairbanks: Drop Dead

The university should make cuts to the University of Alaska Fairbanks, according to faculty members from the University of Alaska Anchorage.

Dermot ColeJuly 15, 2019 Comments

Regents delay emergency response to Dunleavy's chaotic attack on Alaska's university

The University of Alaska Board of Regents met Monday in Fairbanks to deal with the emergency created by Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s reckless effort to erase much of the institution that has served the state and territory for a century.

Dermot ColeJuly 15, 2019 Comments

Dunleavy attack on higher education comes right out of Arduin's playbook

Those of us who have written about Alaska’s unprecedented budget fight haven’t done enough to put the role of temporary budget director Donna Arduin in context and appreciate that she is using a playbook with a predictable script.

Dermot ColeJuly 14, 2019 Comments

Fight to preserve state services shifts to House Finance Committee Monday

Most Alaska legislators have yet to give up on the fight to stop the dismantling of the University of Alaska and restore sanity. It ain’t over til it’s over.

Dermot ColeJuly 13, 2019 Comments

Dunleavy ignored months of testimony, research on budget cuts

With his vetoes, Gov. Mike Dunleavy went back to his original budget released in February, which had no public involvement in its creation, fashioned by the temporary budget director.

Dermot ColeJuly 11, 2019 Comments

Alaska's Constitution gives legislative minority full control on budget vetoes

Since statehood, we’ve had governors, regardless of party or ideology, who have operated within relative bounds of normalcy, and have not exercised these constitutional powers to full, unrestrained, destructive effect. That changed in 2018.

By Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins

Dermot ColeJuly 11, 2019 Comments

By opposing override, Wilson, Talerico endorse dismantling of University of Alaska

The Fairbanks legislators, with two exceptions, took a reasonable position and voted to override the governor's vetoes, but it was to no avail.

Dermot ColeJuly 10, 2019 Comments

State suspends higher education scholarship programs, leaving students in limbo

In another piece of bad news for higher education in Alaska, the state has suspended scholarship programs for students.

Dermot ColeJuly 9, 2019 Comments

Dunleavy's attack on higher education—a monumental failure of leadership

The Dunleavy attack on higher education, if not overturned by the Alaska Legislature, will do permanent damage to Alaska.

Dermot ColeJuly 9, 2019 Comment

Dunleavy seeks $295-an-hour 'senior advisor' to cut health care for poor people

The high-priced expert is to deliver “A global roadmap that redesigns the Medicaid and public assistance system at a lower cost.” That means cutting health care for poor people.

Dermot ColeJuly 9, 2019 Comments

Lt. Gov. Meyer wants you to forget his part in blocking state fiscal plan

Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer took time out from guarding the state seal to have someone on the state payroll create a fairy tale about the Dunleavy campaign.

Dermot ColeJuly 9, 2019 Comments

Dunleavy has no vision for higher education in Alaska

Does he want to close the Anchorage campus? The Fairbanks campus? What programs would he eliminate? He wants to dismantle the system, but he won’t take any responsibility and he hides behind his surrogates.

Dermot ColeJuly 8, 2019 Comment