Yes, Rep. Don Young did blame Holocaust and 50 million Russian deaths on gun control

In the latest example of Youngspeak, Rep. Don Young said that millions died in Russia because they didn't have guns and "Jews were put into the oven" because they didn't have guns. He was not quoted out of context.

Dermot ColeFebruary 28, 2018 Comments

Walker/Mallott lead in early fundraising, while most Dunleavy money is beyond his control

The first financial reports on the governor's race are out. Gov. Bill Walker and Lt. Gov. Bryon Mallott lead the field with about $440,000 on hand for their re-election campaigns, while Scott Hawkins has dumped $200,000 of his own money into his campaign and Mike Dunleavy's major financial backing has gone to an independent group that he is not supposed to have any connection with.

Dermot ColeFebruary 16, 2018Comment

Cutting Alaska oil tax rate to 25 percent could boost state revenue by a half-billion

We should drop the pretense that there are no tradeoffs and that the Permanent Fund Dividend cut has nothing to do with oil taxes or an income tax.

Dermot ColeFebruary 15, 2018 Comments

Senate continues to be the only thing standing between Alaska and a fiscal plan

This is not about economics or facts. It's an ideological box the senators have created. Some of them believe—though they are afraid to say it out loud—that as long as the state is paying any Permanent Fund Dividends, they will never support a statewide tax.

Dermot ColeFebruary 13, 2018 Comments

Trump takes aim at Denali Commission, cites Permanent Fund Dividend

The White House says that any state that can afford to pay its residents an annual dividend doesn't need a "unique and additional federal subsidy" such as the commission.

Dermot ColeFebruary 12, 2018 Comment

Doubling estate tax exemption to help Alaska's richest fishermen and other tax cut tales yet to be told

The boost in the estate tax exemption had nothing to do with the middle class and little to do with Alaska's fishermen. It had everything to do with a tax bill aimed at helping rich people more than anyone else.

Dermot ColeFebruary 11, 2018 Comment

Alaska delegation cheers 'don't tax, but spend' budget bill

Sens. Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan and Rep. Don Young, who have lots of practice blaming others for the deficit, defended the "don't tax, but spend" bill by saying it was good for the military and good for Alaska.

Dermot ColeFebruary 9, 2018 Comments

Alaska Republican Party proudly trumpets false claims on Medicaid budget

The Republican Party of Alaska tells Republican legislators to "ignore" Gov. Bill Walker on Medicaid costs. Legislators should ignore the Republican Party instead.

Dermot ColeFebruary 5, 2018 Comments

Dunleavy's brother, key figure in J.P. Morgan scandal, will be issue in Alaska governor's race

Texas resident Francis Dunleavy, brother of Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Dunleavy, has already provided $100,000 as the major funder of "Dunleavy for Alaska," a group pledging to spend "whatever it takes" to get his brother elected.

Dermot ColeFebruary 3, 2018 Comments

Sen. Murkowski should stand up for the FBI, Department of Justice

Forget party loyalty. Murkowski should know that staying silent is tantamount to supporting Trump's tirades and his attacks on vital institutions.

Dermot ColeFebruary 2, 2018 Comments