My guess is that state attorneys concluded that they were about to lose in court Monday because of a contract violation—the failure to do a feasibility study or allow the union a chance to respond with a counter-offer in 30 days—and the state had no option but to halt the handover of API to Wellpath.
Read MoreGov. Mike Dunleavy has a habit of oversimplifying complex matters and while I’m sure that computer coding is a good career for some people, I suspect Dunleavy is making the 12-week path to a $75,000 job sound a lot easier than it is.
Read MoreA misleading advisory vote is worse than doing nothing. It would serve to perpetuate a myth. The truth is, you can have your cake and eat it too — you just have to pay for the cake.
By Larry Persily
Read MoreThe contradictory comments by the health commissioner are significant because he is supposed to be in charge of health care policy. The Dunleavy administration has proposed reductions of more than a half-billion dollars without examining or explaining the impact on the Alaska health care system.
Read MoreGov. Mike Dunleavy told President Trump Alaska is “eager” to fund Medicaid under a block grant. His health commissioner told legislators last week that the state is not looking for a block grant. And that he had no role in the process that led to the letter.
Read MoreA year ago nearly every member of the Legislature voted to extend the program until 2024. As both Republicans and Democrats in the Legislature made clear, there is a way to keep the program going.
Read MoreAsked if he would spend less than the Legislature appropriates for health programs in Alaska, the commissioner refused to answer. This tells me he plans to spend less than the Legislature appropriates.
Read MoreWhile the Dunleavy administration tries to reassure Alaskans about weakening PFAS pollution standards, a battle between two federal agencies shows that the Trump administration is not speaking with a single voice.
Read MoreAs the state defends the drive to privatize API, it makes a far-fetched claim that a union lawsuit could force closure of the hospital.
Read MoreThe Ohio experts don’t mention that Alaska has the lowest tax burden in the country and many of its residents think that good schools and functioning public services may be a key to the state’s economic future.
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