Constitutional objections to school funding are all about politics

Attorney General Kevin Clarkson mischaracterizes the origin of the forward-funding plan, suggesting that a year ago the Legislature was making an attempt to reduce the veto power of the next governor.

Dermot ColeMay 11, 2019 Comments

Dunleavy now promises no cuts to education, but only if he gets a procedural victory

The new promise is to not cut education spending at all in exchange for a legislative statement that Dunleavy deserves a procedural win. It’s hard to know which promise, if any, should be taken seriously.

Dermot ColeMay 10, 2019 Comments

With health care, not all Alaskans are as lucky as the attorney general

Access to health care is vital. The confidence of knowing that help will be available when needed is in stark contrast to that of many thousands of Alaskans on Medicaid, who stand to lose benefits under the Dunleavy plan to cut more than $700 million, including about $465 million in federal funds.

Dermot ColeMay 7, 2019 Comments

University of Alaska lays off 48 human resource employees in four offices, moves to consolidate

The University of Alaska issued layoff notices to 48 human resources employees Monday, the first step in what UA President Jim Johnsen says will be a total makeover of its hiring offices statewide.

Dermot ColeMay 7, 2019

Dunleavy/Koch flimflam doesn't belong in Alaska's Constitution

Under the Dunleavy/Koch ideology, the state that has had the lowest taxes in the nation for decades should have long ago been overrun with new businesses. But the lowest taxes in the nation aren’t enough to overcome the complex conditions that inhibit the growth of new business in Alaska.

Dermot ColeMay 6, 2019 Comments

'Predatory taxes' and the fiscal fantasy offered by the Dunleavy/Koch Network

The claim that slashing public services in Alaska and making it difficult to raise taxes on the oil industry and other industries will somehow build confidence among investors and lead to immense levels of new investment in Alaska is impossible to believe.

Dermot ColeMay 5, 2019 Comments

Contrary to state claim, denying voters constitutional right to raise tax is not 'direct democracy'

The proposed constitutional amendment by Gov. Mike Dunleavy would strip Alaskans of a right they have under the Alaska Constitution, which is the power to enact taxes through the initiative process.

Dermot ColeMay 4, 2019 Comments

Ignoring population growth distorts history of state spending

There is a relationship between population growth and the history of spending. That the Dunleavy administration uses bafflegab to claim otherwise is one of numerous problems with its proposed spending limit.

Dermot ColeMay 3, 2019 Comments

Legislature preserves state services so far, rejecting Dunleavy's radical plan

There is a lot of babbling about a budget crisis in Alaska. We have a crisis, but it’s one created by a lack of leadership in the governor’s office, not by a lack of solutions.

Dermot ColeMay 2, 2019 Comments

Dunleavy budget gimmicks take $900 million hit on Alaska local governments

This attempted sleight-of-hand, which candidate Dunleavy never mentioned, has almost been lost in the ballyhoo about his plans to deal with the so-called $1.6 billion deficit.

Dermot ColeMay 1, 2019 Comments