Imaginary numbers highlight the Dunleavy attack on UAF research

Among the many false claims made by the Dunleavy administration about the University of Alaska Fairbanks, one of the most important is that it does not do as well as it should in leveraging state funds to attract federal research dollars.

Dermot ColeJuly 28, 2019 Comments

Shaky math and long-term risk underlie $3,000 dividend dream

Taking out extra money to pay a fat dividend would be like retirees taking too much from savings each year, only to discover they outlived their nest egg.

By Larry Persily

Dermot ColeJuly 28, 2019 Comments

Incompetence at the top: Dunleavy seeks to eliminate UAF research

The careless approach to the future of the University of Alaska represents a staggering level of incompetence by Dunleavy.

Dermot ColeJuly 26, 2019 Comments

Dunleavy needs to appear before UA Board of Regents to explain dismantling plan for the university

This is no time for a Dunleavy surrogate to speak to the UA Board of Regents on his behalf, making lame excuses for a man who isn’t there.

Dermot ColeJuly 26, 2019 Comments

With the attorney general's logic, about $10 billion or more could be removed from Permanent Fund

If the Power Cost Equalization fight ends up in court, of which there is a chance, and if the attorney general is right, of which there is a chance, there is also a chance that about $10 billion or more of the Permanent Fund earnings reserve should be transferred into the Constitutional Budget Reserve.

Dermot ColeJuly 25, 2019 Comment

Ocean Rangers fall victim to one-man-government-by-veto rule

Tens of thousands of people are traveling on these ships every summer day in Alaska, creating tens of thousands of reasons to keep the Ocean Rangers at work.

Dermot ColeJuly 24, 2019 Comments

Dunleavy ignores 'strong fence of moral obligation' in scholarship endowment

Former Gov. Sean Parnell said the scholarship endowment would be a “strong fence of moral obligation” to benefit students of future generations. Every member of the Legislature agreed. Gov. Mike Dunleavy and his allies in the state House want young Alaskans to know nothing about that promise.

Dermot ColeJuly 23, 2019 Comments

Dunleavy's political failure sends University of Alaska into financial crisis

Financial exigency is an extreme step, which will lead to a sudden and unplanned dismantling of programs across the state. Anyone looking at this from Outside will conclude that the state is not a good place to invest because it is unwilling to support higher education.

Dermot ColeJuly 22, 2019 Comments

Reckless attack on higher education creates crisis at University of Alaska

Gov. Mike Dunleavy and his allies in the Legislature have endorsed the dismantling of the University of Alaska without allowing time for any real public discussion about the damage they are doing to Alaska. They also haven’t allowed any time for a sensible process to take place.

Dermot ColeJuly 21, 2019 Comments

UA financial emergency is a recognition of reality, not a 'power grab'

If the Legislature restores half of the $135 million cut, which may or may not happen, the University of Alaska would still face a crisis requiring many programs to be eliminated and wide-ranging layoffs of tenured faculty members, which can only happen with the emergency declaration.

Dermot ColeJuly 20, 2019 Comments