Recall campaign enters second stage with signature show of strength

The recall campaign has proven to be the most effective way to capture Dunleavy's attention, the healthy start of a statewide conversation about Alaska’s future.

Dermot ColeSeptember 4, 2019 Comments

Three weeks after demotion, Babcock resigns to spend time with his family

Tuckerman Babcock had a lot to do with the mistakes and bad policy calls that created a growing statewide recall campaign aimed at ending the Dunleavy administration. It’s not clear how much the recall had to do with Babcock’s removal as chief of staff or his “retirement” letter three weeks later.

Dermot ColeSeptember 2, 2019 Comments

Senate candidate Gross says campaign staff to be unionized

Dr. Al Gross, an independent challenging Sen. Dan Sullivan, says his campaign staff will be unionized, a first for a statewide campaign in Alaska.

Dermot ColeSeptember 2, 2019

Judge sees no 'actual emergency' in Dunleavy claims of Medicaid emergency

The Dunleavy administration should take the hint and admit that the only emergency is the result of inadequate planning and execution by the governor, his temporary budget director and the state health department, which tried to enact regulations without due process.

Dermot ColeSeptember 1, 2019 Comments

Alaskans need more than crumbs of truth about Pioneer Home rates and future

The biggest rate increase in the history of the Alaska Pioneer Homes goes into effect today. As a candidate, Gov. Mike Dunleavy told the 500 residents of the Alaska Pioneer homes, average age 87, that he would not cut the budget, promising no rate increase.

Dermot ColeAugust 31, 2019 Comments

State takes minimal steps to publicize temporary extension of Medicaid dental service

To help the Dunleavy Dental Director, the Legislature should override the Dunleavy dental veto, keeping this cost-effective program—mostly funded by the federal government—that helps some of Alaska’s most vulnerable people keep their teeth.

Dermot ColeAugust 30, 2019 Comments

Threat of an asteroid strike has more to do with BP's departure than threat of oil tax initiative

Hand it to Pruitt and Giessel for quickly rounding up the usual suspect—our old friend, instability. If the tactic seems familiar, that’s because the playbook hasn’t changed in 40 years.

Dermot ColeAugust 29, 2019 Comments

State law allows Hilcorp to avoid paying tens of millions in taxes, compared to BP

As a limited liability company, Hilcorp does not have to pay the oil and gas corporate income tax that BP has long paid in Alaska, a tax on which BP may be paying about $30 million a year or more.

Dermot ColeAugust 28, 2019 Comments

Texas billionaire becomes one of Alaska's largest powerbrokers with BP sale

Eight years ago, Forbes said that billionaire Jeffrey Hildebrand, owner of Hilcorp, was “one of the more secretive of American oil-and-gas tycoons.”

Dermot ColeAugust 27, 2019 Comments

State invents bogus claim to explain temporary extension of Medicaid dental plan

Every dentist in the state, as a public service, should make room in September for as many Medicaid patients as possible. Having good teeth is a key requirement for getting almost any job. The governor will figure out how to pay for the program he claimed had ended July 1, but continues until Oct. 1.

Dermot ColeAugust 26, 2019 Comments