State caves on Medicaid 'emergency,' agrees to pay back some cuts to providers

In a settlement of the lawsuit this week, the Dunleavy administration reversed the 7 percent cut for the first quarter of the fiscal year—effectively agreeing that the Medicaid emergency was an artifice.

Dermot ColeOctober 2, 2019 Comments

Dunleavy, Clarkson try end run around state ethics law with regulation for free legal help

Gov. Mike Dunleavy would have the power to decide if AG Kevin Clarkson deserves free legal help. Clarkson, who owes his job to Dunleavy, would have the power to decide if Dunleavy or Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer deserve fee legal help. It’s a perfect circle of power and conflict of interest.

Dermot ColeOctober 2, 2019 Comments

Here's why I wrote that the state laundered no-bid Penney contract through AIDEA

I make that claim because AIDEA’s leader, who approved the Clark Penney contract, admitted to board members that the work was not part of AIDEA and he wasn’t keeping track of Penney’s work. He thought the governor’s office was doing that.

Dermot ColeSeptember 30, 2019 Comments

Dunleavy looks for development workers who are 'comfortable with ambiguity'

This is the second new state job for the Alaska Development Team that says the successful applicant must be “comfortable dealing with ambiguity” and have the “ability to work independently.”

Dermot ColeSeptember 28, 2019 Comments

State mishandling of Medicaid dental coverage continues

With four days left before Medicaid dental coverage is yanked, the state health commissioner refuses to say what dental services will qualify for Medicaid payment as of Tuesday at federally qualified health centers across Alaska.

Dermot ColeSeptember 27, 2019 Comments

Pro-Dunleavy group resurrects 'stand tall’ theme to fight recall

A new pro-Dunleavy political group registered with the state claims that “special interests that seek to thwart Mike Dunleavy’s fiscally conservative agenda” are behind the recall campaign, a powerful movement that gathered the support of nearly 50,000 Alaskans in a little more than a month. This tactic will help boost the recall.

Dermot ColeSeptember 26, 2019 Comments

Sullivan's silence on Trump and Ukraine speaks volumes

Sen. Dan Sullivan, who is running for re-election, will do whatever he can to keep on the good side of President Donald Trump, as he has for almost three years.

Dermot ColeSeptember 24, 2019 Comments

Dunleavy says Alberta tar sands, Wyoming coal justify plan for 1,500-mile Alaska rail link

Dunleavy, who ridicules concerns about climate change, doesn’t recognize the political risk that lies ahead when the multi-billion-dollar railroad extension becomes portrayed worldwide as a pollution friendly Alaska dream.

Dermot ColeSeptember 23, 2019 Comments

Dunleavy claims 'the left' suppresses good news about Dunleavy and Trump

Alaska is doing well, but Gov. Mike Dunleavy complains that all the press talks about are “Dunleavy draconian cuts that are killing older folks and children and women and puppies and plants and everything else.”

Dermot ColeSeptember 22, 2019 Comments

Tuckerman Babcock and the 'frenetic desire to win at any cost'

Seeking an intelligent discussion about state finances is the task of Senate leaders. Babcock’s barking about those who “hate” the PFD is pure blather.

Dermot ColeSeptember 21, 2019 Comments