Meyer's bogus assertions distort reality of Dunleavy's budget debacle

The newspaper column by Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer should have been preceded by a disclaimer in large print. Something like, “This column is packed with bogus assertions that no one should swallow.”

Dermot ColeDecember 7, 2019 Comments

Dunleavy changes state letterhead again to 'Mike,' instead of 'Michael J.'

Gov. Michael J. Dunleavy is henceforth to be known as Gov. Mike Dunleavy, a name change that requires a revision to the state letterhead, according to a state communication.

Dermot ColeDecember 6, 2019 Comments

Dunleavy veto leads to unpublicized benefit cuts to some of Alaska's neediest

Instead of disguising the reason for a benefit cut to Alaska’s most needy, the Dunleavy administration should give credit where credit is due—a $7.5 million veto by Gov. Mike Dunleavy.

Alaska politics, LegislatureDermot ColeDecember 5, 2019public assistance Comments

State keeps quiet about plan to cut adult public assistance by $100 a month for needy, blind, disabled, old

A technical document posted on a state website says that many recipients of Adult Public Assistance in Alaska will see a cut in their benefits of $100 a month or so on Jan. 1, but the state has yet to announce this decision.

Alaska politics, LegislatureDermot ColeDecember 4, 2019public assistance Comments

Dunleavy employee interviews Dunleavy with no surprises, no hard questions, no answers

In a real news interview, Gov. Mike Dunleavy would have been asked if he still plans to cut $730 million from the budget that is due to be released by Dec. 15, as he told Alaskans on June 28. He would be asked if he still plans to cut education by $330 million next year, which would force the layoff of thousands of teachers statewide.

Dermot ColeDecember 3, 2019 Comments

Voluntarily or not, Tangeman takes early leave from state revenue job

Longtime state employee Mike Barnhill took over the revenue job today on an acting basis, the governor’s office said in a statement Monday.

Dermot ColeDecember 3, 2019 Comment

Vital questions for state about go-slow approach on PFAS regulations

The latest information about sulfolane contamination and PFAS pollution are to be included in a Wednesday open house in North Pole at which the main subject deals with connecting to the expanded North Pole water system.

Dermot ColeDecember 2, 2019 Comments

Dunleavy forgot to mention that a court order blocks his anti-union campaign

What USA Today readers did not learn from the column is that a court order has placed an indefinite hold on the Dunleavy-Clarkson anti-union crusade, a disclosure that was withheld from the propaganda piece.

Dermot ColeNovember 26, 2019 Comments

New Seattle consulting company is subcontractor to firm on no-bid state contract

Commissioner of Administration Kelly Tshibaka takes me to task over my blog post Sunday about the work that a brand new Seattle company, which registered in Alaska in October, is doing for the state.

Dermot ColeNovember 25, 2019 Comments

Dunleavy says he heard what Alaskans had to say; what he heard was sound of recall

Gov. Mike Dunleavy submitted a short video to the meeting of local government leaders in Alaska, portraying himself as a guy with great hearing. It took him a long time to start listening.

Dermot ColeNovember 25, 2019 Comment