Alaska attorney general wastes state money on embarrassing education fight

The Legislature took a sensible position and ignored Attorney General Kevin Clarkson on school funding. Clarkson’s losing streak is intact.

Dunleavy backtracks on benefit cuts for impoverished old, blind, disabled Alaskans

The reductions, about $100 a month for many, were supposed to start Jan, 1, but they are going to be largely reversed, according to a Department of Health and Social Services memo sent to Reps. Ivy Spohnholz and Tiffany Zulkosky, who voiced opposition to the unannounced cuts.

Alaska politics, LegislatureDermot ColeDecember 9, 2019Alaska Comments

Dunleavy is not facing recall for doing 'what he said he was going to do'

Former Sen. Pete Kelly repeats the convenient half-truth in the Daily News-Miner today that “We have a governor who has done exactly what he said he was going to do during an election, and voters are now furious because he did it.”

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