State proposes flunking third-graders who fall far behind on reading

The reading initiative was launched Wednesday at a press conference that featured everything except the text of the bill or details about what it contains.

Dermot ColeJanuary 15, 2020 Comments

State ferry study obscures Dunleavy role in proposing massive subsidy cuts

It would have been awkward for the consultant, Northern Economics, to mention Dunleavy’s campaign promises because he has abandoned everything he said regarding the ferry system when he was trolling for votes in 2018 in communities that rely on the blue canoes.

Dermot ColeJanuary 15, 2020 Comments

Voters should decide incompetence, neglect charges against Dunleavy

Dunleavy says the court ruling on the recall is “problematic.” One big problem is his false claim that the decision from an Anchorage judge allows a recall for “any reason at all.”

Dermot ColeJanuary 14, 2020 Comments

State agrees to $700,000 for anti-union crusade, with option to spend more

Perhaps Attorney General Kevin Clarkson low-balled the original deal at $50,000 because a legitimate cost estimate would have generated bad publicity about Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s big government footprint.

Dermot ColeJanuary 13, 2020 Comments

Governor's office fabricates excuse for veto of earthquake monitoring funds

Gov. Mike Dunleavy remains in full budget retreat mode because of the recall. He has included $2.5 million in his proposed budget for the next fiscal year to continue a vital earthquake monitoring project, reversing another one of his vetoes.

Dermot ColeJanuary 12, 2020 Comments

Dunleavy recall ready to proceed to second signature-gathering stage in February

Gov. Mike Dunleavy will have money from Republican business leaders, his brother Francis in Texas and others to fight the recall. What he won’t have is a good legal argument to keep it off the ballot, which was clear from Friday’s hearing in Anchorage.

Dermot ColeJanuary 10, 2020 Comments

Anchorage judge rules that Dunleavy recall should be allowed to proceed

No public official subject to a recall campaign in Alaska ever admits that he or she deserves to be recalled. Gov. Mike Dunleavy is no different.

Dermot ColeJanuary 9, 2020 Comments

With Dunleavy, Alaska leads nation in decline for higher education funding

Alaska leads the nation in cutting state spending for higher education this year, the past two years and the past five years. If Gov. Mike Dunleavy has his way, Alaska will continue the record of decline in the years ahead.

Dermot ColeJanuary 8, 2020 Comments

Questionable $2 million Medicaid case drew no scrutiny, former contractor claims

The state health department has ended contracts with a medical information company that provided essential information for targeting waste, fraud and abuse in Medicaid, saying the contracts were not cost effective.

Dermot ColeJanuary 7, 2020 Comments

Dunleavy shared Trump's Pebble promise with mine proponents, but not with Alaskans

While Dunleavy refused to inform Alaskans about the details of his June 26 meeting with President Trump, he did tell the Pebble Mine promoters that he had received a promise from Trump to get the EPA out of the way, giving the company what it wanted.

Dermot ColeJanuary 6, 2020 Comments