Binkley vs. Reeves: Fairbanks railroad battle royale

As with everything else in this costly legal case, which the Binkley family started against John Reeves in 2012, the warring parties disagree on whether the train tracks should remain.

Dermot ColeFebruary 8, 2020 Comments

Dunleavy administration seeks to delay recall until general election

The political strategy that the state dressed up in legalese Friday before the Alaska Supreme Court is a smart tactic, though the real motivation is never mentioned. It remains to be seen what the court will do on scheduling.

Dermot ColeFebruary 7, 2020 Comments

Dunleavy's 2019 plan to shut down ferry system led to 2020 ferry system shutdown

In each of the disastrous Koch Network/Dunleavy budget shows, either the governor or his temporary budget director portrayed the Alaska Marine Highway System as an extravagance the state could no longer afford.

Dermot ColeFebruary 6, 2020 Comments

State claims no one else in Alaska would take $441,000 no-bid Penney deal

Tom Boutin, the head of AIDEA, said $8,000 a month for four years is such a piddling amount that no one else in Alaska would accept that in a no-bid state contract. There is no reason to believe that claim.

Dermot ColeFebruary 5, 2020 Comments

State uses deception to claim public support for attack on apprenticeships

Somebody in the state labor department, headed by Commissioner Tamika Ledbetter, needs to be held accountable for this deception—about 175 public comments submitted in opposition to proposed state regs were falsely labeled as “unclear.”

Dermot ColeFebruary 4, 2020 Comments

Dunleavy administration has no excuses for dodging Penney contract questions

If Gov. Mike Dunleavy ever wants to get past the questions about why Bob Penney’s grandson received a four-year deal worth up to $441,000, the first step is to have his staff start answering and stop stonewalling.

Dermot ColeFebruary 3, 2020 Comments

Alaska lawyers could be losing Clarkson's anti-union crusade at half the price

I suspect that Attorney General Kevin Clarkson wants to elevate his personal reputation among the nation’s right-wing legal establishment and earn points with organizations that might help fund his crusade, join it in the years ahead or even take it over. Alaska shouldn’t be paying the bill.

Dermot ColeFebruary 3, 2020 Comment

State paid $81,277 to move administration commissioner and family to Alaska

His office may be officially in Juneau, but Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer is among the state’s frequent-flying commuters from Anchorage. Meyer charged nearly $15,000 for transportation and meals for trips to Juneau in 2019.

Dermot ColeFebruary 1, 2020 Comments

State officials won't say who ordered $441,000 contract with grandson of Dunleavy donor

The stonewalling on the Clark Penney no-bid contract from the Dunleavy administration continues. Legislators are asking the right questions, however.

Dermot ColeJanuary 31, 2020 Comments

Tammie Wilson's new state job and the bureaucratic shell game

Tammie Wilson’s new job, created by revising an existing opening, will be part of a proposed new unit that doesn’t exist yet, raising constitutional questions about the ban on ex-legislators moving immediately into the executive branch.

Dermot ColeJanuary 30, 2020 Comments