Dunleavy's grandstanding on dividend falls flat

Gov. Mike Dunleavy, on the run from the recall, introduced a bill Wednesday to add $815 million to the state deficit by giving Alaskans an additional $1,304 in Permanent Fund Dividends for last year. It’s not going to pass.

Dermot ColeFebruary 20, 2020 Comments

Top 10 violations of state regulations with Dunleavy's Clark Penney no-bid deal

I want to thank blogger Suzanne Downing, unofficial spokeswoman for Gov. Mike Dunleavy, for confirming that it was Dunleavy who wanted a no-bid contract to go to the grandson of Bob Penney, the businessman who spent $350,000 to help get Dunleavy elected.

Dermot ColeFebruary 19, 2020 Comments

Dunleavy's support group pulls out of court challenge, but state will still fight recall

During his appearance on Talk of Alaska Tuesday, Dunleavy tried to sell the idea that no one named Mike has any control over Stand Tall With Mike. That’s not what he tells groups Outside.

Dermot ColeFebruary 18, 2020 Comments

Dunleavy's budget stall pushes state closer to fiscal crisis

The big problem with Dunleavy in 2020 is that he wants to spend $1.5 billion more than the state is taking in every year, but he won’t propose taxes, spending cuts, dividend cuts or any budget move of consequence. It’s the Dunleavy Disaster 2.0.

Dermot ColeFebruary 17, 2020 Comments

Legislative plan could save $600,000, with state attorneys handling anti-union crusade

The Legislature has a plan to end the wasteful $600-per-hour contract with President Trump’s lawyer. One or more of 160 civil division state attorneys on the payroll could handle the case. If the Dunleavy administration tries to spend the money anyway and cut something like consumer protection, that will be another reason for recall.

Dermot ColeFebruary 16, 2020 Comment

Evidence emerges tying governor's office to no-bid Penney contract

On Friday, the Alaska Landmine reported on the first tangible evidence that connects the governor’s office to the Penney contract. Jeff Landfield wrote that he had obtained a copy of an internal AIDEA document that claimed the statutory or regulatory authority for the no-bid contract was “by governor’s request.”

Dermot ColeFebruary 15, 2020 Comments

Dunleavy-Clarkson unconstitutional mutual aid society on hold after public outcry

Every public comment submitted to the state was in opposition to the Dunleavy-Clarkson plan to sign off on free legal help for each other in case of ethics complaints.

Dermot ColeFebruary 14, 2020 Comments

Family gives child "10" as middle name, insists that state list it that way on ID

Anchorage fiscal conservative Sen. Mia Costello wants to spend hundreds of thousands of state dollars because one family complained about the inability of their child to have the middle name “10” written that way on a state ID card.

Dermot ColeFebruary 13, 2020 Comments

One-year anniversary of the dishonest Dunleavy budget leaves Alaska in worse shape

With the recall driving every Dunleavy decision, he refuses to lead, follow or get out of the way. He should borrow the “I don’t really care. Do U?” jacket from Melania.

Dermot ColeFebruary 12, 2020 Comments

AIDEA's effort to avoid competition on Penney contract draws more legislative criticism

State law and state regulations require competitive bids in most cases, including on work for AIDEA. No-bid contracts are allowed if they meet certain conditions, but AIDEA did not meet those conditions with the Clark Penney contract, which pays him $8,000 a month.

Dermot ColeFebruary 11, 2020 Comments