Dunleavy move to waive loan regulations deserves public disclosure

The state isn’t saying what loan requirements will be waived. Unless there is full disclosure and a system with checks and balances, this sounds like an open invitation to a boondoggle.

Dermot ColeApril 22, 2020 Comments

Alaska enters new age—extreme uncertainty

The Legislative Finance Division has prepared a bleak presentation for legislators Wednesday, attempting to update the state’s financial situation in the midst of unprecedented chaos for Alaska and the nation.

Dermot ColeApril 21, 2020 Comments

For public health and economic recovery, Alaska needs more COVID-19 testing

One way of looking at new national research findings is that the daily testing level in Alaska should be fourfold higher a month from now if things are going to open up. Then again, there has been a relatively small number of positive tests in Alaska, which adds uncertainty to picking a test target.

Dermot ColeApril 19, 2020 Comments

With limited testing, we really don’t know how many Alaskans have been infected with COVID-19

The social distancing and travel restrictions in Alaska have worked to hold down the number of cases and allow our relatively small health care facilities to keep from becoming overwhelmed. Anyone who thinks that continued success is guaranteed had better start to pay attention to what is happening Outside and around the world.

Dermot ColeApril 18, 2020 Comments

Dunleavy needs to cancel Washington, D.C. payments for image polishing

In this time of economic crisis in Alaska, Gov. Mike Dunleavy should stop paying $4,000 a month to Vought Strategies LLC, an Arlington, VA consulting company that is supposed to generate good publicity for the governor.

Dermot ColeApril 17, 2020 Comments

Foreign-flagged cruise ship giants struggle to stay afloat during pandemic

Had a small federal tax been accepted by the cruise ship industry in 2017, it might be in a stronger position to lobby for a federal bailout in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dermot ColeApril 16, 2020 Comments

Indian tribes object to allowing federal bailout money to go to Alaska Native corporations

A push by profit-making Alaska Native corporations for a big piece of the giant COVID-19 federal bailout has turned into a major controversy with Lower 48 Indian tribes.

Dermot ColeApril 14, 2020 Comments

Dunleavy scoffs, but senators ask right question on rules governing $1.25 billion in federal money

Senate President Cathy Giessel and Anchorage Sen. Natasha von Imhof are not the only ones asking if federal bailout money can be used to replaced items vetoed by Gov. Mike Dunleavy. It’s a good question.

Dermot ColeApril 13, 2020 Comments

Dunleavy needs more than 'hand out cash as fast as possible' as a recovery plan

We need a plan from Gov. Mike Dunleavy that recognizes that some people are getting hit much harder than others, that resources are limited and the state needs to target what it does for maximum benefit. We need a fiscal plan.

Dermot ColeApril 12, 2020 Comments

Dunleavy continues with $600-an-hour lawyers, looks to hire more lawyers on contract

With the Alaska economy in serious trouble, this is the wrong moment for Gov. Mike Dunleavy to continue paying $600 an hour to Trump’s lawyers and to look to spend $900,000 more on contract lawyers.

Dermot ColeApril 11, 2020 Comments