The need for transparency in this program became a far more urgent matter with the sudden transition to a grant program. The selection of businesses for grants should be made in ways to avoid political favoritism. That is always a threat when money is distributed by political appointees with few rules.
Read MoreWhat is missing from the consciousness of the five Mat-Su school board members who banned five great books from high school classes is the understanding that every great book is controversial, including the Bible.
Read MoreThe 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.
Read MoreThe 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.
Read MoreOne 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.
Read MoreThe 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.
Read MoreIn 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.
Read MoreHad 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.
Read MoreA 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.
Read MoreSenate 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.
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