The Dunleavy administration claims the state can solve its fiscal problems by refusing to call the state deficit a deficit. The trick is to pretend that $3 billion Dunleavy wants to take out of the Permanent Fund, which will disguise deficits for the next few years, and call it is a strategic move. This is all about the governor’s re-election campaign in 2022.
Read MoreA responsible leader would say that a disciplined plan requires full details on the potential size of the deficit, potential taxes and potential budget cuts before a lasting constitutional decision is made on the Permanent Fund. That’s not what we’re getting from Gov. Mike Dunleavy or Revenue Commissioner Lucinda Mahoney.
Read MoreI still think that a solution that makes everyone unhappy is the best we can hope for—a smaller dividend, an income tax, higher oil taxes, higher gas taxes and limited spending increases.
Read MoreCutting the state gift to Mat-Su in the final version of the budget would be a good step to take, one that would decrease the degree of hypocrisy by $10 million.
Read MoreThe Bridging Finance scandal has upended almost everything claimed by Dunleavy, the Alaska congressional delegation and other leading politicians have said about the proposed Alberta to Alaska railroad.
Read MoreThe most flagrant political item in the Dunleavy gift bag is the idea of giving the Mat-Su borough $10 million to spend on whatever road projects the borough deems the most important.
Read MoreThe biggest flaw is the continuing lack of leadership—Dunleavy wants a special session to start this week to rewrite the state financial plan without giving Alaskans or legislators a clue about what he sees in future taxes and spending on state services.
Read More“I just want to put it squarely to you. Are these kickbacks that Mr. (Sean) McCoshen is paying you in connection with extending loans to his companies?”, Carlo Rossi, a staff member of the Ontario Securities Commission asked David Sharpe, co-founder of the Alberta to Alaska railroad dream. “No, they’re not,” said Sharpe.
Read MoreDunleavy spoke about his plan for nearly 50 minutes before mentioning that it would require taking an extra $3 billion out of the Permanent Fund to cover the deficit it would create. He said the $3 billion would cover the deficit for “several years,” but that requires a leap of imagination.
Read MoreAG Treg Taylor did not tell legislators the truth about the Ben Stevens ethics waiver during his confirmation hearings. But the 35 legislators who voted to confirm him Tuesday didn’t care.
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