If an ethics complaint has not been filed against Gov. Mike Dunleavy by the time you read this, it probably won’t be long in coming. The complaint just has to include a copy of the special counsel report from last fall on a similar ethics question and a copy of the “thumbs up” ad by Dunleavy backing Sen. Peter Micciche.
Read MoreNumerous dubious assumptions that Dunleavy and his budget experts have concealed or downplayed in their Wizard of Oz-like fiscal plan deserve examination by legislators and Alaska news organizations.
Read MoreIt’s a mindset built on imaginary money. The first risk is that oil prices can go down. The second risk is that the breathtaking rise in the value of the Permanent Fund has now been adopted as the starting point for future growth projections, with no allowance for the next stock market correction and recession.
Read MoreAbout the insurrection, the talkative Sen. Dan Sullivan retreated to his go-to move on topics that make him uncomfortable, saying nothing for however long it takes.
Read MoreAlaska is far more dependent on its endowment than Harvard. That the Alaska revenue experts did not know this is another reason to distrust their glib assertions that the miracle cure to Alaska’s fiscal crisis is redefine the budget deficit out of existence with a $3 billion overdraw from the Permanent Fund.
Read MoreThe 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.
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