“When you use public money there’s strings attached to it, mainly on disclosure, where these funds are going and to who and for what purpose,” said Sen. Bert Stedman, co-chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. The Permanent Fund has so far failed to get the message.
Read MoreSenate President Peter Micciche has given all state employees—including Sen. Lora Reinbold and others who seek to stifle critics— a good lesson in how to deal with comments on social media—stop blocking people just because they disagree with you.
Read MoreThe state is spending about half of the $1 billion in direct disaster aid this fiscal year, while Dunleavy proposes using nearly all the rest in FY 23. This warps the state financial situation enough to make the surplus claim a lie.
Read MoreThe imaginary Dunleavy surplus is largely a product of using more than a half-billion dollars in one-time-only federal disaster funds to underwrite regular agency operations for the fiscal year that starts next July. There is no surplus.
On Tuesday, Dunleavy held a press conference to promote several programs, including putting more millions into the foster care system, without admitting that he vetoed money for improving foster care five months ago.
Read MoreDunleavy began his administration with a campaign to get rid of the $1 billion Power Cost Equalization endowment and force the program to compete with all others for state funds each year, which would make it unlikely to survive. He wants AFN and everyone in rural Alaska to forget about what he said and did in 2019.
Read MoreWhile we have various lawmakers saying they plan to ask the trustees of the Permanent Fund to answer questions about the firing of Angela Rodell, they need to realize that this is not enough: The Legislature needs to begin monitoring the APFC and other state corporations as part of the checks and balances required by state law.
Read MoreLegislators left in the dark on this matter should take it as a reminder that they are not performing oversight of the Permanent Fund. It’s about time they started.
Read MoreIf a policy disagreement over this crucial question is part of the reason that Angela Rodell was fired, Dunleavy and the trustees have just weakened the foundation of the Permanent Fund.
Read MoreThe Alaska Permanent Fund Board of Trustees owe Alaskans an explanation for why they fired Angela Rodell as CEO of the corporation Thursday with no public discussion.
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