With Democrats and their leftist allies set to control both the Alaska Senate and House, it’s going to be a particularly difficult two years for conservatives, even more so than the past few legislative sessions in which bi-partisan coalitions effectively sidelined conservative priorities.
There’s no chance that the incoming slate of lawmakers will pass pro-life measures, enact meaningful election integrity reform, restore the statutory Permanent Fund Dividend, hold activist judges accountable, empower parental rights, expand school choice, defend religious liberty, strengthen gun rights, defend the constitutional authority of citizen grand juries or resist the relentless effort to inject woke ideology and LGBTQ dogma throughout the tangled web of state government.
What we can expect is a concerted attempt to oppose any and all such efforts while seeking to massively expand funding for our chronically failing public schools without any meaningful accountability measures. Expect also to see a push for more pre-kindergarten services, school-run day care and woke student health centers.
It’s time for the governor to gather strength, shake off the dust of these past defeats and rediscover his fighting spirit.
Additionally, the Legislature is likely to pursue expanded budgets for health and human services, government retirement benefits and a litany of entitlement programs, all of which will give leftists more reason to raid the Permanent Fund in order to feed a fattened government.
Given this dire situation, what levers can conservatives still pull?
For starters, Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy remains at the helm for another two years. That may not be much consolation for conservatives who are deeply frustrated by his adherence to unconstitutional rulings by our activist Alaska Supreme Court when it comes to violating grand jury rights, demanding abortion funding, suspending election integrity laws or allowing the multi-issue ranked-choice ballot measure to go before voters in 2020, despite violating the single-subject requirement spelled out in the State Constitution.
For all the blustery claims that he would “stand tall for Alaska,” Dunleavy has largely avoided confrontation with either the judiciary or the legislature.
After enduring harsh criticism and a much-publicized recall attempt in the wake of his initial ambitious agenda to drastically cut the state budget back in 2019, Dunleavy has largely backed off when it comes contentious hot-button issues.
It’s time for the governor to gather strength, shake off the dust of these past defeats and rediscover his fighting spirit.
Perhaps that is a long shot, but it’s not impossible.
I’m reminded of the scene in JRR Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings,” when Gandolf inspired the lethargic, aged and weary King Theoden to reclaim his true identity as king of Rohan, and lead his men into a glorious battle against the seemingly insurmountable forces of the wizard Saruman and his army of orcs.
Dunleavy needn’t brandish a sword, but he must be willing to thunder from his bully pulpit, refuse to enforce unconstitutional court opinions and wield his veto pen with confidence.
As a twice-elected Governor, in his final two years of service, he needn’t fear another recall effort, or worry about reelection. Plus, his vetoes have a solid chance of surviving any override efforts, which require a 2/3 majority in a narrowly divided State Legislature.
Similarly, if Dunleavy were to stand up to unconstitutional court rulings, and refuse to enforce them, there would be no stopping him unless 3/4 of both the State House and Senate moved to impeach him. That, too, is unlikely given the substantial number of conservative-leaning lawmakers in the minority.
If Dunleavy embarks on the difficult path of principled opposition, he must know that conservatives have his back – both elected lawmakers and Alaska voters. It is imperative that Alaskans contact Dunleavy directly, as well as urge like-minded lawmakers to support him.
In this battle for Alaska, we need a bold leader, not a kowtowing manager who seeks swamp popularity.
May the best man win.
TAKING ACTION
— Click here to contact Gov. Mike Dunleavy.
The views expressed here are those of the author.
