It appears that Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s attempt to get left-leaning lawmakers to pass concrete educational reforms has fallen on defiant ears.
Rather than focus on expanding school choice, instituting educational tax credits and addressing a student reading crisis, the Democrat-controlled State House and Senate want to simply dump $51 million into Alaska’s chronically failing school system – no strings attached.
In a July 29 statement from Senate President Gary Stevens and House Speaker Bryce Edgmon, the senior lawmakers defiantly claimed that the only two issues legislators will address during the August special session are overriding the governor’s veto of a massive increase in education spending, and overriding his veto of a oil tax bill.
“The Senate and House will immediately enter a joint session to consider the overrides, approximately at 10:15 a.m.,” a statement from the Alaska Senate Majority noted. “After which, the Legislature intends to adjourn later that day, having completed its work.”
Sen. Steven emphasized that the override votes are the main focus of the Aug. 2 session, not the governor’s education reforms, which are vehemently opposed by leftist teacher unions and entrenched educational bureaucrats.
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“These override votes are not just symbolic. They are about preparing Alaska’s students, restoring public trust in how we manage billions in state revenues, and maintaining the Legislature’s role as a co-equal branch of government,” Stevens stated. “We owe it to our constituents and the future of this state to show up and do our jobs.”
House Speaker Edgmon (I-Dillingham) echoed Steven’s position, which is to increase education funding without requiring struggling schools to do anything differently to support student learning.
“We passed strong bipartisan legislation this year that not only provides much-needed resources to our public schools but also reflects the will of the vast majority of Alaskans who participated in the legislative process,” Edgmon claimed. “This special session is not about partisanship, but about standing up for our students and preserving the checks and balances that keep government accountable.”
18 Comments
There is nothing honest about Dunleavy or the manner in which he has conducted state business or hiring practices. Beware of the forked tongue of Dunleavy!
AGREE DIANA! NOTHING IN LEGISLATIVE OR GOVERNORS HOUSE IS WORTH PRESERVING!
Thanks for showing us your true colors. We don’t need communists in office.
Which school do you work at, Diana?
We are 200% in favor of Dunleavy’s veto. Edgmon and Stevens are leftists liars. For them lying is a skill to be practiced. This is something leftists do. We the People are the bosses and these two so-called “leaders” have cheated their way into office. They use peer pressure to get their way. They should be ignored since they have no credibility and “watch your back” when working with them. Most of what has come out of their mouths is for the benefit of themselves, and the media. They are not genuine. Governor Dunleavy needed to veto this extravagant funding bill which had no parameters, , no inclusion of funds for alternative options such as homeschooling, no measuring process to show whether assessments are improving. The unions are dominating our “legislators’ votes..” The ones that have no integrity or character qualities are overspending and have no interest in listening to “We The People.”, the Alaskan citizens. The bottom line is we are last or almost last in the nation with reading and math. or any moral standards. We have lived in Fairbanks for over 50 years and experienced the decline of Alaskan schools compared to other states.. The legislators who have been working for the unions are ignoring Alaska’s academic and character building needs. THESE LEGISLATORS HAVE STOLEN OUR STATUTORY PERMANENT FUND to use for this bloated funding bill. These legislators have betrayed us. They are attempting to rebel against our governor and others who have submitted better bills. These “so called legislators” are leftists/humanists/secularists/ Marxists/woke, or whatever other names they hide behind. They have expressed their hate of traditional families:and Western Civilization values. They hate whaever works and have no interest in negotiations of any kind. They have no sense or interest in balancing our state budget. in following the Alaska or US Constitution. Requesting prayers that the override fails and that Governor Dunleavy’s veto is effective.
Please don’t assume “We The People” = MAGA cult.
Again I say again, Please take your children out of these Woke, sickening, disgusting schools.
If you want your children to respect you and not come home to tell you, mom I’m a girl now.
They’re about ‘restoring public trust’ in how they spend millions of $$$. That’s hilarious!!!
The Opinion photo that accompanies this article is the true image of these legislatures.
“Steven’s position, which is to increase education funding without requiring struggling schools to do anything differently to support student learning.” This is a sign of true idiots. Same process; throw more money without change and expect a different outcome!
Whom were the top contributors to Steven’s campaign fund?
LOOKS LIKE WE SHOULD JUST FLUSH JUNEAU DOWN THE BOWL OR MAYBE WE CAN SEND ROTO-ROOTER IN TO CLEAN OUT THE PIPES OF THESE OUT OF TOUCH SH_THEADS.
Time for new blood in the legislative branch. Luckily, on May 20, 2025, Stevens announced he would not be seeking re-election to the Alaska State Senate District C in 2026. Only the voters in Kodiak Island, the southern Kenai Peninsula including Homer, Seward, and Cordova can make a change for their next representative. Status quo or a new direction? 2026 will be interesting.
Term appointments are a self cleansing of legislative elected persons who become bad actors. Time to make the change in the state constitution. Any reader out there to write a bill and get it in the next election cycle?
Remember when leftist democrats were crying “trump loves stupid voters?”.
Remember folks, all accusations from democrats is an admission of their own guilty conscience. They/them are called psychological projections.
Keep the pressure up parents. Your efforts continue to shine that sweet sunshine (disinfectant) on those poliTicks.
Oh for hell’s sake Roach. The master of projection is the Fertilization president. He’s damn good at it and he KNOWS that most of his supporters (remember when the felon said that he “loves the poorly educated”) , like you, will believe any goddamn thing he says. You’ve been fooled. Like a dutiful cult member, you want to be fooled
The legislative majority is “gas-lighting” you readers. They have no interest in improving Alaska education, only in getting the democrats to vote for them. Your children are going to enter the world not only disadvantaged but eligible for only the most menial jobs available. That means that all the good paying employment will be offered to outsiders from other states and countries.
Quit electing these stupid asses
We got screwed by a bunch of rinos. Again.