Despite controversy, AI data centers would be a fiscal game changer for Alaska
One West Virginia county’s tax revenue from data centers is $1.3 billion, while Alaska’s unrestricted oil revenue in FY 2027 is $1.9 billion. One small county makes almost as much from data centers as our entire state does from
How did gubernatorial candidates answer Alaska Watchman survey questions?
This spring, the Alaska Watchman sent survey questions to candidates vying to be the state’s next governor. Today, we republish these answers to help Aug. 18 primary voters decide between the many candidates running for
OPINION: Unlike Louise Stutes, Heath Smith is a thoughtful, principled conservative
Heath Smith is a thoughtful conservative who wants to represent the will of the people in our part of the state and has a plan to do so without showing favoritism to any region in his
OPINION: Those braying for ‘full PFD now’ are offering ‘bread and circuses’
Those braying for “Full PFD Now” are offering you bread and circuses. There is some uncomfortable math that isn’t part of the slogan and that is “income
OPINION: The 1st domino was our PFD. More will fall if Alaska doesn’t develop its resources
We can't keep full government services, reject new development, refuse new taxes, and quietly raid the Permanent Fund Dividend to make up the difference. That's managing decline, one budget cycle at a
‘Only if Alaska can afford it’ is not a position on defined-benefit pensions
When a candidate says he supports a full PFD and a reopened defined-benefit pension plan for state employees, and claims it all pencils out if we’re careful, he's counting on you not doing the
THE RIGHT QUESTION: ‘After paying a full PFD, how can Alaska fund key services at a lower cost?’
It's possible to pay a full statutory PFD and fund state government. It just takes fearless legislators willing to stand up to special interest groups to find ways to manage our budget
ANALYSIS: Can a bona fide conservative replace retiring ‘Vichy’ State Sen. Stevens?
The filing deadline to run in the 2026 statewide election is June 1, so now is an opportune time to see how the race is shaping up to fill the senate seat that will be left open by the retiring Vichy Republican, Gary
OPINION: 4 PFD questions every Alaska candidate should be forced to answer
What reopening defined benefit pensions actually costs every Alaskan and why you must not vote for a union-supported candidate this
OPINION: Why not adjust lawmakers’ salaries each time they adjust our PFD?
I propose that the salary for every legislator be paid at the same percentage as the PFD we receive. If the public gets a full PFD, the legislators get their full
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