Part I: Alaska’s constitutional convention spending spree
Editor’s note: This is the first of four parts in a series of articles by J.H. Snider on Alaska’s 2022 constitutional convention referendum vote. Part I describes the spending spree over the referendum. Part II proposes a deterrence theory
OPINION: If Chugiak/Eagle River secedes from Anchorage we’ll have better schools (part 1)
Editor’s note: EaglExit is a growing grassroots movement of Chugiak/Eagle River residents who are working to formally secede from Anchorage to create a new independent borough. The aim to create a small government that can better deliver essential
Alaska’s federally funded media, KTOO, joins NPR in quitting Twitter
The Juneau-based public media outlet, KTOO, which accepted more than $2.5 million in federal grants from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting in 2021, has joined National Public Radio in quitting Twitter. On April 12, NPR tweeted a thread telling its
Op-Ed: For better, more affordable healthcare, Alaska should adopt ‘direct primary care’
“So, doctor, why did you decide to go into health care?” “Oh, I don’t care for the health part. I just love all the paperwork.” That’s a conversation that has likely never happened in the history of medicine — because for doctors, providers,
Like most Americans, Alaskans aren’t sold on electric vehicles
Despite mounting political pressure on the part of left-leaning politicians, only a tiny percentage of Americans are interested in buying an electric vehicle (EV) to fight “climate change.” According to a March 1-23 Gallup poll, just 4% of
Dunleavy wants to explore how to get more Alaska kids into childcare facilities
Gov. Mike Dunleavy wants it to be easier and more affordable for mothers and fathers to put their kids in childcare facilities while they work. To this end he has established a special task force charged with developing a strategy to improve the availability
Alaska school districts are sitting on $242 million in unspent Covid funds
By Sarah Montalbano – Alaska Policy Forum The state of Alaska published the Alaska K–12 Education COVID-19 Federal Relief Funding Dashboard to make transparent how much federal COVID-19 relief funding school districts received and how the
OPINION: Don’t impose new taxes when Alaska is illegally sitting on $12 billion
The Alaska constitution states the following: “§ 7. Dedicated Funds – The proceeds of any state tax or license shall not be dedicated to any special purpose, except as provided in section 15 of this article or when required by the federal government
OPINION: Plan to give Alaska lawmakers a 67% raise is both flawed policy and process
In response to the 67% pay raise proposal for legislators, I introduced Senate Bill (SB) 111 “Rejecting Legislators’ Salary Increase” last week. Not only is this legislation a responsible step considering the fiscal shortfall the Legislature faces,
OPINION: Cash-poor Anchorage can’t afford more bonding debt
By Rob Yundt & Jodi Taylor Recently, regional banks in the U.S. and one major international bank have either collapsed, are in crisis, or have been rescued by larger banks due to liquidity issues. Given these financial headwinds, this is a great time to