Politics Archives - Alaska Watchman

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Opinion PoliticsAlaska Legislators to withhold funds for coronavirus, PFD unless demands met

54 mins ago401 min

Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, details the Alaska Legislature’s plan to eliminate the $1,000 coronavirus stimulus to Permanent Fund Dividend recipients. He also explains the move to reduce this year’s PFD to just $500, withhold all money appropriated for responding to the coronavirus emergency, and only fund the state for two thirds of the year, unless conservative legislators recant their commitment to protect the Constitutional Budget Reserve. Read Eastman’s column here. Click here to support the...

by Joel Davidson

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Crime Culture PoliticsGovernor orders statewide mandates to stay home, cease in-state travel

1 day ago1375 min

Gov. Mike Dunleavy issued his 11th and 12th statewide health mandates on March 27, ordering all Alaskans who are not engaged in critical infrastructure or essential services (see list here) to stay home and cease most intrastate travel in order to slow the spread of coronavirus. Dunleavy also announced that 16 more Alaskans were confirmed to have COVID-19 and one person has now died in the state. She was a woman in her 60s with...

by Jim Minnery

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Opinion PoliticsRecall Alaska’s judges? Yes!

2 days ago1346 min

We’re in the midst of a pandemic, our economy is in turmoil, and Gov. Mike Dunleavy and many other state officials are working around the clock in crisis-management mode. No matter: while the bombs are falling, the Alaska Supreme Court held a March 25 hearing on whether a politically motivated recall campaign against the governor should be allowed to move forward. Even when we lived in normal times, the recall allegations never passed the straight-face...

by Joel Davidson

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Abortion Life PoliticsAbortion business may profit from Anchorage alcohol tax

3 days ago1033 min

The largest provider of abortions in Alaska is throwing its support behind Prop. 13 which would institute a 5% flat tax on alcohol sales in Anchorage to raise funds for programs that help prevent child abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence and substance abuse, as well as money for mental health treatment, homeless populations and funding for emergency responders and police. Jessica Cler, the Alaska director of Planned Parenthood, sent a notice to the abortion business’...

by Joel Davidson

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PoliticsAnchorage rejects move urging community to report criminal spread of virus

3 days ago1223 min

The Anchorage Assembly overwhelmingly rejected a resolution encouraging the public to report on those suspected of knowingly, intentionally and recklessly” spreading coronavirus. Introduced by Assembly Member Fred Dyson, the resolution sought to encourage Anchorage residents to act when they observe criminal infection of others. “It’s not unlike when we see a reckless driver, speeding and weaving in and out of traffic, and acting erratically,” Dyson said at the March 24 Assembly meeting. “Or we see...

by Joel Davidson

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Abortion Life PoliticsGov. Dunleavy asked to enforce emergency mandate with regards to abortions

3 days ago1069 min

Alaska, like most states, has ordered a halt to all non-essential surgeries. Despite the emergency order, Planned Parenthood in Alaska is continuing operations as normal. The state is concerned that non-essential surgeries are taking up valuable medical supplies needed to fight COVID-19, and now pro-life organizations in Alaska are urging Governor Mike Dunleavy to enforce his mandate with respect to abortion clinics. “We have reached out to the Dunleavy Administration and are awaiting a response...

by Joel Davidson

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Abortion Life PoliticsDespite Alaska health mandates, Planned Parenthood ‘operating as normal’

4 days ago1165 min

Despite city and state orders to postpone all non-emergency surgeries in Alaska during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Planned Parenthood abortion clinic in Anchorage is “operating as normal,” according to clinic staff. In a March 23 phone call, a staffer at Planned Parenthood on Lake Otis Blvd. in Anchorage was asked if the clinic is continuing to provide abortions during the health crisis. “Yeah. No, we’re still open right now,” the staffer replied. “If anything changes,...

by Joel Davidson

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Crime PoliticsAlaska Supreme Court to hear Dunleavy recall case today at 1:30 p.m.

4 days ago744 min

The Alaska Supreme Court will hear oral arguments at 1:30 p.m. today (March 25) on the merits of the recall campaign against Gov. Mike Dunleavy. Proceedings will be in Anchorage’s Boney Courthouse. Chief Justice Joel Bolger will sit this case out, having recused himself on March 2 after making statements earlier that may cause a reasonable person to wonder whether he could impartially rule on the legal merits of the recall. Oral arguments will be...

by Joel Davidson

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Culture PoliticsJuneau orders Anchorage-like ‘hunker down’ but allows notable exceptions

5 days ago1714 min

Juneau has followed Anchorage in adopting a nearly identical resolution mandating that nearly all people in the City and Borough of Juneau hunker down and remain home as much as possible during the coronavirus pandemic. The orders take effect at 5 p.m., March 24, and remain until April 7. During this time, residents are required to stay at home except for the following reasons: To work in critical jobs (read the resolution to see the...

by Joel Davidson

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Culture PoliticsMayor lets Anchorage pot shops stay open amid emergency shutdown

6 days ago2444 min

While all non-essential Anchorage businesses are under direct orders from Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz to close shop in an effort to slow the spread of coronavirus, recreational marijuana dispensaries are exempted and remain ready to sell pre-rolled joints, gourmet edibles and a host of weed related accessories. Berkowitz issued his order on March 23, mandating most businesses to close and send employees home. Businesses deemed “critical,” however, are exempted. These include companies that deal in...

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