Alaska lawyers event to unpack state election changes & the ongoing role of dark money
Has Ballot Measure 2 allowed Alaskan voters to express their true preferences without fear of accidentally helping other candidates? Has it ended the secret influence of dark money? When will we learn how BM2 aligns with the Alaska Constitution and
Alaskans to get record high $3,284 PFD this month
Eligible Alaskans will begin receiving $3,284 this month. That includes a $650 energy relief check that state lawmakers approved earlier this year. The combined amount represents the largest payout in the Permanent Fund Dividend program’s 41-year history.
As Anchorage enrollment implodes, school superintendent warns of $68M deficit
The Anchorage School District is shrinking, both in the sheer number of students and the revenue attached to each child it fails to enroll. In FY24 the district expects to face an estimated $68 million budget deficit. This is partly due to the fact that
Distribution of Covid funds to Alaska businesses rife with irregularities, errors
A recently released audit of the $282 million in CARES Act funds that Alaska issued to small businesses as part of the massive Covid relief spending shows massive irregularities, errors and the awarding of numerous unallowable grants. The state’s
Leftist dark money bankrolls opposition to Alaska Constitutional Convention
Despite campaign propaganda warning Alaskans that a constitutional convention would expose Alaska to outside influence by deep-pocketed special interest groups, one of the nation’s largest dark-money behemoths is bankrolling the primary organization
Cumbersome laws, high min-wage stifle new business in Alaska
By Aubrey Wursten – Alaska Policy Forum Because startup companies play a major role in driving the economy, discouragement of new business creation has a ripple effect on the rest of Alaska’s market. Startups create most net new jobs and encourage
AK schools have spent 40% of their $538M in Covid cash – mostly on salaries, benefits
Over the past two years, Alaska’s public schools have taken in more than $538 million in federal Covid relief money. Of that, they have only spent $187 million, about 40%. The state launched a comprehensive dashboard detailing exactly how much money each
OPINION: A dose of reality regarding Ted Stevens Day
In 2011, the Alaska legislature designated the 4th Saturday in July as “Ted Stevens Day” as a “tribute to his many contributions to our state.” Gov. Dunleavy just recently encouraged us to observe this day on Uncle Ted’s behalf. Pardon me, but
Crumbling trust in major institutions signals trouble in America
High public trust in major religious, cultural, political and economic institutions is a bell weather marker for a strong, robust and effective nation. Confidence in these institutions lend credibility and public support to their work. America, however, is in
Rep. McCabe’s rebuttal to Alaska legislators who voted against concurrence on state budget
The budget process in the Alaska Legislature is a wild time. The House Finance Committee develops a budget based on finance subcommittee input as well as input from the governor’s budget and the various departments. The budget then goes to the House
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