- The halls of congress are teeming with those armed with the task to whip votes to overrule the president’s anticipated Keystone Pipeline veto. Which blue party members are considering holding hands with reds is detailed in Politico.
- Another fight over oil taxes? It looks like Gov. Bill Walker is laying the groundwork for another battle, per his column in the Juneau Empire. He says that the state will be paying more in production taxes this year than we’re taking in. Remember, that’s just production taxes. There are others. Too, it’s unclear if he’s including the huge tax credits that the state is still paying from ACES.
- Tim Bradner, with the Alaska Journal of Commerce, reports that although production is down, employment is up on the North Slope.
- Bill Walker goes on the defensive over his Alaska Gasline Development Corp. dismissals, while Becky Bohrer with the AP (and me) report that the state GOP sees red.
- The Globe and Mail explains a report from the Journal Nature that was just released which outlines the importance of leaving oil sands alone in order to meet climate target.
- KTOO and KTUU have the details about Sen.-elect Bill Stoltze’s legislative plan to move legislative sessions to Anchorage in the new Taj McHawker while keeping the state capital in Juneau.
- The New York Times reports that the Democrats are adjusting to the new lay of the land on the Hill by going back to what they do best; throw proverbial sand into the gears. According to the Times, they might not have the votes, but they do know their parliamentary procedures like the back of their left hands.
- Bill Walker plans to visit King Cove regarding the road following his meeting with Secretary Sally Jewel while he was in Washington, D.C. for Sen. Dan Sullivan’s swearing in ceremony. The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner has the details.
- The Senate GOP wants to switch the minimum workweek from 30 hours to 40 hours to be classified as full-time. What this means in the larger scheme of things is explained by Politico.
- Good news for anyone flying near Saw Ridge (roughly 20 miles from Ketchikan). The Ketchikan Daily News reports that the FAA is going to upgrade the area, thus improving communications.
- Speaker Boehner’s thirst for revenge hasn’t been sated. The Hill (any all of the nation’s political wonks) wonders who’s next on his hit list. What is known is that failed coup leader’s, Rep. Daniel Webster (R-OH) 2016 re-election bid is looking less supported by the establishment.
- APRN reports that the Mat Su Ferry might not be the wallflower of the state’s ferries much longer. It turns out that a European-based company has intimated interest to the Mat Su Borough’s Assembly in purchasing the ferry pending the boat’s abilities following a set of sea trials.
- Politico Magazine has the secret history of women in the U.S. Senate.
- The Peninsula Clarion reports that the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly will start its new legislative mandate to discuss ways to improve efficiency and rising health care costs. The Soldotna City Council will be focusing on handling its financial uncertainties and the unknowns that are to be 2015’s legislative session.
- The Washington Post explains the importance of presidential primaries as it ponders where 2016 candidates would fall on the Brownback-to-Clinton vote getting scale.
- Klawock City Councilwoman Sabrina Demmert was indicted Friday on felony drug charges according to the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner.
- The GOP is facing a divide within its ranks of ideology and age, according to the New York Times.
- The Kodiak City Council spoke with the Kodiak area legislative officials about budget issues affecting the city. While Sen. Gary Stevens presumably put the news in his gentlemanly manner, the news itself was not good.
- Now that the GOP is in charge of Congress, there isn’t a consensus on how to tackle or fix “the problems”, per The Hill.
- Popist wonders why are there so few women on Sunday morning talk shows.
- The Wall Street Journal points the finger at particular GOP Senators that are most likely to give Sen. Mitch McConnell grief (Sen. Dan Sullivan is presumed to be placed in party soldier column).
- Now that recreational marijuana is legal in the state, KTVA reveals that the Alaska Cannabis Growers’ Association aims to support growers for commercial, non-commercial, medical and recreational supply.
- Alaska Commons has the latest on the court case of evicting the Alaska Cannabis Club from the old Kodiak Lounge building.
Sorry, but I guess I am too dense to see any differences between an ad in the ADN, an ad on amandacoyne.com and an ad on Alaska Public Radio. They all have costs, to meet those costs (pay the bills) they sell ads (and in the case of public broadcasting also sell memberships and seek government subsidy), and allow us to judge the value of what is provided.
Huh… seems like I recall the good old JE running lots of purely political adds. Matter of fact, this year they even had a ‘sticky’ on the front page from at least one candidate.
In October 2014 they wrote an editorial endorsing Parnell for reelection. Today, they changed their mind and now back Walker…
With them, it’s however the wind blows….
The difference, GF is reporters as the Dispatch or Empire are not getting paid directly from propaganda outfits like AOGA, or Sean Parnell when he was running ads here.
I agree Amanda serves a need. There is a lot to like here.
^^^^^ What he said. TY AH HA
@Lynn, I suspect you’ll agree on the point that we cannot now afford it? That being said, the only reason my list was sort of one sided is because there were no Republican sponsors listed for the bill. I guess the Republican’s innocent, this time. I’m hoping you’ll happen to cross trails with those who are in your area. I’m on the way out and will be looking for Kito III this morning.
What is it with these guys? We are broke and then some…
DB,
And from the other end of the spectrum come the contractors, consultants, and others just as eager to get the money. We need wisdom now, not partisanship.
If you are ‘spooked’ about your privacy perhaps you ought to keep your mouth shut? I mean it only makes sense…..
I am entirely with AH HA on this. An ad on amandacoyne.com is exactly the same as an ad on or in ADN. Is there still a hard copy produced of the Dispatch? If so I am not sure there are still coin operated machines dispensing them in Ketchikan and perhaps even Juneau.
At any rate, Amanda Coyne and her website clearly fill a need that had not been served. I have seen no absence of ethics here but I was more than a little worried about the Dispatch during the gubernatorial race. The notion that one outfit or another buying an ad here, on KTUU, on Alaska Public Radio (a nonprofit), and/or in the Dispatch buys an accompanying journalistic slant comes with the territory and the business model.
To me it is the far left slant in most of the American media that justifies and requires the Citizens United case outcome. And much of the media want not only to determine who we elect but it works tirelessly to shape society.
I imagine that you won’t see amandacoyne.com with its hand out to the legislature but I cannot say that about all Alaska media. Is it not remarkable when a media outlet declares nonprofit status, sells ads and also receives appropriations of government money?
She’s no journalist, she’s a blogger.
A real journalist who abides by the ethical standards of their craft, would never drag innocent bystanders through the mud such as this blogger does.
Well, I’ve always been a little spooked by the privacy policy of this blog. What does she do with the information that she collects ?
Does she pass it along to her B/F lobbyist ? Is so, that would be huge ethical beach of her profession, that is if you consider blogging a profession, which is how I’m becoming to view her more and more. Journalist ? Not so much…..
These Democrat legislators have to carry the NEA water so their campaigns can be funded. Why would we even consider pre-K when our State cannot even get K-12 right? Answer: more union members, more union dues funneled to candidates, and control of the State. This is about power and control by public employee unions.
The ANTHC could even take it out of the Medicaid expansion money it is hoping to get! Would that be a win-win?
At least it was pleasant to see that picture! I think the paper never found the “right time” to include the top half, front page headline and picture declaring Dan Sullivan the winner of the election… right?
@snow really? How exactly do you think the bills ever get paid? Newspapers,tv and radio all accept ads and generally have no compunction against reporting about their customers.
Ah,
Makes no difference about party affiliation if we can’t afford it; however, we need some serious prioritization. If the choice was between another LIO and education…….
Speaking of the LIO, I have heard the specific purpose was to award a long time political supporter and also to provide premium (soon to be covered, secured, and heated) downtown parking for shopping and dining to legislators, girlfriends, families and anyone else with those special license plates. Any other purpose is strictly coincidental including moving the legislative sessions out of Juneau which, despite the posturing, is not what they want to do at all. (I understand that there was no need for ventilation fans in the legislative bathrooms).
Amanda,
Inquiring minds want to know how much money AOGA is paying you to run their propaganda ads on your blog.
Of course a journalist could never accept money from those she wrote about. A blogger has no such ethical standard.
Of course I meant the online edition. Nice front page pic in the rag, with the AP story on B1…
MS
How about we ask Indian Health Service to pay? After all, that road will be saving their patients’ lives and taking a lot of strain off of their budget at the same time.
Hmmm, Failing that, How about we Get Co-Governor Mallott (he has the right connections) involved and have the local Regional Health Corporation pay for the road? After it’s done, they can seek a grant from IHS to make them whole on the deal. This way it’s nearly a net zero for the state, all we wind up paying is the Federal Squeeze and Mallott gets his legacy.
Speaking of “your Good Morning Newspsper,” I was somewhat astonished at their extensive coverage of the swearing in of our new Senator. A very impressive, bylined paragraph.
As the kids say these days, WTF?
MS
I am not sure but I’d bet that if the state were to ignore all the permitting and permissions required by the Fed and did it the way roads used to get built in this country, a rough dirt road a lane and a half wide could be built in a few weeks for a small fraction of what we would normally have to invest in studies, Permits and Lawsuits. Can you imagine the PR nightmare that would ensue if the Fed’s tried to stop construction?
Of course afterwards we would have to ‘beg’ forgiveness and pay some sort of fine to the Fed’s so they could save face but it would be small potatoes..
Even with the current state of our budget it would be well worth it.
I meant to reply to Ah Ha’s comment on the King Cove Road.
I know I shouldn’t ask when lives and medical transport are involved but I will. Who would pay to build this road? Who pays to maintain it? What is the cost to build it and what is the annual maintenence cost?
Lynn,
That 14B you are talking about is really already spent if you consider the PERS and TERS liabilities, which are steadily rising.
The envy of the other states you say? Call back in ten years and see who is envious then.
The latest Stoltze political dictate? Remember he has NEVER had a private sector job, NEVER. He got a political science degree and has been at the trough 24/7 since.
This LIO gimmick is simply a ruse to cover his tracks concerning his involvement
with this insanity. I’m sure he will keep his Eagle River digs cuz driving to the LIO and just showing up would bite into his per diem ( remember…no other real job, ever) . Read the bios of your leaders!!
Wally Hickel tried that on the Slope with the Hickel Highway and again with the Road from Chitina to Cordova. Neither worked.
@Lynn, Perhaps while you are up there in the Rail belt area holding these legislators feet to the fire you can stop by and see Les Gara (D-Anchorage), Andy Josephson (D-Anchorage), Harriet Drummond (D-Anchorage) and ask them how they plan to pay for their proposed Statewide Pre-K education program. I have every intention of cornering Sam Kito III on this (as a warning Sam, i’ll buttonhole you in public if I can.)
BTW: What did you think they planned to do with that LIO building anyway?
Regarding the Governor’s apparent desire to lay the groundwork for a fight over oil taxes, Governor Walker states in the referenced article: “The state’s oil and gas production tax is expected to bring the state $524 million in the current fiscal year, a shocking drop from the $2.6 billion collected last year.”
Gee that looks bad so rather than refute that statement or deal with that statement ,let us talk about jobs on the North Slope or any other diversion while we “whistle past the graveyard”. Jobs on the North Slope or at McDonalds have no relevance to what the Governor is stating unless these wages generate revenue by personal income tax (which they don’t -yet).
I voted to keep SB21 because my vote was a “win-win” for me. Either SB 21 was going to work or I was going to clearly understand that it would not work after being implemented. After reading what Governor Walker stated, I am beginning to realize which truth is being revealed. A fight over taxes might be very appropriate at this time of almost now negative revenue.
I attended my constituent meeting in Eagle River last night. Before we were allowed to comment Senator Stoltze announced he was only going to have two staff members (how many does a junior senator need?) and that he would not have an office in the new LIO (perhaps to make space for the entire legislature?). At my turn, my first comment referenced Senator Stolze’s comment and I suggested they all should have an office in the new LIO since we paid for it and that we should no longer lease any office space for legislators who can now commute to work. For some reason that was not a popular idea at the front table. I voiced my concern about revenue and spending. At least twice we were reminded of how other states would be envious of Alaska having 14 billion in the bank. I came away feeling that the Governor’s message will have little or no serious impact in Juneau until that 14 billion is behind us.
I noticed that you removed a post that was critical of the Alaska Dispatch and its publisher. The Dispatch has become an embarrassment to our community. Does Rogoff own you too ?
Gov. Flipsy Doodle wrote a good one. I suspect that he had help. His positions are knee-jerk emotional rants. This guy will go down in state history as a clown.
@Senator Stoltze, As a lifetime resident of Juneau and Southeast, I’ve long supported moving the Capitol since it’s presence in Juneau has brought lots of problems we can easily do without…. Annually in late January, the town fills up with Criminal’s and malcontent’s running the gamut from Hustlers and Grifters to Dope Dealers and Hookers to Legislators and Lobbyists. On some occasions one can even see a team of FBI surveillance experts hard at work in the area. All huddled around the That Den of iniquity we call a Capitol Building.
I’d support your attempt to move the Legislature out of Juneau, except, Given the current fiscal situation it seems to be a fools errand. Perhaps you ought to do your constituents a favor and focus on getting the states finances in order?
I really encourage Forecast and those that claim SB 21 isn’t increasing investment, production, and jobs to read the Bradner article. Here are some of the highlights:
* There were 15,100 at work in the industry in October and 15,000 in November, although the November data is still preliminary. That’s up by about 800 compared to the same months of 2013 and by 1,000 compared to October and November of 2012.
* In 2014, ConocoPhillips announced a 50 percent increase in its 2015 Alaska capital budget and BP, the other major Slope operating company, announced a 25 percent increase for 2015.
* Overall North Slope capital investments are estimated at $4.45 billion this year and are expected to increase to $4.88 billion in 2016, according to figures given by companies to the state Department of Revenue. . . . By comparison, the industry spent $3.73 billion for capital projects in 2014, the fiscal year ending last June 30, according to the state data.
I would add that according to the 2012 Fall Revenue source book, capital spending was $2.4 billion on the North Slope.
I really encourage Forecast and those that claim SB 21 isn’t increasing investment, production, and jobs to read the Bradner article. Here are some of the highlights:
* There were 15,100 at work in the industry in October and 15,000 in November, although the November data is still preliminary. That’s up by about 800 compared to the same months of 2013 and by 1,000 compared to October and November of 2012.
* In 2014, ConocoPhillips announced a 50 percent increase in its 2015 Alaska capital budget and BP, the other major Slope operating company, announced a 25 percent increase for 2015.
* Overall North Slope capital investments are estimated at $4.45 billion this year and are expected to increase to $4.88 billion in 2016, according to figures given by companies to the state Department of Revenue. . . . By comparison, the industry spent $3.73 billion for capital projects in 2014, the fiscal year ending last June 30, according to the state data.
I would add that according to the 2012 Fall Revenue source book, capital spending was $2.4 billion on the North Slope.
Of all the potential projects that the State could build, that King Cove road is the one that really ought to be built. I believe what we ought to do is just send a couple of Cat’s and an Excavator out there and just build it. If we did it the way roads were built in the ‘Pre-Green’ era when roads could still be built, It would only take a few days to pioneer and we could then improve it at our leisure.