The House State Affairs Committee will soon be discussing a statewide Vote-By-Mail proposal while in the Senate, SB 116 was recently introduced to modify the citizens initiative tying voting registration to Permanent Fund Dividend application. These bills are two different ends of a spectrum. One seeks to expand voting by increasing access to ballots via the Vote-by-Mail concept, and the …
Leg with Louie: Confirmed!
The Dunleavy Cabinet is in place now. Given the political makeup of the legislature, there was never a great deal of doubt that department heads would be confirmed, though DEC Commissioner Jason Brune was lobbying legislators with some persistence in the days before the vote. Brune wears the albatross of the Pebble Mine around his neck, as a former …
PRESS RELEASE: The Alaska Center Stands With Thousands of Alaskans in Opposition to Brune Appointment
Alaskans hold up Brune’s Pebble past as another example of compromised leadership and Pebble’s influence on Alaska’s future. TODAY – Legislators voted to confirm Jason Brune as Commissioner for the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Those legislators ignored the voice of Alaskans by voting to confirm a former Pebble Limited Partnership spokesperson. The Alaska Center applauds the 24 legislators voting …
Leg with Louie: House Operating Budget brought to you by Rep. David Eastman
Anyone still doubting the wisdom of Rep. Gary Knopp for not caucusing solely with the Republicans in our State House, should look no further than the antics of Rep. David Eastman, both before and during House floor debate on the operating budget. Recall, Rep. Knopp would not settle to join a majority with a single vote margin of control because it …
Leg with Louie: Predicting Success!
Here’s a prediction: before too long, someone out in our great state who is tired of this self-imposed budget calamity will file a citizen’s initiative to change the oil tax structure. The oil industry will charge this Alaskan citizen with playing unfairly – pulling the rug out from under them, not being a good partner, creating an unstable investment …
Leg with Louie: The Illusion of a process
Senate Bill 51 (SB 51) creates the illusion of a process for citizens to nominate waters in Alaska for special protection. It is a response to the mandate under the Federal Clean Water Act that all states must provide a way for citizens to nominate high-value waters (Tier III waters) for protection in each state. Because it was written with …
Leg With Louie: The Great Dunleavy Exodus of FY20
Like many, I don’t fancy sending my kids off to a classroom stuffed with 50 other kids. Not only does this sardine-can approach exponentially grow the possibility that my child will return home with the flu and gift it to everyone in the house, it also increases the likelihood that their ability to focus and learn will be impacted. …
Leg with Louie: The Future’s So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades
Our U.S. Senators were before the Alaska legislature this week to deliver their annual addresses and reassure Alaska that they are battling in the national fracas so our state is not steamrolled or otherwise transformed by the demands and philosophies of our lower 48 brethren. These annual addresses before the state legislature are by design parochial and inspiring, and …
Leg with Louie: MAGA! 45!
When you hear me shout “MAGA, 45!” know that I don’t intend to conjure the hot passions of a Trump rally. Instead, I employ this acronym and number for its it’s more practical use – to politely remind readers that 45 of our legislators together have the power to “Make Alaska’s Government Adequate.” A three quarter vote is needed under …