Legislature Takes Dump on Alaska
Despite massive public outcry, and good efforts by Democratic lawmakers, the legislature has voted to pass a bill that will loosen restrictions on the cruise industry, and lower water quality standards for coastal waters. HB80 now heads to the Governor’s desk. None of the Democratic amendments which would have required dumping at least 3 miles offshore, not next to marine parks or game refuges, public notification of the location of dump sites, and water monitoring passed. The bill was voted through as it was, and zipped through the senate with a vote of 16-4. The yes votes included Democratic Senator…
Mayor Misrepresents Student Performance
I look forward each week to Sunday’s Alaska Ear column in the Anchorage Daily News, as penned by formerly-anonymous reporter Sheila Toomey. For many years I considered it purely entertainment, until I got involved with the fetid swamp known as Alaska politics. It was then that I discovered the accuracy of The Omnicient Oriface’s information. So it was with great interest that I read this tidbit from Sunday’s column: “. . A couple of weeks ago earwigs reported our new school superintendent, Jim Browder, walked out in protest while Mayor Sullivan made a presentation at some big public meeting. The…
2/20 Oil Tax Testimony
Governor Parnell’s oil tax proposal will plunge our State into deficit spending this year and will lead to more cuts to our schools, roads and public safety. The Governor’s proposal is before the Senate Resources Committee and they are taking public testimony. YOU DESERVE TO BE HEARD. Speak out Wednesday evening at 5:15pm. Go to a Legislative information Office (click here for a list of locations) or call-in to 855-463-5009. Comments will be limited to two minutes, so be brief! Democratic legislators have introduced legislation (SB50, HB111) to partner with industry and to provide incentives to oil producers who drill here in Alaska. Read…
2/23 Meet Sen. Bill Wielechowski
Senator Wielechowski to Host Neighborhood Meetings Meetings will take place in Anchorage on February 23rd JUNEAU- Senator Bill Wielechowski would like to invite constituents to two upcoming neighborhood meetings to discuss the major issues facing the 28th Legislature and answer any questions or concerns from the public. Senator Wielechowski’s first meeting will take on Saturday, February 23rd, at the Northeast Community Center with Representative Gabrielle LeDoux. The meeting begins at 1:30pm through 3pm. The second meeting will take place at College Gate Elementary with Representative Max Gruenberg from 3:30pm until 5pm on Saturday, February 23rd. All family members and neighbors…
BREAKING: AK Lawmaker- No Room for Transparency
Alaska Senator Pete Kelly (R), Co-Chair of the Finance Committee, has a space problem. Alaska has a transparency problem. While Republicans in the Senate are stripping bills from certain oversight committees, that doesn’t seem like enough. Now Senator Pet Kelly just wants a hiding spot. In a memo sent to lawmakers on February 14, Kelly announced Alaska’s business, because of lack of room, would be holding meetings in the private offices of lawmakers. I know! I was hoping for flowers and got a hacked up version of Democracy. He wrote: “Due to the hectic Nature of the 90 day session,…
GOP Responds to LOLing at Civil Unions
[A similar story is cross-posted at The Huffington Post HERE] Well, that didn’t take long. Apparently, the House Majority Caucus got an earful, and learned that laughing out loud at the mere thought of Alaskans having legal recognition of same-sex partnerships was inappropriate. That’s what happened Friday during a press availability in Juneau. Late this morning, a statement was released to the press by Majority Leader Lance Pruitt (R-Anchorage) and Speaker of the House Mike Chenault (R-Nikiski). Caucus leaders were asked for their position on providing legal recognition for same-sex partnerships, a position which 70% of Alaskans favor….
Same-sex Civil Unions? Republicans LOL.
[A similar story is posted at The Huffington Post HERE] Oh, it was a rollicking good time at the House Majority press conference this week. Mark Miller of the Juneau Empire pointed out that only 30% of Alaskans were opposed to legally recognizing same-sex partnerships in some way. That means 70% of the population in our great state thinks that gay people should have the right to a legal union. That’s what they call, in statistical terms, “a ginormous majority.” In light of these overwhelming results, Miller asked the Republican House caucus if they would support legally recognized civil…
Legislature Cuts the Brake Lines
A friend of mine just returned from Juneau. “Shanny, it’s a scary ride down there. The wheels are still on the bus, but the brake lines have been cut.” Elections have consequences, and the result of November’s vote put us all on the same ride. There are multiple bills introduced this session, written up by Outside think tanks funded by John Bircher millionaires. So, besides the lack of brakes, the people driving the bus are under the influence of much more intoxicating influences than their constituents. Now it would seem the bus has decided to go off road and take…
Sunday Pizza & Petroleum
By Rep. Les Gara This Sunday from Noon until 2:00, Senator Ellis and I will be in Anchorage if you’d like to hear a legislative update, and share your thoughts and concerns. Or you can pretend that’s why you’re coming, bring your kids, and eat free pizza. We’d be honored if you came for any of the above reasons, and be honored to feed your kids and grandkids. Here is the low cost – like free – video invite Johnny and I put together. It’s amazing. No, it’s actually just OK. But we’re almost proud of it. Please share it…
Recall Lindsey Holmes Meeting Sunday
They say elephants never forget. Donkeys apparently don’t either. This Sunday will be an organizing event for the effort to recall Rep. Lindsey Holmes. She’s the one who ran as a Democrat, raised money from Democrats, joined in on fundraisers with other Democratic candidates, garnered campaign workers from a thinly stretched pool of Democratic volunteers during a busy election cycle, and then decided to become a Republican before she was even sworn into office. The price of her political soul? A seat on the finance committee. Not a co-chairmanship, a SEAT. While there are Democratic legislators who choose to caucus…