Voices 4/31

The wolves crying election fraud are at it again

In late August 2008, I boarded a morning Alaska Airlines flight bound for Ketchikan. Before the cabin doors were closed, the passenger sitting in front of me stood up and declared “I can’t believe it. John McCain just killed himself.”

Jun 123 min read

Silencing the whistle

Democracies do not collapse overnight. They erode one safeguard at a time — an inspector general here, a watchdog there, and finally the silencing of those who would sound the alarm.

Jun 113 min read

Goldbelt's role in the Eaglecrest gondola and in Juneau's future

For generations, Eaglecrest has been part of the fabric of Juneau. It is more than a ski area. It is a place where families gather, where lifelong memories are made and where residents and visitors alike experience the outdoors that make Southeast Alaska unique. Having access to year-round recreation and outdoor amenities is part of what makes Juneau such a special place to live.

Jun 104 min read

Walker’s $10K final PFD a plausible political proposal, but not the right answer

Former Gov. Bill Walker is an honorable man who sincerely wants what’s best for Alaskans. He is also running for governor in the 17-candidate August primary, which means he needs to propose some strong new ideas to pop his head above the fray and make the final four for the November general election.

Jun 102 min read

A budget crisis by choice

If you listened to the debate over Juneau's FY27 budget, you could be forgiven for thinking the city was on the verge of collapse.

Jun 94 min read

North Slope gas projects of the past support a cautious approach in the present

Alaska legislators are being asked to grant a 90% reduction in state and local gas property taxes to advance the latest North Slope natural gas project without knowing whether other revenue concessions and costs may be asked of the state in the future. Some legislators are asking for more information before deciding on the tax reduction. History confirms their cautious approach.

Jun 83 min read

Is the threat to Alaska real?

The continuing conflict involving Iran is already affecting global energy markets, with consequences that extend far beyond the Middle East. Alaska, despite being a major oil-producing state, is not insulated from those disruptions.

Jun 82 min read

History can point the way to city museum’s future

Bart Thane is one of the visionary pioneers who believed in Juneau’s future. In contrast, the Assembly’s approach to our budgetary problems is at best cynical.

Jun 52 min read

Alaska voters can redraw the map on their own

Many Alaskans fondly embrace and proudly recite the defiant expression from the 1970s: “We don’t give a damn how they do it Outside.” Though often it’s because we can’t get it done the same way they do it Outside because of cost or geography or our small population — or because some online merchants still refuse to ship to the 49th state.

Jun 33 min read

An argument for raising the mill rate cap

Last year we got together and voted to poke a $10 million to $12 million annual hole in the CBJ bucket. That’s $100-plus million over the next 10 years.

Jun 23 min read