As I write this the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, with no prospect of reopening anytime soon. The result, with a roughly 60-day time lag as the last tankers from the Middle East are emptied and refineries and governments draw down reserves, is growing into the biggest energy shock in the history of industrial civilisation.

What is the point of local government? It's the government we see most in our day-to-day lives and the government we turn to first when things go wrong. The current estimated $12 million shortfall, while not insignificant, does not warrant panicked reactions. Erratic changes in baseline city services are bad for everyone and should be the last, not the first option.

The recent passage of ballot measures to improve affordability in Juneau demonstrates a majority perspective that the CBJ must reduce the tax burden it places on residents.