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Grumping about Trump: What did Murkowski say about lawmakers attending trial?
Good morning from Somewhere in Alaska!
In the wee small hours of the morning … Democrats stage an occupation
It was a wild finish to the 33rd Alaska Legislature on Thursday after Democrats staged what was effectively a sit-in.
House Speaker Cathy Tilton may be henceforth known as Catherine the Great, for being able to manage the slimmest (and sometimes non-cohesive) House Majority, the most obstinate (but cohesive) House Minority, and the one-man Eastman Caucus.
Some five bills had passed after the midnight deadline, which was now on Day 122. The legality of those bills may be in question.
On Thursday, Rep. Zack Fields would not yield the microphone. Tilton did not have him removed by security as he filibustered to wear out the Republicans, hoping for a vote on a bill that is best described as the Democrats’ “election-rigging bill,” after amendments were tacked onto it in the Senate to make it unacceptable to the sponsor, Republican Rep. Sarah Vance.
The House voted three times on final adjournment. Democrats refused to budge.
“This Legislature is done, according to the Constitution,” said Rep. DeLena Johnson, making the point that a vote on a measure after midnight could be seen as illegal. She said she would not even vote on sine die because by law, they were already sine died.
Democrats dug in. All in the building were exhausted, including the remaining pages. (Three pages and one assistant sergeant of arms had already walked off the job due to the late nights.)
Democrats had torn a page from university campus occupiers. The only thing missing was a “Free Palestine” flag.
Rep. Daniel Ortiz of Ketchikan stood and said there are members in the House who have participated in sessions much later “and the actions we took were never ruled illegal.”
Occupy Ortiz was arguing that since the Legislature ran late before, it can run for as long as it wants — no limits.
The Constitution of the State of Alaska requires that the Legislature adjourn 120 days after the day the Legislature convenes. That has been interpreted by the Supreme Court to mean the 121st day. They were well into the 122nd day.
Occupy Fourth Street finally ended. Speaker Tilton said, charitably: “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”
Read more here …
It’s a wrap: Legislature adjourns
The sausage-making got spicy at the end, as noted above, but the Legislature got the job done.
Governor Dunleavy comments on 33rd Alaska Legislature’s accomplishments on carbon, crime, energy, food, hunting, and housing
A list of things the governor wanted — and got from the Legislature.
When do veiled threats become illegal acts of coercion in the Legislature? Story of a bill held hostage
Horse-trading can drift into illegal coercion. Did it in the Senate?
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Murkowski: ‘Ridiculous’ GOP lawmakers are attending Trump trial
Lisa doesn’t like Donald Trump one bit, and disapproves of senators attending his “porn trial,” as she puts it.
Here’s who showed up on Thursday at the trial from the House of Representatives: Reps. Matt Gaetz (Fla.), Lauren Boebert (Colo.), Andy Biggs (Ariz.), Mike Waltz (Fla.) and Eli Crane (Ariz.) were spotted in the courtroom, while Reps. Andy Ogles (Tenn.) Anna Paulina Luna (Fla.), Ralph Norman (S.C.) and House Freedom Caucus Chair Bob Good (Va.).
Coast Guard tattoo policy loosened
Bigger hand tattoos and now a small tat behind each ear is OK. But there are still limitations. What are they?
National Park Service wants more time to respond to cashless parks lawsuit
The government cannot afford to take its own currency? There’s a lawsuit for that.
Counting our change: Anchorage is No. 8 for inflation among U.S. cities
Are you watching your pennies this year? Who isn’t!!!
Passing: Rick Mackey, 71, Iditarod winner from legendary mushing family
We’re sorry to see this Alaskan head west. Considering the pain he was in at the end, it was the toughest journey of a lifetime.
Job boost: AIDEA approves financing for methanol plant on North Slope
No, it’s not a meth plant. Methanol is used on the Slope, and they can make their own.
Save the date: First Trump-Biden debate is June 27
CNN is the host, and not the Presidential Debate Commission. No audience, though.
Pork play: Peltola’s posts her earmark requests for 2025
Did your community make the cut? (Pretty much only if it’s rural or on the coast.)
Voting experiment: Eugene to decide on STAR voting, and ranked-choice proponents are opposed
The STAR method has the ranked-choice voting people up in arms because they see it as competition. How is it different? Read up.
Chugach Electric Association election
Chugach Electric’s annual meeting and election is Friday, May 17, 6-7:30 p.m. at ChangePoint Alaska.
A message from Sen. Forrest Dunbar
“Just a funny observation from my time in politics: Suzanne [LaFrance] is going to get blamed by Save Anchorage, MRAK, etc. for any bad things that happen in the Muni between now and her swearing in on July 1st, as if she's already the mayor.”
Another message from Sen. Forrest Dunbar
On the move
Hans Rodvik has a new title: Area Manager for Community and Local Government Affairs at Xcel Energy. Sadly, he’s moved to Colorado. Brain drain.
Commissioner of Revenue Adam Crum welcomed a new child this past weekend, his second daughter, Lucy Violet.
Former Rep. Gabrielle LeDoux’s next court date is 05/20/2024 02:30 p.m.. It is a trial-setting conference regarding the charges she faces that involve election fraud.
Spotted in D.C., Matt Shuckerow, playing golf with some high-and-mighties of the Senate.
Who has filed
Sen. Jesse Kiehl of Juneau filed for reelection.
Tim Murtaugh on the Must Read Alaska Show
The founder of Line Drive Public Affairs talks about his new book, his battle with the bottle, going to jail, and being comms director for Trump’s 2020 campaign.
Without comment
Question of the week
This day in history
May 17, IDAHOBIT — International Day Against Homophobia Transphobia and Biphobia. Read last year’s statement from the State Department.
Here’s this year’s statement from President Biden.
Columns
Greg Sarber: Kristi Noem did something urban Americans just don’t understand
A story about the tough decisions people in rural America and on Alaska’s fishing grounds sometimes have to make.
Alexander Dolitsky: In Israel-Palestine conflict, historic patterns repeat
Today, violent pro-Palestinian protesters are either naïve or misinformed, or both.
Scott Walter: The rise of left-wing nonprofit journalism
In Alaska’s capital and in 49 other states, States Newsroom is shaping the news now more than AP. Who is behind it? The usual suspects.
Michael Tavoliero: Power of the governor to enforce Alaska’s Constitution
The NEA controls far too much in Alaska, and it’s unconstitutional.
Tim Murtaugh: News media that botched huge stories appoint themselves arbiters of truth again
We’re six months away from the November General Election. What tricks will the media play this time?
Alaska oil: $85.52
Henry Hub gas: $2.42
Alaska North Slope Production: 450,952
Permanent Fund (principal and earnings reserve): $80,259,800,000
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