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Solar storm and a stormy state senator
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Good morning from Somewhere in Alaska!
Spectacular Seward on Thursday afternoon. Monday is officially Seward’s Day in Alaska, a state and local holiday. It marks the signing of the purchase of Alaska from Russia on March 30, 1867 for $7.2 million. It’s the holiday the Anchorage Assembly wanted to get rid of this year. Seward, in addition to securing Alaska from Russia (turns out to be a good thing), was a civil rights champion long before the Civil War.
Hole spotted on sun means aurora activity
A coronal hole has been spotted on the sun by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory. It’s 30 times the size of Earth and this means a solar storm heading toward the planet. Some good aurora borealis activity may be seen starting Friday through March 26, and again on March 30, 31. It’s possibly the last you will see the auroras before before next winter because, as you already know, the sky dance is not visible during daylight hours. It’s been an amazing run of northern lights this winter.
Juneau times
I’ve been in my hometown of Juneau all week enjoying visits with many lawmakers and running into some amazing, civic-minded Alaskans, with 36 of them here with Americans for Prosperity Alaska, a libertarian-minded group.
The vibe in the House of Representatives is remarkably productive, a credit to the leadership of Speaker Cathy Tilton, who reminds everyone to respect themselves, respect others, and respect the institution. Snark and sniping is at a minimum from the Democrat-led minority.
All week, the pay raise for the governor, commissioners, and legislators was a hot potato item. There is a lot of palace intrigue about this situation.
First, the salary commission recommended no increase. Then the governor fired the salary commission and appointed a new one, which immediately came out with salary increases for these government officials. Then, [after a lot of fifth business] the House Speaker tried to get the Senate to have a joint session to checkmate the governor. [Insert tedious details of your own, insiders.]
It is mystifying to readers of this publication why the governor did this to the Legislature, forcing chaos at a time when they should be focused on the budget, which is in a bit of a crisis going forward. It almost looks intentional, as if he is putting the Legislature in a position for bargaining purposes.
One of the problems about writing about this kind of sausage being made here is that it changes quickly, sometimes several times by the hour.
Disturbing the peace
Sen. Cathy Giessel of South Anchorage was having a bad day. Although she had eight constituents in Juneau for three days, she simply could not find time to meet with them, not even for five minutes.
The visitors made multiple requests of Giessel’s long-suffering staff, but the answer was always that she was too busy to meet with people from her district.
So the group from South Anchorage attended the floor session and when it came time for the introduction of guests, Giessel did not turn to face or acknowledge them, but simply read their names into the record and sat down. We’re not sure she even gave a perfunctory clap. The Senate was stunned at the rudeness on display to her eight constituents, something not seen in the Senate Chambers ever before.
To compare, moments earlier, there was a moment of lightheartedness when Fairbanks Sen. Scott Kawasaki, who introduced his visiting constituent Seth Church, joked that Church (who is a Republican Party activist) had worked hard to try to “unelect half the members” of the body. Also, Nikiski Sen. Jesse Bjorkman introduced and faced his conservative constituent Cindy Glassmaker, even though Glassmaker had worked to elect his opponent. Bjorkman had the courtesy to give her a warm, statesmanlike welcome to the Senate.
With Giessel, there were also some rude side remarks lobbed at some of the eight constituents after the Senate adjourned, caught by those standing in the hallway. When approached by a constituent, who greeted her and extended a hand for a handshake, Giessel crushed her fingernails into the woman’s hands, quite painfully and with apparent purpose. Word to the wise: Steer clear. Something is clearly wrong with Senator Giessel.
Rookie moment: Rep. Alyse Galvin forgets that the camera is always rolling in committee as she waits for more public testimony on the Mental Health budget.
Screamers screaming in Capitol
A nurse from Bartlett Regional Hospital known as Greta Wade was screaming in the the office and then the hallways of the Capitol at the staff of Rep. Jamie Allard until security was finally called to calm what had become a well-observed disruption. Evidently Wade is a representative of Laborers Local 341, and the footage doesn’t lie — she was out of control. Labor Boss Joey Merrick was somewhere in the building and we’ve heard the Laborers have been now asked to not go back to Allard’s office. A bad look for Joey Merrick, whose wife is in the Senate. Update: Wade denies that she is the person who was screaming at the staff of Rep. Allard, and says that none of this is true.
Chainsaw wielding on Second Street
Over at Wells Fargo Bank, two blocks from the Capitol in Juneau, a man wielding a chainsaw alongside some protesters took over the street as an anti-oil protest that was a nationwide day of action this week. Perhaps it was an electric chainsaw, but surely it needs chain grease now and then, or are they now using olive oil? They were cutting up a plastic credit card in protest of the nationwide bank. At least WFB has not gone belly up like SVB and First Republic.
House passes SNAP funding to get food to families in need
The backlog of food stamp applications has become an embarrassment for the administration.
Gun rights protections during a state emergency?
A spotlight on a bill: Speaker Cathy Tilton’s bill is saying it will be against the law to close down gun stores, unless all stores are treated equally during a declared emergency.
Education formula funding hike leaves committee, halved by amendment
The Base Student Allocation is another hot potato item. How much can the state afford to give school districts? There is no guarantee the money will go to teachers.
DOT hires new ferry system manager
Craig Tornga comes from Seattle via Houston, but as people in the shipping business know, he came up through the maritime ranks and spent years in Alaska with Crowley.
Anchorage School District wants to hike property taxes 2.65% with Prop. 1
The funny thing is, the District has the money in its reserves, far more than it legally is required to keep, and yet it wants more money.
Parents overwhelm Anchorage School Board to oppose takeover of charter school
But MRAK has learned the superintendent has, in actuality, already taken over the books and the lease. It’s all but done.
Who is turning out in the Anchorage election?
About 9,300 have voted as of yesterday, in Anchorage (received ballots). Tough news for conservatives, thought: The liberal-voting people in Anchorage are coming out strong. Here are the top precincts for turnout: Rogers Park, Scenic Foothills, Cheney Lake/Muldoon, Eagle River Valley and Rabbit Creek. Only Eagle River and Rabbit Creek lean conservative.
Defense budget pours billions into shoring up Pacific
China and Russia loom as big concerns for Secretary of Defense.
Can lawmakers in D.C. roll back red tape and taxes on oil?
Some Republicans are giving it a go to try to get more domestic energy produced. It seems unlikely, in this anti-oil administration.
The 907 Question of the Week:
Results of this week’s question…
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Today in history
March 24, 1989, the Exxon Valdez ran aground, spilling 10.8 million gallons of oil into Prince William Sound, the largest oil spill in U.S. history, at the time, and most expensive, costing $7 billion.
Price of Alaska oil: $74.13
Price of Henry Hub gas: $2.17
Alaska North Slope Production: 464,746
Permanent Fund (principal and earnings reserve): $76,507,600,000
COLUMNS
Suzanne Downing: National Parks say ‘leave no trace’ — except your traceable credit card information
When the government won’t take the money it prints, we have crossed the Rubicon to a digital currency.
Suzanne Downing: Ice cold revenge of Deb Haaland
She is punishing Alaskans for the Willow Project. Haaland takes back King Cove road land.
Win Gruening: When is a trail a road?
The latest debate over a commercial use permit in Juneau to use city land for a bike tour on the West Douglas Pioneer Road seems overblown.
Alex Gimarc: Parental rights come to Alaska
Will the Legislature ensure that parents are not cut out of the raising of their children?
Tim Barto: Nice guys don’t have to finish last
Conservatives don’t have to emulated down-and-dirty politics of the left.
Bob Maier: Ballot neglects to tell voters that Prop. 14 will add homeowner taxes
Another $68 in property taxes for an average house.
MULTIMEDIA
Take a video tour inside Alaska’s largest cold-weather shelter
It’s not a place most on the Anchorage Assembly have ever visited (they say it is unsafe), but you can tag along with John Quick as he videos the inside of the Sullivan Arena and talks to the people trying to help the homeless.
Mayor Dave Bronson, extending olive branch to Assembly
John Quick has a heart-to-heart with Anchorage’s mayor. Find out what the buzz is.
MUST READ ALASKA PODCAST
Some of our recent podcasts, available at any of your podcast providers:
Preservation Alaska. Once it’s gone it’s gone
Dorene Lorenz is a champion for all things historical
Rep. Gray is passionate about foster care, affordable housing, and potholes
Pastor Bob Roberts Jr. is an international peacemaker
Undercover Billionaire star & Tedx Talk Speaker RJ shares his life story
Rachel Ries is running for Anchorage Assembly seat 6
Gwen Adams is a modern day HERO
Rep. Jamie Allard of Eagle River is true to her word
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