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—Posted by Matt Buxton, staff writer
The race for the Republican nomination for the North Pole House district, a spot that all but guarantees a win in the overwhelmingly Republican-voting district, is shaping up to be an interesting one.
The seat was held by Rep. Tammie Wilson, but a change in district lines put her in a district covering the northern area of the Fairbanks North Star Borough with incumbent Democrat Bob Miller. That leaves the spot open and with less than two weeks to the filing deadline, Republicans are lining up for an opportunity to join the Alaska House of Representatives.
Yesterday, Lynette Bergh resigned her position as the President of the Fairbanks Republican Women organization in order to campaign for the seat. Bergh is no stranger to Juneau, having worked in Sen. John Coghill and later Rep. Steve Thompson’s office for the past three years.
She joins Paul Brown, operations manager of the Santa Clause House.
North Pole Mayor Doug Isaacson, who is term-limited, is also expected to join the race, but hasn’t filed paperwork yet. Isaacson was a nominee for the North Pole seat in 2009, when then-Rep. John Coghill was nominated to the Senate. Gov. Sean Parnell picked Wilson over Isaacson and Mike Prax.
The state primary will be held on Aug. 28 and the general election will be held on Nov. 6. The deadline to file to run is June 1.
No Democratic challenger has filed for the seat, yet.
For a list of all candidates for state office, visit the Alaska Public Offices Commission website.
—Posted by Matt Buxton, staff writer
With plenty of uncertainty over redistricting, campaigns for this fall’s elections have made a slow start in the Interior. But with two weeks until the filing deadline, there are two big names entering the races.
Former Fairbanks Sen. Pete Kelly and Click Bishop, Alaska’s former labor commissioner, filed their intent letters earlier this month to run for separate Senate seats.
The men are both registered Republicans, according to the state Division of Elections, and largely round out the GOP ticket for the Interior.
Kelly has filed to run for the city of Fairbanks seat, which is currently filled by incumbent Democrat Joe Paskvan, who has not yet filed to run for re-election. Kelly was in the state Senate from 1999 to 2003 after serving in the House.
Bishop will likely be running for the vacant Senate seat that comprises Chena Ridge, Salcha and the Richardson Highway House District that stretches down to Valdez. The vacant seat doesn’t yet have a Democratic candidate, but former Republican Sen. Ralph Seekins is also running for the seat, meaning Bishop and Seekins will face off in a primary.
Calls to both men were not immediately returned.
The GOP now has a candidate in every Interior race but North Pole, where incumbent Republican Rep. Tammie Wilson has been put into the northern Fairbanks House District.
The Democratic ticket is more sparse, with only some incumbents filing for re-election.
There are two more weeks until the 5 p.m. June 1 deadline for candidates to file.
Bishop filed a letter of resignation as the Alaska Department of Labor less than two months ago. He was appointed by then-Gov. Sarah Palin in 2007.
—Posted by Matt Buxton, staff writer
As the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division prepares for redeployment, Gov. Sean Parnell visited Fairbanks today to welcome the troops home and sign into law legislation to foster private industry support of the Alaska’s military bases.
In a small ceremony at his Fairbanks office, the governor signed off on Fairbanks Republican Rep. Steve Thompson’s House Bill 316, which creates military facility zones that extend a slew of business loans and incentives for private enterprise to partner with bases to provide more services and drive costs down.
HB 316 was modeled after similar programs in other states that have successfully driven down the cost of operating bases and, in effect, protected communities from the harsh economic impact of a base closure.
“This bill is a real plus for the whole state,” Thompson said. “This gives private industry and the military to utilize federal tax credits to enhance the mission of the military to continue to make sure the military is welcome in Alaska.”
Thompson said the idea behind the bill is that a private industry, like a unmanned aerial vehicle manufacturer or housing company, could work in conjunction with a military base to provide needed goods and services.
“If it can enhance the mission of a military base, it gives a better chance that we can hold onto the military base and that’s what’s really important,” he said. “It makes their mission less expensive and broadens the mission, it’s good for all of Alaska.”
Parnell also pointed out the bill also extend to the state’s military installations, not just the big, traditional military bases.
“The bill itself will not only help our traditional military facilities,” he said, “but facilities like the Alaska Aerospace Corporation in Kodiak.”
The event was attended by other Interior Republicans, including North Pole Sen. John Coghill, Chickaloon Rep. Eric Fiege and North Pole Rep. Tammie Wilson, members of the business community, and U.S. Army leadership. Parnell credited lawmakers with working across the aisle on the issue.
“This was a bill that was widely supported across the aisle,” he said. “As governor I’m honored to be able to sign HB 316.”
Parnell also signed into law a bill sponsored by Rep. Tammie Wilson, which dealt with railroad property easements in the North Pole area.
Contact staff writer Matt Buxton at 459-7544.
—Posted by Matt Buxton, staff writer
Gov. Sean Parnell is expected to visit Fairbanks on Wednesday to speak at the afternoon Stryker redeployment ceremony at Fort Wainwright.
In addition to meeting with troops, the governor’s spokeswoman said Parnell plans to sign a bill that creates economic incentive zones around military bases into law. The so-called military zones would extend a number of economic incentives for private industry create partnerships with bases throughout the state.
House Bill 316 was sponsored by Fairbanks Republican Rep. Steve Thompson and was, in part, a response to recent concerns about base closures.
Maybe Parnell and Thompson can explain why they hate the military so much that they both worked to ensure that our military bases were not on the route for a gasline? Both supported HB-9 where the gasline would not only bypass Eielson, and Ft. Greely, but Fairbanks too.
The military needs gas from a large diameter gasline for the same reasons as the rest of us. A large diameter line, following TAPS, ensures low cost gas (and savings) for our military. But this is not what these guys support.
Actions speak louder than words.
—Posted by Matt Buxton, staff writer
The Alaska Democratic Convention in Fairbanks is unfolding with a few surprises this weekend.
Today Alaska Democratic Party Chair Patti Higgins signaled that she plans to step down from the position and will hand the gavel over to Michael Wenstrup, the current chair of the Interior Democrats.
Later Saturday, she said she plans to run against incumbent Anchorage Republican Rep. Charisse Millette in November.
The move clears the way for Wenstrup, who was the only challenger for the Party Chair, to take the reigns of the Alaska Democratic Party if he’s elected on Sunday—there’s still an opportunity for other challengers to appear.
Wenstrup is expected to be elected with little fuss based on his track record as an accomplished political organizer in the Interior, where he helped bring in a slew of Democratic wins. Two of the Interior’s three Senate seats and three of the five House seats are filled by Democrats.
Traditionally, if Wenstrup had won the Sunday election for chair, he would have taken over next year, after the elections, but the move allows him to take over immediately. Rep. David Guttenberg told the convention that a similar strategy had been taken in 1980s.
The Alaska Republicans also went through a change-up in leadership during its state convention last month. But instead of the apparently smooth transition for the Democrats, Republicans were taken over by an alliance of Tea Party and Ron Paul supporters focused on ousting “establishment Republicans.”
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2142889/Nichole-Bain-wrongly-diagnosed-eating-disorder-deadly-brain-tumour.html
the government quacks don't know the difference between a brain cancer and anorexia!
—Posted by Matt Buxton, staff writer
The Alaska Democratic Party will be holding its three-day state convention in Fairbanks starting today, where local delegates will elect party officers, set party platform and discuss the fall’s elections.
The event, which will be held at the Westmark Hotel, also includes a banquet that will be held on Saturday night with a key note address from U.S. Sen. Mark Begich.
Much of the event and the decision-making meetings are only open to delegates who were locally picked in April and there aren’t expected to be any major shakeups with platform or direction of the party.
The event isn’t expected to be as controversial as the Republican state convention that was held in late April in Anchorage. The Republican party saw a significant shift in leadership, with Tea Party and Ron Paul supporters rallying together to overthrow what they called “establishment Republicans.”
In addition to meetings on candidate recruitment, resolutions, party rules and party officials, there will also be a break on Saturday to watch the Salute to our Military Parade, which runs from 10 a.m. to noon.
For more information on the event and its registration fees, visit http://www.alaskademocrats.org/
— Posted by Matt Buxton, staff writer
Despite a touching display of hundreds of used dog collars representing the animals put down by the borough’s over-worked animal shelter, the Borough Assembly last week rejected a vote to restore $64,000 to the department’s budget. But the 4-5 vote isn’t going to be the last word on the issue.
That’s because Assemblyman Guy Sattley, who voted to keep the cut, has indicated that he plans to revisit the issue with a fresh set of eyes and a little research at the second part of the borough’s budget meeting this Thursday.
“That doesn’t mean I’m going to vote for it,” he said, “but we’ll give it another look.”
Last Thursday, Sattley, along with most of his fellow assemblymembers, opted to postpone deliberations on the budget so they could take their time and review more nearly three hours of public testimony. But a bit of miscommunication sent an amendment to put $64,000 back into the budget to a vote.
“If I have to vote on this tonight I’m going to vote no, but next week I might change my mind,” he said, before voting against it.
In a short debate, other members argued that the animal shelter is already looking for ways to improve its service and find more homes for animals and that cutting $64,000 from its budget isn’t going to make anything better.
“I don't think it's our job to make a bad situation worse,” said Assemblyman Mike Musick. “I don't think this cut is going to make it any better for the employees or the animals.”
It’ll likely be a tough battle to put anything back into the budget because Sattley and Presiding Officer Diane Hutchison, who are the only probable swing votes on budget issues, have both indicated that they support the 2-5 percent cuts made to certain departments as a modest way to control spending and growth.
So, the only place to cut the budget would be how long they can hold an animal before killing the animals. Otherwise, not funding Animal Control officers would mean people would almost be allowed to shoot first instead of calling Animal Control. Hence, AST won't be too thrilled having to report to each incident.
So, likely FNSB Animal Control will hand the FNSB a bill that they must likely have to pay regardless, while cutting the above non-essential services.
Bottom line, if pet owners would leash their dogs instead of playing games, they could save the FNSB some money. However, there are those out there trying to exploit (political) problems to gain more money from the government. Eh, so we don't want Animal Control (AKA law enforcement) spending money on full auto weapons, SS uniforms, etc... etc.
— Posted by Matt Buxton, staff writer
Gov. Sean Parnell announced on Tuesday that he plans to sign off on more than $50 million of additional education funding to cover pupil transportation, vocational education and a one-time funding boost based on student enrollment.
The funding comes through the legislature’s Senate Bill 182, which was commandeered by the House to graft on a slew of additional educational funding mechanisms after they rejected another proposal by the Senate to create a long-term funding solution.
The funding from the bill breaks down into $19.7 million for transportation, $5.9 million for vocational education and a $25 million one-time bump for general education funding.
The total state-funded K-12 education and pupil transportation budget for FY 2013 is $1.2 billion.
“I understand the pressure on school district budgets,” Governor Parnell said. “I supported legislation to address specific costs, including pupil transportation and vocational education. School districts will receive more than $50 million in additional funding to deliver quality education to Alaska’s students.”
The press release also said the governor is still reviewing the capital and operating budgets and plans to sign them before the end of May.
He is saving 50 mill for the kids.
I wonder how well that will sit with his oil company masters?
Why is this guy governor?? He is giving away our State! He was an oil lawyer before he got into office and his loyalties lay DEEP in the pockets of big oil.
This guy is worst for Alaska than 20 Sarah Palins and a blizzard. He is trying to lock the State into paltry taxes before he returns the bidding of his oil masters.
Pathetic. This guy is giving away Alaska.
— Posted by Matt Buxton, staff writer
Ron Paul might have finished a distant third in Alaska’s Republican presidential race, but he won big at the Republican state convention over the weekend.
In a tense, and at times openly confrontational convention this weekend, Paul’s supporters came out in force to express their distaste with “establishment Republicans” and successfully took control of much of the party.
The biggest victory for the Paul supporters took home this weekend was the leadership of Alaska GOP. Russ Millette, a Paul favorite, was elected to replace retiring party Chairman Randy Ruedrich at the state GOP convention in Anchorage. Reudrich had led the party since 2000 and played a key role in keeping the state under Republican control.
Millette, who won’t take over until 2013, will be joined by fellow Paul favorite Debbie Brown, who was elected as vice-chair. Other positions are reportedly going to Paul supporters.
But not everything out of Anchorage went smoothly, and by some accounts things got very ugly.
Ron Paul supporters, well-known for their idealism and not-so-polite tactics, often interrupted the convention to yell over any mention of presumed-Republican nominee Mitt Romney.
And on Friday night they interrupted a speech by U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who won a write-in campaign against Tea Party-favorite Joe Miller. Miller was reportedly working behind the scenes at the convention and his wife, Kathleen, won a seat on Alaska’s GOP Electoral College.
The major victory appears to be cause for concern among the state’s established party and the party’s finances were quickly moved Saturday. Ruedrich told the Alaska Dispatch on Saturday that the party transferred all of its roughly $100,0000 to the local Capital City Republicans and Juneau because legislators were “concerned.”
That’s because Millette will serve as the party’s finance chairman immediately.
Obama vs Romney=Obama Win! Obama vs Ron Paul=Paul Win!"If you don't vote for Ron Paul you're throwing away your Vote."
— Posted by Matt Buxton, staff writer
Think gasoline and heating fuel prices are high? Maybe even suspiciously high? Do the words “price gouging” come to mind when you’re at the pump?
The Senate Finance Committee certainly thinks so and today approved a $150,000 investigation into high gas and energy prices across Alaska.
“Action needs to be taken to bring energy costs down and ensure Alaskans pay fair and reasonable prices for heating oil, electricity and gasoline,” said Sen. Bill Wielechowski while pitching the investigation, which would look at “what factors cause Alaska’s energy prices to far exceed the national average and is price gouging occurring and if so to what extent.”
High energy prices have been an underlying issue throughout the session, but it never quite took center stage. Almost everyone in Juneau agreed something needed to be done, but no real agreement — whether on energy vouchers or to hold on the state’s gasoline tax — was reached during the crammed 90-day session.
Investigating price gouging had come up a few times during the session, but was tabled over concerns that previous investigations hadn’t turned up much of anything. Wielechowski said the new investigation will have a wider inquiry on the issue.
“The past investigations have only really looked at the price fixing angle,” he said. “What I’m really hoping is that we can have an expert who not only looks at what’s wrong but how we can fix the problem.”
Findings from the investigation will likely be used as fodder for action during the next legislative session.
Sen. Johnny Ellis, D-Anchorage, applauded the decision, adding that unjustly high energy prices have been a number one issue for his constituents.
“This is the thing people bring up over and over and over,” he said. “In an energy-rich state such as ours, this is the subject that comes up at home most often.”