Last year, our Legislature and Gov. Bill Walker enacted Senate Bill 91, broadly reforming our criminal justice system. Prior laws were not working as we… Continue reading
Without a doubt, the chemical weapons attack by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was an act of cowardice. That’s true even if he believed no civilians… Continue reading
It’s hard to know everything that’s going on in the Legislature. Here’s my perspective. We’re working to achieve a balanced and sustainable plan that will… Continue reading
As the Alaska Legislature winds down toward its stated 90-day deadline, most of us are focused on what is happening with the statewide budget and… Continue reading
Declining oil revenues in recent years have caused Alaskans great stress, suspiciously viewing state spending that once adequately supported schools, hospitals, public safety, transportation, arts… Continue reading
Today we usher in a new era for the Coast Guard in Alaska. At a ceremony in Ketchikan, Coast Guard Cutter John McCormick will officially… Continue reading
It is time to speak up to support the University of Alaska. By 2025, 65 percent of the jobs in Alaska will require some form… Continue reading
The groundswell of grass-roots activism across the country worked, holding off the harm the GOP plan would have caused if they had repealed the Affordable… Continue reading
One hundred years ago, Alaska’s leaders came together around a vision to create an institution of higher learning. They gathered on a hill near downtown… Continue reading
For several years, Alaska has lagged behind the world by maintaining regulations that have stifled innovation and competition in the transportation arena. Fortunately, lawmakers in… Continue reading
There is an old saying: “Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.” One of the biggest issues emerging this legislative session is whether the… Continue reading
“What’s hot?” the television screen asked Super Bowl XLVII four years ago. “The all-new Mercedes-Benz CLA,” it answered. The real subject of the ad, however,… Continue reading
I am writing in support of House Bill 52, regarding providing a pre-elementary program within a school district and providing for the certification of early… Continue reading
U.S. Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, doesn’t believe Congress will be ready to enact health care legislation to replace Obamacare until 2020. That much time is… Continue reading
Since October 2014, when I began writing Empire op-ed columns, a lot has happened on both the national stage and in our state and community.… Continue reading
Once again, irresponsible spending by state lawmakers has left us with a multibillion-dollar budget deficit. This latest crisis underscores the need to tighten the state’s… Continue reading
This editorial first appeared in the Ketchikan Daily News: When we make a mess, we ought to clean it up. Whether in Ketchikan or other… Continue reading
Decisions regarding the size and funding of government impact all Alaskans so it’s important to have current, comprehensive information to help make wise choices. Each… Continue reading
Here we are again with “let’s move the Legislature to Anchorage,” which in my opinion is nothing more than the first step to moving the… Continue reading
When you ask kids about kindness, without fail, at least one kid will talk about the playground. Maybe it’s the “if you see someone standing… Continue reading
