A couple of weeks ago, there were two news stories that caught my attention. The first was the terrible terrorist attack in Orlando, and the… Continue reading
As governor, I enjoy shaking a lot of hands. But one handshake in particular stuck with me. At the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport last… Continue reading
When you’re not sure how much money payday will bring, it’s best not to start adding new expenses.The Assembly considered briefly ending sales taxes on… Continue reading
This week, the Tongass Forest Plan amendment, final environmental impact statement and draft record of decision have been released. For the people and communities in… Continue reading
You have probably heard the big news. Gov. Bill Walker is vetoing funding for the full Permanent Fund Dividend this year, which is expected to… Continue reading
There was a time in Alaska when leadership was seized by those who had inexhaustible enthusiasm and strong motivation to address the challenges faced by… Continue reading
It’s in the Legislature’s hands now.Last week, the Empire warned you that Gov. Bill Walker was likely to veto some or all of this year’s… Continue reading
When Gov. Bill Walker announced his plan to cut the Permanent Fund Dividend and restructure the permanent fund for government spending, I sought advice from… Continue reading
The following editorial first appeared in the Ketchikan Daily News:It’s an election year.The state House — where all of the seats will be on the… Continue reading
This editorial first appeared in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner:The law enforcement and firefighter survivor benefits bill, House Bill 4002, had a tortured life for a… Continue reading
Another senseless slaughter in the name of religion took place in Orlando two weeks ago. I mourn the victims who were simply out for an… Continue reading
“Trickle-down” theories of wealth have always struck me as bogus. Now I have no doubt. I have a reading list (below), and my thinking is… Continue reading
As we’ve come to expect after every mass shooting, the U.S. Senate failed to consider any meaningful gun control measures. This display of impotence by… Continue reading
Private business and government can make for odd bedfellows, and even more so when government oversteps its role.But if they’re not careful, city leaders may… Continue reading
After the City and Borough of Juneau was served with a lawsuit by the cruise industry in April, it seemed both sides would reach an… Continue reading
I would like to comment on the Letter to the Editor on Tuesday from Joel Bennett asking for the state to protect wolves crossing the… Continue reading
Sometime in the next 10 days, you should expect Gov. Bill Walker to veto all or part of the funding for your Alaska Permanent Fund… Continue reading
The following editorial first appeared in the Peninsula Clarion: Some good news last week from the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services: smoking rates… Continue reading
The following editorial first appeared in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner:Among the symbols of advancing technology, heightened focus on security and fears of eroding privacy rights,… Continue reading
You’ve seen them; you know them. They’re soldiers, doctors, restauranteurs, vendors, teachers, custodians, and, yes, taxi drivers. They’re our neighbors, friends, family and colleagues. They’re… Continue reading
