Opinion

Opinion: More state budget cuts are coming next year — will Alaskans be ready?
Opinion: More state budget cuts are coming next year — will Alaskans be ready?
In this October 2015 file photo, maple leaves fall on Seward Street as a pedestrian ducks rain in front of City Hall. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: City’s budget is unsustainable

“What were they thinking?”

  • Sep 3, 2019
  • By Mike Clemens
In this October 2015 file photo, maple leaves fall on Seward Street as a pedestrian ducks rain in front of City Hall. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Opinion: Politics is not war

Opinion: Politics is not war

To Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-VT, David Koch’s wealth and influence were emblematic of everything wrong with America. But when his supporters cheered the mention of… Continue reading

  • Sep 3, 2019
  • By Rich Moniak
Opinion: Politics is not war
Opinion: Divesting from fossil fuels is the right move for Alaska salmon and the bottom-line

Opinion: Divesting from fossil fuels is the right move for Alaska salmon and the bottom-line

Salmon are Alaska’s original Permanent Fund.

  • Sep 2, 2019
  • By Kate Troll
Opinion: Divesting from fossil fuels is the right move for Alaska salmon and the bottom-line
Opinion: Cruise ship routes don’t make sense

Opinion: Cruise ship routes don’t make sense

So I’m confused. Why would a Princess cruise ship have a “standard” route that takes the 1,000-feet-long ship, traveling at 20 mph through a narrow… Continue reading

  • Sep 1, 2019
Opinion: Cruise ship routes don’t make sense
Opinion: We need a true home for the arts

Opinion: We need a true home for the arts

It’s time for a New Juneau Arts & Culture Center.

  • Aug 31, 2019
Opinion: We need a true home for the arts
A downed spruce tree sits near the East Glacier Trail at the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area in this June 2014 photo. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: It’s time to get it right with Tongass, timber, carbon and climate change

A perfect storm is brewing in Southeast Alaska and all weather vanes are pointing to the Tongass National Forest — the “Amazon” of America that… Continue reading

  • Aug 29, 2019
  • By Catherine M. Mater and Dominick A. DellaSala
A downed spruce tree sits near the East Glacier Trail at the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area in this June 2014 photo. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
The Glory Hole homeless shelter pictured in July 2017 is a downtown Juneau homeless shelter and soup kitchen. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: It’s time for a Homeless Bill of Rights

We have a moral imperative to protect the civil and human rights of every American.

  • Aug 29, 2019
The Glory Hole homeless shelter pictured in July 2017 is a downtown Juneau homeless shelter and soup kitchen. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Angela Rodell, CEO and executive director of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp., gives an overview of the fund to the House Finance Committee at the Capitol on Monday, Jan. 22, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: It’s time for the Permanent Fund to divest from fossil fuels

Alaskans are beginning to take the climate crisis seriously.

  • Aug 23, 2019
  • By Mike Tobin
Angela Rodell, CEO and executive director of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp., gives an overview of the fund to the House Finance Committee at the Capitol on Monday, Jan. 22, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to members of the media before welcoming Juneau residents to the Governor’s Open House on Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Dunleavy is still the ‘odd man out’

The budget can’t be balanced by cuts alone.

  • Aug 23, 2019
  • By Rich Moniak
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to members of the media before welcoming Juneau residents to the Governor’s Open House on Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Kensington Mine cares about community, environment

Coeur Alaska cares deeply about protecting our people and the environment.

  • Aug 22, 2019
  • By Mark Kiessling
Opinion: Changes in education will only happen through local involvement

Opinion: Changes in education will only happen through local involvement

K-12 state funding may not be so fortunate next year.

Opinion: Changes in education will only happen through local involvement
Gov. Mike Dunleavy at the signing ceremony for Senate Bill 2002 at the Alaska Association of General Contractors in Anchorage on August 8, 2019. (Courtesy photo)

Opinion: Listening beyond echo chamber

Who finally got Dunleavy to listen?

  • Aug 18, 2019
  • By Rich Moniak
Gov. Mike Dunleavy at the signing ceremony for Senate Bill 2002 at the Alaska Association of General Contractors in Anchorage on August 8, 2019. (Courtesy photo)
Opinion: Our budget, our values

Opinion: Our budget, our values

We’re sometimes told that government is “bloated.”

  • Aug 18, 2019
  • By Andi Story
Opinion: Our budget, our values

Opinion: August is a good time to reflect on suicide prevention

August is National Shooting Sports Month.

  • Aug 15, 2019
  • By Jan Reece
Opinion: Here’s why I’m not fishing the derby this year

Opinion: Here’s why I’m not fishing the derby this year

King salmon are in dire straights in Southeast Alaska and most of Alaska. King salmon fishing in and around Juneau has been closed for the… Continue reading

  • Aug 13, 2019
Opinion: Here’s why I’m not fishing the derby this year
Opinion: Moving helps Glory Hall with ‘sacred responsibility’

Opinion: Moving helps Glory Hall with ‘sacred responsibility’

This is why the Glory Hall Board wants to move.

Opinion: Moving helps Glory Hall with ‘sacred responsibility’
Opinion: Obama, Trump and guns

Opinion: Obama, Trump and guns

One person can’t do it all.

  • Aug 12, 2019
  • By Rich Moniak
Opinion: Obama, Trump and guns

Opinion: Pioneer Home rate increase seems ‘cruel and unjust’

This week, I feel particularly powerless.

  • Aug 12, 2019
  • By Margie Beedle
Opinion: Let’s help the Glory Hall with their move to the valley

Opinion: Let’s help the Glory Hall with their move to the valley

For most Juneau residents, our community is a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family. Our magnificent scenery, small footprint, cultural and recreational… Continue reading

  • Aug 9, 2019
  • By Win Gruening
Opinion: Let’s help the Glory Hall with their move to the valley