Gov. Bill Walker

Counting down the top stories of 2018

Counting down the top stories of 2018

From the statewide elections to a whale statue.

 

Judge dismisses Alaska bonding plan lawsuit

Judge dismisses Alaska bonding plan lawsuit

The lawsuit was brought by a Juneau resident.

 

Opinion: Dunleavy leaves Alaskans in a ditch over climate change

Opinion: Dunleavy leaves Alaskans in a ditch over climate change

“Open for business” or “business as usual?”

 

Dave d’Amato, an attorney working for Kathleen Barrett, spends Monday, Oct. 1, 2018, boarding up the house at 401 Harris Street. The house was vacated after a judge ordered its residents (including co-owner James Barrett) to leave due to code and safety violations. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
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Looking back at the year in crime

Public safety was a hot topic all year.

Dave d’Amato, an attorney working for Kathleen Barrett, spends Monday, Oct. 1, 2018, boarding up the house at 401 Harris Street. The house was vacated after a judge ordered its residents (including co-owner James Barrett) to leave due to code and safety violations. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
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Gov. Bill Walker talks about his four years as governor during an interview on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire) Gov. Bill Walker talks about his four years as governor during an interview on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
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Walker laments how fiscal crisis dominated tenure

Walker reflects.

Gov. Bill Walker talks about his four years as governor during an interview on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire) Gov. Bill Walker talks about his four years as governor during an interview on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
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Gov. Walker reflects on rocky tenure, his legacy

Gov. Walker reflects on rocky tenure, his legacy

To some, Walker was a cool-headed leader who was dealt a bad hand and did what he thought was best for Alaska. For others, he was the guy who stole their dividend check.

Gov. Walker reflects on rocky tenure, his legacy
Acid contaminated water runs from the entrance of the Tulsequah Chief Mine in Canada. (Courtesy photo)

Governor ‘frustrated’ by long-polluting Canadian mine

Runoff from the mine has been flowing for more than 60 years.

Acid contaminated water runs from the entrance of the Tulsequah Chief Mine in Canada. (Courtesy photo)
In this Sept. 6, 2018 file photo, Democratic nominee for governor of Alaska Mark Begich, right, speaks as Gov. Bill Walker listens during a chamber of commerce gubernatorial candidate forum on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018, in Juneau, Alaska, On Friday, Oct. 19, Walker announced he was dropping his bid for re-election, though his name remains on the ballot. He threw his support behind Begich, who will face Republican Mike Dunleavy in November. (AP Photo | Becky Bohrer File)

Opinion: Medicaid expansion is out of control

For less government, Mike Dunleavy is the clear choice for governor.

In this Sept. 6, 2018 file photo, Democratic nominee for governor of Alaska Mark Begich, right, speaks as Gov. Bill Walker listens during a chamber of commerce gubernatorial candidate forum on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018, in Juneau, Alaska, On Friday, Oct. 19, Walker announced he was dropping his bid for re-election, though his name remains on the ballot. He threw his support behind Begich, who will face Republican Mike Dunleavy in November. (AP Photo | Becky Bohrer File)
Former state Senate Mike Dunleavy, left, Gov. Bill Walker, center, and former U.S. Senator Mark Begich debate during a Juneau Chamber of Commerce luncheon at Centennial Hall on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: We need a governor who will stick to his word on reproductive rights

Whom we choose for governor is more important than ever.

Former state Senate Mike Dunleavy, left, Gov. Bill Walker, center, and former U.S. Senator Mark Begich debate during a Juneau Chamber of Commerce luncheon at Centennial Hall on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Former U.S. Sen. Mark Begich, left, and Gov. Bill Walker pass Mike Dunleavy’s name plate during a Special Native Issues Forum for governor candidates at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018. Libertarian candidate Billy Toien, out of picture to the left, requested the name plate. Dunleavy did not attend the forum. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Governor candidates critical as Dunleavy misses forum

Tuesday’s gubernatorial forum was almost more about who wasn’t there than it was about who was there.

Former U.S. Sen. Mark Begich, left, and Gov. Bill Walker pass Mike Dunleavy’s name plate during a Special Native Issues Forum for governor candidates at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018. Libertarian candidate Billy Toien, out of picture to the left, requested the name plate. Dunleavy did not attend the forum. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Gov accepts climate change plan

Gov accepts climate change plan

The non-binding plan calls for carbon tax, reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

Gov accepts climate change plan
Opinion: Medicaid Expansion is a fiscal trap for Alaskans

Opinion: Medicaid Expansion is a fiscal trap for Alaskans

Since Gov. Bill Walker unilaterally expanded Obamacare in Alaska, enrollment has skyrocketed and is providing needed health care coverage to vulnerable Alaskans and bringing additional… Continue reading

Opinion: Medicaid Expansion is a fiscal trap for Alaskans
Opinion: Three cheers for governor, the adult in the room

Opinion: Three cheers for governor, the adult in the room

The people who are upset over the change in the Permanent Fund Dividend payout need to review the enabling legislation and history of the purpose… Continue reading

Opinion: Three cheers for governor, the adult in the room
Opinion: Vote Walker out

Opinion: Vote Walker out

Anyone who would take $460 million from the Juneau economy will never receive my vote. That is exactly what Gov. Bill Walker did. This money… Continue reading

Opinion: Vote Walker out
Gov. Bill Walker answers a range of questions during an interview with the Empire in his Capitol office on Friday, Jan. 5, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Walker fails in government transparency

Among Gov. Bill Walker’s many failures, a fundamental one is his failure to govern openly and transparently.

Gov. Bill Walker answers a range of questions during an interview with the Empire in his Capitol office on Friday, Jan. 5, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Opinion: Mark Begich is the governor Alaska needs

Opinion: Mark Begich is the governor Alaska needs

I have known Mark Begich since he was 19 years old. Then, he was chair of the Anchorage Youth Commission, and I was mayor. His… Continue reading

Opinion: Mark Begich is the governor Alaska needs
Former U.S. Senator Mark Begich, right, directs a question at former state Senate Mike Dunleavy, left, as Gov. Bill Walker listens during a Juneau Chamber of Commerce luncheon debate at Centennial Hall on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: The Democrat strategy to divide and be conquered

“The new rule in American politics is divide and conquer,” longtime political analyst Bill Schneider wrote at the dawn of the 2106 presidential campaign. “At… Continue reading

Former U.S. Senator Mark Begich, right, directs a question at former state Senate Mike Dunleavy, left, as Gov. Bill Walker listens during a Juneau Chamber of Commerce luncheon debate at Centennial Hall on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Gov. Bill Walker, February 2018 (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Actions and words split the candidates for governor

With the current political climate, I expected the divisive rhetoric of this election season. I did not expect the battle lines to be drawn so… Continue reading

Gov. Bill Walker, February 2018 (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Former Alaska U.S. Senator Mark Begich greets and speaks to Juneau residents interested in his campaign for governor at the IBEW Local 1547 Union office on Thursday, June 29, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Begich is my choice for governor

We need a governor who is foursquare in support of a woman’s right to choose.

Former Alaska U.S. Senator Mark Begich greets and speaks to Juneau residents interested in his campaign for governor at the IBEW Local 1547 Union office on Thursday, June 29, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
In this July 14, 2016 photo, Gov. Bill Walker speaks during a press conference. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Nothing, not even the PFD, can last forever

Gov. Bill Walker did the right thing for Alaska when he decided to reduce the Permanent Fund Dividend in 2016.

In this July 14, 2016 photo, Gov. Bill Walker speaks during a press conference. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)