Opinion

Larry Persily. (Juneau Empire file photo)

Opinion: Governor’s early Christmas spirit is misplaced

“I told the president, it’s like Christmas every morning,” Gov. Mike Dunleavy said at last week’s staged event in Washington, D.C., where the Department of… Continue reading

 

Win Gruening (courtesy)

Opinion: The vote is over, but the budget battle is just beginning

Win Gruening weighs in on Monday’s Assembly Reorganization Meeting.

 

Typewriter for My Turn (web only)

My Turn: The big lie no one believes

Senator Dan Sullivan says Dems want to fund health care for illegal immigrants

 

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a press conference at the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, May 19, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)

Opinion: Dunleavy hides in the shadow of Trump’s assault on free speech

Using the power of the presidency to censor anyone who recognizes that is not only un-American, it’s an act of utter cowardice

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a press conference at the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, May 19, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
The nameplate of Brendan Carr, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, at a hearing in Washington on Feb. 27, 2025. While “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” returned to ABC on Sept. 23, Carr has promised to continue his campaign against what he sees as liberal bias in broadcasts. (Tierney L. Cross/The New York Times)

My Turn: Freedom vanishing: The authoritarian takeover has begun

The warning signs are everywhere

The nameplate of Brendan Carr, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, at a hearing in Washington on Feb. 27, 2025. While “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” returned to ABC on Sept. 23, Carr has promised to continue his campaign against what he sees as liberal bias in broadcasts. (Tierney L. Cross/The New York Times)
Juneau’s cruise ship dock is seen July 11, 2025, in Juneau, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Juneau Empire file)

My Turn: Keeping Juneau affordable means setting the right priorities

The city already has the resources it needs

Juneau’s cruise ship dock is seen July 11, 2025, in Juneau, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Juneau Empire file)
In this Nov. 6, 2018 photo, voters fill the voting booths at Glacier Valley Baptist Church on Election Day. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

My Turn: Voting yes on Proposition 2 calls for a yes vote on Proposition 3

Proposition 2 would give financial relief to every person in Juneau permanently

In this Nov. 6, 2018 photo, voters fill the voting booths at Glacier Valley Baptist Church on Election Day. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
People walk past City Hall in downtown Juneau. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

My Turn: Look before you leap on property tax cap

The property tax cap will limit the contributions of those people most able to pay them: property owners

People walk past City Hall in downtown Juneau. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Juneau ranked eighth out of 12 communities in an annual study asking business leaders how they feel about the business climate in Southeast Alaska. (City and Borough of Juneau)

My Turn: Don’t kneecap Assembly with unaffordable Proposition 1

The CBJ would not have the flexibility to raise the property tax above 9 mills without first submitting it to an areawide vote

Juneau ranked eighth out of 12 communities in an annual study asking business leaders how they feel about the business climate in Southeast Alaska. (City and Borough of Juneau)
Sun shines through the canopy in the Tongass National Forest. (Photo by Brian Logan/U.S. Forest Service)

My Turn: Southeast Alaska’s economy thrives through balance, not timber alone

For 17,000 years, Indigenous people of Southeast Alaska have thrived on these lands

Sun shines through the canopy in the Tongass National Forest. (Photo by Brian Logan/U.S. Forest Service)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy holds a press conference on Monday, May 19, 2025, to discuss his decision to veto an education bill. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)

Dunleavy: A tribute to Charlie Kirk and the First Amendment

Today, I write this as not only your governor, but as a citizen of our great country who is mourning the passing of Charlie Kirk.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy holds a press conference on Monday, May 19, 2025, to discuss his decision to veto an education bill. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Joe Geldhof. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

My Turn: Yes, yes and no is the way to go this October

The best way to make Juneau more affordable is to adopt the two sensible ballot measures put forward by the Affordable Juneau Coalition

Joe Geldhof. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
The Tongass National Forest sign stands near the Auke Village Recreation Area. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: The Roadless Rule doesn’t have to be controversial

Regulations aren’t needed to prevent roadbuilding on landforms such as the sprawling Juneau and Stikine icefields

The Tongass National Forest sign stands near the Auke Village Recreation Area. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Larry Persily. (Juneau Empire file photo)

My Turn: It’s the exact opposite of what we teach children

Breaking the rules and treating people unfairly is not the answer, even if others do it first.

Larry Persily. (Juneau Empire file photo)
The ranked choice outcome for Alaska’s U.S. Senate race is shown during an Alaska Public Media broadcast on Nov. 24, 2022. (Alaska Division of Elections)

My Turn: Petition to overturn ranked choice voting still needs signatures

RCV is just not natural or comfortable for voters with experience in the conventional, tried-and-true system

The ranked choice outcome for Alaska’s U.S. Senate race is shown during an Alaska Public Media broadcast on Nov. 24, 2022. (Alaska Division of Elections)
President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin of Russia meet at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. (Doug Mills/The New York Times)

Opinion: Trump is not a peacemaker

Alaska’s news sites were buzzing last week after President Donald Trump announced he would be meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin somewhere in the state on… Continue reading

President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin of Russia meet at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. (Doug Mills/The New York Times)
City and Borough of Juneau City Hall is photographed on July 12, 2025, in Juneau, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Juneau Empire file)

My Turn: How greedy do we want to be?

Our city government has become much less business-friendly in recent years

City and Borough of Juneau City Hall is photographed on July 12, 2025, in Juneau, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Juneau Empire file)
Win Gruening (courtesy)

Opinion: Sen. Dan Sullivan’s actions speak louder than his critics

He keeps proving he can deliver on his promises

Win Gruening (courtesy)
In this June 23, 2016, photo, the Alaska Marine Highway ferry Matanuska passes Eagle Glacier. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: The Cascade Point subsidy Dunleavy is trying to hide

Gov. Mike Dunleavy wants us to think he’s doing it to improve ferry service between Juneau, Haines and Skagway

In this June 23, 2016, photo, the Alaska Marine Highway ferry Matanuska passes Eagle Glacier. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Three Alaska Marine Highway System ferries are docked at its headquarters in Ketchikan as the Columbia arrives on July 16. (Meredith Jordan / Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Juneau needs new ferry terminal like it needs a hole in a boat

What’s the rush to spend money designing a project that may never get built — that shouldn’t get built

Three Alaska Marine Highway System ferries are docked at its headquarters in Ketchikan as the Columbia arrives on July 16. (Meredith Jordan / Juneau Empire)