For the benefit of us all
State employees are Republicans, Independents and Democrats.
When state employees are working for the people they serve, they work together for the benefit of all.
Alaska legislators need to work together for the benefit of us all.
Some legislators are working for the benefit of moneyed special interest groups who are not Alaskan.
— Sherrell Holtshouser
Anchorage
Demboski is the only choice
With the runoff election coming up on May 5, I have to urge all to get out and vote. This will be a decisive election for the fiscal future of our city. I will be voting for the only nonlawyer, I'm voting for the one with a MBA, who is not endorsed by big money (unions, Planned Parenthood, etc.). It's not about pot. It's not about abortion. It's not about gay/same-sex rights, it IS about the economy. It is about the inebriate/safety problem. It is about an intelligent step toward a fiscally sound future. Amy Demboski is the only choice. We don't need any more lawyers trying to play at politics. We need a mayor who understands the economy, and who knows how to run a business. Amy has those qualities. But, hey, no matter what, get out and vote.
— Cindy Liming
Chugiak
Push hard for expansion
Medicaid expansion would help a friend of mine who has back problems and no health insurance. He desperately wants to work but had to leave his last job because his back hurt so badly. At the emergency room they tell him he has serious back problems and needs to see a doctor, then they send him away because this is not a medical emergency.
Gov. Walker's Medicaid expansion bill would provide health care for this friend and 40,000 other Alaskans. The bill would accept $1.44 billion in federal funds and save the state of Alaska $330 million from 2016 to 2021. It would create 4,000 new jobs in an expanded health care industry here in Alaska, more jobs than any project since the Alaska pipeline. Every day we delay accepting Medicaid Expansion we lose $400,000 in federal funds.
There are enough moderate votes in the Legislature to pass Medicaid expansion, but for ideological reasons the extreme right-wing Republican leadership will not let it come to the floor for a vote. Call your state legislators and tell them Gov. Walker's Medicaid expansion bill deserves a fair and open vote in the Legislature.
— John David Ragan
Ester
Slide up the fader please
For several weeks, we had been looking forward to seeing one of my childhood heroes, Bob Newhart. Well we were able to see him but due to the poor sound system or the soundboard operator, we were only able to hear about half of what he had to say. We realize that he is in his 80s and sometimes he didn't maintain a steady sound level but that is what the sound person is supposed to correct by manipulating the volume and whatever else to make the person understood. Of course, maybe the sound person did not have a sound system that is capable of producing the quality of sound one would expect at the Performing Arts Center.
This is not the first performance we have attended, and it is not the first performance we have left disappointed in the quality of the sound system or acoustics at the Atwood Concert Hall. The tickets are not inexpensive and one should be able to get the performance for which they pay.
— Wayne Watson
Anchorage
Legislative impasse silly on both sides of the aisle
With the Legislature at a standstill I thought this would be a good time to share my thoughts on the impasse, education funding and an educational opportunity.
My first thought is that the impasse is silly and immature on both sides of the aisle.
On one hand we have this new legislative office that is more than the state can afford. If we're chopping up the rescue boat to keep the stove going then it makes more sense to move the offices someplace that are affordable. Such offices don't have to be situated downtown or Midtown. During fiscally challenging times our representatives can work from home and meet their constituents at local elementary schools.
Regarding school funding, every year the ASD says it needs more money or it's laying off 69 teachers, eliminating janitors and killing after-school sports programs. But we know they are bluffing because when it comes down to the wire the ASD will find an extra $17 million hanging around, and teachers will get raises and reductions in health insurance premiums.
In all seriousness I don't understand why the adults in Juneau can't agree to forego increases in education funding for a couple of years to see if oil prices go back up and what the effects of SB 21 in state revenue when oil prices are higher will be. It's not like it's the end of the world here. We're only talking about two or three years of status quo funding until, hopefully, oil prices go back up.
Finally, now would be a good time to have that adult conversation with all students and I recommend the following: Students need to be aware that our legislative leaders have failed Alaskans for not having diversified Alaska's economy. We are in the current educational financial situation because we are a single resource state, meaning that when oil prices go up education funding goes up; oil prices go down, education funding declines because there is no other source of funding. I'm sure the students will understand.
— Clinton R. Hodges II
Anchorage
Fix Medicaid on the fly
Just say yes to Medicaid expansion and fix it on the fly.
Medicaid reform before expansion is a chicken or egg first approach when the only reform that is really needed is removing the inefficiencies installed by the former Republican governors that didn't favor such programs. Workable reforms could be developed on the fly as it is hard to make course adjustments if there is no movement. I believe the current governor is playing fair, working really hard to see all sides of the issue. This while the legislators in the majority caucus are clinging to the past administration's ideologies and values — the administration that lost the election. Another election is coming soon enough. Just saying "no" isn't working so well.
— T. Frank Box
Anchorage
Schick Shadel self-reports
So, after years of shortage of detox and treatment programs in Alaska for Alaskans with substance abuse problems, now the mayor wants to send a handful to Seattle's Schick Shadel program, based on self-reported high cure rates.
For anyone unfamiliar with the concept, advertising is not always objective or truthful. Yes, this includes medical advertising.
It's great that the mayor wants to help people with severe alcoholism. But let's look for evidence-based solutions, not ones based on advertising.
— Madeleine Grant M.D.
Anchorage
Call out lousy legislators
There seems to be an unusual level of disgust right now with the current Legislature, regardless of party. The breathless arrogance and cynicism shown by our senators and representatives in ignoring the will of the people by breaking the law that mandates the session length, "studying" Medicaid expansion to death, and refusing to act on the legalization of marijuana, ignoring and disrespecting those members of the public who take the trouble to travel to Juneau and testify in hearings, not to mention the budget shenanigans, may have finally hit critical mass, judging by online comments, columns published here, and letters on these pages.
We can take action at the ballot box, but only if we know who the worst offenders are. To all commenters, bloggers, columnists, and letter writers: please name names, so we know who to kick out of office in the next election cycle. We know the leadership in both houses is responsible, but who else needs to be voted down? Let us know. Names, please, especially of those legislators who completely ignore or walk out on public testimony.
— Lawrence Ross
Anchorage
Get to work or get out
I am sure the Legislature will be able to justify the move of the rest of the session to Anchorage — in spite of all their concern about the budget. Get with the program or have the kindness to resign!!!
— Marilyn Montgomery
Palmer
Remember to vote Berkowitz
This mayoral race offers all residents of the municipality a genuine opportunity to make the best choice for our future. We all know we have serious money and social problems to cope with. Ethan Berkowitz is the better candidate. I have voted for him and urge you to join me. Time is money — our deadline is near and it's easy to use any of the early or absentee means or to vote on Election Day.
— Theda Pittman
Anchorage
Berkowitz is clear choice
We have a clear choice for the next mayor of Anchorage. Voters, do your research — there is no shortage of information on the candidates.
Ethan Berkowitz best represents the values of the safe, progressive city in which I want to live.
Please know that your vote counts.
— Ann Sugrue
Anchorage
True religion from the heart
This is in response to the rhetoric concerning LGBT rights and the mayoral campaign by pastor Jerry Prevo and Jim Minnery:
A religion that cannot stand on its own two feet, that needs government to prop it up, is no religion at all. A religion that forces itself upon others is spiritual rape, not religion. True religion comes from the heart, not from the pulpit and not from the government.
— Thomas H. Morse
Anchorage
Special session is legislators chance to do right by people
Dear Alaska legislators, I am thankful that Gov. Walker called a special session, as even a 95-day session is not enough time to sort out our state's current budget crisis and pass the legislation Alaskans need. Now you have another chance to put some deep thought into fixing things.
When you initially adjourned, you produced a budget that cut deeply into schools and stole from education forward funding, leaving state government penniless by fall. All of us would pay for that, in years to come. Restore education funding now.
Medicaid expansion will benefit the people of Alaska in the predicted bleak times ahead. Expansion is expected to create 4,000 new jobs, add $1.2 billion to our economy in new wages and expand coverage to thousands of working Alaskans.
Also, you still need to pass Erin's Law to help combat child sexual abuse. Don't go home without taking this important step to protect Alaskan children.
There are ethical ways to fund a budget. Reinstitute the state income tax. Make the PFD program needs-based. Fix the mistakes in oil company taxation so they pay appropriately. Tax fisheries, logging, and mining, too.
This is your chance to repair your first budget. Expand Medicaid, restore education funding, pass Erin's Law, and ask the people to pay for government.
Thank you for your work.
— Luann McVey
Douglas
Relocate Legislature
Sen. Pete Kelly is quoted in Tuesday's ADN as saying Gov. Walker's call for a special session is "a tactical mistake by a governor who hasn't quite figured out this building yet."
I think the governor was elected because the people know the Legislature doesn't work to best serve the citizens of Alaska. The majority is against proposals of the governor because he abandoned partisan politics to best serve all citizens of Alaska.
A large majority of Alaskans support Medicaid expansion yet our legislative leaders bury it so it won't be discussed and brought to a vote. Like other issues it might offend the minority who fund their election campaigns.
The building they meet in needs to be one in Anchorage to provide access to Alaskans and save all the money we spend moving the majority of them there and flying them back and forth. Leave the capital in Juneau, but have them meet here. We should have found a meeting place over remodeling a plush office building.
— Tim Pritchett
Anchorage
Theres a reason, Amy
The reason, Amy Demboski, as to "Why do we have to make another law to reaffirm something that isn't existing in our community?" is the old adage, "Can I get that in writing?"
— Grant Hedman
Anchorage
Citys future depends on you
It is a sad day for Anchorage when only 24 percent of registered voters turnout for a municipal election. Now we're facing a runoff between the two top contenders and I fear an even smaller turnout. I voted at City Hall last Friday and it only took me 3 minutes to fill out the form for early voting, check the ballot and put it in the box. City Hall is open during business hours and the Loussac Library allows early voting even over the weekend.
I implore the registered voters of Anchorage to please get out and exercise your right to vote. Nothing less than the future of our city depends on it.
— Brian MacMillan
Anchorage
Do the right thing, or tender your resignations
Dear Republican legislators, your own fiscal expert has told you that the state budget can't be balanced by cutting spending; Cutting the BSA and education funding won't even be a drop in the bucket budget-wise. Expanding Medicaid coverage would actual save the state money in the long run, along with providing essential services to a substantial portion of our population; it's a no-brainer!
Please stop doing what's the "politically correct" Republican thing to do and do what's right for the state of Alaska. If you can't then please tender your resignations so we can give someone the job that has the best interests of the people of Alaska at heart, not the corporations that made the campaign contributions to get you elected.
The people of Alaska own the state's natural resources. The oil companies pay us for the privilege to extract oil from our public lands; it's not a right. Our oil is a limited resource we have to make the best use of while we still have it. Please start by getting rid of the production tax credits then take a look at the overall tax structure. Going back to a gross income tax without allowing the companies to deduct expenses occurring outside the state of Alaska would be two other good ideas.
Remember the people of Alaska will still be here long after the last oil company has moved out.
Do the right thing, don't be cowards.
— Kevin Smith
Anchorage
The views expressed here are the writers' own and are not necessarily endorsed by Alaska Dispatch News, which welcomes a broad range of viewpoints. To submit a letter for consideration, email letters@alaskadispatch.com, or click here to submit via any web browser. Submitting a letter to the editor constitutes granting permission for it to be edited for clarity, accuracy and brevity. Send longer works of opinion to commentary@alaskadispatch.com.