I was a call-in participant on Alaska Public Media’s show Talk of Alaska, and I asked Gov.
Mike Dunleavy how he would attract people to ourstate in the future. After his response, I’ve lost
all faith in his ability to run any level of government effectively.
During the show, the governor stated that there are thousands of job openings in the state and acknowledged that changes must be made to attract outsiders to the state and keep current younger residents from leaving the state. However, his response to my inquiry and the policy decisions of his administration to date show blatant disinterest in promoting Alaska’s continued viability.
For someone so concerned with the “future of Alaska” and promoting “long-term fixes,” he has gouged infrastructure budgets in the name of singular Permanent Fund dividend payouts, he continues to stonewall pensions for educators (which teachers want restored) in the name of short-term funding for teacher bonuses (which the teachers’ union opposed), and will only endorse education funding towards private charter schools while public districts fall tens of millions of dollars short because of his inaction.
There’s a reason our state is falling apart, and that reason is Dunleavy.
— Scott Hobbs
West High senior
Anchorage
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