Editorials

Lawmakers have shown real promise this year in their ability to compromise in the better interest of Alaska. Let’s keep that ball rolling.

Instead of an incentive for Alaskans to keep an eye on government, it has become the only government spending item many Alaskans care about.

There is one proposed tax change that makes sense, from a fairness perspective.

Despite partisan clamoring to ditch ranked choice voting, legislators have wisely chosen to steer clear of that morass and focus on election tweaks that are actually helpful.

The plan to open the Golden Lion to disabled homeless residents is a hopeful sign, however slight, that further progress in addressing shelter needs is possible.

Imposing a sales tax would be another drag on a state economy that’s already “at or near the bottom” in key economic indicators, and which has had the weakest post-pandemic economic recovery of any U.S. state.

Anchorage voters’ message was a resounding repudiation of Mayor Dave Bronson’s administration.

It’s easy to fall into the trap of believing that one’s personal beliefs about what school should be are the only way the system should work.

Don’t allow our leaders to check their self-proclaimed fiscal conservatism at the State Capitol door.

Any reasonable person witnessing the process would be likely to conclude that the pay-increase saga was elaborate theater.

This kind of meddling should be anathema to administrations that wave the flag of personal liberty and the right to freedom from government interference.

This is a crucial moment in our state’s history, a reality that Sen. Lisa Murkowski acknowledges and urged legislators to see too.

If the Assembly and Girdwood residents want to prove they’re serious about adding new housing — and we hope they are — they’d better move quickly.

How many participants is too few to justify the logistics, volunteer hours, veterinary care, prize sponsorships and so on that are needed for a serious distance mushing event?

These items aren’t based on disagreements about policy or ideology. They betray an executive who is unqualified, incompetent and out of his depth.

We can’t afford to have the promises of equal protection and due process be merely lip service.

Don’t fall for it. Let’s keep ranked choice voting and ditch the political opportunists instead.

We should be thankful for the foresight of those who recognized the importance of an independent watchdog within government, but not under its thumb.

Anchorage residents need a full, transparent accounting of what’s been going on within the Bronson administration — and they need it now.

A spending cap would make us confront an unpleasant reality of our state’s budget: Every dollar spent on PFDs is one that can’t be spent on essential services.

Our state knows a thing or two about noble aims — and, sometimes, falling short of them.

At a dark time of year, it’s good to recall the developments that defined 2022 in a positive way — here are a few.