How many state workers from Indiana does it take to screw in a light bulb? One.
How many state workers from Alaska? Five. For every one state worker in Indiana, Alaska has five.
Alaska comes close to quadrupling the number of state employees per capita of that of 11 other states. It doubles the number of state employees of all but 8 states. Alaska’s 245 state employees per 10,000 residents is by far the highest in the nation.
That is 2.4 state workers for every 100 Alaskans, and 1.2 state workers for every 50 Alaskans. This does not count federal, municipal, university, or school district employees.
The state may be short on daylight in the winter, but state workers? Not so much.
In light of Alaska’s Jabba the Hutt-like morbidly obese state government, some are questioning Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s call for creating an entire new department — a Department of Agriculture.
Dunleavy’s pitch for his new department doesn’t seem to offer any reasonable rational explanation of how a new government agency would increase agriculture in the state.
Former Republican President Ronald Reagan once described three typical ways government impacts an industry. “If it moves tax it, If it keeps moving regulate it, and if stops moving subsidize it.”
Since Dunleavy says he wants to grow state agriculture, his newly created agency, as least under his watch, probably won’t tax or increase regulation on farmers. Which leaves subsidies.
On his Facebook page the governor wrote: “Alaska imports 95% of its food, but we don’t have to. Creating a dedicated Department of Agriculture will give our farmers the support they need to grow more food right here at home. “
Does “support” mean subsidies? If so, does the state need an entire new department just to hand out free cash to farmers?
Most comments on the governor’s Facebook page have ridiculed the idea of creating a new Department of Agriculture.
“Haha because another government department is always what helps the free market to grow,” wrote Jake Amberson.
“While I believe your heart is in the right place… Alaska history is littered with failed agricultural attempts,” posted Jim Taylor.
“There are already agricultural loan programs through the gov’t. We already have a Alaska Farm Bureau. No more Gov’t!! Farmers are NOT stupid. They don’t need someone from the Gov’t telling them how to raise meat and crops. NO to dept of agriculture. NO,” posted Deena Benson.
Not all posts rejected Dunleavy’s idea.
“Farmers need the ability to speak directly to the governor and the legislature, a commissioner will give them this option,” wrote Tarn Coffey.
If Coffey is correct, wouldn’t it be a lot cheaper if legislators and the governor promised to take farmers calls instead of hiring a bunch of new state employees to do so.
Dunleavy’s pitch to grow state government by creating a new department is curious and somewhat politically tone death in light of the widely popular DOGE movement on the federal level.
The nation is finally waking up to how wasteful and bloated government has become thanks to President Donald Trump and the head of DOGE, billionaire Elon Musk.
The irony in all of this is when the dust settles, it will be Dunleavy who will be responsible for holding the line on spending over the next two years in Alaska.
Legislative Democrats and turn coat Republicans like Senators Cathy Giessel and Rob Yundt have big tax and spend plans for the state and only Dunleavy can stop them with his veto pen. I believe he will.
Even if voters disagree with the governor on his plan to create a Department of Agriculture, they should keep in mind he’s the only guy standing between a radically left leaning tax and spend legislature that if successful, would bankrupt the state.
The governor is expected to veto proposed new oil taxes, giant increases in education spending, and the financially suicidal return of pensions for state employees.
Dunleavy should save the day. And he seems to have little legislative support for his plan to create a Department of Agriculture.
Dan Fagan reports and writes columns for Must Read Alaska. He’s covered Alaska politics for close to 30-years. He currently hosts a morning drive radio talk show on 1020 am 92.5 and 104.5 fm on KVNT. For news tips, email Dan at [email protected]
Cut 10 worthless state workers for every 1 new agricultural state employee.
Government workers are part of the parasitical class.
What has your experience been dealing with state workers?
Efficiency, excellence, positive attitude, great service, competency?
Everyone knows the answers to those questions.
Cut, cut, cut workers – and when you’re done cut some more.
There are plenty of jobs in the private sector – but you’ll have to work harder than you do now.
I suppose, based on your comment, you are a supporter of private sector law enforcement, safety and emergency response entities, and other community protection and support services. Or perhaps you are more of an I’ll-do-it-all-myself sort of person. Considering your opinion of “worthless state workers” and “cut, cut, cut” I will presume that if you and your loved ones are in harms way (wildland fire, criminal activity, automobile accident, earthquake impact, etc.) you would prefer to pay a private sector company or individual to rescue you. I imagine that you might not be able to afford that level of service on your own, but perhaps I am incorrect and you are independently wealthy. If so, congratulations and by all means feel free to cover your own costs yourself.
I guess it’s just like Trump’s approach to NATO. If you pay we will protect you, but if you don’t, you’re on your own. In the future when you call 911, apparently you’ll need to enter your credit card number before anyone will answer. Truth be told, most of the people on this website who rage against the government are paranoid individuals with a predisposition towards anti-social, aberrant, and dangerous behavior. They mostly repeat phrases like “cut, cut, cut” that other people have put into their heads since they never seem to think independently. It’s a very sad state of affairs.
Additional jobs that the “worthless state workers” currently do that, if served by the private sector, would need to be paid directly from individuals pockets include: highway and road maintenance, wildlife management and protection, search and rescue operations, and education (since not every parent/guardian is able to homeschool).
I don’t know if you have priced any of these services offered through the private sector. The fact is most of them would bankrupt individuals within a very short time.
I don’t know, I thought I did a pretty damn good job of providing public service. I was a public servant. Heavy on the service. Worked for years and years with no overtime. Just jumped when called. I know a bunch of others too. But yes the union (which I never joined) is the problem. Can’t fire the deadwood
Seems Dunleavy has a short memory. Remember the Delta barley project? The Pt Mackenzie dairy project? The meat processing plant? The potato chip facility? On and on. About the only agriculture that has been profitable is marijuana, and even that has its share of failures.
Good intentions don’t pay the bills…..
There should be no new departments with such a ridiculously bloated government. I am seeing stories about an Alaska DOGE but it seems they are more focused on federal within our state. We have a department for that lead by Mr. Musk. It seems a DOGE focusing on state waste, redundancy, and corruption would be most helpful.
They don’t care about what any of us think. I’ve emailed them twice with specifics, very specific information, and zero response. It’s another good old boys club.
The department of redundancy department
The reality is that at least 10% – 15% of Alaska workers are DIRECTLY employed by the city, state, or federal governments. The state also receives $9000.00 per person in federal funding. This crap cannot continue.
Love the Reagan analysis – you are absolutely correct Dan Fagan. No AKDAg please.
Them big cabbages need a lot of expertise.
Forgivable loans are a part of this executive order for creating a Department of Agriculture.
In the executive order 136 it states: A loan may be used by a recipient to fund investments in agriculture to build resiliency in the state’s food supply. The forgivable loan program must allow a loan to be forgiven if the recipient implements the approved business plan and demonstrates a subsequent increase in food production and distribution.
Forgivable Loan meaning: A forgivable loan is a type of loan where part or all of the amount borrowed can be forgiven if the borrower meets certain conditions, making it similar to a grant. If the conditions are not met, the borrower must repay the loan, usually with interest.
This looks as if, we the people get to pay for someone else to have their own new private land to keep and we will also pay to get it all set up for them for production, so they can then sell and profit off us again with their new products.
As a farmer and member of the Board of Agriculture and Conservation I voted in support of the new Department given the following conditions: 1. All farming services in the SOA should be consolidated under the new commissioner which includes federal, state, and university positions. A one stop shop if you will! 2. Since 1980 the SOA has released thousands of acres of Agricultural Covenant farm land in Kenai, Southcentral, and the Interior in an effort to promote agriculture. Most of these lands are now in private ownership but are not in production for two primary reasons; the high cost of farming inputs and the fact that ag covenants come with development restrictions primarily future subdivision. These covenants cause venture capital and bank investment to go elsewhere. Legislative revision of these covenants would create more serious interest in Alaska farming. Most of the increase in the number of farmers has been on a much smaller scale in the past ten years. Current subdivision restrictions are one time and no less than 40 acres. This needs to change. No other state has these kinds of restrictions on their farm land. It is left up to local governing authority. I could go on! 3. Place a small tariff on all imported food. This would pay for the new department and cause local retailers to invest in local producers or leave the state. Of course this tax would be passed on to the consumer but we would know where our food is c
Got timed out!
To finish number 3. ….food is coming from. And finally 4. It is time for the Jones Act to be repealed! It is time for Alaska to be a world wide port of call. I look forward to your comments.
Have the grain elevators in Valdez ever been used? They were built prior to any grain being grown, if I remember right. I’m sure a new Department of Agriculture could fill them up. Not!
I love the Alaska grown barley pancake mix, it’s very good.
Let’s first cut one very delusional governor Dunleavy and get the word “attrition” back into long term planning along with no new immigration office, get rid of the ten thousand or more illegals in the state and cut the free health care out of the budget and fire the idiot state AG and quit putting the same dumbbells back in office. Where is the bill to change the state constitution and limit the terms of of these brain dead dummies?
Agriculture needs some respect! It is now the afterthought stepchild of DNR, a dept that always has so many many “important” issues to take care of.
I miss you Dan in the mornings, tho I like Amy. But if you are not in the ag community, you don’t understand who how invisible a farmer feels. Ag should Not be a thorn in the side of DNR
Maybe in the future we can make sense of another entire department. It’s just too top heavy at this time. The executive branch is bloated and the legislators got a pay raise of 67% a couple of years ago that was swept under the rug. If you go into a rural office you’re lucky if there are two people working a desk job for that department it’s usually one and the summers are busy for many areas. I always feel terrible asking for help from them when they look so worn down and overworked but still they try to be helpful, though they’re not information offices they want to help us. Our legislators on the other hand avoid Alaskans like the plague when we need anything. They go to skiing resorts and work from places like Hawaii whenever they please. Yet many dodge phone calls, meetings and town halls and point downward to their employees. I think it would be awesome if someone followed up on an article providing more details about where the unnecessary overstaffing is, and why it’s unnecessary and then hopefully another article about the executive portion of the state employees and any misuse or shady activity by them since taking on those powerful state positions. I think I’d love to get more insight on that and also I heard a rumor about a wage study the state is withholding that would be interesting to read about as I haven’t seen anything concrete on it.
No additional bureaucracy please. Maybe our elected reps should actually represent us? That would be a refreshing change. The pity is these tools already think they do. And the joke is on us.
Dan Fagan, you overlook the most important points… and I don’t believe it will cost as much as you espouse, maybe even nothing extra at all.
This is vitally important for our state – we need to become self reliant with food. Given our remoteness and potential problems with shipping disruptions, the Division of Agriculture has many needs that are vital for our very survival. Remember the toilet paper shortage during COVID? We’ve had numerous close calls with food shortages during dock and trucking strikes in the lower 48. Right now it is hard to find eggs (especially organic), and they are very expensive. It’s pretty easy to raise chickens in Alaska. Look at what Canada just did to us…
Our Department of Health and Human Services was dysfunctional when our Governor first began, and after investigating the issue he realized the Department was too large for one commissioner to manage. So, he divided that Department into two separate Departments to better meet needs.
This is a similar problem. There is already a Division of Agriculture within the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Unfortunately that Department is very large with 7 divisions. The Commissioner of DNR is so busy he has little time for the Division of Agriculture, so their needs don’t get met. ‘https://dnr.alaska.gov/
I think it would be an easy and efficient thing to remove the already existing Division of Agriculture from DNR and make it a separate Department of Agriculture. I don’t know if they would need more staff or not. Further investigation may be needed to determine that. ‘https://dnr.alaska.gov/ag/index.htm
My husband’s maternal grandfather was one of the original colonists in Palmer in 1935. I don’t know what it would take to encourage more agriculture in Alaska, but I am wondering if over-regulation is a problem. My husband is a big milk drinker and was saddened when Havemeister closed. We now buy milk from a dairy in Delta, when we can find it. There needs to be more Alaskan Grown. I look for local eggs but don’t see them very often. I buy organic, so I hope regulations lean toward encouraging it. Robert Kennedy is our new HHS Commissioner at the federal level, and I’m sure he will establish regulations to encourage organic, so it would be wise to make sure our regulations are compatible. ‘https://www.buyalaskagrown.com/