A new bill introduced in the Alaska Legislature by Sen. Elvi Gray-Jackson aims to codify certain “fundamental rights” for individuals facing discrimination based on a variety of characteristics, including race, gender, and housing status.
While Senate Bill 119 purports to protect vulnerable populations, its broad and ambiguous language threatens to create more legal confusion than solutions, inviting unintended consequences that could negatively impact businesses, public spaces, and law enforcement efforts. The bill strips away the rights of municipalities and boroughs to have orderly communities, but the bill would have no effect on tribal communities, which the state considers sovereign.
One of the aspects of SB 119 is its vagueness. The bill guarantees rights such as “reasonable privacy and autonomy,” “reasonable accommodation in the interest of family unity,” and the ability to “rest or seek shelter from the elements in a public space.”
While these sound compassionate, they lack clear definitions and could be interpreted in ways that overstep local control and burden municipalities and businesses alike. More than 66% of homeless in Alaska are either Natives or veterans, both of whom already have exclusive access to medical and human services set aside for them by the federal and state governments.
Read the bill at this legislative link.
For example, the provision allowing individuals to “occupy a legally parked vehicle or legally anchored, moored, or stored watercraft” raises significant concerns. Without restrictions, this could lead to unintended consequences such as people permanently living in public parking lots or on marina docks, creating public health and safety risks. Additionally, business owners might find themselves unable to prevent encampments in their own parking areas, leading to liability issues and sanitation challenges.
The bill’s sweeping protections could hinder law enforcement’s ability to address issues like vagrancy, public intoxication, and disorderly conduct.
The right to “seek shelter from the elements in a public space” is problematic. While ensuring humane treatment for the homeless is important, SB 119 effectively strips local governments of their ability to regulate encampments, leaving parks, sidewalks, and other public spaces vulnerable to overcrowding, disease, and deterioration.
Furthermore, the provision prohibiting “harassment, mistreatment, or fear of retribution from public servants” sounds reasonable in theory, but in practice, it could lead to frivolous lawsuits against police officers and city workers simply for enforcing existing municipal or state laws. The vague wording creates a legal minefield that could discourage authorities from taking necessary action to maintain public order.
- The bill guarantees medical and dental care for those who are experiencing homelessness. It also guarantees them gainful employment, the ability to get a voter ID, the right to clean, safe, and sanitary living conditions, the right to access to a toilet and shower, and other rights.
The bill allows individuals to bring civil lawsuits if they believe these “fundamental rights” have been violated. This provision opens the floodgates to costly litigation that could overwhelm local governments and business owners. Small businesses, already struggling with economic challenges that include increased minimum wage, could face lawsuits for denying drunken or drugged-up individuals access to their premises based on unclear interpretations of the bill’s language.
Provisions such as “access to a trash receptacle, toilet, and shower” imply new infrastructure obligations that could place an enormous financial burden on taxpayers. If these amenities are to be provided in all public spaces, who will bear the cost? Without an outlined funding mechanism, this bill creates more unfunded mandates.
While SB 119 seeks to address real social issues, its impracticality will raise concerns among those who have observed that homelessness is a serious issue that this bill will only exacerbate.
Getting a job would be a great idea and paying for ones own needs like the rest of us do!
And if they can’t do that they should be housed in some institution–for their wellbeing and ours.
yep ….. it helps them & us. win, win.
Public substidized housing is a real need with municipalities cash cowing Public Land That was Public Housing and not replacing but pocketing the money.. person’s at this time have Housing vouchers approved substidized housing but no where to spend them… For Housing has been demolished.. medically disabled persons… Instutionalization of persons for being low low income after working minimum wages thus not making enough money to collect social security pay into.
You try staying out for one week join someone try it out. I invite you. I challenge you to try.
They’re mentally/drugged sick and unable to care for themselves. They belong in an institutional place where they can be cared for decently and humanly, not out in public where hideous behavior is being observed and the public housing is NOT a place to be for these people. They become a fire hazard and unable to care for themselves..They definitely won’t obey housing rules…”No smoking, etc…etc..etc.” Housing rules are for EVERYONE, and they’d be evicted upon disobeying housing rules. They are no special exception to the rules if they refuse to obey them. AND the repair bills would become hideous to housing enities that provide housing for these people.
Amen Cindy. Exactly. Elvi grey Jackson race baiting again. I actually despise people who do not like to make their own way . I guess it’s somehow easier to mooch and beg. I started my business with an idea and not .25 cents to rub together 40 years ago worked 60 to 80 hrs a week and somehow by the grace of God I’m still here and still making my own way. And it’s awesome.
And those displaced with a HuD housing voucher for Subsidized rent assistance because they are disabled or working poor. And no place to spend it because of City selling the Subsidized housing out from underneath the tenants with promises of building newer 30 and 20 years ago.. and again. Leaving elderly stranded with no elevator in 14 story building for years
“Nothing that requires the labor of others is a basic human right.”
Amen Ak
Eaglexit, take me away!
I invite Elvi Gray-Jackson to volunteer her unlimited time to cleaning their (homeless) toilets.
Public substidized housing is a real need with municipalities cash cowing Public Land That was Public Housing and not replacing but pocketing the money.. person’s at this time have Housing vouchers approved substidized housing but no where to spend them… For Housing has been demolished.. medically disabled persons… Instutionalization of persons for being low low income after working minimum wages thus not making enough money to collect social security pay into.
You try staying out for one week join someone try it out. I invite you. I challenge you to try.public toilets are a right every other country uses. And exercises sanitary facilities. USA has thrown issue upon merchants. Even China has public sleeping cubicles, very convenient for travelers and persons on short stays or even tourists…
Maw; I dare you to let just one homeless person into your house. They won’t be “unhoused” any more if YOU let them inside your house.
I have done this for the homeless family of the son of a friend when my home was on the market. After just a month the home was completely unlivable after I needed the sheriff to evict them. No one I contacted would take on the cleanup and I sold the property ‘as is’ at a great loss. There is a reason people are homeless despite all of the $$$$ programs there to help. Some are truly God’s poor who we are bound to help, but 95% (or more) are poor bastards who need a swift kick in the butt, and to not give it to them is as bad as not helping those truly in need.
this needs to be shut down
Build it and they will come.
and destroy it
If the individuals get free stuff, then they must agree to abstain from alcohol and drugs, even legal marijuana. They must agree to random drug testing. If they break any condition, or commit criminal action, they lose any freebies.
Mighty optimistic of you to think they will agree to give up the intoxicants. Regardless of what they are given for free.
Incentivizing Homelessness(!!!) … Ridiculousness Runamuck(!!!)
This proposed legislation resolves absolutely nothing.
Let the legislators welcome the homeless into their own homes and give them jobs on their staffs. Between this and un ending funding for a broken education system, the sure seem bent on taking the whole pfd now as well as imposing income taxes. ?
Maybe if this passes, the muni will stop blaming the property owner when a vagrant sets fire to the place.
‘https://mustreadalaska.com/anchorage-fire-dept-blames-the-victim-for-fire-started-by-vagrants-at-spenard-building/
When is Elvi going to open her home to the homeless?
You know, the government would not have to step in so much to “defend” the homeless if our local community members would take a moment to connect with them on a personal level.
We as an American society seem to have this mindset of “it’s not my problem, so why should I bother?”. Well, now we see the results.
Granted, not every homeless person is out there because of circumstance. Some choose this as they have grown tired of an absurd political system and this is a form of rebellion and expression of freedom.
Humanity’s collective heart could start to heal if more folks involved themselves with more than just their own personal lives, but it is what it is I guess.
Good luck humanity, for ye have fallen far and it will take a lot of work to lift yourselves up to where you belong again.
Heaven…
Get real here. Humans do not do that in sufficient quantity to make a difference. I will guess here, but where do you place caring for strangers in your priorities? Is it above or below ensuring your personal needs are met first? Is it higher or lower than ensuring your families needs are met? How does it rank compared to meeting the wants of yourself and your family?
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Humans collective heart does not need to heal. It is operating exactly like it always has, and like it always will.
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Expecting people to start caring about strangers to the detriment of their own family’s wellbeing is exceedingly optimistic. Yes, there are a few angels out there, but not enough.
These are all questions you should direct towards yourself.
Just because you have the inability to change does not mean others do not.
Human nature is defined by the operator. You are either a main character of your story, or simply a programmable NPC.
I personally don’t have any stake in the game. Like in Minecraft I started with nothing and I will end with nothing. Content in my character and satisfied with my material achievements.
I guess you can continue to make excuses and rant about it all online until someone else decides to do the work for you.
Only when people reach the precipice will they find the will to change.
If what you are doing now is working to affect the change you wish to see in society, then more power to you.
I personally don’t really care what you or anyone else does. I am but an agent of chaos who likes to provoke thought.
From my perspective, many of you humans are still asleep and totally unaware of how reality works, but I digress.
Carry on aboard the sinking ship. The orchestra is playing our favorite tune.
“Some choose this as they have grown tired of an absurd political system and this is a form of rebellion and expression of freedom.”
What claptrap!
Expression of freedom?
More like the path of least resistance. How free are you when you depend on others for absolutely everything?
Let’s get real there are certainly those, who are homeless due to circumstances (and motivated to get out), but there are many others, who simply have given themselves over to addictions like drug and alcohol use and THAT is the only thing they care about. Then you have a group of mentally ill individuals, who really need intervention, but neither seek nor are offered such help(mostly due to legal and availability restraints). Then you have the criminal element, who preys and hides among all others.
You and Elvi support and promote a system that has no personal responsibility or accountability for those, who are homeless. You demand more “compassion”, but let’s consider that Anchorage has housed and fed homeless for years to the tune of over $160 million, yet the number of homeless individuals is steadily climbing despite that. Is that your goal? To make as many people as possible dependent on hand-outs from the few “compassionate ones”?
Do you know why the Downtown Soup Kitchen is so successful? It is because they demand that individuals in the program make a personal commitment, an effort to do the hard work and have pride in what they do. Everyone is treated with dignity. Giving another handout, so individuals can drink or do drugs some more isn’t dignified it is enabling and destructive.
If you want better you have to expect better from EVERYONE!
Superb response!
My work here is done.
Thanks for your participation, you are a rock star!
And the show must go on!
Yeah, I tried to do that in Muldoon in 2016 I think it was. Guy pitched his tent right where our kids walked to and from school. Cops wouldn’t respond. So I went to let him know he could likely pitch his tent at Centennial instead and he came at me with a long knife. Luckily, I had a gun, and luckily, he stopped when he saw it.
I was homeless as a senior in high school. No one was telling me I had the right to all these things. I had to work and earn those things. One huge thing that DID help, however, was that 1982 PFD check.
I have connected with them .. they are selfish, lazy, entitled and drunk. They prefer life that way.
so no, they don’t deserve anything
Actually, I spoke with a homeless man that was a homeowner and had a family. He did not like the constraints of living a normal life and preferred to live on the streets and partake of the freebies the government and NGOs provide.
We already know the results of laws like this. Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, virtually every Democrat run city that has been overrun by homeless folks are all shining examples of such misguided government intervention. It’s worth noting that most of the aforementioned cities are either walking back or outright removing such harmful laws that result in worsening conditions that are in many cases reminiscent or worse than thirdworld hygenic conditions.
Idiotic bill written by idiot staffers, and endorsed by an idiot legislator.
Go figure.
1993; Bill Clinton ended “welfare as we know it”.
“……We have to end welfare as a way of life, and make it a path to independence and dignity…….”
How did that work for us? We don’t even know it as being any different than before 1993. It’s plagued with drug abuse, unemployed fathers, and the demand for government to provide for the poor.
News flash, most veterans who get their health care through the VA healthcare do not have covered dental care and only certain categories of veterans get eye care.
This is absolutely ridiculous. How about all these democrats pay for them with their own money. Once again they are working to break the tax payers’ back.
I moved from Oregon to get away from these types of bad decisions. The.only thing you do is incentiviez the bad behavior. Now putting people in a return to useful citizen rehab camp might actually help.
It must be opposites day, month, year!! The Juneau folk have not heard WE THE PEOPLE! We do not want dole out entitlements just because you breathe…just stop with this free hand out s!*t. It’s not buying you votes from the takers because most don’t have a mailbox.
Oftentimes mail ballots are sent to the homeless using the local shelter address, Then DNC or union operatives pick up the ballots and fill them in for the homeless person the ballot was sent to.?
When I was young and foolish, I actually voted for some Democrats. I long ago repented, seeing what damage that party has done to our society, and to Anchorage in particular. They take, take, take, and spend other people’s money on dubious causes. I have all kinds of compassion for people who can’t take care of themselves, but my sympathy is limited for those who REFUSE to take care of themselves.
What kind of communists wrote this garbage? “..ability to seek shelter in a public space”, “..occupy a legally parked vehicle..” If this BS passes, at least I’ll know that when I have to stay in Anchorage, I won’t have to pay their ridiculously high hotel room prices. I’ll just bring my camping gear and make camp on the street directly in front of Elvi Gray-Jackson’s house. Maybe she’ll come out with some cookies.
And the muni wants us to bust the tax cap by passing a bond to “improve” parks and recreation areas including several million for Town Square Park so the homeless can have something new to trash. I think not.
Welcome to Akfornia. This did not work in California, Oregon or Washington. It will not work here. Wish we had some real Conservatives in Juneau.
I wish we had an electorate smart enough not to re-elect Elvi Jackson. She puts forward the worst ideas and I’ve never seen her say or do anything that seemed like it may have come from a clear thinker.
Let’s be honest: it worked exactly like they planned it to.
They don’t want to work. I offered a Fred Meyer’s street beggar to do some light work at my office place and he responded, “eff you.”
This lady is about as stupid as they come.
And yet she was elected. What does that say about her constituents?
Well, it’s Anchorage, so….
It says that there’s a predictable tomorrow. The more wastrels vote the more of them Anchorage will have and as their population increases more of them will vote. There are a couple of statements in this regard that merit remembrance:
“We must reject the idea that every time a law’s broken, society is guilty rather than the lawbreaker. It is time to restore the American precept that each individual is accountable for his actions.” – President Ronald Reagan
– and –
“The better Anchorage becomes at taking care of bums, drug addicts and public inebriates, the more of them Anchorage will receive.” – Aunt Sally
Her constituents don’t -know- who they elected.
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Constituents were only -told- who they elected.
Morgan freeman says the only way to get rid of racism is to completely quit talking about it. How many of our top businesspeople , top surgeons, top pilots came from absolute poverty with but an idea to succeed. Takes all of us no matter color, or background or job to keep this country moving forward, the catch is everyone has to work. Brain surgeon or janitor everyone counts.
They aren’t homeless. They are drug using bums, too lazy to work.
Suzanne a lot of what is discussed here we should just quit talking about. Why even mention elvi grey Jackson’s name ?? She is a predator who thrives on other people’s misery. 12 Month press black out and no one will remember who she is. Let’s take Morgan freeman’s advice.
No Doug, Elvi oh sorry Evil thrives in darkness!
This is ready made legislation for the ACLU to line their pockets.
It really isn’t about the homeless! It is about soaking the taxpayer and redistributing wealth!
Reason we have to talk about it, Doug, is to raise awareness that this may be all about growing Anchorage’s homeless-industrial complex into an epic Medicaid fraud scheme, which EGJ and friends believe can never be DOGE’d out of existence because too many locals love the Medicaid cash it brings.
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Could the “vagueness” be a clue someone’s setting up a Medicaid racket under of law?
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Details of what another mob did, how they did it, seem very similar, and can be found here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mn/pr/three-indicted-medicaid-fraud-conspiracy-scheme.
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Starts with: “…devised and carried out a health care fraud scheme to systematically overbill for drug and alcohol treatment services”
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There’s more: “…in order to maximize …fraudulent Medicaid claims, the defendants used free housing in (company)-controlled “sober” homes as a kickback to induce clients to enroll and remain in (company) treatment so defendants could use those clients’ names and identifying information to overbill Medicaid.”
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Sound familiar or possible?
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What assures us such a scam is not birthing right under our noses?
These Democrats (& the fakers that call themselves something else) are just setting the table for when we finally get fed up enough to throw THEM out on the streets.
“While Senate Bill 119 purports to protect vulnerable populations, its broad and ambiguous language threatens to create more legal confusion than solutions, inviting unintended consequences that could negatively impact businesses, public spaces, and law enforcement efforts.”
Bingo.
SD does a nice job of exposing the “unintended consequences” of a bill which, IMO, are its intended consequences.
I consider the source of any proposed legislation, and the person we’re talking about here is not a benevolent lawmaker, but one who sees a needy population that is ripe to be weaponized.
I’ll own it if I’m wrong, but my gut tells me that Elvi, like Chris Constant, cares little about the homeless beyond their utility.
I’m sorry it Anchorage is a dump. It is not close to what it was 20 years ago when I fell in love with this town and took my life savings and bought a house then married and had a child. Trash everything. Creepers walking through Lowe’s stealing. Crappy roads with potholes everywhere. Looking for a new Nirvana.
Friendly amendment: “each person seeking shelter shall first be granted access to the home or other property owned in whole or in part by a legislator voting in favor of this measure and/or a staff member of the legislator.”
This is ridiculous! Once again the tax payers are going to pay for the vagrants. Seems to me that Elvi and her crowd of leftist should pay for all this, then maybe their God complex would be satisfied
Must be where my brother’s SS went! Now SS can’t pay anyone! B/C gov’ts are giving it all to homeless and illegals trying to bankrupt the country. After my brother could no longer work due to the nature of his illness, he sought to get his SS. No response. After some time had gone by, he contacted Sullivan. Immediately SS called and said they were sending half. Half??? Why only half? My brother passed away while waiting a year and many months for his “half”. Could have used the money to pay his mortgage, condo dues etc. Now his family is in the battle. SS indicated they were having trouble b/c it was a large amount. That’s two clues now that something is wrong with SS. It has now been a full year for the family, a total of 2 years to get the money he worked hard to pay in. Anyone else?
There are no Democrats anymore.
A real Democrat could be a Patriot too.
Not anymore, they would be burned at the stake.
They are all Communists’ now.
Its pretty obvious there issome kind of organized attempt across our Nation by a sinister group looking to destroy our Country with this Drug and homeless , and the mentally insane all weaved with in their plan….Now that we have the leadership in our hands, . the Department of Justice and the FBI , and all other law officials need to see who all these main players are behind the scenes and drag them into jail. They already know who many of these scum bags are, now it’s time to root the pigs out of all their non profit slush fund schemes and put them out of business, this has gone on far far to long, and these people pushing and playing all these cards are All corrupt.
In Anchorage the hobo camps have turned into a giant public health risk from many aspects. Including, assault, physical and sexual, drunks passed out in wet and cold conditions, public excrement in muddy, garbage filled,spaces. Malnourished people living without sanitary provisions are vulnerable to hypothermia and myriad communicable diseases. These conditions are caused by the inhabitants of these areas, they will not police themselves , they will not gather their garbage for collection, they prioritize substance abuse over food and hygiene.
People do not allow their children to live like this, yet these people are elevated to be the number one priority of resource allocation. They need to be safely and gently locked away until they are ready to rejoin society on the terms of a sustainable society. Of course, they have already shunned those options, at which point society no longer has any obligation to them. They do not seek and will not accept voluntary change. Society must decide whether to take some control or abandon them as they have abandoned themselves.
Free u-80s and bus passes!
Welfare for lawyers, and a bonus to the assembly left’s homelessness industrial complex.
Is it unreasonable to ask for a reasonable definition of the word “reasonable”? This alone produces vagueness that will get this law overturned in court. elvi should be ashamed of this attempt at “compassionate” fantasy.
Life would be wonderful if giving homeless people free stuff actually helped them.
I have a “right” to having $10million cash in bank account, but alas is hasn’t happened.
Will Elvi put it in there for me, or will she shut up about “rights”?
I suspect that she will vanish if I were to ask her where the hell my $10million is, that I have a “right” to have in my bank account…..
And what about 6 weeks paid vacation? Or a new safe vehicle, like a new Subaru Outback to replace that old junker they are forced to live in? How about a 77″ HD TV? These elected fools are truly detached from reality and still don’t understand their policies are complet failures. Nothing but destroyer’s of other people’s capital. Like locust swarming a freshly planted crop and demanding the farmer plant more. The DNC can’t collapse soon enough under this kind of stupidity
And a little drugs to keep them happy don’t worry the people the working will pay for their own dental and medical for themselves and their family. But at least the democrats will leave you 50% of your pay check and force you to leave the state to a red state in the lower 48.
Leftists will spend no end of other people’s money for crap that makes them look caring and benevolent.
Dental care Medical care for what? Scape them off the streets and make them work for it.
More stupid bills, more laws by a group of inept politicians.
I worked in downtown Anchorage for over 20 years. When I started in 1975 there were very few “homeless” people on the streets. Those that were there were not a problem and did not hassle others. Once services started more and more moved here. I never felt unsafe walking to and from my car. I was never approached on the street by someone demanding money. I can’t believe how Anchorage has changed. I don’t know the answer but believe that the more services and hand outs the more homeless show up. Parks are no longer safe to take children to play. It is often impossible to go into any building without tripping over someone who is intoxicated. Ms. Jackson’s proposed bill is absolutely ridiculous. I’m sure she lives in a nice, clean neighborhood and doesn’t have to look at the mess every day. She has no children who can’t walk to school safely. I haven’t been in downtown Anchorage for several years and have no intention of doing so now. I’d love to see a performance at the PAC but have no intention to dodge people living on the street, in the doorways or in the park. I advise tourists to avoid downtown Anchorage.
“403: Forbidden”
I hope every Democrat plans on opening their doors for the at least two each homeless.
Suzanne, thanks for yet another wonderful story. The picture alone describes the situation, perfectly.
So – every town and village in Alaska is going to abide by the “law”.
Epic Medicaid fraud in the making?
Could the “vagueness” be a clue someone’s helping to set up a Medicaid racket under of law?
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Details of what another mob did, how they did it, seem very similar, and can be found here: ‘https://www.justice.gov/usao-mn/pr/three-indicted-medicaid-fraud-conspiracy-scheme
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“…devised and carried out a health care fraud scheme to systematically overbill for drug and alcohol treatment services. The defendants used an outpatient drug and alcohol treatment center…to defraud Medicaid and other health care programs by billing for treatment that was not provided, services that were not eligible for reimbursement, and billing for treatment services clients were required to attend as a mandatory condition of remaining in free housing provided as a kickback.
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…in order to maximize the amount of fraudulent Medicaid claims, the defendants used free housing in (company)-controlled “sober” homes as a kickback to induce clients to enroll and remain in (company) treatment so that the defendants could use those clients’ names and identifying information to overbill Medicaid. In order to induce Medicaid-eligible patients to enroll in the program, the defendants recruited people from homeless shelters and encampments, residential drug treatment programs, and county probation offices looking for places to put people being released from jail. As part of their conspiracy scheme, the defendants told clients at intake – and repeatedly throughout their stay – that their entitlement to free housing was contingent on their attendance at least five group counseling sessions per week and a weekly individual session with their primary counselor. If a client’s attendance fell short of the requirement, the defendants and others threatened clients with being locked out of free housing and having their belongings put on the curb, all in order to compel utilization of services.
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…This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI and the Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General. The U.S. Attorney’s Office would also like to thank the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) at the Attorney General’s office for their assistance in this matter.”
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That last is interesting …no mention of state or municipal assistance.
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Does any of this seem way too familiar, like it could be a copy for what’s going on right under our noses, especially in Anchorage… a racket which productive citizens must be forced to pay sales and income taxes to support?
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Good news is that same link gives a good idea who to call for help.