Looking through the seven-day financial reports for the Anchorage Municipal elections, which end April 1, it appears the union money continues to pour in for the Democrat candidates:
- Kameron Perez-Verdia $1,000 ASEA/AFSCME Local 52
- Daniel Volland $1,000 EPIC/Alaska Public Employees Association/AFT
- Margot Bellamy $1,000 IBEW PAC
- Kelly Lessens $1,000 ASEA/AFSCME Local 52
- Kelly Lessens $1,000 IBEW PAC
In this election, there were a reported $35,500 in union donations to candidates, as of March 1. The amounts above are since that report.
The Anchorage Assembly, which has the final say in approving union contracts, oversees agreements that commit taxpayers to wage, benefit, and other cost increases for up to five years.
Currently, more than half (55%) of the city’s budget is allocated to salaries and benefits. More than 58% of municipal revenue is derived from property taxes.
Union donations play a significant role in the campaigns of Assembly candidates.
- Kameron Perez-Verdia has received $11,000 from unions this election cycle. Over the course of his Assembly campaigns, unions have contributed a total of $44,600 to his campaigns.
- Daniel Volland has received $9,000 in union support this election, in addition to $2,000 from a previous campaign. The Alaska AFL-CIO has further contributed $2,500 to his campaign through its special interest group, “Putting Alaskans First.”
- The AFL-CIO has also funneled $5,000 to “Putting Alaskans First” to oppose Jared Goecker, who is running for the open Eagle River Assembly seat.
- Margot Bellamy, seeking re-election, has received $6,000 from unions this year. Over the years, unions have contributed a total of $26,550 to her campaigns.
- Kelly Lessens has received $6,500 from unions in this election cycle, adding to a total of $27,800 in union support across her political career.
Organized labor remains the largest special interest group contributing to local elections in Alaska. The financial influence of unions on Anchorage Assembly and School Board races raises ongoing questions about the balance of power between elected officials, labor groups, and taxpayers.
Because union contracts representing a significant portion of municipal expenditures, voters will have to consider the role of these contributions and how they influence their elected officials.
Let’s talk about what kind of s low life a-hole UnAmerican reporter realizes he is on a private top secret chat and does not reveal himself accidentally there and excuse himself. What a dirt bag. No integrity whatsoever. I’m not so sure he should not be brought up on charges. If anything HE endangered our soldiers. If I was boss I’d bury the sob. Perfect example of the media. No principles.
Tune in to ALL the fake news channels and the “dirt bag” you are referring to has become their overnight sensational hero for the way he handled it.
Those same media scum had zip to say when their stumblebum commander and chief ordered the fatal eviction of the military in Afghanistan which immediately cost the lives of 13 soldiers from prisoner that was freed from captivity.
Their words and actions are a complete giveaway. They have an empty heart and an evil soul.
The article is about union donations to municipal candidates. What in he– are you even talking about??
This is why these candidates will win. Until this elections gets moved to the Federal elections, Union/liberal voices will always will because of the union/muni employee phone banks and turnouts. Normal people have lives to live.
The usual suspects getting the usual union grease for an election. I wonder if those union members whose dues are being handed in fat envelopes to these leftist politicos ask why the money’s so easy but there is no improvement in test scores. Alaska pretty much lives at the bottom of the test score results. Yet we keep giving these clowns more and more money. What if the union boys and girls actually started asking the hard questions and held the school board, assembly and legislature’s collective feet to the fire over grades and test results rather than teachers pay and fringe benefits?
Organized labor appears to have joined the Anchorage assembly in the running RICO violation that has been in action for the last 12 years. The taxpayer in Anchorage is way at the bottom of the list for consideration for what needs to be done in Anchorage, after unions, homeless, and the burgeoning number of “non profit organizations” that are being given OUR money stolen through bloated property taxes.