Gov. Mike Dunleavy is pushing back hard against what he calls “baseless and reckless insinuations” from certain lawmakers following his veto of Senate Bill 183, a controversial measure that sought to increase legislative power over executive actions. Those certain lawmakers are Democrat Sen. Bill Wielechowski and Sen. Elvi Gray-Jackson, who have made cheap shots at the governor in response to his veto.
Rep. Kevin McCabe wrote about SB 183 and defended the veto of it in a column this week in Must Read Alaska, also raising the concern that it was an affront to the balance of power and was more likely a bill intended to be political targeting of Revenue Commissioner Adam Crum.
In a sharply worded letter sent to members of the Alaska Legislature this week, Dunleavy defended his veto as a necessary stand to preserve the state’s constitutional balance of powers and called out legislators for what he described as an attempt to score political points through unfounded accusations.
“SB 183 presents serious constitutional concerns by overstepping the boundaries that separate the executive and legislative branches,” Dunleavy wrote, adding that Alaska’s founders “were deliberate in establishing a strong executive — one insulated from undue legislative control.”
The bill, which passed with support from lawmakers critical of the administration’s transparency, was framed by its supporters as a move toward better oversight of the Department of Revenue. But Dunleavy rejected that characterization outright, accusing some legislators of pushing “unfounded insinuations and accusations” without evidence.
“Claims or implications that this administration is acting unethically or illegally are unfounded and unsupported by any evidence,” the governor wrote. “Such rhetoric undermines not only the integrity of our institutions, but also the public’s trust in its government.”
Dunleavy said he is open to cooperating with the Legislature and the Legislative Audit Division to improve access to information and data formatting, but warned that he “will not tolerate efforts to politicize the routine functions of government or to weaponize the process for headlines.”
He also challenged lawmakers who believe misconduct has occurred to follow proper legal channels, rather than lobbing accusations in public forums.
“If any member of this body sincerely believes that illegal or unethical actions have occurred, I encourage you to put those allegations in writing and follow proper legal or procedural channels,” the governor stated.
SB 183 has been the subject of controversy, with Democrats in the Legislature seeking to control the way that audit materials are given to the Legislature. Supporters of the veto argue that the bill would have intruded on executive authority and created opportunities for political micromanagement.
Dunleavy called for a return to “productive governance over political theater” and emphasized his desire to work within constitutional bounds to address Alaska’s real challenges.
“Our time and energy must be devoted to solving real problems, not inventing them for some political gain,” he wrote.