In a quick joint session on Tuesday, the Alaska Legislature has overridden a veto by Gov. Mike Dunleavy on House Bill 57, an education spending bill that fell short of the policy expectations of the governor.
The vote was 46 to 14, with several Republicans joining the Democrats to oppose the governor’s veto of giving $200+ million to the NEA with no strings attached.
Republican House Minority Leader Rep. Mia Costello voted to override Dunleavy, along with Anchorage Republicans David Nelson and Julie Coulombe, Ketchikan Republican Jeremy Bynum, Kenai Republicans Bill Elam and Justin Ruffridge, Fairbanks Republican Will Stapp, and Eagle River Republican Dan Saddler. The issue appears to have fractured the House Republican minority.
In the Senate, Republicans Rob Yundt, Jesse Bjorkman, Mike Cronk, and James Kaufman joined the Democrat-led majority to vote for the override.
Republican women’s clubs around the state had issued a warning that they would withdraw all support for those incumbent Republicans who voted to override the governor.
The joint session only needed 40 votes. Getting above 45 was a message to the governor that certain Republicans will oppose him on other vetoes as well, if he line-items specific spending to make up for the Legislature’s decision on HB 57.
This really shows us who is faking conservative values (the YES votes).
Line item veto. Dunleavy should have lots of fun in the coming weeks. Dry out your pen, gov.
So sad. So disappointing. Thank you Gov D for trying to improve the miserable state of public education in AK. Make note of those who stood their ground with the governor. This is why pubic education in AK continues to fail, getting worse every year. Pathetic.
Our Governor was mostly AWOL this session.
His threat’s didn’t carry much weight.
Predictable outcome when someone decides to phone it in instead engaging in the process.
Dunleavy has been “standing small” for most of his time in office.
A real limp noodle.
Good one Jeff!
Joe and Jeff BOTH wrong on this one. Dunleavy knows how the votes are running and who the RINOs are. Why should Dunleavy cash in all his political chips to fight off a few Republican traitors who want to joust with Dunleavy on nearly every issue. These RINOs all think they should be governor. Dunleavy is already looking for his next job in the Trump Administration. Most likely, he’ll take an appointment at cabinet level when someone resigned next year. Then, Nancy moved into the gov’s seat and runs in 2026.
The Alaska GOP died today. The republican legislators don’t care about the will of the Alaskan people. I will join with the valley republican women and financially support all candidates opposing these traitors. The Alaskan GOP leadership should all resign, they are all incompetent.
Will of the people is usually expounded in elections for their representatives.
AK GOP leadership starts at the head…Big Daddy Dunleavy.
Andy – joining the “women” is a slippery slope…soon you will be identifying as one.
Cheers!
Governor, Keep vetoing, force the supposed republicans and democrats to show themselves to the voters, the more they override, the more the news covers them by name, and maybe voters will finally wake up, until that happens unions will continue to control the elected officials and our state will continue to decline.
Lol.
Government plays political ping pong while the populace watches and bickers.
Want proper education? Make sure to be involved with your children’s lives. The school does not teach you everything you should know about the deeper mysteries of our existence. You have to do that for yourselves.
Be aware, be present. And give your local politician a pay-cut.
Glad we now know who is in the pocket is the NEA. I’ll need to print that list to know who can NEVER get my vote again.
Costello, being a former teacher,is undoubtedly in their pocket
For far too long Alaskan voters have been complacent with local politics. Many I know only care about national elections. This will go a long way to ending this complacency. Many thanks for the scammers for exposing themselves!
Mike Cronk?
What the hell happened to you in Juneau?
He wants to get invited to the Democrats parties and dinners, thinking they like him. Or he lied about being a Republican much less a conservative.
Cronk is a retired teacher. Maybe he’s NEA al, the way! Disappointed in him!
Kemo–Mike Cronk said today that his constituents “trashed” him last year when he voted against the override. He voted yay today because his constituents demanded that support education. “On Tuesday, after voting in favor of overriding Dunleavy veto, Cronk said the funding increase in the bill is not sufficient for schools in his district, “but it’s going to help.”
“This has nothing to do with politics at all. This is about providing education to our kids,” said Cronk.”
SA,
What kind of education? More DEI, climate activism, basketball, decolonization, gutting salmon, BLM, etc…. ?
I think Dunleavy wants young Alaskans to know how to spell, read, write, and do basic math so they can balance their own accounts.
The vote was 46 to 14, in a state where a Republican Gov vetoed a bill and the majority of the state legislator are Republicans (in name only). Talk about a disconnect. This is from the same state where Trump won by 15%.
The question is “How did we get here?” How did our controlling body get so disconnected from the base and so treacherous?
My person opinion is that we lack leadership, we have a selfish and lazy electorate and we(Alaskans) have proven to not pay attention to what happened. We do not punish these bad actors and, in a lot of ways, reward them.
“How did we get here?”
We got where we wound up because Governor Dunleavy is done with governing and content to run out the string on actual executive branch engagement.
It happens.
We’ve had quitters before, e.g,, Sarah Palin.
Jonathan, please stop the philosophy lesson, this is about corruption, plain and simple. My brother retired from the state and says he has about a $90K yearly pension. He always brags that the state unions can get anything they want from the legislature. Seems to be that he is right.
Heads up Legislature’s, You can’t hide in Juneau forever Thinking about the people and not your pockets might be a REALLY good idea
Once again, the absolute best Democrats in Alaska have an R behind them.
Brace yourself for what comes next.
Dumber students (if possible) and taxes of every conceivable kind to pay for it
And … Ready for it? The INCOME TAX! (Musical Notes) La La La!
We are well and truly Californicated.
Don Young would be proud of his California roots!
Governor Dunleavy, get out that red Sharpie and line item every line in the budget that supports this nonsense.
SNL Church Lady comes to mind.
I hope the Gov keeps vetoing this in the budget.
Lets us see the souls of the conservatives we send to juno.
How proud are Progressives of taking money from every man, woman & child in rural AK, then passing it on to the teachers; who are the richest people in those towns?
The teachers likely see pennies of that money. But the teachers unions and district administration do.
Think so? Watch them go on strike in August to get there hands on it.
Time will tell.
George D, good point. But they will strike because the union tells them to do it.
GOP is just so useless.
Well we have a broken Republican Party. Individuals who think they know what’s best for and doesn’t believe in our own state Dunleavy Gov.
Back to grammar school Dam B.
“…with several Republicans joining the Democrats to oppose the governor’s veto.” Turncoats. Can’t primary these RINOs soon enough. If they keep going, the state will be bankrupt.
Maybe Primary Big Daddy Mike???
Rollo,
I hate to break it to you but there is no Republican primary.
My Representative Dan Saddler will hear from me for voting YES. This does nothing but waste money no accountability nothing but pure garbage.
Same here. I voted for him. “Fool me once – shame on you. Fool me twice – shame on me.” Trite but true.
Hats off to the Republican Women clubs. Impostors need to face the consequences.
I am very glad to see Elexie voted no.
I am very upset that this farce of a bill will now be passed. Many educators in Alaska will be disappointed and who knows if students will get the education they need at this point.
I hope the Governor Red Lines all Union enhancing portions in all the bills. It is time to use all the power we have. Call him, thank him, encourage him. This is no time for him to feel alone.
JUDAS Yundt, the Valley’s Disgrace.
Sadly, he has a lot of company.
As all govt employees celebrate today, the rest of Alaska better hunker down as we are going to see the biggest economic downturn we have ever seen, including the 1980’s. You vote crap politicians, you get CRAP! Embarrassed to say I am a Republican.
Insanity !
Sure. Throw more money at it. That will fix the problems. It’s always worked before! I guess I may have to make a new list of Candidates I Would Consider Voting For.
Red pen line item veto!! Do it!
Absolutely disgusting.
Now Yundt is pulling this. Recall forthcoming Yundt…you were a horrible choice and you are a horrible public servant.
Yundt must go, never should have been elected.
Tim,
You and Recall Yundt have kicked off the predictable Republican response to situations like this calling for, ” the circular firing squad”.
I can assure you that the Parasitic Commies aka Democrats planned for a recall petition and will leverage it for their maximum advantage.
Next steps…
The G.O.P. should immediately begin talent searches for candidates within given districts, along with a mentoring / educational element to provide a bench of reliable candidates.
Republicans should champion Education, real Education. R’s should draw distinction between what that is vs publicly funded dumbed down daycare.
Let’s roll up our sleeves and diligently work to save our children and grandchildren.
Killing off Yundt isn’t going to change the vote tally above, he was not alone in crossing over yesterday. Let’s spend that energy on constructive things that will unite and not divide.
Roberto: Concur.
Eagle River Republican Dan Saddler campaign statement:
“I’m running again to provide our community with experienced, effective, and energetic leadership in Juneau. There’s more to be done. If elected, I’ll keep working to:
• Create jobs and opportunity through responsible resource development • Secure reliable energy supplies
• Protect the Permanent Fund and ensure a reliable dividend (how’s that going? $1,000 PFD is a far cry from the full amount set out in state law — nearly $3,900 for 2025?)
• Defend our individual constitutional liberties • Champion military personnel, veterans and families
• Fight federal overreach • Support families with good schools, safe neighborhoods and decent roads
I pledge to listen carefully to you, work hard for you, communicate regularly with you, and represent you with integrity.”
Pffft! He’s a politician. Not a representative. Snuggling up to the elderly at the Senior Center thinking they are stupid enough to support his candidacy.
The meme that fits perfectly here is the little boy in the car seat laughing while saying “bulls***, bulls***, bulls***.😂
Dan Saddler just hooked an AK Fish…hook, line, and sinker! I wonder if he will report his catch?
Fish…yep Saddler dupped us and probably got paid very well for his yes vote. Buh by Saddler.
Sent an email to the Governor telling him to stand strong and line item veto. Also thanked Rep. Sarah Vance for realizing she made a big mistake in voting for this terrible bill the first time but voted no on the veto over-ride. Also a BIG thank you to the Republican womens groups for their action and refusal to support Republicans who are really Democrats in hiding.
Send the Governor a second note, this time asking him to show up and get engaged.
The Alaska GOP has successfully neutered the only branch of government they control. Congratulations to all the RINOs.
Dunleavy set himself up for this epic fail. He has no political aptitude whatsoever, and he consequently carries no weight with the legislature. They rolled him like a caterpillar under a semi truck.
A strong governor would have gathered his support staff and forged a much more favorable piece of legislation. But instead, this incompetent goof decided to instead spend much of the legislative session out of state, enjoying the luxuries of executive travel.
We don’t deserve this governor, and we will greatly benefit from new leadership.
Kaufman is my Senator— DISGUSTED.
And Coulombe is my South Anchorage Representative who is a fraud. Sad and pathetic. Don’t care to hear my friends who try to defend her. Julie— what is your story? Love to see you explain your lack of courage.
I hope this is a turning point but I doubt it. The debt train is coming. It is like gravity. Nationally and here in Alaska. Julie and James you are an embarrassment to fiscal conservatism. I’m ashamed to have voted for you both.
You show up to conservative events and act like you care.
And the Eagle River bloated fat cats are beyond comprehension. Dan Saddler, please don’t show your face at Republican events. Merrick and Kopp we understand you sold out. But Dan? You are a new and solid disappointment.
Kim Minnery
Your constituent.
Dan Saddler! Nice guitar playing in the seniors’ dining room! Oldies and goodies. Snort! Anything to get a vote. Ha! Not all of us are stuck in the era you were playing to!
Sad but true, the people Alaskans don’t deserve are the legislators who fail to support their governor. I remember him saying that he wasn’t going to take a knee, but would keep on fighting in the state if the union speech. He put forth a far better education bill that the legislature would not even consider. This is what happens when there is no support and he has to go it alone. At the same time, he is also expected to bring in business to the state, and represent the state in governors’ meetings and with the DC crowd. Because of poor support from the republican Alaskans, he will quietly have to take another path with the red pen. When you elect someone, support him when he needs it. When you don’t, blame yourself for the consequences.
Agreed. There are many things in life that can be accomplished alone. Politics isn’t one of them.
It has always befuddled me why our Governor doesn’t have more support, even within his own party. You voted him in, not once but twice. And yet his base is missing when it is needed.
Yes, take notes of those who make harmful decisions, and when you vote will you vote them out?
I’ve read kvitching about this one or that one, I guess exercising your mouth or fingers is exhausting?
The battle cry of “Do It For The Kids” just means throw money but not solutions? Even when you KNOW that money isn’t going to benefit any kid, it will line some union bigwigs retirement fund.
Shame on (fill in any name you want 🙁 )
Duly noted. I screenshot the voting board so I will remember who not to vote for next election cycle. Everyone who cares about Alaska students and their abysmal education should do the same.
State income tax anyone? You watch, its coming, with zero property tax relief
No big surprise about Merrick. She’s useless and has zero backbone.
How depressing that so many of them, who said they backed the conservatives or had conservative values, who we conservatives voted in, left us in the lurch yet again.
I’ll quote an old Paula Cole song here: Where have all the cowboys gone?!
Thank you Jamie Allard for doing the right thing as usual.
This is disgusting payola to continue to get support for their elected office campaigns. The state cannot afford to keep blowing money on things that show no net positive, year over year.
Who the H#ll do these legislators represent? Certainly not me or the majority of Alaskans! They shaved $700 off the PFD so they can give it to the teachers’ union – unfreaking believable! I will be donating to anyone who primaries them whether in my district or not. Every one of these culls needs to go.
What a bunch of grifters, the whole lot of them! We know who to support and who NOT to support when election time comes. Thanks a lot guys for letting us know just who you are.
Difficult to be more disappointed with the minority caucuses in both houses, especially those from ANC and their leadership (yes, Mia, this means you). Will have to do something about that. Should be fun. Cheers –