By MICHAEL TAVOLIERO
Alaska’s state government has long operated under the false premise that its fiscal problems stem from inadequate revenue rather than reckless, unaccountable spending.
This lie is perpetuated by entrenched bureaucrats, along with histrionic politicians such as Senators Cathy Giessel, Gary Stevens, Jesse Bjorkman, Matt Claman, Forrest Dunbar, Elvi Gray-Jackson, Lyman Hoffman, Scoot Kawasaki, Jesse Kiehl, Kelly Merrick, Donny Olson, Bert Stedman, Loki Tobin, Bill Wielechowski, and Robert Yundt, and their useless counterpart House Representatives that include Chuck Kopp, Bryce Edgmon, Robyn Niayuq Burke, Ashley Carrick, Maxine Dilbert, Ted Eischeid, Zack Fields, Neal Foster, Alyse Galvin, Andrew Gray, Carolyn Hall, Sara Hannah, Rebecca Himschoot, Ky Holland, Nellie Unangiq Jimmie, Andy Josephson, Donna Mears, Genevieve Mina, Calvin Schrage, Andi Story, and Louise Stutes. The lie is not only misleading but an insult to the intelligence of all Alaskans.
As an example of the lies on a national level, the mission statement of the US National Security Agency is a combat support agency within the US Department of Defense. It leads in cryptology, providing signals intelligence (SIGINT) and cybersecurity to support military operations, secure communications, and protect national security.
The American public just discovered that this group of unelected bureaucrats are already anal-eyezed.
If this is what national security looks like, where taxpayer-funded intelligence networks double as a kink forum for government employees, what exactly is the Alaska deep state up to?
If the NSA, tasked with protecting America from cyber threats and foreign adversaries, is instead hosting discussions on “butthole laser treatments” and “sexual pleasure post-castration,” what confidence should Alaskans have that their own bureaucracies are operating with any greater professionalism or competence?
Are state agencies—already bloated with inefficiency—just as preoccupied with indulgent self-exploration under the banner of diversity, equity, and inclusion?
How many hours of taxpayer-funded work are being dedicated to “ally awareness” meetings instead of actually addressing Alaska’s failing education system, crumbling infrastructure, or economic stagnation?
If this level of absurdity can take hold at the highest levels of intelligence nationally, what kind of degeneracy and waste is lurking in Alaska’s government offices?
The reality is clear: Alaska does not have a revenue problem—it has a spending problem managed and operated by entitled elites.
National polling data supports what Alaskans already know: government inefficiency, waste, fraud, and mismanagement are the primary culprits behind our fiscal challenges, not a lack of taxation.
On Feb. 24, 2025, the February Harvard CAPS / Harris poll, a monthly collaboration between the Center for American Political Studies at Harvard and the Harris Poll and HarrisX released the results of 83% of voters favor reducing government expenditures over increasing taxes, and 77% say a full examination of all government expenditures is necessary.
The unelected bureaucratic machine in Juneau — the so-called “deep state” — is not concerned with the well-being of Alaskans. Its primary objective is job security and maintaining its grip on power.
This explains why Alaskan politicians, public unions and Alaska’s government agencies resist meaningful spending cuts while relentlessly pushing for tax increases and PFD reductions. They do not serve Alaskans; they serve themselves. Every attempt to impose an income tax or seize Alaskans’ PFD is nothing more than an effort to preserve their bloated, self-sustaining bureaucracy at the expense of hardworking residents.
Despite receiving some of the highest per-student funding in the nation, Alaska’s public education system ranks near the bottom in student achievement. More money has not, and will not, fix this problem. Instead, it enables an expanding administrative class that diverts funding away from classrooms and into bureaucratic salaries, regulatory compliance, and redundant oversight. It is self-perpetuating at the cost of Alaska’s future.
Rather than addressing this failure, leaders like Giessel want Alaskans to accept even higher taxes to fuel the very system that has already failed their children.
The push for an income tax is a distraction from the real reform Alaska needs: a comprehensive reduction in government spending and an overhaul of the budget process to ensure that every dollar is spent efficiently and with accountability. Bureaucrats and career politicians claim that “there is nothing left to cut,” yet millions of dollars continue to be wasted annually on redundant programs, unnecessary administrative positions, and inefficient service delivery models.
Instead of increasing taxes, Alaska should pursue serious fiscal discipline, including:
- Eliminating redundant state agencies and administrative overhead that do not provide direct services to Alaskans.
- Ending special-interest subsidies and corporate welfare that offer no clear return on investment.
- Enforcing zero-based budgeting, requiring every department to justify its budget from the ground up rather than assuming automatic increases.
- Redirecting education funding from bloated bureaucracies directly into classrooms where it can actually impact student outcomes.
- Auditing every state agency to root out fraud, waste, and mismanagement.
The people of Alaska have every right to demand a government that works for them, not against them. Instead, they are subjected to an inefficient and self-serving bureaucracy that refuses to be held accountable. Senator Giessel’s call for an income tax is not about fiscal responsibility—it is about protecting the bureaucratic class at the expense of Alaskans. The people of this state deserve a government that respects their hard work, safeguards their earnings, and prioritizes efficient governance over self-preservation.
Michael Tavoliero writes for Must Read Alaska.
You are right on this subject.
He certainly is, just the sosdd. “same old s$%^ different day”.
Alaska State DOGE! The official mascot can be a malamute! 🙂
Elon Musk and his “Musketeers” are using AI algorithms to unravel the corruption within the Federal Government. Much as Musk has utilized his “Starlink” to assist where needed in fractured communities, could it not be
a source to acquire this model from Musk to implement within the State government agencies? On a scale, Alaska’s depth of corruption, while possibly existing, not proven, would be minute in comparison to the Feds, so a quick application to Alaska would take a nano-minute and you sir, would have either confirmation, or repudiation to the inquiry.
Cheers,- Johnson-Ketchikan
I used to work for a company that did a lot of environmental remediation work. Consequently, my boss had a lot of contact with government bureaucrats. He explained their workings thusly:
“It’s the Rule of Three. If you work in a government department and can get 3 employees under you, you’re now a supervisor and get bumped a pay grade. If one of them gets 3 people working under him, HE’S now a supervisor and gets bumped a pay grade. And since YOU are supervising a supervisor, YOU get bumped a pay grade. The same for YOUR supervisor. And so it goes…”
I can’t personally attest to the factual truth of this explanation, but after 50 years of paying attention to the workings of the government I certainly believe it.
Having worked in the State as a worker bee in a past life, I can attest that there is more truth to what you say about this pay increase pursuit. Also, there was the almighty AK Airline mileage by certain staff, supervisors, directors, deputy commissioners, commissioners every chance they could get to achieve 100,000 miles, 250,000, 500,000 and the holy grail: 1,000,000 air miles.
All travel on the State’s dime. My former supervisor achieved multi-million miler club member on AK Airlines Frequent Flier Program. First class seat upgrades for life – thanks to the State of Alaska. What a deal!
Glad I retired and got out the State environmental regulatory program when I did.
Interesting. I actually worked for the state back during Exxon Valdez debacle. The state had a program where one could submit ways to improve the state. I submitted my analysis of the AK Air mileage program and suggested the state negotiate for its own mileage number to be used to offset the cost of all state travel. Shortly thereafter I no longer worked for the state.
You are too innovative, Michael. Since when do Democrats and liberal lefties listen to reasonable suggestions to save money?
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Keep up with your great articles. There may be some converts when other people’s money runs out.
”……..I can’t personally attest to the factual truth of this explanation, but after 50 years of paying attention to the workings of the government I certainly believe it………”
Summarized perfectly.
Many of these bloated bureaucracies contribute to their further bloat with the policy initiatives that they conjure up, then undertake and foist upon those that need to do business with or through them. They weave their policy initiatives into seemingly unrelated inter-agency documents, which then enforce the necessity of the policies they created. No law necessary, but you must comply or your project goes nowhere. Once you see it, you start to see it on a more widespread scale. Its grim.
Are we paying attention?
I suppose it depends on who and what you ask.
Are we getting the government we deserve? Absolutely.
What is depressing is, because of the PFD, most Alaskans have no concept of what is going on. Most Alaskans only care about the size of the check.
You certainly can’t fix the situation with Juneau retaining where the legislature meets. Our legislators don’t stand a chance against L48 lobbyists and public sector union workers in Juneau.
Get rid of the PFD, and move the legislative meetings to Adak, Bethel of Kotzebue. Move to a zero based budgeting process. Check back in a few years to see anything changed.
“……What is depressing is, because of the PFD, most Alaskans have no concept of what is going on. Most Alaskans only care about the size of the check……….”
Summarized perfectly.
I think if we went to term limits, the maximum of 2 terms, I believe a lot of this BS would go away. I think it would also impact the non-elected bureaucrats from greasing the palms of career politicians. No one in our state management wants to pursue this.
And just as important, get the capital on the road system. I dont really care where. I’m in the Matsu, and it wouldnt be a stretch going to Fairbanks.
Until changes are made, we will always continue to beat a dead horse.
We just read from someone who I would love to see go against Lisa Murkowski. Please , please!
We are and HAVE BEEN paying attention. Nobody listens and legislators tell us we dont understand what we are asking! It is infuriating to be treated this way!
I don’t normally put signs up, but if Michael ran to replace Dunleavy, I would definately have a “Tavoliero for Governor” sign up! An efficiency audit is badly needed. Pretty much all of our politicians need to be moved out of their comfort zones.