The filing period for Anchorage mayor and school board seats opened on Friday. So far, eight have filed for mayor for the April 6 election.
The filing deadline is Friday, Jan. 29 at 5 pm. Here are the applications that were received on Friday by the Municipal Clerk’s Office, with more expected on Monday for school board:
File this under idle speculation: COVID could end up saving the State of Alaska millions of dollars. That’s because COVID-19 kills off the elderly more aggressively than other groups.
NPR reports that due to COVID-19 deaths last year, life expectancy at birth for Americans will shorten by 1.13 years to 77.48 years — the largest single-year decline in life expectancy in at least 40 years.
This phenomenon could possibly save the State of Alaska money. Here’s why: If the Tier 1 PRS and TRS retirement beneficiaries die off from COVID-19, the current $7-12 billion in State liability could be reduced substantially over subsequent years.
Of course, it might be just as effective to issue all the Tier 1 retirees, now in their 60s-90s, their very own Ducati Monster muscle motorcycles and wish them the best, but that’s not likely to happen. Dying of COVID? That could be more likely, especially if the world is now in the new-normal of a mutating virus that has to be vaccinated against every year.
State workers — whether chancellors or legislators or deputy commissioners — who worked under the old defined benefits system still reap huge retirement benefits, especially if they worked 20 39 years either as a State worker or a teacher in one of the school districts. They get 90 percent of their high-three salaries for the rest of their lives, and then their immediate beneficiaries get a lesser amount after the retired workers die. It’s no exaggeration to say some are making $12,000 a month as Tier 1 retirees.
The State has been paying the liability on an as-you-go basis for some time — barely keeping up.
Read a technical analysis of the retirement liability at this link.
The real unfunded liability could be over $12 billion, of which the state would pay about $20 billion, according to MRAK sources. The unfunded liability applies entirely to the defined benefit tiers, and mainly Tier 1, which closed back in 2006 for new entrants. A few grandfathered-in workers returned and were able to log in some final years, if they were working again for the State by the beginning of Fiscal Year 2010, but there are not many of those.
The state owes the bulk of the PERS liability not only because it’s the largest employer, but it picks up so much of municipal government employee TRS costs.
How may Tier 1 retirees are there? Tens of thousands, likely. By the time they retired, they were no longer working at a Clerk 1 wage, either.
Read the Tier benefits at this State chart.
The unfunded liability is concentrated in Tier 1, which initially closed in the early 1980s. Total annual defined benefit wages are now about $800 million.
Of course, there’s likely no Alaska Retirement Management Board analysis on this, because it’s politically too charged to even verbalize. Everyone knows that the unfunded liability is officially understated, but the number is radioactive.
And what public official would want to talk about a substantial windfall from the COVID-19 coronavirus killing elderly Alaska constituents?
The Alaska National Guard deploying to Washington, D.C. to guard the incoming president during the inauguration.
But it’s typical for Alaska to send National Guardsmen — as a custom, they come from every state during inaugurations.
About 8,000 National Guard members were present during President Donald Trump’s inauguration in 2017. There were 47 from Alaska.
This time, it will be over 15,000 being flown in, with about 80 from Alaska, according to official reports, as the federal government is worried after the violent attacks at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, the day the Electoral College was certified by the Senate.
“This is about ensuring the safety and security of all Americans attending next week’s presidential inauguration,” said Gov. Mike Dunleavy. “A contingent of Alaska’s National Guard volunteered to join their fellow Guardsmen from around the country, in the nation’s capital, to help ensure a peaceful transition.”
The U.S. National Park Service has closed the Washington Monument and the Mall since Jan. 11 until after the inauguration, saying there have been credible threats of violence. The Mall may be closed for weeks, it said.
“Groups involved in the January 6, 2021, riots at the U.S. Capitol continue to threaten to disrupt the 59th presidential inauguration on January 20, 2021,” NPS wrote on its website.
General Daniel Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau wrote:
“Right now, we have approximately 6,200 National Guard Soldiers and Airmen from 6 states and the District of Columbia on the ground in the NCR supporting civilian authorities.
“We have received support requests from the Secret Service, Capitol Police, and Park Police, and have been authorized to provide up to 15,00 Guard members to meet current and future inauguration support requirements.
“To date, our troops have been requested to support security, logistics, liaison, and communication missions.
“In case you are not already aware, the National Guard has a long and proud history of inauguration support and the forefathers of today’s National Guard were present for the inauguration of George Washington, and we have been part of every inauguration since.”
Lt. Col. Candis Olmstead of the Alaska National Guard wrote that about 80 airmen and soldiers volunteered to go, and most would depart Alaska Sunday, Jan. 17 aboard a KC-135 Stratotanker from the Alaska Air National Guard’s 168th Wing at Eielson Air Force Base on a direct seven-hour flight to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.
They will provide crowd and traffic management in and around the nation’s capital, as well as communications, logistical, medical and public affairs support, she said.
Activating volunteers and scheduling aircraft to deploy to the East Coast from Alaska requires extensive logistical planning and coordination, and this request to support was expedited in only two days, Olmstead wrote.
“Our Soldiers and Airmen are ready to come to the state’s or nation’s call,” said Maj. Gen. Torrence Saxe, adjutant general of the Alaska National Guard, and commissioner for the Alaska Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. “Always ready, always there is ingrained in us; we are ready to serve in times of need.”
The FBI has also sent memoranda to law enforcement agencies across the nation, warning that armed protests are planned for D.C. and “all 50 state capitols.”
Photo credit and caption: Members of the 176th Security Forces from Alaska Air and Army National Guard pose for a photo with TSA leadership at a checkpoint they are providing security for, near the Washington Monument, on Jan. 20, 2017. Soldiers and Airmen from the National Guard are supporting local and federal partners to ensure a safe and secure 58th Presidential Inauguration. (Photo Credit: Sgt. Cory Grogan)
By ANCHORAGE DAILY PLANET
Lawmakers are expected to gavel in the 32nd Alaska Legislature in Juneau on Tuesday. You have to wonder who would want to?
The state is slogging through a COVID-19 pandemic. Its economy is on life support. Its cash reserves are dangerously low after years of profligate spending. Its unemployment rate is through the roof. And oil revenue? Well, it is still in the tank.
As the session unfolds, there will be questions about taxes and what to do about the Permanent Fund dividend, the annual payout that has become the tail wagging the state’s fiscal dog. Can Alaska afford it now? How will it be calculated? Will it be protected in the Alaska Constitution? Will Alaskans tolerate legislative tampering with what has become through the years an expected – no, demanded – sacred entitlement?
To add spice to the legislative stew, Gov. Mike Dunleavy proposes to cut state spending and hand every Alaska two payouts totaling about $5,000 in Permanent Fund dividends, a move that would require a draw of $6.3 billion from the fund’s Earnings Reserve, or more than twice the legally allowed amount.
Add to all that the uncertainty of who actually will be in charge of the circus. As it stands now, it appears both chambers will be led by a bipartisan majorities. You would have better luck herding cats.
We suspect the upcoming legislative session will, in the end, somewhat resemble Dante’s Ninth Circle of Hell. You have to wonder why anyone would want to run for legislative office – especially this year – when a reasonable person would be running away.
Stay tuned.
Republicans caucusing in Alaska’s Capitol have been kicked out of the Fahrenkamp and Butrovich committee rooms (203 and 205), based on a complaint made by the Senate secretary about some of them not wearing masks.
The complaint was made by Secretary Liz Clark, who has been policing Republicans in the halls when they don’t strictly adhere to the rules set by the Legislative Council. Coghill, who is a Republican, is Rules chair of the Senate and is a member of the council, although his term ends on Tuesday, when Rob Myers is sworn in as the new senator from Fairbanks.
The Fahrenkamp and Butrovich rooms adjoin and are under control of the Senate.
Newly elected Representative Chris Kurka from District 7-Wasilla, has been photographed in the House chambers not wearing a mask, in violation of the Legislative Council’s rules, which remain in effect until the House and Senate organize and set forth new rules for the 32nd Legislature.
The new session starts on Tuesday, with both the House and Senate still not organized with a leadership caucus. Meetings have been underway as legislators in the House try to put together a team that will be in charge, with a 20-20 split between the Republican and the Democratic caucuses at this point (Rep. Louise Stutes, a Kodiak Republican, caucuses with the Democrats).
This move, kicking a caucus out of a legislative room, is unprecedented in Alaska history, but the oversight of all existing committees ends on Monday, as it pertains to taking formal committee action.
In addition to a major show of police force at Tuesday’s Anchorage Assembly meeting, Must Read Alaska has learned through a law enforcement source that a SWAT team was stationed, locked-and-loaded, and ready to roll just two miles away.
SWAT teams are typically made up of elite police marksmen who are trained to deal with high-risk situations such as standoffs and hostage rescues. Think of the Nakatomi Plaza hostage rescue team scene in Die Hard.
There were no instances at the Assembly that would have required the use of a hostage rescue team, but one woman was escorted from the meeting after she yelled her support for President Donald Trump.
Tensions at the Assembly meetings have been high since Anchorage residents started getting engaged with the political process, only to discover their pleas for reasonable policies around the COVID-19 pandemic have fallen on deaf ears. Many attending are discovering that their local government has been taken over by the far Left.
The FBI Anchorage office wrote that it had no credible threats for locations in Alaska.
“Throughout Alaska, the FBI Anchorage Field Office supports our state, local, and federal law enforcement partners with maintaining public safety in the communities we share together. The FBI Anchorage Field Office has not received any specific threats regarding locations in Alaska. We are working with our law enforcement partners to continuously share information based on tips submitted by the public. We ask anyone with information to contact the FBI at 907-276-4441 or go to tips.fbi.gov to report potential violence or criminal acts,” the agency wrote in a memo.
“We understand that there is concern for public safety; as such, the Department of Public Safety is in close communications with our law enforcement partner agencies and, if necessary, will take appropriate response actions to any potential credible threats. At this time, no credible threats have been found. Public safety truly is a team effort in Alaska. We are very fortunate to have strong working relationships with law enforcement officials at all levels of government throughout this state that we can count on when it comes to planning and taking appropriate steps to safeguard the wellbeing of Alaskans. If an emergency arises, please call 911 to make a report.”
The House Republicans issued a press release on Saturday afternoon, saying all 20 Republican are sticking together.
There are actually 21 Republicans in the House, but Kodiak’s Louise Stutes has said she would not caucus with the Republicans, which has been her decision for several years. She is the lone member of the former Muskox Caucus, which was made up of rogue Republicans.
House Republicans met for several hours on Friday in the Butrovich Room in the Capitol, trying to figure out who they can invite in from the Democrats to give themselves a working majority.
None of the Republicans appear to be a flight risk, according to those who were knowledgeable with the meeting.
Last year, a group bolted from the Republican caucus, led by Rep. Stutes, the late Rep. Gary Knopp, and the former Reps. Jennifer Johnston and Chuck Kopp. Those who went with them to organize with the Democrats included the former Rep. Gabrielle LeDoux, the former Rep. Tammie Wilson, and Reps. Steve Thompson and Bart LeBon of Fairbanks, who were the only ones of that group returned to office by voters.
“All 20 members in attendance reaffirmed their support for a Republican led majority in the House,” the release from Rep. Cathy Tilton’s office said.
“The Alaska Legislature faces a daunting task in 2021,” said Rep. Bart LeBon (R-Fairbanks). “We must reconcile state finances and address the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. We have to take action to keep Alaskans safe, keep our state functioning, and rehabilitate our economy.”
“Alaska needs common sense leadership in state government that prioritizes resource development, grows the private sector, and puts Alaskans back to work,” said Rep. Kelly Merrick (R-Eagle River). “We need to be able to push back on a federal government that will do their best to devastate Alaska’s economy and way of life.”
“House Republicans stand ready to work with everyone – rural and urban legislators, Independents and Democrats, as well as Governor Dunleavy and our Senate colleagues in order to balance the budget and navigate the COVID-19 crisis,” said Rep. Steve Thompson (R-Fairbanks). “We must make policy changes that have broad support from Alaskans of all ways of life, and all corners of the state. That is how we create stability for Alaska’s communities and economy.”
“Alaskan families and businesses have been hit hard by the pandemic. We need to strike a healthy balance between providing services the public relies on and controlling spending, so we don’t further damage the Alaskan economy that has been on hold for almost an entire year,” added Rep. Cathy Tilton (R-Wasilla). “We want to see businesses and families investing in Alaska for future generations.”
House Republicans are in discussions about coming together and working for all Alaskans. That dialogue will continue until a majority is formed and the House can undertake the important work of moving Alaska forward, the release stated.
Democrats plus Rep. Stutes also total 20, which means the House cannot organize until there is a majority established.
She may no longer be chair of the powerful Energy and Natural Resources Committee as of Jan. 20, but Sen. Lisa Murkowski is landing on her feet.
Alaska’s senior senator has been named the chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus. The caucus works to support the nation’s firefighters. It’s likely the first of many such appointments that the Murkowski will announce in coming days as the new Senate and House organizations take shape.
“I will continue to advocate for the health & safety of our fire service members, empowering them to serve & protect the public to the best of their abilities,” she wrote. “Throughout my time as a U.S. Senator, I’ve developed relationships with some of Alaska’s bravest men and women: our Fire Chiefs and firefighters. I’ve worked on a number of initiatives at the federal level of great importance to the fire service. In recent years, as communities across Alaska have faced record-high fire seasons, I met with firefighters—career and volunteer—and saw firsthand the dedication and grit it takes to do their job. And in spite of COVID-19, our fire services have never faltered; they adjusted operations as needed and continued toward their mission to protect their respective communities and each other,” said Senator Murkowski. “I’m proud to chair the Congressional Fire Services Caucus in the 117th Congress in support of firefighters who face disasters head-on, with great courage and commitment. I will continue to advocate for the health and safety of our fire service members, empowering them to serve and protect the public to the best of their abilities.”
Co-chairing the caucus are Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, , Sen. Tom Carper, D-Delaware, Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Maryland, Rep. Bill Pascrell, D-New Jersey, Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Rep. Mike Bost, R-Illinois.
The U.S. State Department says that in the autumn of 2019, before the first identified case of COVID-19, several researchers at the Wuhan Institute of Virology became sick with an illness that may have been COVID-19.
“This raises questions about the credibility of WIV senior researcher Shi Zhengli’s public claim that there was ‘zero infection’ among the WIV’s staff and students of SARS-CoV-2 or SARS-related viruses,” the State Department reported on Jan. 15, 2021.
“Accidental infections in labs have caused several previous virus outbreaks in China and elsewhere, including a 2004 SARS outbreak in Beijing that infected nine people, killing one. The CCP [Chinese Communist Party] has prevented independent journalists, investigators, and global health authorities from interviewing researchers at the WIV, including those who were ill in the fall of 2019. Any credible inquiry into the origin of the virus must include interviews with these researchers and a full accounting of their previously unreported illness,” the agency wrote in a new fact sheet.
None of that cooperation is likely to happen from the Chinese, but the report goes on to detail the experiments going on at the Wuhan lab, including, “starting in 2016 – and with no indication of a stop prior to the COVID-19 outbreak – WIV researchers conducted experiments involving RaTG13, the bat coronavirus identified by the WIV in January 2020 as its closest sample to SARS-CoV-2 (96.2% similar).”
Secrecy is standard operating procedure for China. The State Department says that the U.S. has raised concerns for years about China’s past biological weapons work, which fall under obligations of the Biological Weapons Convention.
The lab was engaged in international coronavirus research after the 2003 SARS outbreak and has since studied animals including mice, bats, and pangolins [anteaters], the report says.
“Despite the WIV presenting itself as a civilian institution, the United States has determined that the WIV has collaborated on publications and secret projects with China’s military. The WIV has engaged in classified research, including laboratory animal experiments, on behalf of the Chinese military since at least 2017,” the State Department alleged.