Governor Mike Dunleavy gave his State of the State Address tonight at 7pm. He emphasized optimism despite cynical media coverage of his administration.
He acknowledged the work of first responders, the Alaska Coast Guard, the Alaska Division of Homeland Security, and the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities in their response to the Western Alaska natural disaster.
He also said his administration dealt with “man-made disasters” created by the Biden administration. “Alaska suffered the most of any state,” he said. However, “Trump finally gets it.” Dunleavy highlighted the Trump administration’s investments in Alaska’s transportation infrastructure, natural resource development, and healthcare.
In addition to good news from federal governance, Dunleavy spoke about the “great things that happened under my administration.” His highlights included: crime down to historic lows, 6 straight years of job growth, stabilized and growing population, the Permanent Fund at record highs, improved reading scores, paid down debts, improved credit rating, modernized information systems across government agencies, improvements to airports and ferries, and new housing developments.
To make access to state services easier, Dunleavy’s administration launched the myAlaska app where 50 state services are now available on mobile devices.
Addressing the state’s nursing shortage, Dunleavy stated that his administration has cut nursing licensing wait times.
According to Dunleavy, “The economy is getting stronger and stronger every year under my administration and diversifying as well.”
More coverage by Must Read Alaska of the Governor’s State of the State Address to come. Keep an eye out!
Editor’s Note: This story was updated on 2/3/2026 to clarify that AIDEA granted a total of $39.2 million to organizations in Juneau, one of which was Alaska Brewing.
Today, Jan 22, Representative Ashley Carrick (D-Fairbanks) introduced HB 124, the AIDEA Accountability Act, to the House State Affairs Committee. HB 124 seeks to enhance “legislative and public oversight of AIDEA as a state corporation.”
According to Carrick, the intent of the bill is to strike a balance between public backlash against the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA) and the State’s desire for AIDEA to move forward. AIDEA’s mission is “to promote, develop, and advance economic growth and diversification in AK by providing various means of financing and investment.” Since its establishment in 1987, AIDEA has had substantial success in generating economic development in Alaska.
Key AIDEA Projects
Some of the projects funded by AIDEA include:
This slide is a direct screenshot from Rep. Carrick’s presentation on AIDEA. Although the slide indicates Alaska Brewing received $39.2 million from AIDEA, this is not true. AIDEA issued 19 loans and bonds to organizations in Juneau, including Alaska Brewing, and the total was $39.2 million.
Sectional Analysis
Stuart Relay, Staff to Rep. Carrick gave the sectional analysis, which readers can view in full below.
Following the introduction and section analysis, the House State Affairs Committee held a discussion focused on the bill’s ability to balance transparency and oversight goals with continuing AIDEA’s success and independent decision-making.
Why Micromanage?
Representatives Kevin McCabe (R-Big Lake) and Sarah Vance (R-Homer) expressed concern that the bill seemed like “micromanagement.” “Why should we try to micromanage AIDEA,” asked McCabe directly. Rep. Vance said the bill “seems anti economic development.”
Rep. Carrick responded that the bill’s components are broad and designed to help the public. She also admitted that the bill is just at its starting point and she is open to revising the bill after hearing from her colleagues. Carrick expressed that she would like to “elevate the good, heavily supported work that AIDEA does,” while also addressing the public’s concerns about transparency. Becuase AIDEA’s projects impact a large number of communities, Carrick says there needs to be better balance, better oversight, and a better “two-way street between AIDEA and the State of Alaska.”
AIDEA Dividend as State Revenue
Representatives McCabe (R-Big Lake), Himshoot (I-Sitka), and Holland (I-Anchorage) addressed AIDEA’s substantial dividend return to the State of Alaska. AIDEA was the only corporation to return a dividend to the State. Over the years, AIDEA has returned half a billion dollars to State in dividends. McCabe suggests, “we let them alone and let them do their thing,” so they continue to provide revenue for the State.
Countering McCabe’s hand-off approach, Holland asked Carrick if the bill could be used to amend the corporation’s dividend decision-making process to increase State revenue. According to Holland, a Percent of Market Value (POMV) of 5% would indicate a $70 million dividend this year, but AIDEA intends to give only a $20 million dividend. Carrick responded that she is “definitely open to considering” the idea, but emphasized the need for “a sustainable draw.”
Holland also stated, “The bill suggests substantial divestment of AIDEA’s investments” with AIDEA potentially asked to divest of 2/3 of its current portfolio. Holland asked Carrick for details about what is in that portfolio and the impact of divestment. Carrick responded that her staff will take note of the questions, but she did not have any available answers. “Those are great questions for AIDEA when we hear from them,” she stated.
Slowing Down Economic Development
Another concern addressed by Holland and McCabe is the effect of requiring additional legislative approval for AIDEA’s large projects. The legislative approval requirement could slow down important development projects in Alaska. Carrick answered that this is “the biggest policy question for this piece of legislation.” Currently, the threshold defining a “large project” is $10 million, but Carrick says that can be adjusted and requires further discussion. “We want AIDEA to be able to strike while the iron is hot, within reason,” she stated.
Editor’s Note: This piece was originally published in Northern Journal, a newsletter and news website. Nathaniel Herz is an independent journalist and the founder and editor of Northern Journal.Nathaniel has given Must Read Alaska express permission to republish his gubernatorial candidate survey series.
It’s campaign season in Alaska.
Democratic former U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola made national news Monday when she said she’s entering what’s expected to be a hard-fought and expensive race for the Alaska U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican Dan Sullivan.
Meanwhile two-term GOP Gov. Republican Mike Dunleavy is barred by state law for seeking re-election — and more than a dozen candidates have already announced bids to replace him.
Here at Northern Journal, we expect the governor’s race to be one of Alaska’s most interesting in years.
The winner will face a huge array of policy questions expected to remain unresolved after Dunleavy finishes eight years in office.
Educators accuse policymakers of chronic underfunding of schools in recent years, as lawmakers continually battle over how much to spend on state services compared to Alaska’s annual oil wealth checks, known as Permanent Fund dividends. Urban areas of the state face huge increases in energy costs and contend with a homelessness and housing crisis; rural areas contend with eye-wateringly expensive food prices amid catastrophic crashes of salmon populations.
Candidates for governor are already laying out their visions of how to respond and gearing up their campaigns — but at this early stage of the race, they’re often doing so at untelevised, out-of-the-way forums attended by insiders and special interest groups.
Here at Northern Journal, we saw an opportunity to cut through some of the noise and focus candidates’ and voters’ attention on key issues.
For the next 10 months, we plan to distribute a regular survey of the gubernatorial candidates, each with two questions — one on policy, and one that’s more personal.
We see the survey as a chance to provide Alaskans with clear answers about where candidates stand on the issues that matter most to them — and as a chance for candidates to reach a wide audience of readers and voters directly. As with all other Northern Journal stories, we’ll make the answers republishable by any Alaska-based outlet.
This week’s policy question is about a proposal to boost taxes on oil company Hilcorp, which some lawmakers support as a way to raise revenue for state government. Then, we hear from candidates about their favorite way to cook fish.
Republicans Dave Bronson, Bernadette Wilson, Matt Heilala and Adam Crum did not respond to this week’s survey; Northern Journal sent each candidate multiple emails, as well as text messages, reminding them to complete the survey.
If you have feedback about the survey, or want to suggest a question for the candidates, please drop Northern Journal publisher Nat Herz a line: [email protected]. Thanks for reading.
Question 2: What’s your favorite way to cook Alaska fish?
What’s your favorite way to cook Alaska fish, and why? Bonus points: share a photo of yourself fishing or preparing your fish dish referenced in your answer to question two. (Publisher’s note: There was no length limit on these responses, so proceed at your own risk — though there’s also the potential to be rewarded with meticulously outlined recipes for pike, salmon and halibut!)
Treg Taylor, Former Alaska Attorney General
Treg Taylor
A very important question! Combine olive oil, horseradish, soy sauce, crushed garlic, and salt and pepper. Liberally brush sauce over salmon and cook on the BBQ. Brush sauce once again on salmon just before it’s done cooking. Pro tip- sprinkle feta cheese on top. Enjoy!
Edna DeVries, Mat-Su Borough Mayor
Edna DeVries
Grilled or fried at home.
Henry Kroll
Henry Kroll
Put the filets in the smoke house for three days before cooking in the oven with lemon pepper and onions.
Tom Begich, Former State Senator
Tom Begich
I am terrible chef, but am married to a brilliant one – Sarah Sledge. My favorite way is the next way she prepares halibut, salmon, or any Alaskan seafood. I have attached a photo prepared by Sarah…. Delicious!! Copper River king with roasted Brussels sprouts.
Bruce Walden
Baked, usually, or smoked.
Click Bishop, Former State Senator
Click Bishop’s Deep Fried Beer Batter Pike
1. Fillet and skin a 12+ pound pike — the bigger, the better. Be sure to remove the Y bones. You can also use salmon if you don’t have pike.
2. Start heating your oil.
3. Cut pike into chunks.
4. Measure out about 2 cups of Krusteaz pancake mix in a bowl.
5. Add about a teaspoon of garlic salt, to taste.
6. Mix in enough beer to make a batter.
7. Drink what’s left over in the can/bottle.
8. Toss pike chunks in the batter.
9. When oil is hot, fry chunks in batches until golden brown. Serve with homemade tartar sauce.
Notes: So delicious, there won’t be any leftovers. Some of my friends from Northway taught me how to cut the Y bones out. Game changer.
James Parkin IV
James Parkin
I’m no fancy chef but everyone who knows anything about cooking fish knows that the best fish recipes always start with fresh wild Alaskan fish.
That having been said, how am I supposed to decide which recipe is my favorite?
Here are four of my favorites, and there are many more! You decide which one is best. Oh yes, and a locally grown salad mix of any kind is a welcome addition to all of these dishes. (Don’t get me started on the Alaskan variety of ingredients we could include.)
My preparation instructions here will be brief and only for the first meal. If you want more details or instructions for the other three meals, you can reach out to me through my website or stop by for dinner. Okay, four meals coming up!
1. Deep fried halibut with homemade tartar sauce and Alaska’s Matanuska Valley baked jojos potatoes. Yes, you can use other kinds of potatoes, but why would you want to?
2. Smoked black cod and rice with dried seaweed salmon egg blend.
3. Skillet fried king salmon steaks and sautéed Tlingit & Haida potatoes, onions and mushrooms.
* As the only biologist candidate, I vow to do what is needed to preserve, protect and increase our king salmon runs!
4. Smoked and fresh packed blend salmon spread with Sailor Boy pilot bread, crackers, chips or make a sandwich for the road.
1. For your Jojos:
Cut the potatoes into jojo pieces, roll them in seasoned (your choice) flour and place them on an oiled (again your choice) cookie sheet. Stick them in the oven at 350-400 and cook them the way you like. While they are cooking, prep and cook your fish.
2. For your wild Alaskan halibut:
Use Alaskan Flour Company’s Great Alaska Pancake Mix. If you don’t have it, Krusteaz pancake mix works very well but has a much different flavor.
Add liquid to the mix for the thickness of crust you like on your fish. More liquid = thinner crust, less = thicker. After making enough pancake mix for your fish set it aside.
Into another bowl, place Kikkoman Panko bread crumbs, or any brand of potato flakes, or make your own bread crumbs by seasoning and oven drying some Great Harvest Bread and crushing it up before hand.
Now, cut your fish into the size pieces you want to eat. Pat them dry. Next, dip each of the pieces of fish into the pancake mix and then roll it in the crumbs or flakes. Place each piece of dipped and rolled fish on a tray or plate. When all of the fish has been prepped, heat your favorite frying oil in a decent size pot or deep fryer to 350-400.
Fry your fish until golden brown. Salt to taste and enjoy!
Oh yes, the tartar sauce. Chop up sweet onions, dill pickles and garlic. Add mayo and mix it all together. I apologize for the brief tartar recipe. My wife makes it. If you want her detailed instructions contact me or come on over! Oh, and don’t forget to take the jojos out when they are done. 😋
Matt Claman, State Senator
Grilled Alaska black cod with miso, soy sauce, white wine, garlic, and sesame oil glaze.
Shelley Hughes, Former State Senator
Shelley Hughes
I love fresh grilled salmon with onion and garlic, and I’ll never turn down my brother’s delicious smoked salmon. But on this chilly January day, my favorite halibut recipe baked in a hot oven makes my mouth water just thinking about it.
Shelley’s Halibut Olympia Extraordinaire
• 2 pounds halibut, cut into 6-8 pieces
• Salt to sprinkle
• 2 cups white wine
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 medium white onion, chopped
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, plus 3 tablespoons for sprinkling over fish
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh dill
• Pepper to lightly sprinkle
• 1 cup crushed Ritz crackers
2.5 hours in advance of meal: salt halibut and cover with wine in a bowl. Thirty minutes before serving, preheat oven to 400°F. Melt butter, stir in chopped onion, and pour into 9 x 13 inch pan. Mix sour cream, mayonnaise, 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, and dill. Lightly pepper sauce. Remove fish from bowl. Pat dry with paper towels. Place fish in pan and spread with sauce. Mix 3 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese with crushed crackers. Sprinkle cracker mixture over sauce. Bake 20 minutes. Enjoy!
Nancy Dahlstrom, Lieutenant Governor
Nancy Dahlstrom
My favorite way to cook fish is over a campfire, just sautéed in butter with salt.
Each year, Alaskans can choose to donate their PFD or part of their PFD to the State’s yearly education raffle. 50% of the funds go directly to support public school needs for that year. Funds benefit public schools generally, not any one specific district. 25% of the funds go into a new education endowment fund. The remaining 25% goes to the raffle fund.
This year, public schools will receive approximately $2.3 million raised by the education raffle. $1.15 million will be invested in the education endowment fund.
Four prizes are paid out annually. First prize is 8% of the raffle fund. Second prize is 4%; third prize is 2%; fourth prize is 1%. The remaining 85% of the fund will grow the fund for future year prize money. Next year’s raffle fund is expected to start at over $1 million.
First prize was approximately $92K, second prize $46K, third prize $23K, and fourth prize $11K. Announcement of winners can be viewed here.
Anyone 18 years old or older, filing a PFD online application for themselves, will be provided an option to choose to donate money from his or her PFD to public education. Donations are made in $100 increments. Each entry goes into a drawing to be drawn by the Revenue Commissioner, or designee.
Following successful results at the Sockeye-2 exploratory well on the North Slope, APA announced on Jan 21, 2026, its formal membership in the Alaska Oil and Gas Association (AOGA).
“I am pleased to welcome APA to AOGA. Their industry experience adds an important perspective for the board, and I look forward to working with them to promote fiscal stability within the Alaska oil and gas industry,” stated AOGA Board Chair Erec Issacson, ConocoPhillips Alaska.
APA Corporation is a public company trading on the Nasdaq stock exchange. Through its direct subsidiary Apache Corporation and Apache’s subsidiaries, APA maintains operations in the United States, Egypt’s Western Desert, the United Kingdom’s North Sea, and offshore Suriname.
APA’s entry into AOGA “brings additional technical depth and global experience to the association as it works to advance policies that sustain production, jobs and revenue for Alaskans.”
Tuesday, Jan 27, Anchorage residents will have the opportunity to give public testimony regarding 9 capital funding propositions. If passed by the Assembly, these propositions will appear on the 2026 regular election ballot. The Municipality of Anchorage will hold its regular election on April 7th this year. “The ultimate responsibility falls to voters to make the choices that will shape our future,” stated Assembly Chair Christopher Constant.
At its last Regular Assembly Meeting on Jan 13, the Assembly approved a nearly $80 million bond proposition for capital improvements for the Anchorage School District.
During the next assembly meeting on Jan 27, the Assembly will consider and hear public testimony regarding the following ballot and bond propositions:
AO 2026-14, a special tax levy proposition dedicated to this year’s operational expenses of the Anchorage School District. A worksession on this item is scheduled this Friday, January 23 at 10:15AM in City Hall, Conference Room 155. Worksession materials will be posted on the Assembly website at www.muni.org/worksessions.
AO 2026-15, a ballot proposition amending Article 16 of the Home Rule Charter to remove outdated language about the former Anchorage Telephone Utility.
AO 2026-2, a $8,990,000 bond proposition to pay for Areawide Public Safety and Transit Improvements.
AO 2026-3(S), a $6,050,000 bond proposition for constructing, renovating and equipping park, trail and recreational facilities capital improvements in the Anchorage Parks and Recreation Service Area.
AO 2026-4, a $38,450,000 bond proposition to pay the costs of road and storm drainage capital improvements in the Anchorage Roads and Drainage Service Area.
AO 2026-5, a $7,150,000 bond proposition for community facilities capital improvement projects.
AO 2026-6, a $1,720,000 bond proposition to pay the costs of access and trail improvements in the Chugach State Park Access Service Area.
AO 2026-7, a $2,500,000 bond proposition to pay the costs of fire protection capital improvements in the Anchorage Fire Service Area.
AO 2026-8, a $350,000 bond proposition to pay the costs of improvements to the Anchorage Police Department Elmore Station in the Anchorage Metropolitan Police Service Area.
The public may submit testimony in person at the Loussac Library Assembly Chambers, over the phone, via email to [email protected], or through the public testimony form at ancgov.info/testify.
On January 21, 2026, the Alaska House Finance Committee convened a teleconference that buzzed with unprecedented optimism about the state’s oil industry. Co-chaired by Representatives Andy Jospehson and Neal Foster along with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the meeting painted a vivid picture of resurgence on the North Slope. Director Derek Nottingham set an enthusiastic tone, declaring, “This is the year we’ve been waiting for.” With construction underway, facilities being installed, and drilling in full swing, the discussion centered on the FY2026 production forecast, ongoing projects, and the remarkable turnaround at Milne Point—a testament to innovation in a mature field.
The FY2026 forecast emerged as a beacon of hope, projecting Alaska’s oil output at 465,000 barrels per day (bopd). Reservoir Engineer Travis Peltier presented forecast charts underscoring this figure, noting it stems from DNR’s independent analysis of production among the oil fields. Notable among the discussion was that between FY2024 and FY2025, a 1.5% production increase was realized, equating to about 7,000 bopd, with Kuparuk and Milne Point averaging the largest production increases.
Legislators probed the forecast’s reliability. Representative Stapp asked when Alaska last saw such volumes, prompting Nottingham to highlight tangible progress: “The difference this year is that there are boots on the ground, facilities are being installed—this is reality rather than concept.” He pointed to projects like Pikka, now at a “point of no return,” with commissioning underway for first oil. Stapp echoed the excitement, exclaiming, “This is the first time in my lifetime Alaska will see this big of a production increase—we should recognize this!” The forecast’s optimism is further fueled by federal opportunities under the Trump Administration, including four planned wells in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A). Peltier noted these developments on federal lands signal broader investment potential.
Current projects amplified the positive vibe, with discussions revealing active advancements across the North Slope. When asked how Alaska compared to other Lower 48 states, Peltier stated higher costs and inflation but stressed the need for a competitive environment. When Stapp inquired about legislative actions, Peltier advised, “Maintaining a competitive environment for investment because there are other places around the country and the world for companies to develop.” Despite global volatility—Representative Bynum raised concerns about Northern Hemisphere impacts like Venezuela or the Middle East disruptions—Peltier reassured that legacy fields remain resilient. Even during 2014’s $100/bbl highs or 2020’s COVID lows, production persisted to maximize volumes.
The highlight, however, was Milne Point’s success story, a narrative of revival that captivated the committee. Acquired by Hilcorp in 2014 when production languished near 19,000 bopd, the field has been transformed through relentless reworking. Hilcorp’s strategies—continued drilling and polymer flooding—propelled output back to near-peak levels, defying expectations for a mature reservoir with heavy, viscous oil. Nottingham elaborated on page 9 of the presentation: “Revitalization of a mature field to replicate peak production is almost unheard of.” The existing facilities, ill-equipped for the oil’s viscosity, were upgraded alongside innovative drilling methods. This not only boosted volumes but exemplified how mature fields can be rejuvenated, contributing significantly to the recent statewide production increase.
Representative Josephson wrapped up optimistically, noting “good things for future legislatures.”
Alaska’s oil sector, long challenged by declines, now stands on the cusp of growth. With forecasts grounded in real progress, projects advancing, and Milne Point as proof of ingenuity, the meeting left attendees hopeful. As Nottingham put it, this isn’t just projection—it’s happening now, promising economic vitality for the Last Frontier.
Editor’s Note: This piece was originally published in Northern Journal, a newsletter and news website. Nathaniel Herz is an independent journalist and the founder and editor of Northern Journal.Nathaniel has given Must Read Alaska express permission to republish his gubernatorial candidate survey series.
It’s campaign season in Alaska.
Democratic former U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola made national news Monday when she said she’s entering what’s expected to be a hard-fought and expensive race for the Alaska U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican Dan Sullivan.
Meanwhile two-term GOP Gov. Republican Mike Dunleavy is barred by state law for seeking re-election — and more than a dozen candidates have already announced bids to replace him.
Here at Northern Journal, we expect the governor’s race to be one of Alaska’s most interesting in years.
The winner will face a huge array of policy questions expected to remain unresolved after Dunleavy finishes eight years in office.
Educators accuse policymakers of chronic underfunding of schools in recent years, as lawmakers continually battle over how much to spend on state services compared to Alaska’s annual oil wealth checks, known as Permanent Fund dividends. Urban areas of the state face huge increases in energy costs and contend with a homelessness and housing crisis; rural areas contend with eye-wateringly expensive food prices amid catastrophic crashes of salmon populations.
Candidates for governor are already laying out their visions of how to respond and gearing up their campaigns — but at this early stage of the race, they’re often doing so at untelevised, out-of-the-way forums attended by insiders and special interest groups.
Here at Northern Journal, we saw an opportunity to cut through some of the noise and focus candidates’ and voters’ attention on key issues.
For the next 10 months, we plan to distribute a regular survey of the gubernatorial candidates, each with two questions — one on policy, and one that’s more personal.
We see the survey as a chance to provide Alaskans with clear answers about where candidates stand on the issues that matter most to them — and as a chance for candidates to reach a wide audience of readers and voters directly. As with all other Northern Journal stories, we’ll make the answers republishable by any Alaska-based outlet.
This week’s policy question is about a proposal to boost taxes on oil company Hilcorp, which some lawmakers support as a way to raise revenue for state government. Then, we hear from candidates about their favorite way to cook fish.
Republicans Dave Bronson, Bernadette Wilson, Matt Heilala and Adam Crum did not respond to this week’s survey; Northern Journal sent each candidate multiple emails, as well as text messages, reminding them to complete the survey.
If you have feedback about the survey, or want to suggest a question for the candidates, please drop Northern Journal publisher Nat Herz a line: [email protected]. Thanks for reading.
Question 1: Would you support and sign a bill like SB 92 if elected? Why or why not?
Alaska lawmakers have struggled to keep the state’s budget balanced in recent years. One option to raise revenue is Senate Bill 92, which would apply Alaska’s corporate income tax to oil and gas “pass through entities” with more than $5 million in taxable income.
This legislation targets Hilcorp, a major oil and gas producer in Alaska which, because of its S-corp structure, doesn’t currently pay corporate income tax like publicly traded companies that operate in the state — businesses like ConocoPhillips and ExxonMobil.
The Alaska Department of Revenue says SB 92, if enacted, would generate as much as $150 million for the state treasury. Would you support and sign a bill like SB 92 if elected, and why or why not?
Former State Senator Tom Begich
Democratic former state Sen. Tom Begich
Yes. Because, as (Wasilla Republican) Sen. (Rob) Yundt has observed, it’s a matter of fairness. When Hilcorp purchased BP’s assets, it removed $100 million in annual tax receipts from the state through a loophole. That law was never intended to help large, out-of-state companies; it was to foster the development of our own small businesses. It needs to be fixed.
Former Alaska Attorney General Treg Taylor
Republican former Alaska Attorney General Treg Taylor
No, imposing new taxes is not the way to create high-paying jobs for Alaskans.
Mat-Su Borough Mayor Edna DeVries
Republican Matanuska-Susitna Borough Mayor Edna DeVries
I would not. There are two sides to a budget — income and expenditures. Both sides must be examined.
Former State Senator Click Bishop
Republican former state Sen. Click Bishop
Alaska must ensure a healthy oil and gas industry that contributes fairly while protecting jobs, development, and revenues. With current oil prices and global uncertainty, our fiscal challenges are real.
SB 92 deserves careful review to ensure a fair, competitive tax system. In this regard, the current version of SB 92 contains provisions that give me some pause. While I respect legislators advancing and modifying these bills, as governor, I would evaluate legislation based on economic impact, long-term revenue stability, and keeping Alaska competitive for responsible energy development.
Oil development requires billions of private investment years before production begins. Future revenues depend on decisions today.
Former State Senator Shelley Hughes
Republican former state Sen. Shelley Hughes
Targeting an S-Corp that doesn’t get the tax breaks C-Corps do, has been saving our bacon as a gas supplier, has put oil in TAPs, and has added billions to state coffers we otherwise wouldn’t have is a bad idea. I wouldn’t sign the bill.
I also oppose SB 92 because we’ve just 3 years to maximize opportunities with a federal administration keen on moving resource projects forward. Raising taxes signals to companies Alaska is not business-friendly, lacks fiscal discipline, and would chase industry away.
Growing/diversifying our economy via cheap energy and more lands in Alaskans’ hands will increase participants to ensure adequate revenue. Increasing the tax base, not increasing taxes, is the answer.
Alaska Lieutenant Governor Nancy Dahlstrom
Republican Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom
I don’t believe it’s appropriate for the lieutenant governor to get ahead of the governor on legislation that is still moving through the process. That said, SB 92 raises important questions about its broader economic impacts and needs careful review. We must ensure any revenue proposals to change Alaska’s tax system strengthen and support our state’s economy rather than inadvertently cost jobs, discourage investment, or weaken Alaska’s long-term energy outlook.
State Senator Matt Claman
Democratic state Sen. Matt Claman
Most revenue from the oil industry comes from production taxes and royalties. All producers pay production taxes and royalties. Hilcorp stopped BP’s decline and maintained production. Hilcorp likely pays more production taxes and royalties than any other — more than BP projected.
Under SB 92, projected revenue is $0 to $150 million. This uncertainty is problematic, because the new tax cost is $500,000.
We have 11,700 S-Corps in Alaska. Hilcorp was already an S-Corp. It is problematic to target Hilcorp with a tax that no other S-Corp pays.
There is division over SB 92. I do not support SB 92 as written. Before moving forward with a new revenue measure, we must find common ground that reflects Alaska’s diverse priorities.
Henry Kroll
Republican commercial fisherman Henry Kroll
I support SB 92.
James Parkin IV
Republican James Parkin
Yes, but we could do much better if we had a Big Bargaining Stick (one of my campaign planks — a discussion for another time).
We should also charge companies a fair share fee for all of the out of state workers they hire (approximately 40% of oil and gas workers). These people take jobs that Alaskans could have and money from Alaska’s resources and then live in other states where they don’t pay taxes on the money and don’t contribute a penny to our state’s economy. I am not proposing a tax, but a “Fair Share Out of State Fee” to be paid by the companies. I will not support a tax of any kind on the people and local businesses of Alaska! Alaskans already pay more for state services than any other state in the nation!
Bruce Walden
Republican Bruce Walden
I’d have to say no. The entire structure needs to be looked at. I am for the oil companies paying their fair share, and it should be equal across the board, percentagewise. But we’re missing the bigger picture. The bill talks about pipelines.
The proposed gas pipeline will never pencil out effectively, and makes little sense. To liquefy gas on Alaska’s warmer southern coast, as opposed to the North Slope, makes no sense. However, a billion-dollar extension of the railroad to the slope makes very good sense. Before we begin looking at new taxes, we need to look at the production of oil/gas/helium (byproduct of liquefication and in short supply world-wide) and coal. ALL are fossil fuels, but only oil is taken seriously.
Next in Series: Candidates for Governor Share Their Favorite Fish Recipes!
Alaska’s Senator Lisa Murkowski is on a trip to Copenhagen along with a group of Congressional Democrats. They are there to reassure the Danes that the US Congress will use political strategies to prevent President Trump from taking over Greenland. However, Murkowski is not our secretary of state, and no one else on the trip is either. By going there, she is interfering with the President’s foreign policy and may hinder whatever President Trump is trying to accomplish.
I admit President Trump’s Greenland initiative is a bit of a puzzler. The president may really want to make Greenland part of the United States, or his comments may be a negotiating tactic for something else. I don’t know what the president’s goal is, and Lisa Murkowski doesn’t know either, but I am sure there is some purpose to his comments.
We can look at his tariff strategy to get some insight into how he negotiates deals. If you recall, early last year, the president believed our country was being taken advantage of by other countries around the world, which imposed one-sided tariffs on our goods entering their countries. The biggest culprit was China. He raised tariffs on China, and they responded with increased tariffs of their own. This went back and forth a few times, until tariffs on Chinese goods entering the US were up to 145%. The political pundits predicted this would destroy our economy and urged President Trump to reconsider. He didn’t blink, and the reality was that his aggressive action forced China to come to the negotiating table.
We eventually signed a fair trade deal with them, setting the current reciprocal tariff to 10%, with higher tariffs on certain intellectual property/technology items, and some agricultural goods exempted. This is probably what he wanted all along. The initial outrageous tariffs President Trump imposed were a negotiating tactic. His standard mode of operation is to ask for something shocking and then settle for the best deal he can get.
This may be what is going on with Greenland. The president’s opening bid was to suggest that the US take over the island. Considering that Denmark is a NATO member and the US pays the vast majority of the costs defending their country, including the defense of Greenland, maybe he is trying to get some benefit in return.
Russia or China may be cozying up to the Greenlanders to access their mineral resources, and the president might figure that if we have to defend them, then we should be the first in line to benefit. Perhaps he sees the strategic value of opening new military bases there and wants to negotiate to do so. Maybe he really does want to make Greenland part of the US. Nobody knows for sure, but whatever his objective is, Murkowski isn’t helping by meddling in the situation.
Unfortunately, when she goes to Denmark behind the president’s back, it undercuts the president’s negotiating position. Think of it this way. If you wanted to buy a house and your realtor leaked to the seller what price you were willing to pay, you wouldn’t get the best deal. This kind of unethical behavior is prohibited in the real estate profession. However, that is exactly what Lisa is doing over in Denmark: destroying the president’s leverage.
Our government has an official cabinet-level position responsible for international negotiations, which is the United States Secretary of State, a position currently held by Marco Rubio. That is not Lisa’s role as a member of the Senate. Perhaps her visit to Denmark is a way to get back at the president because she doesn’t like the man. Perhaps she is tilting at windmills from a liberal sense of what is fair. Whatever the reason for her trip, Snow White and the ten Democrats need to remember their roles in our government. Princess Lisa does not represent the people of Greenland; she is supposed to represent Alaska, and is not doing that when she goes to Copenhagen. She needs to get back to Washington DC and start doing the job we pay her for.
This story was reprinted with permission from the author. It was originally published 1/21/26 on “Seward’s Folly,” the author’s Substack.
Greg Sarber is a lifelong Alaskan. He is a petroleum engineer who spent his career working on Alaska’s North Slope. Now retired, he lives with his family in Homer, Alaska. Greg is a former board member of Alaska Gold Communications, Inc., the publisher of Must Read Alaska.
