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House Republicans organize for coming session with Mia Costello as minority leader

Suzanne Downing
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House Republicans organize for coming session with Mia Costello as minority leader

The Alaska House Republican Caucus finished organizing on Saturday. With 19 members, it elected Rep.-elect Mia Costello as minority leader, Rep. Cathy Tilton as minority whip, and the following members to serve on the Finance Committee: Reps. Will Stapp of Fairbanks, Frank Tomaszewski of Fairbanks, Jamie Allard of Eagle River, DeLena Johnson of Palmer, and Rep.-elect Jeremy Bynum of Ketchikan.

Although 21 Republicans were elected in Alaska to the House — enough for a majority — two Republican members betrayed their fellow Republicans and organized with the Democrats — Louise Stutes of Kodiak and Chuck Kopp of Anchorage.

It’s the same situation as in the Senate this year, with a majority of Republicans elected, but Democrats put in charge due to duplicity of certain Republicans — Gary Stevens, Cathy Giessel, Bert Stedman, Jesse Bjorkman and Kelly Merrick, who organized with the Democrats.

But it leaves a strong Republican minority that is not without power. Nineteen in the House is enough to help block an override of a governor’s veto, along with the six-member Senate Republican minority.

“I am honored to lead this dedicated group of legislators as we represent the interests and values of Alaskans,” Costello said. “I deeply appreciate the confidence my colleagues have placed in me and pledge to guide our efforts with focus, integrity, and resolve.”

Other Committee Assignments made Saturday

Resources – Dan Saddler, George Rauscher, Julie Coulombe and Bill Elam

Judiciary – Sarah Vance, Costello, and Jubilee Underwood

Labor & Commerce – Saddler, Coulombe, and David Nelson

Education – Underwood, Rebecca Schwanke, and Elam

Health & Social Services – Mike Prax, Coulombe, and Schwanke

State Affairs – Vance, Kevin McCabe, and Elexie Moore

Transportation – McCabe, Tilton, and Moore

Community and Regional Affairs – Prax and Justin Ruffridge

Energy – Tilton, Rauscher and Costello

Fisheries – McCabe, Vance, and Elam

Military & Veteran Affairs – Saddler, Rauscher, and Nelson

Tribal Affairs – Schwanke

The Alaska House Republican Caucus said it will prioritize:

  • Delivering affordable, reliable Alaska-sourced energy to secure a stable future.
  • Ensuring accountability in education with stable funding, school choice, and measurable outcomes for families.
  • Advocating for responsible budgets that protect the Permanent Fund dividend and safeguard Alaska’s economic future.
Return of the Muskox Caucus: Edgmon takes control of House?
Sen. Shower to be minority leader in Alaska Senate

Alaska’s Capitol building will require TSA-type screening of all visitors soon

Suzanne Downing
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Alaska’s Capitol building will require TSA-type screening of all visitors soon

X-rays and putdowns — just like at airports — may be coming soon to the Capitol in Juneau.

Alaska’s Capitol may be the few left in America where screening of visitors at the entry is not routinely conducted. Wyoming and Montana capitol buildings do not require x-ray, pat-downs, and backscatter screening of visitors and their belongings, but Idaho’s Capitol does, for instance.

Alaskans come and go from the building without having to put their purses and parcels through an x-ray as they have since the territorial days.

The new policy, being discussed in open and in executive session at the Dec. 12 meeting of the Legislative Council, will require all visitors to the Capitol, meaning those without badges that indicate they are employees of the building, the state, or are regular lobbyists with special badges, will be screened by a magnetometer. Visitors may opt-out of the magnetometer and receive a pat-down screening. The new policy says:

  • All carried items will be screened by an X-ray device.
  • A person who escorts or allows a visitor inside through another door must escort the visitor to the lobby of the Capitol Building for standard entry screening.
  • Weapons, firearms, explosives, and knives (except pocketknives with blades under 3 inches and knives used by the legislative lounge staff to prepare or serve food) are prohibited in the Capitol Complex, which includes associated buildings such as the Terry Miller Building and the Assembly Building, as are other items deemed dangerous by security (e.g., fireworks, flammable substances, andcorrosive materials).
  • Visitors using wheelchairs will be screened with a handheld magnetometer.
  • Service animals will be visually inspected by security personnel.
  • Visitors requiring other security screening accommodation should contact Capitol Security in advance.
  • Visitors are required to undergo screening each time they enter the Capitol, regardless of previous entries that day.
  • The screenings include children who are visiting on school field trips.

The new screening procedures have been in the works for several months. The Legislative Council had Legislative Affairs open up a period to receive bids for the equipment that will be used, and will be discussing those bids in executive session on Dec. 12.

In addition, the Legislative Council is in the process of moving the Capitol mailroom, now located on the entry-level floor, to a site outside the building, in order to provide greater security.

All of the documents that have been made public related to this upcoming series of security actions can be viewed at this Legislative Council link.

Because Democrats and their allies control the Legislature and thus the Legislative Council, it’s likely that these bids for security screening and rules that get implemented around screening are bound to go into effect, but what is not certain is when. The Alaska Legislature convenes Jan. 21, which means legislators and staff will be moving into their offices in mid-January at the same time the security team might be receiving and installing the new equipment.

Follow the Legislative Council’s meeting on Dec. 12 at 9:30 a.m. at this link.

Watch the public portion of the meeting on Gavel Alaska at this link.

Run, Forrest, run: Legislators’ social media blocking habits are subject of policy coming before Legislative Council next week

Jamie Allard: Pearl Harbor Gold Star families, we will never forget you

SENIOR CONTRIBUTOR
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Jamie Allard: Pearl Harbor Gold Star families, we will never forget you

By REP. JAMIE ALLARD

Dec. 7, 1941, a date that will live in infamy, the United States of America was thrust into World War II following the attack at Pearl Harbor. 

Read President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Address to Congress and Declaration of War at this National Archives link.

Our young men answered the call to arms with a resounding and courageous “hooah!” An astounding 16.1 million Americans defended not only our nation but all the world from the evils of a totalitarian dictatorship. 

The future hung in the balance while genocidal ideologies ravaged the globe. History witnessed humble Americans bravely sacrificing themselves not just in service to our country but in service to humanity itself. The Greatest Generation saved the world!

Each day we are losing the last of our precious World War II veterans. Only 119,550 remain living today. Most are now centenarians. Ask them and they would say they aren’t heroes. The heroes died. They are just the lucky ones. But it is the survivors, with their harrowing stories of great loss, who compel us to remember the high cost of war and the sanctity of laying one’s life down for a friend.

My grandparents were the Greatest Generation, born between 1919-1927. My grandfather fought in World War II. I am proud of the legacy they left me. I wonder if they would recognize America as she is today. Would our young men and women flock to defend our nation from such a threat as they faced? Is patriotism dead? Do we have something worth fighting for? Or would they weep to see what we have become? Are we proud of the legacy we are leaving for our grandchildren? 

Back then, 18-year-old boys stormed the beaches of Normandy to stop the slaughter of innocent babies at the hands of the Nazis. Today, they whine about pronouns on TikTok. 

We must reclaim our values that built this nation. Someday, the world will once again face a great evil, and it’s up to us to prepare our children to answer the call.

The Greatest Generation taught us the importance of self-sacrifice, responsibility, integrity, and work ethic. Born on the heels of the first world war, they suffered through the Great Depression, persevered through extreme hardships, defeated an evil superpower, and built a better future for their children. 

We must honor them and hold their love close to our hearts. We must share all the history of their lives and service with our children, our grandchildren, and future generations. We honor their desire to do the right thing, and to willingly give their lives for a righteous cause. In remembrance and sharing their stories, we affirm those values in our culture, and commit ourselves to preserving them.

On Dec. 7, we remember the fragility of peace and the price of war. “Thank you” seems woefully small. We will remember the courage and bravery with which they fought, the sacrifices they made, and the values on which they built a stronger nation. Our children will know the stories of how the Greatest Generation saved us all.

Rep. Jamie Allard serves in the Alaska Legislature on behalf of the Alaskans of Eagle River, House District 23.

Biden halts future coal leases in nation’s largest coal producing region, the Powder River Basin

Suzanne Downing
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75
Biden halts future coal leases in nation’s largest coal producing region, the Powder River Basin

In a long-awaited action against coal producers, the Biden-Harris administration is halting new coal leases in the Powder River Basin in Wyoming and Montana, the largest coal mining region in the United States, which produces 40% of the nation’s power-generating coal.

Coal generates 16% of the nation’s electricity, second only to natural gas. This is the same electricity that not only lights and heats homes, hospitals, and businesses, but that charges up the electric cars that the Biden-Harris Administration wants everyone to drive.

The final decision by the Bureau of Land Management follows a court order to revisit its environmental review. The BLM will prevent extraction of 48.12 billion short tons of coal across 413,250 acres.

An analysis found existing reserves sufficient to meet demand until 2041, after which no more coal would be produced.

Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon blasted the federal overreach and its potential impact on coal production and jobs. His administration will pursue legal action, arguing that the decision undermines the federal BLM mandate is to manage lands for multiple uses. The BLM under the Biden Administration now emphasizes only preservation and recreation.

“Coal production in the low sulfur, subbituminous coal Powder River Basin has been declining since the beginning of the Obama Administration when onerous regulations were placed on coal power plants and when low-cost and abundant natural gas was replacing much of its generation,” says the Institute for Energy Research.

The Biden-Harris administration is speeding up coal plant closures through EPA regulations requiring coal and natural gas plants, which together provide 60% of U.S. electricity, to implement costly and experimental carbon capture technology.

By 2032, coal plants must cut carbon emissions by 90% or face shutdown, despite the technology being unproven and economically impractical at scale. Critics argue this jeopardizes grid reliability and the role of these plants as backups for renewable energy sources.

Read an analysis of this Biden-Harris action against coal energy at Institute for Energy Research.

Alaska has one operating surface coal mine, the Usibelli Mine, which produces about 1 million tons of coal per year, most of which is used by coal-fired power plants and commercial and institutional users, such as the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fort Wainwright and Eielson Air Force Base, Healy Unit #1 and Unit #2 power plants, and Aurora Energy. Some coal is was exported to Asia through the Seward Ore Terminal until 2016.

It’s unknown how federal requirements that require carbon capture will impact smaller operations like Usibelli, which would have to absorb greater costs than might be economically feasible.

Run, Forrest, run: Legislators’ social media blocking habits are subject of policy coming before Legislative Council next week

Suzanne Downing
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12
Run, Forrest, run: Legislators’ social media blocking habits are subject of policy coming before Legislative Council next week

The Alaska Legislature’s Legislative Council, which meets on administrative matters when the body as a whole is not in session, will take up on Dec. 12 what looks like a final draft of a social media policy guide for legislators.

Some legislators have run into legal troubles when constituents sued them for banning them from commenting or removing their comments from the legislators’ official page, where they are presented as government officials. The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution addresses the government censoring citizens, and social media has become one of the latest battlegrounds.

One nonconstituent, Mark Kelsey, represented by the Northern Justice Project, sued Rep. Kevin McCabe for blocking him, and won in court earlier this year; that case, however, is still under review, due to a recent Supreme Court ruling. Kelsey was harassing other commenters on a page that was operated by McCabe personally, not officially. Another Democrat sued former Sen. Lora Reinbold, who is still battling in court and is representing herself in the long-running case.

For years, Democrat Sen. Forrest Dunbar has blocked Must Read Alaska from his official government social media page on X. Recently, after this conservative publication pointed it out to legislative staff at the Legislative Affairs Agency, Dunbar, who is a lawyer, suddenly unblocked the publication. Must Read Alaska, unlike the Democrats, has never sued Dunbar over what the court has determined in the McCabe case is an illegal action.

Enemies list: Sen. Forrest Dunbar blocks political adversaries from his official social media pages

The new policy that will be considered next week says that if legislators allow comments on their official social media accounts (ones that use their elected title and link to their official office), legislators shall not block, ban, or remove comments made by the public, because it is viewpoint discrimination. There are exceptions for obscene comments or posts.

Among the specifics in the draft policy:

“It is the policy of Legislative Council that a legislator assumes all risk and responsibility for legal defense of any action resulting from filtering, deleting, or hiding comments on a social media post related to legislative matters, or from blocking, banning, or otherwise restricting user access to a social media account used for legislative matters.”

The policy advises legislators clarify that their social media page is not an attempt to exercise the authority of the legislature by following these suggestions, which the courts may apply as tests to determine whether you’ve taken a “state action”:

  1. “Add a disclaimer to your social media account stating, “The views expressed on this page are strictly my own; I do not speak on behalf of the legislature”;
  2. “Refrain from having a legislative employee manage your account;
  3. “Do not share official information and, if sharing official information, do not invoke the authority of the legislature when sharing the information; and
  4. “Share only information that is available elsewhere and, if possible, include a link to where that information is available; do not use the account to make legislative announcements unavailable elsewhere.”

The policy advises legislators that they simply do not allow comments or other interactions with the public on posts, or on the account itself. If no one is allowed to comment on the official page, there can be no conflicts over discrimination against viewpoints, the legislative attorney said in her draft.

“If you disable the public’s ability to post or comment on your social media platform, either by account or by post, there will be no public forum and no risk of violating someone’s rights under the First Amendment,” the policy advises.

“If you choose to open your account to comments or other public interaction, do not filter, delete, or hide comments and do not block or ban any person from access to the account.”

Such activities around the country by lawmakers at every level of government have been an evolving portion of law, but in March, the Supreme Court ruled that officials just can’t block or ban people from official social media accounts that they use as personal pages, but where they discuss official actions of the government.

Supreme Court remands two cases dealing with public officials’ social media censoring habits
Bethel city attorney posts social media pic of senator’s head on a vibrator?

Read the entire draft policy here:

Social Media Policy – Memo, Clean Copy, Markup CopyDownload

Nick Begich: Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day is a time to reflect and rededicate ourselves as Americans to strong national defense

SENIOR CONTRIBUTOR
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17
Nick Begich: Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day is a time to reflect and rededicate ourselves as Americans to strong national defense

By CONGRESSMAN-ELECT NICK BEGICH III

Today we remember the attack Pearl Harbor, a moment when America realized that global conflict could and would make its way to our own shores. America has been blessed with two large barriers in the form of both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, providing us with relative domestic peace over our national history. But, as we learned on that day, modern capabilities diminish that gulf substantially.

As Alaskans know, we would soon also fight the Japanese in the Aleutians, at Midway and Guadalcanal, and fully engage every aspect of our American lives and economy  into World War II, which only ended when America detonated two atomic bombs over the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

In the European theatre of World War II, the European nations had not sufficiently invested in their own national defense and had a misplaced sense of diplomatic certainty, despite the recent memory of World War I. America ultimately came to the aid of the French, the English, and other European allies. In the Pacific, America beat back the expansionist Imperial Japanese military, which was part of the Axis alliance of Germany, Italy, and Japan.

It feels eerily familiar to what is happening in Ukraine today. As that conflict continues, the relative weakness of European allies, which have deprioritized national security investments for decades, has been exposed. 

Alaska has never had a more important role to play in defending our nation and on this day, while we pray America does not get pulled into another global conflict, we as a state must be ready, because we are the tip of the spear. Our military can reach any part of the northern hemisphere in hours.

Americans have once again elected a strong leader, replacing one who has certainly weakened our nation’s stature and capabilities. Even before taking office Donald Trump has already sent a harsh message to Hamas – release the hostages or we will release the hounds of hell. Further, he has pressed for a peaceful resolution to the war in Ukraine. People in these regions are listening and pathways to resolution are now opening.

When the new Congress begins its work in a few short weeks, our nation’s military and readiness will be top of mind. Our warriors must know that Congress has their backs, that we’ll emphasize readiness over “woke” and “DEI.” Our warriors must have confidence that leadership understands the weight of their service and tasks them with missions worthy of their sacrifice.

To the families who lost loved ones in battle in World War II and the conflicts that followed, we honor you and your sacrifice. By projecting strength, defending our borders, and providing for our military in a responsible manner, America can maintain peace for our children and grandchildren. That must be our goal.

Nick Begich III is Congressman-elect for Alaska.

Canada to open consulate in Anchorage and appoint Arctic ambassador

Suzanne Downing
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Canada to open consulate in Anchorage and appoint Arctic ambassador

Canada’s minister of foreign affairs Melanie Joly said she will establish two new Arctic consulates — one in Alaska and another in Greenland, and she will appoint a dedicated Arctic ambassador.

The Anchorage diplomatic mission is being seen as a message to the United States that Canada intends to collaborate with the Trump Administration on Arctic issues during a time when Russia and China are taking an increased interest in the Arctic, and when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is on shaky standing with the incoming president.

“Canada must be strong in the North American Arctic, and it requires deeper collaboration with its greatest ally, the United States,” Melanie Joly, Canada’s minister of foreign affairs, said in policy document announcing the changes.

 “The Arctic is no longer a low-tension region. We live in a tough world and we need to be tougher in our response,” Joly said.

The news was first reported by CBC in Canada. Read more at this link.

President Joe Biden in September appointed the first-ever Arctic ambassador, Alaskan Michael Sfraga, but his shelf life will likely be shortened, as President Donald Trump is sure to either make his own pick or leave the seat open for a while.

Fox News says some have concerns about new Arctic ambassador’s ties to Russia, China

Juneau tradition: Governor’s House holiday open house set for Tuesday

Suzanne Downing
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Juneau tradition: Governor’s House holiday open house set for Tuesday

It’s a Juneau tradition: Holiday music, decorations, and thousands of cookies will be featured at the Governor’s Residence for the annual Holiday Open House this Tuesday, Dec. 10 from 3-6 p.m.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy, First Lady Rose Dunleavy, Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom and Kit Dahlstrom will be in the house to greet visitors and be available for photos. Typically, a line of people stretches down Calhoun Ave., as people brave the weather to get a chance to see the governor and look at the decorations inside the iconic building, which was built in 1912.

Students from the Thunder Mountain Middle School Carolers, the Juneau-Douglas High School Band, Faith Christian School, and Juneau Alaska Music Matters will perform holiday music, while Alaska’s 15 state commissioners will serve hot apple cider to all visitors. 

The governor’s announcement said that 17,050 cookies, 35 pounds of toffee and 90 pounds of fudge and chocolate will be served in the dining room of the mansion. This year’s Christmas tree was donated by the U.S. Forest Service and was harvested from the Tongass National Forest. Ornaments for the tree were handmade by students from schools across Alaska.

The first open house was held by Territorial Gov. Walter Eli Clark and his family on New Year’s Day 1913. The annual tradition has been held every year since, except from two years during World War II and in 2020 due to Covid-19.

Rep. Allard has a message for Anchorage School District: Closing Fire Lake Elementary is wrong

Suzanne Downing
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Rep. Allard has a message for Anchorage School District: Closing Fire Lake Elementary is wrong

Anchorage School District’s planned closure of Fire Lake Elementary in Eagle River has caught the attention of Rep. Jamie Allard, who represents Eagle River and Chugiak in the Alaska Legislature (the school is in Rep. Dan Saddler’s district).

Allard said it makes no sense to close that school, considering demographic shifts. While Anchorage is losing students, Eagle River is growing, she said, with hundreds of new houses and multi-family units being built within walking distance of Fire Lake Elementary.

She said Fire Lake is where a large percentage of Eagle River’s military families have their students, and provides programs for children with disabilities.

“Moving them to different locations will affect them significantly, and should be avoided at any cost,” said Allard, who has long been an advocate for children with learning disabilities.

The district is planning to convert the school into a daycare center for the employees of the district, and at some unknown point in the future, some of the school building may be made available for a charter school, she said.

“If closing an Eagle River school must happen in the future, leaving Fire Lake Elementary intact, and instead consolidating Homestead and Eagle River Elementary schools, makes more sense from both a structural and education standpoint.  You could then re-house Eagle Academy into one of those buildings, and allow for a neighborhood charter school that is within walking distance for many more of Eagle River’s residents.  Education choices would increase, the special programs available at Fire Lake would remain intact, and students would still be able to safely walk to school, which would decrease travel times and transportation costs alike,” she said in a published statement.

Allard pointed out that the school board has no representation from Eagle River because the school board members are elected citywide. That means Eagle River has no seat at the table.

“My hope is that the Anchorage School District Board reconsiders the decision to close Fire Lake, revisits the re-housing of Eagle Academy to a more appropriate and accessible location, and puts on indefinite hold any actions that negatively affect the one part of the Municipality of Anchorage that is thriving and growing,” she said.

The school has 230 students, with 10% of them in special-needs classrooms. The playground was recently remodeled to better fit the needs of the large special needs student population of Fire Lake.

The district plans to send 40 students to Birchwood Elementary, 108 students to Eagle River Elementary, and two students to Chugiak Elementary. The district says that Fire Island is currently at 47% capacity, but recently Anchorage has approved major family-sized housing projects within walking distance of the school.

The district in general has a shrinking student population across the city’s campuses as families flee Anchorage, some heading to Eagle River, which is still in the municipality, and many heading to the MatSu Valley for a more traditional education and better quality of life. With lower enrollment, funding is shrinking and the district is trying to close some schools. Politically, it is not targeting schools in the urban core as much as those in the suburbs.

Anchorage School District meetings coming soon to finalize plans for phased-in school closures
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