When Suzanne LaFrance ran for mayor, the theme was incompetence. She and her supporters said that snow wasn’t removed quickly from roads and streets in Anchorage because Mayor Dave Bronson was incompetent. It wasn’t that there was record snowfall and a nationwide lack of qualified workers after the Covid government mismanagement disrupted the economy.
It snowed so hard and fast last winter that during November, schools had to close a couple of times and some heavy cargo jets were diverted to Fairbanks, because the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport could not keep up with the snow. The winter was an unlucky break for Mayor Bronson, who was running for reelection.
It was all due to Bronson’s incompetence, LaFrance’s campaign claimed.
Now that she is facing her first winter, it’s not incompetence, but it’s that the snow removal equipment is old. LaFrance talked with the media earlier this month to set everyone’s exceptions lower, just in case there are record-breaking snows, as there were during the Bronson administration.
Snow equipment is something the big labor unions would like to see improved, and LaFrance was elected with the help of unions, so she must now pay that debt.
Thus, LaFrance will ask the taxpayers to pay for a bond to upgrade snow removal equipment and maintain that equipment, all outside of the tax cap, thus adding to the basic cost of living in Anchorage for businesses, homeowners and renters. That bond proposal is expected to be rolled out soon, will be placed into the Assembly calendar this fall and scheduled for the spring municipal ballot.
In the meantime, the main strategy for this winter is to get residents prepared for suffering and to just expect less from their government. That way, if there is a big snow winter, which isn’t likely, the public will have been warned. If the snow is less than it was during the Bronson Administration, LaFance can declare victory.
The LaFrance Administration is working on a “safe snow strategy,” led by Municipal Manager Becky Windt Pearson, who is “breaking down silos across municipal departments to ensure planning, personnel, fleet, budget, and communications staff are working together to guarantee preparedness, transparency, and coordination well in advance of the first flake,” according to the mayor’s office.
The first official snowfall in 2023 was on Oct. 11. On the week of Nov. 5, 2023, it snowed 29 inches.
Over the winter of 2023-24 it snowed 139 inches, compared with 109 inches in 2022-23, 100 inches in 2021-22, 69 inches in 2020-21, 88 inches in 2019-20 and 64 inches in 2018-19. The likelihood of another winter with 139 inches of snow is remote but not impossible.
In the one year since a new “pedestrian equity” law went into effect in Anchorage that effectively made jaywalking allowed in most situations, 12 people have died by being struck by cars in Anchorage while they wandered into the streets and roads. It’s record-setting death and injury, never seen in Alaska history. The record for pedestrian deaths statewide was set in 2022, with 13.
The dozen deaths doubled the number of pedestrian fatalities from the year before the Assembly passed new ordinance that gave pedestrians the run of the streets. Under the new laws, pedestrians can cross pretty much wherever they feel it’s safe to cross, regardless of traffic lights or crosswalks, which have been made into merely suggestions.
Now, the Assembly wants to penalize the drivers by reducing the speed limits throughout Anchorage by at least 10 miles per hour.
Three Assembly members will hold a press conference Tuesday to outline their resolution, which also demands more light pollution in Anchorage by having more lights installed, ignoring the fact that only one of the fatalities this year took place in the dark of winter, and most of the pedestrians were struck during the summer months, when there is an abundance of natural light. The members also ignore the reality that most of the deaths occurred in well-lit locations, such as Northern Lights and Minnesota Blvd., Minnesota and Benson Blvd., Tudor Road and Seward Highway, and C Street and Fireweed Lane.
Assembly members Daniel Volland, Karen Bronga, and Meg Zaletel don’t believe their actions in passing the ordinance that went into effect last Oct. 7 have anything to do with the doubling of pedestrian deaths. They also want to make October into “Pedestrian Safety Month” and pay for an information campaign to impress upon people the impact that cars have on humans.
“Acknowledging that pedestrian deaths are 100% preventable, the resolution declares October as Pedestrian Safety Month and calls for the Municipality of Anchorage and the State of Alaska to take the following actions in corridors where pedestrian deaths have occurred: Immediately install improved lighting as used by the HSIP program; Lower speed limits by at least 10mph, not to exceed 35 mph; Produce a public education campaign about the impact of speed on pedestrian safety,” the three wrote in a press release.
After the AO No. 2023-65(S) was introduced in May of 2023 by Assembly members Karen Bronga, Daniel Volland, and Anna Brawley, the then-Anchorage chief of police pointed out to the Assembly that they did not consult the police department on the ordinance prior to introducing it. Police had opposed it, but the Assembly went ahead.
The Assembly majority thinks that the pedestrian laws are racist and are disproportionately enforced against minorities, especially “Black and “Latine/x” and low income people.
The law they passed allows some types of jaywalking and looser laws for bike riders, scooters, and others who are now allowed to ignore traffic signals, not wear helmets, or have lamp equipment when using roadways.
The 12 pedestrian deaths in the one year since the relaxed jaywalking law went into effect (not counting bicycle rider deaths) were:
Jan. 30 – C and Fireweed Way
March 3 – Old Seward and Industry Way
March 8 – New Seward and Dowling Road
April 8 – 11th and Karluk
April 20 – Tudor Road and Seward Highway
May 20 – Fireweed and 16th
August 21 – East Tudor and McLean (nonfatal)
September 8 – Muldoon and 6th
September 8 – Debarr and 34th
September 13 – Minnesota and Benson
September 21 – Northern Lights and Minnesota
An additional death occurred in a parking lot when a woman lying on the pavement was run over. There were several car-bike incidents in the year as well.
The same consequence happened in Los Angeles after that city relaxed its jaywalking laws. Must Read Alaska reported on that over a year ago at this link:
The Assembly’s press conference is scheduled for Sept. 24 at 1 p.m., in Suite 155, City Hall, 632 West 6th Avenue, Anchorage. The trio intends to bring the resolution to the regular Assembly meeting that starts at 5 p.m. and put it on the agenda as a last-minute item.
Four years ago, John Coghill and I were adversaries on the ballot. Today, I am proud to endorse him as the next Fairbanks North Star Borough Mayor. He is a man of faith and principle who can lead our borough for the next three years.
After growing up in Nenana, John served our country for four years in the United State Air Force. His service sent him halfway around the world to England. Many young people who grow up here move away on reaching adulthood. John had the opportunity to do so through the Air Force and chose to return to make Fairbanks his home. He has been committed to our community ever since.
After our Senate race was decided four years ago, he didn’t shrink away from public life. He remained active in the community and offered himself for advice to me and others. That humility is the heart of a leader.
Most notably from his subsequent activities, John has been working at the Fairbanks Rescue Mission. He wants to provide hope, dignity, and a path forward for the less advantaged in our community. He is putting the people of Fairbanks first.
Along the way, John’s experience has reinforced his views on what our borough needs. The Rescue Mission is one of many non-profits serving our community. Like its neighbor the Food Bank across the street, the Rescue Mission is aware of being put in the crosshairs of the borough assessor trying to tax the property of our non-profits. This is in contradiction of the explicit wording of our state’s constitution in article IX, section 4 and multiple state Supreme Court decisions.
As mayor, John will have the ability and fortitude to rein in the excesses of the borough assessor targeting these non-profits. He recognizes that we are stronger as a community with these non-profits reaching out to help our fellow community members instead of leaving all the work for government. He knows that, when you write a check to the Rescue Mission or the Food Bank, you want your money going to help people, not pay lawyer bills to fight with the borough.
John’s work at the Mission has also given him perspective on how tough the cost of living has gotten in the last few years in Fairbanks. With food, fuel, and other prices rising quickly, he recognizes that raising our property taxes right now could be the difference between a family being able to stay in their home or not.
As we have discovered over the last couple of years, the mayor has a huge role to play in maintaining the tax cap through responsible budgets that leave some headroom instead of having budgets that always bump fully up against the cap. John recognizes this role and will support keeping our taxes low and not challenging the cap.
Fairbanks needs a mayor who understands our values, stands by his convictions, and is committed to our community’s future. John has planted his roots deep here and will continue to contribute to the best of his ability. Please join me in voting for John Coghill for our borough mayor on Oct. 1.
Sen. Robert Myers serves in the Alaska Legislature for Senate Seat Q. Myers was born in Fairbanks, Alaska. He spent much of his young childhood at the Salchaket Roadhouse, which his parents owned.
James Kaufman served a term in the State House before winning election in 2022 to represent Anchorage District F as a Senator. When he arrived in Juneau, he brought his vision of “a limited, accountable, efficient, and transparent government that provides opportunities and respects personal freedoms.” With 25 years of experience managing large and complex projects, he was prepared to lead the charge for Alaska’s stability, security, and innovation through common-sense budgeting at the state level.
Before holding an elective office, Kaufman worked as a quality manager and team leader in his professional career, helping management teams improve the quality and efficiency of their projects on the North Slope. As a new legislator, he quickly leveraged his team-building expertise to organize the 24 legislators representing Anchorage, Eagle River, and Girdwood into the Anchorage Delegation. The delegation focuses on bipartisan issues affecting residents in the Anchorage region, including infrastructure, homelessness, food security, housing, and education. Kaufman served as the delegation’s House co-chair from 2021-2022 and Senate co-chair since 2023.
Senator Kaufman was the 17th member to join the Senate Majority Caucus, ensuring that sensible conservatism had a greater voice in the 33rd Legislature. He expressed to me that “it was a tough decision, but one that I made to fight for conservative values from the inside and to make sure we weren’t left out of the critical decisions that will shape Alaska’s future.” He applied this approach to his responsibilities as Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee and Vice Chair of the Senate Health & Social Services Committee. He also served on the Legislative Budget & Audit, Judiciary, and Resources Senate committees. Furthermore, he served in four Senate Finance Subcommittees, including Natural Resources, Health, Revenue, and Family & Community Services.
Serving on the committees positioned Kaufman favorably to advance his legislative objectives, which center around three areas aimed at improving the lives of Alaskans. The Senator outlines his focus areas as follows:
Stability: “Stability means fixing Alaska’s broken systems—whether it’s the budget, education, or transportation infrastructure. By stabilizing these critical areas, we can create a foundation for long-term growth and sustainability.”
Security: “Security means protecting our infrastructure, ensuring energy and food security, and supporting first responders. By investing in these areas, we’re building a safer, more resilient future for all Alaskans.”
Innovation: “Innovation is the key to Alaska’s future prosperity. By removing obstacles, promoting new technologies, and allowing our universities to lead in research and development, we can drive economic diversification and create a thriving, competitive economy.”
Senator Kaufman has walked his talk for the last four years, advancing each of his objectives by successfully passing 10 pieces of legislation into law and advocating for his district with many other initiatives. Here are a few highlights:
He aimed to increase government efficiency and reduce costs with two of his first bills. Kaufman sponsored HB187 and SB25, both of which became law unanimously. HB187 repealed several outdated and redundant publications. SB25, another measure to enhance governmental efficiency, closed several long-dormant funds, saving significant administrative costs. Both acts established a process that identifies outdated publications and inactive funds and recommends their repeal to the legislature, thereby saving money in future budgets.
To address infrastructure security needs, the Anchorage Delegation collaborated with Mayor Bronson and the Anchorage Assembly. These efforts secured $200 million for the Don Young Port of Alaska in Anchorage, ensuring the port’s continued ability to import 60% of the state’s food. The delegation also secured funding for homelessness response and advocated for the renewal of a $45 million annual federal grant to maintain UAA’s Arctic Domain and Awareness Center.
In response to the specific security needs of Abbott Loop, Huffman/O’Malley, and the Lower Hillside, the collaborative efforts resulted in $2 million in direct funding for his district, the first significant district-level funding in a decade. The project list represents over half of Kaufman’s district’s top priorities, including projects to build safe routes to schools and parks, necessary drainage for several neighborhoods, and evacuation routes for Hillside.
Senator Kaufman took action to protect the public from cybersecurity threats by sponsoring and passing SB134, which requires insurance companies to secure Alaskans’ sensitive health and financial information. The law, which requires insurance companies to establish data security requirements to protect the public from data breaches, received broad bipartisan support.
In an effort to seek better innovation across Alaska, Kaufman has been a steadfast advocate for an “all of the above” approach to energy. He fought for our ability to responsibly develop our resources, joining the successful push to see the Willow project. He was the catalyst for the passage of HB62, the companion bill to Kaufman’s SB33, which extended the Renewable Energy Grant Fund, supporting efforts to lower energy costs for families. He advocated for passage of this legislation in order to further energy independence in more of Alaska’s communities.
As chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, Kaufman introduced SB123, an act removing unnecessary requirements for individuals applying for a commercial driver’s license. This bill was a practical solution to alleviate a shortage of truck drivers and keep commerce moving in the state. The Teamsters Local 959, Alaska Trucking Association, Alaska Technical Center, and Northern Industrial Training all supported the legislation. The governor signed the law, and it became effective on July 30, 2023.
The passage of legislation to restore the Citizens’ Advisory Commission on Federal Management Areas (or CACFA) in Alaska was another win for the people. Kaufman sponsored SB34 to ensure Alaskan representation in federal government decisions that affect Alaska’s land access. The commission monitors federal government actions, holds hearings on federal land decisions, and posts information regarding historical and new regulations. A wide range of federal land users will comprise the commission, which aims to offer independent, unbiased information and assistance to individuals. According to Senator Kaufman, “CACFA provides people a way to navigate federal land use issues and improves Alaska’s interface with the federal government by allowing Alaskans to collectively voice their concerns to government officials making policy decisions.”
Finally, with the introduction of SB147, Kaufman demonstrated his commitment to effective governance. Alaska’s Workers’ Compensation program has long been a cost to both the state and its employees, without delivering results. Less than half of the injured workers who applied were eligible for the system’s rehabilitation plan several years ago, and only an average of 13 out of 140 eligible workers successfully completed the program. Kaufman’s bill passed, fixing this disparity and shifting the program’s focus from training workers for a new profession to helping them return as soon as possible to their current job. This was a positive step forward for using state dollars efficiently to protect injured workers.
These accomplishments are noteworthy, but Senator Kaufman told me that he looks forward to returning to Juneau for the next legislative session so that he can continue to work on making the State of Alaska more efficient and effective at delivering core services. He specifically focuses on establishing appropriation limits, strategic planning, and promoting innovation and economic development, for which he has already introduced legislation.
His plan for appropriation limits, outlined in SJR4 and SB20, seeks to create a statutory and constitutional framework that ties government spending to the health of our state’s economy. The current limit came into existence in 1982, as the oil industry was approaching its peak output. Kaufman’s plan includes a constitutional upper limit to cover unexpected needs. It sets a functional ceiling based on the average of the private sector’s economic performance over the last five years, calculated as real GDP minus government spending. Linking the state’s expenditure cap to the state’s private economy would encourage the government to adopt policies that promote the expansion of the private sector while maintaining a right-sized government.
In SB21, Senator Kaufman has proposed an approach to bringing strategic planning to the State of Alaska. SB 21 would better integrate the state’s planning with our budgeting processes by requiring that our annual budgets align with a four-year strategic plan. Those leading and conducting the work in each department set the goals, objectives, and key performance measures for each budget cycle. This will allow the legislature to consider department budgets based on those strategic and performance-based department plans. This method aims to assist the state in improving efficiency and performance in critical services that facilitate commerce and promote public well-being.
Additionally, technological advancement and new ideas are key to ensuring Alaska’s future prosperity. Kaufman intends to foster innovation in Alaska by establishing a “regulatory sandbox program” in SB251. This forward-looking bill aims to establish an Office of Innovation & Economic Development and an Alaska Innovation Council to make recommendations to the governor and legislature on how Alaska can better encourage innovation and economic competitiveness. The Innovation Council will identify and promote innovation-based businesses, encourage seed and start-up capital investment, and foster entrepreneurial capacity to promote innovation-based economic development. The plan establishes the state’s authority to issue innovation permits and provide regulatory and technical assistance to innovators in order to enable commerce that benefits all Alaskans.
Senator James Kaufman is a visionary leader who understands the value of collaboration and teamwork. He has demonstrated his commitment to promoting the state’s prosperity through balanced policies that assist citizens in overcoming challenges that make living in our communities difficult, all while safeguarding what makes Alaska special. In short, Senator Kaufman delivers for us.
Visit James Kaufman’s website, Kaufman 4 Alaska, for more information about his legislative achievements, vision for Alaska, and to donate to his campaign.
Brenda Josephson is a Haines resident. She co-authored the white paper Restoring Public Trust: Legislative recommendations for Alaska’s Property Tax Assessment Process.
The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday passed H.R. 4790, the “Prioritizing Economic Growth Over Woke Policies Act,” by a vote of 215 to 203. Alaska’s Rep. Mary Peltola voted with all Democrats against the measure, which now heads to the Senate.
H.R. 4790, introduced by Congressman Bill Huizenga of Michigan, would make it easier for Americans to save for retirement and increase their financial security by preventing regulatory overreach that pushes social and environmental engineering. The bill restores the standard that holds large proxy advisory firms accountable, and blocks federal regulators from inserting ESG [Environmental, Social, Governance] mandates and other liberal woke initiatives into the financial system. These mandates have been inserted by the Biden-Harris Administration and now nearly every pension plan has a section of its investments dedicated to these low-return initiatives.
“The mandates being put forward by the Biden-Harris Administration make it so my constituents will retire with less financial security,” Huizenga said. “With inflation and high prices negatively impacting seniors on a fixed income as well as individuals and families trying to find a way to make ends meet, Washington shouldn’t be making it harder for Southwest Michigan families to achieve the American Dream.”
Social policies are being inserted by regulators into investment decisions made by people who have the fiduciary responsibility to get the most for their clients. Investment advisors are being pushed to invest in risky solar and wind projects as part of pension plan portfolios,
“Stopping these misguided mandates will help everything from larger city police pension funds to a married couple in Southwest Michigan looking for better returns and greater financial security. This legislation is a win for families in Battle Creek, Holland, Kalamazoo, Mattawan, Plainwell, St. Joe, and everywhere in between who are working to build a brighter and more secure financial future,” Huizenga said.
A poll conducted last week by the National Republican Congressional Committee shows that in just one month, Alaska congressional candidate Nick Begich has moved the needle by 10 points with Alaskans since August and is now ahead of Mary Peltola among those who are likely to vote in November.
While in late August, Begich trailed Peltola 39%-45% in the NRCC poll, today Begich leads (44%-40%), with 10% being undecided. What’s more, when taking Alaska’s ranked-choice redistribution methods into account, Begich maintains his lead after every recalculation scenario. If undecided voters are excluded, Begich would actually reach a majority vote on the first-choice ballot.
While Begich came up six points, Peltola has dropped four points in the comparison between the two polls, for a 10-point swing.
Although polling done on behalf of candidates can be difficult to count on, most polling favors liberal candidates because conservatives are more reluctant to take polls when called out of the blue by random numbers they don’t recognize.
Thus, a lead in this poll may indicate even greater momentum for the Begich campaign than the numbers show.
Meanwhile, Peltola’s team has not released any polling data lately, which may signify that the numbers her campaign is coming up with are not favorable. Her ads have recently begun to attack Begich for things like being a businessman with employees all over the world, ads that have a racist tone to them as they attack Indians. Nick Begich’s wife is of Indian heritage.
Recently, according to the NRCC poll, people who have heard something about Peltola recently came away with a worse impression of her.
Some readers might be wondering, why I have even brought up NLRB v. Jones & Laughlin Steel Corp in previous columns? The case was decided back in 1937. But since then, and because of it, billions of gallons of industrial-strength bureaucracy have poured into every corner of your businesses, homes, and lives, seeping through every crack of federal power and control. Why even think about it?
Well, perhaps the reason is that very federal intrusion into every single corner of your existence with probe-like penetration. The Administrative State is often called “The Swamp” for a reason.
The Federal Register lists a modest 439 federal agencies. That’s right, just a casual swarm of civil bureaucrats numbering close to 3 million personnel.
But here’s the kicker: That figure doesn’t even account for those charming “independent” agencies that operate without so much as a whisper of oversight from the Executive Branch or Congress. Oh, and let’s not forget the cozy public-private partnerships, where private entities pocket government cash and are somehow immune to constitutional scrutiny. Lovely, isn’t it?
All of these federal agencies issue regulations that carry the force of law.
And if that doesn’t make you feel all warm and fuzzy, head over to the U.S. Debt Clock. It’s a fun place, really. Your federal government is set to spend a modest $7.1 trillion in 2024. Care to guess whose money that is? Meanwhile, the national debt is ballooning past $35 trillion, with total U.S. debt creeping up on a tidy $102 trillion. But hey, don’t worry! The average tax revenue per U.S. citizen? A cool $14,600.
The U.S. Debt Clock notes the 2024 median income is a jaw-dropping $39,709—just a tiny bit up from $32,001 back in 2000. And healthcare? In 2024, it’ll cost you $15,217. In 2000, it was just $5,488. Ah, the good old days. College tuition? $26,674 now, versus $10,819 back in 2000. And don’t forget about those 12.9 million manufacturing jobs left in 2024. We had 17.1 million in 2000.
Of course, if you’re in the market for a house, buckle up. The median home cost in 2024 is $404,404. In 2000, you could have snagged one for $166,733. Oh, and new cars? A steal at $49,040 now, compared to a mere $22,474 in 2000.
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the emergency that no one’s quite panicking about yet. Our four largest budget items: Medicare/Medicaid—just a cool $1.8 trillion, Social Security—a breezy $1.48 trillion, Defense/War—$927 billion (because who doesn’t need to spend nearly a trillion on endless conflict?), and then, for the grand finale, Interest on Our Debt—an eye-watering $946 billion.
And here’s our wakeup call: While we drown in these expenses, the nation, its states, and its people have assets totaling $214 trillion, which would sound impressive if not for the fact that we also have over $219 trillion in unfunded liabilities. Yep, we owe more than we have. But don’t worry, it’s all under control—if by “control” you mean a spiraling abyss of financial chaos where the numbers no longer add up, and our debt is growing faster than our national assets. How’s that for comforting?
But here’s the real kicker: Alaska, that little microcosm of federal dependency, might want to take a glance at its own debt clock. Things aren’t looking too rosy.
But I digress. This all started with the NLRB decision in 1937 — the moment the U.S. Supreme Court decided it would play god with the Constitution, inventing new ways to amend it without bothering with actual amendments. NLRB kicked open the door for judicial pragmatism, setting the stage for federal tyranny in ways that would make even Madison and Hamilton weep.
Sure, they warned us about the dangers of majority tyranny in the Federalist Papers. They laid out checks and balances, separation of powers, all that good stuff. But not even in their wildest nightmares could they have predicted the federal government’s power grab, courtesy of five robed figures in D.C. in 1937. NLRB didn’t just twist the Constitution; it shattered the relationship between the states, the people, and the federal government. And we’ve been paying for it ever since.
NLRB with the augmentation of judicial activism paved the way for cases like Roe v. Wade, where the Court decided to make up the constitutional right to abortion on the fly. But then came Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the potential light at the end of the tunnel—a decision that hints at pulling back federal overreach and, gasp, maybe even respecting state sovereignty.
So, what do we have now? A federal government so bloated and so invasive, it’s hard to tell where it ends and we begin. The Constitution, once a firm limit on government power, is now more like a suggestion. But don’t worry—keep voting, and maybe one day we’ll get it all back. Maybe.
To overturn NLRB v. Jones & Laughlin Steel Corp and Wickard v. Filburn—much like how Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization overturned Roe v. Wade—requires a strategic legal approach targeting the expansive use of the Commerce Clause and federal overreach.
Both NLRB and Wickard played pivotal roles in vastly increasing federal regulatory authority under the Commerce Clause, leading to decades of federal encroachment into areas traditionally reserved for states.
These rulings relied on a broad interpretation of the Commerce Clause, allowing Congress to regulate even local, intrastate activities if they had a “substantial effect” on interstate commerce. This view diverges from the framers’ original intent, which was to limit Congress’ regulatory powers to actual interstate commerce, not the internal affairs of states or individual citizens.
To reverse these decisions, the courts must embrace textualism and originalism, as demonstrated in Dobbs. The argument would focus on restoring the original understanding of the Commerce Clause, restricting federal regulation to explicit interstate transactions rather than activities like local labor disputes (NLRB) or personal agricultural production (Wickard).
The key to this legal strategy is challenging the “substantial effects” doctrine, which has been improperly used to expand federal power. Similar to Dobbs, which returned the issue of abortion to state legislatures, these cases must be brought forward to reassert the rights of states to regulate their own economies and labor systems without excessive federal interference.
As the Left has used legal advocacy and judicial rulings to achieve its goals, a conservative legal strategy requires lawyers and judges willing to argue for a stricter, more literal interpretation of the Constitution—one that limits federal authority to its explicitly enumerated powers. They must invoke the Tenth Amendment, which reserves powers not granted to the federal government for the states.
Just as Dobbs was the result of years of incremental legal challenges that gradually chipped away at Roe, overturning NLRB and Wickard would require a similar long-term approach. Advocates would begin with smaller cases questioning federal regulations on purely intrastate matters, building a body of rulings that challenge the reach of the Commerce Clause.
A coalition of states in favor of limiting federal power must also file amicus briefs to support these challenges. These states must argue for returning the rightful regulatory power to state governments, demonstrating that the federal government has overstepped its constitutional authority, does not efficiently or effectively regulate these powers and the states can regulate at better values to its people.
The success of this strategy depends on the current composition of the Supreme Court, which leans heavily toward originalism and textualism. Recent rulings, including Dobbs, suggest that the Court may be open to reconsidering long-standing precedents that deviate from the original constitutional framework.
Overturning NLRB and Wickard ultimately requires a return to the foundational principles of federalism. By following the blueprint laid by Dobbs, advocates can gradually dismantle the judicial precedents that have led to unchecked federal power. This process requires:
Refocusing the interpretation of the Commerce Clause to its original, narrower scope.
Incremental legal challenges that build a case for overturning these precedents.
Continued efforts to dismantle the Chevron doctrine to limit bureaucratic overreach.
An emphasis on originalist and textualist interpretations in court rulings.
The goal is to restore the balance of power between the federal government and the states, ensuring that federal authority is exercised only where explicitly permitted by the Constitution. By doing so, states would regain autonomy over their own economies, businesses, and personal affairs, aligning governance with the vision of the framers.
Michael Tavoliero is a senior contributor at Must Read Alaska.
The White House is set to announce executive actions by President Joe Biden in coming days relating to guns. The announcement is being made in coordination with the Office of Gun Violence Prevention, which he created a year ago and which is led by Vice President Kamala Harris, who foreshadowed it in a comment on the White House web page.
“In the year since President Biden asked me to oversee the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, our administration has improved and expanded background checks by closing the gun show loophole and implementing enhanced background checks for Americans under the age of 21,” Harris wrote. “We have worked with law enforcement and courts to keep guns out of the hands of abusive dating partners after we narrowed the boyfriend loophole. We are also making progress on distributing the single largest investment in youth mental health in history, $1 billion for schools across the country to hire and train more than 14,000 mental health professionals who can help address the trauma of gun violence.”
Harris continued, “Additionally, our Office has been an unprecedented resource to states, cities, and local communities – launching a Resource Center to help states implement red flag laws, coordinating the first-ever federal interagency response to mass shootings, releasing a Safer States Agenda to help legislators pass commonsense gun safety laws, and helping communities access our historic investments in community violence intervention programs.”
She also demanded states and Congress pass universal background checks, red flag laws, and safe storage laws, something that Alaska Rep. Mary Peltola has supported in the past.
“I support the creation of a bipartisan congressional committee tasked with bringing common sense gun legislation to Congress that helps prevent tragedies in our communities, preserves the subsistence lifestyle that many people depend on, and respects our 2nd amendment rights,” Peltola said in 2022.
Harris also said Congress needs to ban bump stocks, and renew the “Assault Weapons Ban.”
“Our administration will also continue to implement the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act and take additional executive action to support states, cities, and local communities in their efforts to reduce gun violence,” Harris said, hinting at executive orders to come before the Biden-Harris Administration ends in January.
Scott Kendall, the Anchorage-based election lawyer and architect of the current ranked-choice voting system in Alaska, regularly pummels conservatives with various claims that they are fascists, homophobes, or kooks.
This week’s target is none other than infomercial-famous businessman Mike Lindell, founder and president of MyPillow, the successful company that sells pillows, sheets, and even bedroom slippers.
Kendall, who is part of the Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Rep. Mary Peltola inner orbit of influential liberals in Alaska, says that the price on the pillow is, in fact, a secret Nazi code: $14.88.
That’s a code apparently everyone knows about.
To get to the number, he says, you add 14, which is shorthand for the “14 Words” slogan: “We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children,” to the number 88, which stands for “Heil Hitler.”
Here’s what the architect of Alaska’s ranked-choice voting says in his own words:
The problem with Kendall’s Nazi pillow talk is that Lindell hawks different products every day, always with different price points and promo codes. These are just a few of the recent offers that Lindall has made on his company’s X social media page:
ScreenshotScreenshotScreenshot
Using the logic of attorney and the scam ranked-choice ballot architect Kendall, you’ll want to grab up those Giza Dreams bed sheet sets for $29.99.
Why? According to Astrology.com, the number 2999 is an “angel number” that symbolizes the importance of humanitarianism, philanthropy, “lightworking,” and leadership in serving your soul mission. And don’t forget that promo code of R283. The year 283 AD was when St. Gaius began his reign as Catholic Pope. But in 283 BC, the canal from the Nile River to the Red Sea, which had been started but not completed by the Egyptian pharaoh Necho II, was made operational by Ptolemy II. That’s something to dream about.
Or if you’re feeling depressed, those Classic Collection pillows for $9.88 might just heal your soul. After all, by calling or texting 988, you’ll connect with mental health professionals with the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Don’t forget to use that promo code of R277. In Numerology, 277 signifies duality and the importance of relationships in our lives. It embodies diplomacy, gentleness, and the ability to work harmoniously with others.
And who can resist that MyPillow deal for the $14.98 pillow with promo code R251. The year 1498 was when Christopher Columbus reached Trinidad and the northern coast of South America. As for the promo code’s auspicious number, 251 AD was the year of the Battle of Abrittus in the Balkans, won by the Goths against the Romans. That will give you so much to dream about, while Kendall is fighting imaginary Nazis.
For some conspiracy theorists on the left, it’s Lindell’s support for Donald Trump for president that has them triggered into full-time Nazi-hunting mode. Such are the times we live in. They are trying to crush his business with their attacks on him.
As for the number 88, it’s racist for Kendall to condemn the number since in Chinese culture it stands for fortune and good luck. Many prices in China end in the number 8, which is considered the luckiest of the numbers. That would not relate to MyPillow products, which are made in Minnesota at the rate of 25,000 pillows a day.
Kendall’s group, Alaskans for Better Elections, is currently spending over $7.8 million to convince voters to retain the system that has proven to help liberal candidates in Alaska. The question for voters in November is whether they will continue with the ranked-choice voting system or say “Yes” to Ballot Measure 2, which would repeal it.
On the Must Read Alaska Show this summer, in an interview linked below, Kendall said, “A big part of politics is theater.”
