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How to get rid of conservative talk radio? Eliminate AM radio in cars

Suzanne Downing
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48
How to get rid of conservative talk radio? Eliminate AM radio in cars

The electric vehicle revolution is now causing a wave of concern among a significant portion of the American public: Conservative talk show listeners.

Major car manufacturers such as BMW, Mazda, Tesla, and Volkswagen are sidelining a staple of American life: AM radio, removing AM receivers from their new electric vehicles, and saying that the radios create electromagnetic interference with the electric-powered engines.

Ford, a stalwart of the U.S. auto industry, said it will exclude AM radio from nearly all its new vehicles – both gas and electric – by 2024, citing data that suggests less than 5% of in-car listening comes from AM stations.

The transition isn’t just a switch of radio frequencies; it’s a fundamental disruption to the conservative talk show ecosystem. Talk radio has long dominated AM radio, while the alternative NPR has dominated FM radio. Some conservatives are crying “foul.”

“I think people want more options, not less options. And this would be a direct hit politically on conservative talk radio in particular, which is what most people go to AM radio to listen to,” said Sean Hannity on Fox News. “It’s not complicated to put in a radio system that allows you to have AM FM, Sirius XM, or the ability to plug in your own music from your own phone “And I think people want more options, not less options. So is there a political component to it? Certainly feels like it.” 

Hannity, whose show is broadcast on over 700 AM and FM radio stations, also noted that the car manufacturers are devaluing the AM stations.

“People paid a lot of money for those signals, and they pay that money to, you know, the federal government [that] gives out these licenses. What’s the point if they’re going to take away a significant percentage of the population’s ability to even get the station they would listen to the most while they’re driving?” Hannity said. 

The National Association of Broadcasters says 82 million Americans tune into AM radio every month, the majority of broadcasts consisting of news, talk radio, and sports.

In Alaska, AM radio is woven into the fabric of emergency response, capable of reaching remote areas and relaying urgent messages about floods, fires, or earthquakes. This function of AM radio is part of the nation’s Emergency Alert system; Americans rely on it for timely, crucial information.

For instance, one AM radio station in Glennallen — KCAM — can reach all the way to the Canadian border. With a 200-foot section of the Glenn Highway flooded this week at Moose Creek in the Cooper River Valley, being able to reach drivers with that information is possibly lifesaving, and cell phones are not always reliable.

In Alaska, AM radios are far more practical than electric vehicles.

Seven former FEMA administrators wrote a letter to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, emphasizing the public safety necessity of maintaining AM radio in vehicles. A rising tide of policymakers are championing the cause of AM radio, urging automakers to reconsider their stance and underlining its critical role during extreme weather events and natural disasters.

FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington voiced his support, asserting that the Commission “should make clear the vital importance of AM radio.”

“Implementing cost cutting measures at the expense of our nation’s emergency communications abilities is reckless and will have dire consequences for Americans that rely on AM radio in times of crisis,” NAB President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt said.

Senate passes SB 48, governor’s forest carbon offset bill

Suzanne Downing
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40
Senate passes SB 48, governor’s forest carbon offset bill

The Alaska Senate unanimously passed Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s bill to advance a carbon market in Alaska. SB 48, if passed by the House, would allow his administration to participate in the evolving carbon market.

SB 48 and its companion bill HB 49 establish a statewide carbon offset program through forest sequestration within the Department of Natural Resources. The proposed carbon offset program has the potential to generate additional revenue for the State of Alaska through biologic carbon storage projects that can offset a portion of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere.

The carbon offset program bill seeks to grant DNR the ability to establish a carbon offset program and enable carbon offset projects on state lands that are not going to be used of forestry anyway.

It’s novel, but not an entirely new concept in Alaska. In 2018, Sealaska Corp. launched a carbon-offset project that was the first in Alaska to take part in California’s cap-and-trade program. The project contributed to Sealaska’s biggest net income year on record.

Current statutes do not allow for carbon offset projects. The carbon offset program will allow private parties to lease state land to undertake carbon offset programs and allow the State, through DNR, to implement its own carbon offset projects, the governor’s office said.

Greenpeace called the carbon trading programs a scam.

“Since the oil industry — Shell, Chevron, and others — were not prepared to actually slow oil production to halt global heating, and since they had no intention of aiming for zero carbon emissions, they invented ‘net zero.’ The ‘net’ requires that we subtract some carbon from total emissions to create the illusion of “zero” emissions. Thus, the patriarchs of petroleum profiteering came up with ‘carbon capture,’ a deception that has netted them billions of dollars and euros in public money,” Greenpeace said.

But Global Market Insights says carbon credits are a growing market, sanctioned by governments across the world.

“Carbon capture and storage market exceeded $6 billion in 2022 and is projected to expand at more than 20% from 2023 to 2032,” the company reported.

“A steady rollout of strict government regulations to reduce GHG emissions worldwide is set to positively shape the industry scenario. For instance, in May 2022, the U.S. government invested $2.3 billion to cut carbon pollution in the country. Such proactive emission control initiatives are creating a strong impetus for innovations in the field of carbon capture technologies,” GMI said in its January report.

Durham report shows bias at FBI led agency to focus on Trump campaign, ignored Clinton and Russia

Suzanne Downing
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41
Durham report shows bias at FBI led agency to focus on Trump campaign, ignored Clinton and Russia

Special Counsel John Durham let loose with the unvarnished truth on the FBI’s Trump-Russia probe.

In a report released Monday by the Justice Department, Durham suggests the FBI exhibited a double standard, pursuing allegations of Russia’s links to Trump’s 2016 campaign with unmatched intensity, while barely scratching the surface of serious claims about foreign entities striving to exert influence over Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton.

Durham, in his investigative role for four years, delivered a 306-page report that was made public on Monday.

The report critiques the bureau for a “lack of analytical rigor,” in probing whether the 2016 Trump campaign was coordinating with Moscow.

His report discusses efforts by foreign agents to sway Clinton through campaign donations. The report concludes that FBI had evidence the Steele Dossier could have been sourced to Russian disinformation. The agency didn’t disclose this fact.

FEC fines Hillary Clinton campaign, DNC for saying the Steele Dossier was ‘legal’ work, not opposition research

The report says that while Clinton was briefed on such attempts by Russians to infiltrate her campaign, Trump and his aides were not briefed about the FBI’s suspicions of influence attempts.

“The objective facts show that the FBI’s handling of important aspects of the Crossfire Hurricane matter were seriously deficient,” the report says, of the code name “Crossfire Hurricane,” the agency’s operation.

Durham doesn’t plainly accuse the FBI. of making decisions based on political bias. Instead, he suggests the presence of a “confirmation bias,” with some FBI agents holding strong political views that made them lean towards the “Russia plot” theory of the Trump campaign.

Read the Durham report here.

Alaska’s nonprofit sector ranks 15th in the country as percentage of jobs

Suzanne Downing
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22
Alaska’s nonprofit sector ranks 15th in the country as percentage of jobs

As Alaska’s graduates start pounding the pavement (or gravel) for work, many of them may end up in nonprofit organizations. A significant part of Alaska’s economy is built on the backbone of the nonprofit sector.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, at least 10% of the state’s workforce, or approximately 33,750 individuals, are employed by nonprofits. Alaska ranks 15th in the nation in terms of the percentage of the employed population working in nonprofits.

The Washington Post’s data desk found that the highest number of nonprofit workers is in the nation’s capital, where 73,069 workers, or a 19.5%, are in the sector. It’s unsurprising, since many nonprofits like to have a Washington, D.C. presence, in order to protect government grants.

Contrast this with Texas, where only 5.7% of the workforce is in nonprofits, or Nevada with 3.8%.

The figures tell only half the story. As it turns out, a significant number of these jobs, nearly one in five, are in hospitals, and one in three are in the health sector more broadly.

According to the Post, 38% of all nonprofit jobs are in hospitals, and nonprofit hospitals employ more individuals than colleges, private schools, or religious organizations, which constitute the next largest nonprofit industries.

This reality is reflected acutely in the state of Alaska, where the health care sector is the largest economic driver in the state. In 2021, Alaska’s health care workers earned nearly $3 billion, more than any other industry in Alaska. Health care wages made up 12% of all state wages, having grown by 28% since 2016, according to the Alaska Hospital and Healthcare Association.

Sean Murphy: Eaglexit and the authority of school boards in Alaska

GUEST CONTRIBUTOR
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Sean Murphy: Eaglexit and the authority of school boards in Alaska

By SEAN MURPHY | EAGLEXIT

This is the second part of our series of articles to describe an education model for the new Chugach Regional Borough. As we have discussed and will repeat, our goal is to first protect the future of the children of our community. After all, isn’t it always about the future?

This second article discusses the current framework for school district authority in Alaska and the rights of parents. We believe that the better our community discusses and analyzes this authority framework, the better we can ensure that the ultimate authority and rights belong to parents and the better information for you, our readers.

The Authority of School Districts in The State of Alaska

In Alaska, the authority of school districts over children is established through a combination of state laws, regulations, and case law. The state’s laws, regulations, and court decisions have created a framework for the powers and responsibilities of school districts in educating and caring for the children of the state.

It appears that these legal sources give school districts a more favorable position compared to parents in making decisions about the education and upbringing of their children.

The Alaska Constitution provides a foundation for the authority of school districts over children by guaranteeing the right of all residents to a public education. The state’s courts have interpreted this constitutional right to provide significant authority to school districts in making decisions about the education and upbringing of children.

Title 14 of the Alaska Statutes governs education and sets forth the laws that apply to Alaska school districts. For instance, Alaska Statutes (AS) 14.03.120 gives the State Board of Education and Early Development the power to adopt regulations for public schools, while AS 14.07.099 outlines the powers and duties of school districts. These laws provide guidance and support for the authority of school districts to direct the education and upbringing of children.

The State Board of Education and Early Development also has the authority to adopt regulations that provide further guidance for Alaska school districts. These regulations cover a range of issues, including budgeting, hiring personnel, and providing education services to students.

It is further noted that the Alaska State Constitution provides no limitations regarding the number of school districts a local government may regulate, especially through a home rule approach.

Alaska School District Rights

The rights of Alaska school districts over education and control of children are determined by a combination of federal and state laws, regulations, and case law. Here are some of the key authorities that Alaska school districts have:

  1. Authority to set curriculum: Alaska school districts have the authority to establish and set the curriculum for their schools, including determining the subjects and courses of study.
  2. Authority to regulate student behavior: Alaska school districts have the authority to regulate student behavior and enforce disciplinary actions, including suspension or expulsion of students who violate school rules or engage in disruptive or dangerous behavior.
  3. Authority to provide special education: Alaska school districts have the responsibility to provide special education services to eligible students and not just exclusively to those with disabilities.
  4. Authority to control access to school property: Alaska school districts have the authority to control access to school property, including setting rules and regulations for who is allowed on school grounds and when.
  5. Authority to manage school resources: Alaska school districts have the authority to manage and allocate school resources, including funding, personnel, and facilities.

While Alaska school districts have these authorities over education and control of children, they must also operate within the bounds of the law and respect the constitutional rights of students and their families. 

Can a local government’s home rule charter further regulate these authorities? We believe it can.

Sean Murphy: Eagle River exit, creating Chugach Regional Borough and the new school district

Parental Rights Regarding Children’s Education

As per the laws, regulations, and case law in Alaska, parents have the following rights regarding their children’s education:

  1. Right to Enroll: Parents have the right to enroll their children in a public school within the district or to choose alternative education options, such as private or homeschooling.
  2. Right to Access: Parents have the right to access their children’s education records and to participate in their children’s educational planning and decision-making.
  3. Right to Review: Parents have the right to review and challenge instructional materials and assessments used in their children’s education.
  4. Right to Participate: Parents have the right to participate in school-related activities, such as parent-teacher conferences, school board meetings, and educational programs.
  5. Right to Provide Input: Parents have the right to provide input on school policies and programs that affect their children.
  6. Right to Religious Instruction: Parents have the right to provide religious instruction for their children outside of school hours.
  7. Right to Homeschool: Parents have the right to homeschool their children, if they meet the requirements set forth by the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development (DEED).
  8. Right to Seek Alternative Education: Parents have the right to seek alternative education options, such as private schools or out-of-state schools, if they are dissatisfied with the education provided by their school district.

Alaska school districts do have an authority over directing the education and consequently the upbringing of children. It is critical to understand that a local government such as the Chugach Regional Borough may balance these rights through its charter to ensure that parents retain control over important aspects of their children’s education.

Understanding these legal sources and how they apply to the operations of Alaska school districts is part of informed decision-making and effective governance.

In the next article we will continue to discuss this new borough’ education model. We look forward to continuing the conversation and working towards a brighter future for the children of the Chugiak-Eagle River area.

We encourage you to get involved, too! Feel free to call us anytime, and don’t hesitate to come to our weekly Tuesday evening meetings at the Cozy Carpet Warehouse behind the store at 7 pm.

Sean Murphy came to Alaska in the Army. Met his wife and moved to Eagle River in 1999 with his family. He is a retired Anchorage School District educator and administrator. He is active with his community council and is the new chair of Eaglexit. 

Sean Murphy: Eaglexit’s focus on education

Watch video: River floods Crooked Creek; Dunleavy declares disaster

Suzanne Downing
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3
Watch video: River floods Crooked Creek; Dunleavy declares disaster

Crooked Creek at mile 5.14 by Donlin Gold was flooding on Sunday, and across the Yukon River drainage waters rose and receded Monday as breakup is underway on Alaska’s major rivers. Gov. Mike Dunleavy has declared a disaster in order to free up resources to assist communities, and has disaster officials on the ground in affected areas.

Residents say that in Circle, it’s the worst flooding they ever seen. Houses and fuel tanks were seen floating down the Yukon River. The general store is closed due to flooding, which reached as far as the Circle Post Office.

Sources said when the ice broke, it flooded quickly, causing people to dash to higher ground.

Flood warnings have been issued for Crooked Creek on the Kuskokwim River and Circle on the Yukon River, as water levels rise and conditions worsen. Flood watches are in place for Fort Yukon and Aniak.

Crooked Creek bore the brunt of significant flooding Sunday, with water levels oscillating unpredictably, according to the State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

The Kuskokwim River Watch team, having landed in Crooked Creek yesterday, stayed in communication with community leaders throughout the night. The majority of residents are taking refuge at the local school, which is situated on higher ground.

Circle, Alaska, with ice floes on the Main Street, after the water receded.

In a concerted effort to monitor the situation and provide aid, the Kusko River Watch team has also been in contact with the State Emergency Operation Center, Alaska State Troopers, Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation, Alaska National Guard, and Alaska Village Council Presidents.

Circle is currently battling flooding as a result of a 90-mile ice run pushing past the community. Activating their flood plan, residents have moved to safer, higher grounds. The Upper Yukon River Watch team will conduct an aerial survey today to provide updates to Circle and Fort Yukon. Additionally, two Emergency Managers from the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHS&EM) River Watch team will be on site to assist with flood response.

Meanwhile, Glennallen is grappling with flooding due to snowmelt. An Emergency Management Specialist from the State Emergency Operation Center has been dispatched to assist the local emergency management team.

In response to the escalating situation, Governor Mike Dunleavy issued a disaster declaration yesterday for the following:

  • Alaska Gateway REAA (City and Native Village of Eagle)
  • Yukon Flats REAA (Circle)
  • Kuspuk REAA (Crooked Creek)
  • Copper River REAA (Glennallen)

The measure will expedite resources and aid to communities as they grapple with the flooding affecting the region.

Senate passes increase to education formula

Suzanne Downing
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23
Senate passes increase to education formula

The Alaska State Senate last week approved Senate Bill 52, increasing education funding for Alaska’s public schools and correspondence programs by $175 million.

Proponents of the bill argue that the $680 per student addition to the Base Student Allocation calculation is a straightforward and equitable method to boost education funding for students in all public schools and correspondence programs across the state. It’s a reduction from the first version of the bill, which had a $1,000 allocation addition for each student.

While the Alaska Constitution mandates the provision of a public education system, it does not dictate what adequate funding is. Nor has it been proven that pouring more money into the system will automatically lead to improved outcomes. Alaska’s academic outcomes for students in K-12 are at the 49th in the nation, even though spending is new the top. In the 1970s, the state education outcomes were near the top.

In addition to increasing the BSA, Senate Bill 52 includes additional provisions for pupil transportation and residential schools.

Sen. Shelley Hughes tried to amend the bill to give it the strength to direct the money to teaches and classrooms, rather than administration, but was rebuffed time and again by the Democrat-run majority.

“I proposed amendment after amendment today to direct school funds to improving student outcomes by directing the dollars specifically to teachers and classroom instruction, but despite the few brave souls (including both minority and majority members) who stood with me, the amendments failed. Even though proficiency rates in all grades and all subjects hover around only 30% statewide, too many senators turned a blind eye to a golden opportunity. Teachers and families, I want you to know that I fought for you. Although I am heartsick there weren’t the votes to take the bull by the horns for the sake of our most precious resource, our children, the song running through my head since I walked off the floor and out of the chamber has been ‘I get knocked down, but I get up again. You are never gonna keep me down,'” she said.

Senate Bill 52 passed the Alaska State Senate by a vote of 16-3, with Senators Hughes, Robert Myers, and David Wilson voting against it. It will be considered by the Alaska House of Representatives, where it has been referred to the Finance Committee.

Photo: Sen. Elvi Gray-Jackson argues for Senate Bill 52.

Kreig and Vazquez: Who to vote for in Chugach Electric board elections

GUEST CONTRIBUTOR
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Kreig and Vazquez: Who to vote for in Chugach Electric board elections

By RAY KREIG and LIZ VAZQUEZ

If the takeover of the Chugach Electric Association Board by Outside-funded activists succeeds, get ready to pay much, much more for your power and light. The extreme climate activists want access to the $350 million/year paid by customers’ bills to fund their agenda. 

What to do about it?

For one, pay attention to the Chugach Electric Association elections now underway until May 19.  

In the Anchorage Bowl, you have no choice but to buy your power from Chugach, which is a state-granted monopoly. As a member-owned cooperative, the character of the directors you elect will decide whether Chugach, 1) deceives you with fantasies of “free” power from the sun and wind (heavily subsidized with reduced PFDs and higher taxes) or 2) is competently managed with wisdom and real care for the utility customer-owner’s best interest: Supply electricity at a cost no higher than necessary!

Voting in the Chugach Electric elections is your only way to shop for lower cost power. 

Don’t think that the monthly Chugach Electric bill you must pay is the only expense affected by who is elected to the Chugach board with your vote. You are paying twice or three times what you see on that bill because enormous electric costs are paid by government, your employer and stores. These are passed on to you as higher prices (especially for food), higher taxes, and reduced PFDs, wages, and jobs. Jobs are lost because high electric rates make Anchorage less competitive and force many businesses to shrink, close, or never even get started.

High utility rates hurt low- and fixed-income customers the worst.

There are three open seats. We recommend that you vote for Bettina CHASTAIN, Harold HOLLIS, and Brad AUTHIER.  Vote no on the Round Up Program Bylaw.

Press here to vote electronically!  Deadline to vote is 2 pm Friday May 19.

How high could rates go?

National average electricity costs are now 12.8¢/kwh; Alaska’s statewide average is 21.0¢/kwh, (US EIA, Feb 2023).  A Chugach home using ~740 kwh/month would now be paying about 22¢/kwh.

Rates have exploded in the last few years in many states:

New Hampshire – 16 to 26¢/kwh (63% up)

Maine – 13 to 20¢/kwh (54% up)

Connecticut – 18 to 27¢/kwh (50% up)

Massachusetts – 17 to 25¢/kwh (47% up)

California – 15 to 22¢/kwh (47% up)

Hawaii – 30 to 41¢/kwh (37% up)

Rhode Island – 17 to 23¢/kwh (35% up)

Why Are These Rates Soaring?

In some states, irresponsible green energy mandates are in various stages of implementation, swamping electric utility customers. In others, greens oppose beneficial electric transmission lines as well as new natural gas production and the pipelines necessary for electric generation at reasonable fuel cost.

And this is just what many radical green energy advocates want. They welcome extremely high energy utility rates (electricity and natural gas), which are convenient to make expensive solar and wind projects look less wasteful. It’s part of their bigger agenda of forcing users into lifestyle changes, including more use of bicycles, buses, and electric vehicles.

In Alaska, greens are demanding similar moves to increase energy costs.

The Alaska Center (for the environment) and the Renewable Energy Alaska Project have endorsed and they and allies are heavily funding three candidates for the Chugach Electric board in this election. The candidates the Alaska Center is pushing are in favor of what is called a Renewable Portfolio Standard. 

This Renewable Portfolio Standard is a skillfully designed, back-door, below-the-radar scheme that will escalate electricity costs and be very harmful to Railbelt electric utilities and consumers. It’s been introduced in the Legislature and would force Chugach Electric into an unreasonable 80% renewables generation by 2040, requiring $2 to $3 billion in costly transmission system upgrades to use power from intermittent, renewable power sources. 

Additionally, it provides for confiscatory fines that could well bankrupt Chugach Electric. It also fails to recognize viable alternative carbon reduction measures and other clean energy solutions.

In contrast, consider a state that has reformed its electricity market and mandated competition for most of its urban and suburban areas: Texas statewide average electric cost is only 10.5¢/kwh (US EIA, Feb 2023).

Candidates we support

As former Chugach Electric Board Chairs ourselves we endorse:

These candidates running as the Chugach Stability Team that DO NOT support the RPS above and believe that enforcing these standards on utilities in Alaska is the wrong approach to integrating renewable energy into the current Railbelt grid.

  • Reelect Bettina Chastain – Current Board chair, engineer, executive, business owner.
  • Reelect Harold Hollis – Current Board treasurer, engineer, executive, business owner 
  • Elect to the vacant seat Brad Authier – Engineer, business owner, environmental consultant

Chugach rates started skyrocketing from 50% above national averages in 2012 and 2013 until they plateaued in 2017 at over 100% above national averages. Bettina Chastain was chosen board chair in 2018 and Harold Hollis began his board service the same year. After that, rates didn’t further escalate. Our recommendation is that both these board officers be continued. They have important experience and are clearly qualified. 

They are not politicians or activists and are funding all of their own campaign costs themselves.  They are engineers with technical backgrounds who have successfully owned, grown and managed successful companies here in Alaska. 

Candidates we oppose

The three Alaska Center- and REAP-endorsed candidates have little or no real business experience (a political operative, a climate activist, and the current REAP board chair), nor do they have the technical degrees or backgrounds logically required for any director expected to competently provide governance over your $2 billion electric cooperative.

Outside special interest money is heavily funding these candidates and two members of the Chugach Board (Sam Cason and Mark Wiggin) are working behind the scenes to take over the cooperative with a new pro-RPS majority bloc.

The three AkCenter/REAP candidates have similar agendas and allegiance to these organizations, and they are all ultimately driven to implement an extreme, political, climate activist agenda utilizing the cooperative’s $multimillion ratepayer base to fund their ideology and push through the RPS as quickly as possible.

  • Jim Nordlund – Board chair, Renewable Energy Alaska Project (REAP).  Former IBEW union backed Chugach Electric board member.
  • Susanne Fleek-Green – Mayor Ethan Berkowitz chief of staff, campaign manager; Sen. Mark Begich, campaign manager.
  • Shaina Kilcoyne – Believes traditional energy use and development needs to stop now.  Was Mayor Berkowitz’ energy and sustainability manager; Sen. Mark Begich’s, campaign worker.  

On May 11, Chugach Electric quit its membership in REAP because REAP endorsed board candidates, which violated Alaska Statutes prohibiting use of cooperative funds in board elections. 

Want more information?

See Chugach Consumers Candidate and Situation Analysis.

Conclusion

Chastain, Hollis and Authier will be the best choices for the Chugach membership.

Ray Kreig and Liz Vazquez are both former chairs of the Chugach Electric Association Board of Directors

Train wreck: Senate leaders forcing Legislature into special session

Suzanne Downing
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60
Train wreck: Senate leaders forcing Legislature into special session

The Alaska Senate has refused to cough up the state operating budget, refused to allow the seating of a conference committee to negotiate the differences in the Senate and House budget, and refused to treat the House as an equal. So let’s not sugarcoat it: There will be a special session.

Adding fuel to that is the Senate budgeters also wedged $40 million into the budget to account for extra state employee leave that may be “cashed out” in the event of a state shutdown, which would occur July 1, if there is no approved budget.

In other words, the Senate is starting to simmer the narrative that the government could shut down.

At this point on the legislative calendar, the Senate will meet on Monday and go through amendments for the operating budget, then return the budget to the House.

By the Uniform Rules, the House cannot even take up that budget until Tuesday — the last day that is allowed of session by the Alaska Constitution. They must adjourn at midnight on Day 121 or go into either a 10-day extended session (requires a three-quarter affirmative vote in both houses) or Special Session, called by the governor.

Juneau legislative observers say the Senate Democrat-dominated majority is managing the timeline to create panic and crisis.

The real negotiations on the budget occurs at a conference committee, which is an open and transparent process. But with no budget to negotiate, that is now a figment of imagination.

As a side effect, the heavy-handed tactics by the Senate leadership with the take-it-or-leave-it budget has simply coalesced the House majority further.

Another dynamic is coming into play for the Legislature: One of the main housing units for legislative staff is the Driftwood Inn has just gotten more expensive. The rates are kept low, about $70 a night, through the last day of session, normally, but the rundown building was purchased by Tlingit Haida Tribes, and as of May 1, the tribe has started charging full tourist season rate to the staffers who live there. As of Monday, the rate will explode to $280 a night. Staffers don’t make enough to afford that.

That has made some staffers so mad they want the Driftwood taken off the preferred legislative housing list, but there’s no where else for them to go; the Marine View building was turned back into tourism season worker housing, and tourism season has all the other worker housing filled to the brim. Thus, expect that several staffers may sleep on the floor somewhere or leaving for home.

The budget’s sticking point, as it has been since 2017, is the size of the Permanent Fund dividend and what pot of money it will be funded from. The Senate would take 75% of the available funds and use it for government, leaving 25% for dividends. This would leave Alaskans with a $1,300 PFD. The House proposes the 50-50 split, for a $2,700 PFD.

By taking from the PFD, the Senate has announced that it balanced the budget, while the House budget would need to dip into the Constitutional Budget Reserve to balance, since it’s about $600 million short.

Accessing the Constitutional Budget reserve takes a three-quarters vote from the House and Senate.

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