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Dunleavy bans TikTok from State of Alaska equipment

Suzanne Downing
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Dunleavy bans TikTok from State of Alaska equipment

Gov. Mike Dunleavy has issued an order banning the social media app TikTok from State of Alaska-issued equipment.

“Simply put, TikTok poses a risk to any network or user it touches,” Dunleavy wrote in a memo to commissioners.

In November, FBI Director Christopher Wray warned of security concerns regarding the Chinese-owned company ByteDance. U.S. officials have said that the Chinese government can force the company to share the extensive data it collects on its users. Wray said the Chinese company “doesn’t share our values.”

“National security experts continue to highlight TikTok as a national security concern, including the possibility that the Chinese government may use TikTok to control data collection, influence TikTok’s recommendation algorithm, and compromise personal devices. Use of TikTok on state-owned electronic devices or on private devices that are connected to state networks poses a risk that a foreign government may access confidential or private data from State agencies and employees,” Dunleavy said.

“Therefore, effective immediately, all State Executive Branch agencies, including all departments, corporations, authorities, divisions, offices, bureaus, or other entities may not use TikTok on any State-owned electronic device, download or use the TikTok application or visit any TikTok website on the State network. Additionally, if TikTok is currently downloaded on any State device, it must be immediately removed, and appropriate steps shall be taken to secure the device,” his office wrote.

“Alaskans must remain vigilant to evolving threats both domestically and abroad and work together to defend ourselves against these threats, in order to defend our way of life and right to privacy.”

Today’s announcement from Gov. Dunleavy comes as states across the country, as well as the federal government, move to prohibit TikTok from government devices. TikTok has more than 1 billion active global users.

The governor’s full memo can be found here.

New Assembly member to replace Dunbar: Joey Sweet

Suzanne Downing
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New Assembly member to replace Dunbar: Joey Sweet

Joey Sweet will become a temporary seat-filler on the Anchorage Assembly, after the votes were counted today to replace former Assemblyman Forrest Dunbar, who won a seat for Alaska Senate.

Five people applied for the position. On the first round of voting, the breakdown of votes by members of the Assembly:

  • Joey Sweet: 5
  • Hilary Morgan: 2
  • Harry Crawford: 2
  • Jim Wojciehowski: 1
  • Rich Foehner: 0

Wojciehowski and Foehner were eliminated and the Municipal Clerk and her staff then huddled and tabulated the final results using ranked choice voting.

After an explanation of the exceedingly complicated elimination process that was dictated by municipal code, the finalists were:

  • Joey Sweet: 6
  • Harry Crawford: 4

Ballots were redistributed to the Assembly with those two names, and with a binary choice in front of them — one of them an old guard from the Democrat Party and one a young turk in the same vein, the final vote was:

  • Joey Sweet: 7
  • Harry Crawford: 3

Crawford, the longtime legislator and water-carrier for Democrats was out.

Sweet was raised in Wasilla and graduated from the Mat-Su Career and Technical High School. He enrolled at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and studied political science, and then transferred to the University of Alaska Anchorage to complete his studies.

Sweet is a former student regent on the University of Alaska Board of Regents, appointed by former Gov. Bill Walker. He was an intern for the Alaska Democrats and worked at the Alaska Center for the Environment; he sold products at the Apple store and attended at University of Alaska Fairbanks. He earned an MPA from the University of Alaska Anchorage and graduated in 2021. His LinkedIn profile lists his pronouns as he/him.

Sweet, who lives in UAA campus housing, will serve until April 25 for the District 5, Seat H neighborhoods in East Anchorage.

At the end of the meeting in which he was elected by the Assembly, who are now his equals, Sweet was seated on the dais in Assemblywoman Jamie Allard’s seat, rather than Forrest Dunbar’s seat. Allard was not at the meeting, although she is on the Assembly until Jan. 17.

Sweet thanked the Assembly and said he plans to make it a full-time job and will take the job seriously.

Assemblyman Chris Constant noted that Friday is Jan. 6 and he hopes everyone “will get passed all these fake arguments about fraudulent elections. My spirit feels bigger today that we had an election here and it’s done.” Assemblyman Felix Rivera noted how nice it was that ranked choice worked, and it was to have a young person on the Assembly.

Like Assemblyman Rivera, Sweet is starting out in elected government early in his life. Rivera moved to Alaska from Texas and worked for Mayor Ethan Berkowitz as an intern, and then ran for Assembly when he was 24 years old. The seat will be on April 4 ballot, when voters will choose who will represent them through the end of Dunbar’s term, which ends in April of 2025.

Anchorage Assembly special meeting set for Friday to replace Forrest Dunbar for East Anchorage seat

Anchorage Assembly hears challenges of snow removal

Suzanne Downing
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Anchorage Assembly hears challenges of snow removal

Snow removal in Anchorage during the historic snowfall of December was the topic of a work session of the Anchorage Assembly on Thursday.

Anchorage had the wettest December on record, with 41.2 inches of snow, combined with the fact that the snow was heavy and there were high winds that created drifting berms. It was the second snowiest December on record, coming up just shows of the 41.6 inches in December of 1955.

Members of the Mayor Dave Bronson administration gave a report to members present at the work session that included these points, among others:

  • Crews continuing to work night and day, round the clock, widening the streets.
  • Crews are doing snow hauling right now. There is a limit on where snow can be dumped, which needs to be addressed by the Assembly.
  • The city brought on some additional crews to help with snow in cul-de-sacs, normally something they don’t work on until spring.
  • Focus right now is on doing snow hauling around the 34 elementary schools, as school starts Monday.
  • As of Thursday, the city and contractors have hauled 25,000 truckloads of snow, equalling almost 1/2 million cubic yards, and averaging 1,600 loads a day.
  • Normally, the municipality hauls 6,000 truckloads a year, but there have been 6,600 truckloads hauled already in 2023.
  • There are 30 graders, and on average day 25-28 are operating, with others in for maintenance.
  • The city has been able to hire more people. It started off with 50-60 , now up to 72 in the snow-removal work. The city is also using contractors.
  • The city has brought in more trucks to haul snow. The city has contracted with side-dump trucks, which can hold more snow.
  • The city has one equipment tech position it has not been able to fill. “We can’t find qualified candidates.”
  • The city doesn’t lack basic regular parts, but that situation is changing quickly, as across the country other entities are using same type of equipment and have faces snowy conditions.
  • The administration is working with the State for getting more snow dump sites, trying to limit the distance drivers must travel as they haul snow.
  • The administration has a draft ordinance to allow more private snow dump sites, for properties that are at least 30,000 square feet, and there would be snow dump height restrictions and other permitting issues that would need to be ironed out. There are not enough snow dump sites currently in the city for city, state, and private contractors who are clearing everything from roads to parking lots.
  • Typically, the city has an 84-hour plow-out goal for streets and neighborhoods. But that has a specific meaning: After is snows four inches, the city plows all major streets, and then will go into neighborhoods, which is when the 84-hour clock starts. But if it snows another four inches, the city will continue to clear streets and connectors, and may not get to neighborhoods.
  • The 84-hour rule does not apply to neighborhoods east of Lake Otis or in Eagle River.

Peltola says she is willing to help form coalition majority, such as ones they have in the Alaska Legislature

Suzanne Downing
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Peltola says she is willing to help form coalition majority, such as ones they have in the Alaska Legislature

Congresswoman Mary Peltola on Thursday told a public broadcasting reporter that she is willing to form a coalition majority with Republicans. On Thursday night, the House held its 11th vote for Speaker, and for the 11th time, the Republican majority failed to elect Rep. Kevin McCarthy of Bakersfield, Calif., who has been the House GOP leader for years.

“Anything that gets us communicating with each other rather than talking at each other would be a good thing at this point,” she was reported to have told the reporter.

Peltola has voted for the far-left Democrat Hakeem Jeffries 11 times. She said he is still her choice and that she was not enjoying the dysfunction.

“The gridlock over the Speaker vote is not normal or good for anyone. I am not enjoying this – I don’t think anyone is, and Alaskans deserve better,” she reportedly said.

“That said, I have always been willing to work with people regardless of political party. If there are members who want to form a coalition majority like we often see in Alaska, I’m open to discussing that. Anything that gets us communicating with each other rather than talking at each other would be a good thing at this point,” Liz Ruskin reported her saying.

The Democrats have stuck together and Jeffries has 212 votes — six votes short of the 218 voters needed. No Republican has bolted to vote for Jeffries, although Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida on Thursday voted for former President Donald Trump to become speaker.

McCarthy has 200 votes, and 20 Republicans voted for someone else or simply “present.” A historic 12th vote will take place starting Friday at noon, and negotiations are ongoing on Thursday night at the Capitol.

The responses to Peltola’s statement on Twitter were mixed. Some Democrats told her to “hold the line,” and others said that Republicans are insurrectionists who can’t be trusted.

Some of the typical Twitter responses:

“She’s folding already? @RepJeffries is our speaker, he’s won every vote so far. They can get behind him or they can continue to embarrass em themselves and put the country at risk. Call them out!”

“You can’t give the Republicans anything because they certainly aren’t going to be trustworthy with the Democrats. These same Republicans removed the security measures into the House chambers and many supported the insurrection. These Republicans don’t believe in ethics, either.”

“@MaryPeltola enjoyment isn’t an issue. Good governance is— please hold the line with the Dem caucus. Those are the values you were hired by your people to uphold.”

“I am a senior who depends on Medicare and SS. I am a woman who wants to ensure my daughter and granddaughter has the same rights that I have. I support gay and transgender people. Unless there is a Republican that supports all of the above. Hold the line.”

“Stay united! Follow your leader for strategy. Talk to them PRIVATELY about ideas you have for moving forward. Do NOT talk to media (unless this is part of strategy all agreed on). #DemocratsAreUnited“

Applications for Anchorage Assembly seat for Chugiak-Eagle River will open on Tuesday

Suzanne Downing
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Applications for Anchorage Assembly seat for Chugiak-Eagle River will open on Tuesday

As Rep.-elect Jamie Allard heads to Juneau this month to represent District 23 in the Alaska House of Representatives, the Anchorage Assembly is getting ready to replace her until her seat can be decided by voters during the regular April 4 election.

Applications for the Chugiak-Eagle River seat will be taken starting Jan. 10 at the Anchorage Municipal Clerk’s Office, and the application period closes Jan. 17.

Anchorage Assembly special meeting set for Friday to replace Forrest Dunbar for East Anchorage seat

Interviews of the nominees will be done by the Assembly, which by then will have one unelected member — the replacement for Sen.-elect Forrest Dunbar, who will be replaced on Friday, Jan 6 during the same process.

The interviews for the Chugiak-Eagle River seat are scheduled for 2 pm, Jan. 19, with the decision made immediately following the interviews during an official meeting of the Assembly that is scheduled to start at 4 pm.

The period of service will be from Jan. 19 to April 25, when the winner of the April 4 election for District 2, Seat C, Chugiak, Eagle River, JBER will be sworn in.

The application packet can be found at this link.

Alaskan of the Year: Jamie Allard, Assemblywoman

Cheechako news: Will Alaska judge ever rule on Louisiana Jennie Armstrong’s ability to serve as a legislator?

Suzanne Downing
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Cheechako news: Will Alaska judge ever rule on Louisiana Jennie Armstrong’s ability to serve as a legislator?

It’s been nine weeks since Alaska newcomer and Rep.-elect Jennifer Armstrong won her race for the Alaska House of Representatives, and three weeks since the case was heard in court that challenged her legitimacy to serve, since she missed the legal residency qualification deadline.

Still, no decision has been issued from Superior Court Judge Herman Walker Jr.

The Anchorage Democrat won on Nov. 8 over Republican Liz Vazquez for House District 16, West Anchorage. Vazquez and others in the district then challenged in court the certification of that victory by the Division of the Elections.

The hearing was Dec. 22, but now, just 12 days before the Legislature is set to convene, the judge has issued no ruling, which gives the plaintiffs no time to appeal his ruling before Armstrong would be sworn in on Jan. 17.

Armstrong had not been a resident in the state for three years before filing for office, Vazquez and her fellow plaintiffs say. The proof is in a social media post by Armstrong saying she was visiting, as well as in a fishing license application she made as a non-resident, and when she registered to vote.

Armstrong is hoping to become the first “pansexual” legislator to be sworn in in the Alaska House of Representatives.

Lawsuit over Alaska newcomer candidate from Louisiana has new judge, Scott Kendall joins as legal counsel
Lawsuit filed against cheechako candidate Jennie Armstrong, who hasn’t lived in Alaska long enough

Anchorage Assembly special meeting set for Friday to replace Forrest Dunbar for East Anchorage seat

Suzanne Downing
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Anchorage Assembly special meeting set for Friday to replace Forrest Dunbar for East Anchorage seat

Sen.-elect Forrest Dunbar is off the Anchorage Assembly, which will meet in a special Friday meeting at 9:30 am to interview the five applicants for Dunbar’s seat serving the East Anchorage neighborhoods.

The meeting will take place at the Assembly Chambers on the ground floor of the Loussac Library, and then an official meeting of the Assembly will convene at noon in the same location to vote on and swear in the new temporary Assembly member, whose term will end April 25; a regular election takes place April 4, when the incumbent chosen by the Assembly will be able to defend his or her seat, if they choose. That seat will again be up for election in 2025.

Dunbar was elected to the Alaska Senate and will be sworn in in Juneau on Jan. 17.

Applications for the position closed on Jan. 4. The applicants for the District 5, Seat H temporary seat are:

Of those who filed, Harry Crawford has the most political stroke with the liberal-controlled Assembly. He was a Democrat state legislator in the Alaska House of Representatives from 2001 to 2011, and ran against Congressman Don Young in 2010. He again ran for the Alaska House in 2016, losing to Lance Pruitt.

Jim Wojciehowski also filed on Jan. 4 before the deadline. He is a physician assistant who has become a regular observer at the Anchorage Assembly meetings and often provided public comment on Covid policies during the pandemic panic, providing his medical expertise and viewpoints on lockdowns that were somewhat contrary to the Berkowitz Administration’s mandates.

Hilary Morgan, who filed on the last day possible, has a massive resume in nonprofit work and consulting, including working as CEO for the YWCA in Anchorage, and former director of Brother Francis Shelter. She ran for Alaska Senate in 2015.

Rich Foehner is retired from the U.S. Army, has filed.

Finally, Joey Sweet was the first to officially file. Sweet is a former student regent to the University of Alaska Board of Regents and was a legislative intern.

Assemblyman Forrest Dunbar dumps on Anchorage public on his way out the door to the Senate

Notes from RDC-Alliance breakfast: Giessel, Bishop dig into how to reduce Permanent Fund dividend

Suzanne Downing
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Notes from RDC-Alliance breakfast: Giessel, Bishop dig into how to reduce Permanent Fund dividend

At the Resource Development Council – Alaska Support Industry Alliance breakfast in Anchorage on Thursday, incoming Sen. Cathy Giessel and Sen. Click Bishop gave some of their thoughts on the upcoming session, as the featured speakers. The Legislature convenes on Jan. 17, and both Giessel and Bishop are part of the 17-member bipartisan majority in the 20-member Senate.

Giessel, who was briefly removed from office by her voters for two years, but who has now won back a seat in the Senate representing South Anchorage, spoke to these items:

  • There need to be changes to teacher retirement pensions, in order to recruit and retain qualified teachers.
  • The state should should also look at the retirement “hybrid plans” that have been proposed for public safety employees.
  • There are three state departments on the verge of being nonfunctional due to inability to hire.
  • The State should look at licensing requirements for private companies that are having trouble getting employees.
  • Childcare is an issue.
  • Energy: Hydrogen hub, hydro at Bradley Lake, Glacier Fork but it has to pencil out .
  • Carbon credits: She’s not sure what Gov. Mike Dunleavy is proposing is real. They won’t fill the fiscal gap.
  • Food security, livestock challenges.
  • Fisheries, she said salmon are moving north.
  • Caribou herds are decreasing. Fish and Game needs the funding.
  • Mental health and homeless will cost money.
  • Must bring the Permanent Fund dividend under control.
  • There are better ways to help people who need assistance than the Permanent Fund dividend.
  • The importance of protecting the Permanent Fund corpus.
  • She doesn’t want the “percent of market value” five percent draw changed.
  • She does not support taxes if there is a small enough dividend.
  • She opposes new taxes in Alaska.
  • There needs to be a rational approach to the dividend. She said people say the dividend can’t be touched but Alaska can’t afford that.

Sen. Click Bishop of Fairbanks made these points:

  • Alaska’s budget is $1 billion underwater for revenue from spring to fall forecasts.
  • The budget revenue projections is down $10 billion in both the Earnings Reserve Account and corpus.
  • He quoted how much we’ve “sent out the door” with dividends.
  • We need strong leadership for the state. 
  • He wants to pay cash for Dixon diversion hydro project on the Kenai.
  • 20 percent more hydro power up the line is phase one.
  • It cost $2.2 billion for a Wyoming nuclear plant but Susitna is $5.5 billion for less wattage.
  • He wants to build the dam or a new plant on the Railbelt.
  • He wants to use part of the dividend to pay for these projects.
  • He said Alaska needs cheap energy, not affordable energy.

Outgoing Sen. Natasha von Imhof asked from the audience: What’s the process of reallocating some of the dividend in the governor’s budget to some of the projects you mentioned?

Giessel did not really answer but said there won’t be abortion or gay marriage legislation.

Bishop said he sits on a Taft Hartley Trust board and “if I managed that money like the state manages its money …”

Commission on Judicial Conduct meets Friday

Suzanne Downing
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Commission on Judicial Conduct meets Friday

The Alaska Commission on Judicial Conduct holds its quarterly meeting on Jan. 6 at 9:30 am. The meeting will deal with administrative matters in open session, and a closed session to follow that relates to cases that have been reviewed and need executive privileged discussion.

Meeting announcement here.

The public packet can be reviewed at this link.

The meeting will be held at the commission’s office in Anchorage with public participation allowed via Zoom (information below). The agenda appears unremarkable but there may be issues arising from the September meeting of the commission, which handles complaints against state judges. In the past, controversies rose when the Alaska Supreme Court issued a stunning letter essentially declaring the Alaska judicial system racist.

Judicial conduct commission asks for conversation with supremes over ‘systemic racism’ confessional letter

According to minutes from the September meeting, only one complaint needed investigating after the meeting. The commission’s Executive Director Marla Greenstein reported a total of 65 complaints since the April meeting, 48 of which were given to judges, 3 to magistrates, 2 to fully retired judges, 5 to pro tem judges, 1 to a lawyer, 1 to a law clerk, 3 to court administrators, and 2 to judicial applicants.

“The issues generally surrounded disqualification and disclosure issues, pay affidavit questions, political donations by family members, charitable contributions, and writing reference letters,” the minutes say.

The commission generally deals with matters relating to judge misconduct, which has has a specific meaning under the Code of Judicial Conduct that governs the activities of judges both on and off the bench.

Judicial misconduct can be divided into several categories, including improper courtroom behavior, (including racist or sexist comments by a judge, sleeping or drunkenness on the bench. Judges can also be disciplined for administrative failures such as taking an excessive amount of time to make a decision); improper or illegal influence (could include bribes, loans, favors, or family, social, or political relationships to influence any judicial decision); impropriety off the bench (misappropriation or misuse of public employees, property or funds; improper speech or associations; interference with a pending or impending lawsuit; lewd or corrupt personal life; or use of the judicial position to extort or embezzle funds); and other improper activities.

The commission can also address mental deficiencies, addictions, and physical disabilities related to being able to do the job.

Public session typically addresses the commission’s budget, educational activities, advisory opinions, and general administrative issues. Public session does not address specific complaints against judges.

The meeting will be open to members of the public to attend via Zoom either telephonically or through the Zoom website or app. Upon calling in, the Zoom system will request you give your name before allowing you into the meeting. Your name will then be assigned to your phone number so that the Commission members will be aware of who has joined. The host will move you from the Waiting Room into the meeting once it has begun and all visitors will be on mute. In lieu of any technical difficulties, allow a few minutes lee-way to be admitted and for the meeting to start.

Closed Session addresses confidential complaints filed with the commission and is not open to the general public.

Any member of the public wishing to speak at the meeting had to have registered by Jan. 4.

Zoom Website Address: https://zoom.us/join or https://zoom.us/j/88311710155

Zoom Call-In Number: 1-971-247-1195

Participant ID: #

Zoom Meeting ID: 883 1171 0155

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