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The Two Heads of Alaskan Politics...
In one instance, the majority of Alaskans were elated with the national election results Tuesday night considering that Alaskan politics continues to remain right of center.
The election of Donald Trump and republican control of a national Senate and House ensures an efficient agenda pointed at expanding energy projects here in Alaska.
Now, we must object to Lisa Murkowski's sellout with ANWR demanding that we receive 90% of the revenue guaranteed to us in the Statehood compact and illegally negotiated without consent of Alaskans. The State Constitution and Statehood Compact is owned by the citizens, not Senator Murkowski.
Added to this remarkable news is the possibility that Nick Begich is posed to unseat Representative Mary Peltola as our lone representative.
In the other instance, Alaskans continue to flounder with state politics, electing unchallenged Democrats and Republicans who prefer to join and caucus with a Democrat controlled House and Senate to receive personal benefit with committee assignments.
In the State Senate, there was a slight improvement rejecting Senator David Wilson and replacing him with Robert Yundt who is considered substantially more conservative and not likely to join a Democrat controlled caucus.
Also, Mike Cronk will add value to the conservative Republican coalition.
Unfortunately, the voters of Eagle River sent Kelly Merrick back for another term. She has a legislative record both in the House and Senate of aligning with a Democrat caucus as long as she is rewarded with prominent committee assignments.
Additionally, voters in the Kenai rejected the campaign of Ben Carpenter over the incumbent Jesse Bjorkman who is bought and paid for by the NEA union and chose to caucus with a Democrat controlled senate.
Given these results, all eyes will be on the Senate caucus regarding which direction the majority forms.
If the Republicans led by Senator Cathy Giessel return to a bi-partisan Democrat controlled senate, it will likely be that both Robert Yundt and Mike Cronk will join forces with Senator Shelley Hughes, Senator Mike Shower and Senator Rob Myers which will give them minority status and ensure they have limited committee assignments and a minority leader slot.
The House is a trainwreck for Conservative Republicans....
Given the current status, it appears the House will flip to Democrat control which most likely means that Bryce Edgmon will return as Speaker of the House.
Word in the street has it that returning Chuck Kopp and Louise Stutes have already announced that they will join a caucus which will ensure Democrat majority control. They will both receive prestigious positions within the caucus such as Rules Chair and Whip.
The dust has not settled and they have already publicly produced a list of their legislative priorities.
Allow me to post their positions and give rebuttal...
1. Balanced budgets using the POMV spending cap.
Translation: Loss of the PFD
2. State public education increased funding to reduce class sizes and improve outcomes.
Translation: Alaska currently is 3rd in spending and last in education outcomes. Many schools in Alaska are currently losing population which equates to smaller classroom size.
3. Defined Benefits:
This is Chuck Kopp's baby and the reason why he received substantial support from the Police and Firemans unions.
Alaska was once on defined benefits which produced billions in liability.
Translation: Take the PFD away and give the resources to a special interest group.
4. Energy development to drive investment, create jobs and lower costs.
Translation: Democrat defined energy development like windmills, solar, and ESG requirements.
Additional interests...
Last year the Democrat minority was adamantly opposed from barring men from women's bathrooms and the idea of men competing in women's sports. This will be an agenda item they will promote.
As for education, Democrats consider Charter Schools and parental choice in education as a tool which undermines the Public Education monopoly. They prefer that your child is forced to attend failing classrooms. For them, it has never been about education outcomes but control!
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