Sen. Mark Begich left Anchorage finances in ruins
By Dan Fagan
Publisher
The Alaska Standard
We are now beginning to learn just how devastating former Mayor Mark Begich’s sweetheart union contracts will affect city services and taxpayers in the coming years. Remember the city attorney found Begich broke the city charter when he deceived the Anchorage Assembly and the public about city finances so he could push through union contracts before leaving office.
Two of the contracts still had a year left on them but Begich knew union bosses would not be able to sit on both sides of the negotiating table once Dan Sullivan took office. Now Mayor Sullivan is facing a $25 million deficit unless he dramatically raises taxes on homeowners.
It's time for Christian leaders to speak out
By Dave Bronson
Alaska Standard Contributor
Many Christian leaders and laymen today contend that Christians simply should not be involved in government or the political process. Some argue it beneath them to sully the name of Christ and his Kingdom with the business of governing ourselves. Others, that the Bible somehow prohibits true Christians from doing so... a biblical "wall of separation" of sorts. Still others will argue, "What's the use in trying to improve our government when, 'The End is Near' ."
In short, these three positions encompass the body of debate for simply doing nothing to improve the single most influential; God ordained institution in our society... government.
The Palin, Parnell tax plan continues to cost Alaska jobs
By The Alliance
Oil and gas employment in Alaska has tumbled to its lowest level since late 2007 after a year when 1,500 jobs were lost and unemployment claims in the support sector more than doubled. Data compiled by the Alaska Department of Labor & Workforce Development’s Research & Analysis Section show that since a modest rebound during the first quarter of 2010, oil and gas employment fell again in the second quarter and by mid-year stood at its lowest level in 30 months.
In all, 1,700 oil and gas jobs have been lost since employment peaked at 13,700 in December 2008. Preliminary data had oil and gas employment at 12,000 in June this year – down 200 from May and 700 from February.
Meanwhile, unemployment claims in the oil and gas support sector have skyrocketed as well, according to the Department of Labor, with 2,345 unemployment insurance claimants in 2009 compared to 1,162 in 2008. Read more
Will Bill Walker run?
By Mike Dingman
Alaska Standard Contributor
The evening started off peculiarly. As we stood around the party we all continually checked our various smart phones to see if any results had been posted. Then, like a thud it hit. Everybody stood in different circles talking to each other as we huddled around someone’s phone saying “Is that right?, what race is that?, how did THAT happen?”. WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED?
It was an odd feeling as we all made our way down to election central. How Bill Walker pulled off 35% of the vote in a Republican Primary while Ralph Samuels, the only conservative in the race, was sitting between 13-14%. However, it happened, it happened. In a night when conservatives came out to vote and gave Joe Miller a three percent lead over Lisa Murowski and Mead Treadwell prevailed over Jay Ramras, Parnell had won the Republican Primary for Governor; Bill Walker finished an impressive second and the only conservative – Ralph Samuels – sat in a distant third place.
Alaska Insiders Point Fingers at Murkowski Aides
By Kyle Trygstad
Roll Call
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) trails primary challenger Joe Miller as the state awaits final results, but already some Republicans on the ground are talking about what went wrong for Murkowski.
Though Murkowski’s political fate is not yet certain, Miller leads by fewer than 2,000 votes with 98 percent of precincts reporting. As many as 16,000 absentee ballots must be tabulated over the next two weeks.
One GOP source, who requested anonymity, said some are pointing fingers at Murkowski’s team of advisers who told her not to go negative until late in the campaign.
Oil & gas jobs hit 30-month low, unemployment claims double.
Originally Produced By "The Alliance"
Data compiled by the Alaska Department of Labor & Workforce Development’s Research & Analysis Section show that since a modest rebound during the first quarter of 2010, oil and gas employment fell again in the second quarter and by mid-year stood at its lowest level in 30 months.
In all, 1,700 oil and gas jobs have been lost since employment peaked at 13,700 in December 2008. Preliminary data had oil and gas employment at 12,000 in June this year – down 200 from May and 700 from February.
Why Lisa lost
By Dan Fagan
Publisher
The Alaska Standard
The history made on election day in Alaska could be the beginning of a revolution resulting in the salvation of this great country.
Barack Obama, Mark Begich, and other leftists running our country have done their cause a genuine disservice. They gave Americans a close up and very real look at what they are all about with bailouts, Obama care and Cap and Trade. Their policies have awoken this nation and freedom-loving patriots will have no part of any candidate who is less than committed to reversing the assault from within.
Why did Lisa Murkowski with her millions lose to a complete unknown? She flirted too much with the left. Her 300 plus floor votes in the Senate against Republicans and with Democrats was just too much for conservative Alaskans to swallow. Her co-sponsoring Cap and Trade, her support for taxpayer funded abortions and her promoting government run health care during a town hall meeting reveled she is anything but a constitutional conservative.
