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Current Topics
Catch up quick on carbon removal tech. Axios
A new analysis finds Texas has the highest jobs potential in direct air capture over the next decade, with Louisiana, Iowa, Oklahoma and Nebraska rounding out the top 5.
New poll says Alaskans support 'large' education funding increase, child care bill, federal trawling ban. Alaska Public Media
“Nobody paid us for this poll. I think we just wanted to have this data out there so that legislators and the governor and the administration can make a good decision,” he said. Here’s the poll results: The Alaska Legislature's Priorities Are Popular (dataforprogress.org)
Dueling Oklahoma bills would stop the clock on time changes. The Center Square
A day after some Americans lost an hour of sleep due to time change, the Oklahoma Senate voted to adopt daylight savings time all year permanently while a bill in the House would stop the clock at standard time. Sen. Blake Stephens, R-Tahlequah, said Monday Senate Bill 1200 has the support of the American Farmers and Ranchers.
(My Comment: I don’t know anyone who likes the time change. About 10 years ago, when Alaska tried to stop making the change, businesses and the Chambers of Commerce adamantly wanted to keep the time change. We have a bill to stop this bad idea: SB 184.)
Trees are expanding north in Alaska's Arctic as a result of sea ice loss. Alaska Public Media
When sea ice retreats, large areas of open water are left in its place. Warm conditions speed up evaporation, leading to heavier snowfall on nearby land, said Patrick Sullivan, director of the Environment and Natural Resources Institute at the University of Alaska Anchorage. “You basically have this blanket of snow that covers up small seedlings and saplings, and protects them,” he said.
Dallas Seavey clinches 6th Iditarod championship, breaking record for most wins. ADN
His father said that some of Dallas’ strongest traits are his resilience and tactical approach. “He doesn’t get down, he doesn’t get feeling sorry for himself because that’s really toxic,” Mitch Seavey said. “Look at the best possible next move, regardless of whether things are good or bad or fair or unjust or — none of that matters. Life doesn’t care. Everybody’s going to get their ups and downs. So every moment, figure out: What’s the next best move?” He said Dallas’ accomplishment is “an outgrowth of the life that he’s lived and who he is and how he views things. So I’m proud of who he is.”
Economy
The easy way to stop Chinese EV imports from Mexico. Axios
The WSJ reported last month that China's BYD, the largest manufacturer of EVs in the world, is "scouting locations" in Mexico. Cars made in Mexico can easily be imported to the U.S. — including EVs being made there by GM, Ford, BMW and Audi.
Alaska House debuts new first-draft budget, but PFD and school funding are question marks. Alaska Beacon
The amount of this year’s Permanent Fund dividend and the amount of state funding for public schools remained undecided Tuesday as the Alaska House Finance Committee unveiled the first draft of its proposed state operating budget. “I would note that these committee substitutes represent a starting point,” said Rep. DeLena Johnson, R-Palmer and co-chair of the House Finance Committee, “and that we will have a more complete budget picture with the release of the spring revenue forecast.”
Education
Alaska school administrators warn of serious consequences without a substantial funding boost. ADN
Administrators from six Alaska school districts told state senators Tuesday about the serious fiscal challenges they are facing if a substantial school funding boost is not approved this year.
Senate Education Committee takes up governor's teacher incentive proposal. Alaska's News Source
Lawmakers took up the governor’s teacher incentive proposal on Wednesday during the Senate Education Committee meeting. At the meeting, educators told Senate lawmakers what would make a difference in recruiting and retaining teachers, citing a graph showing the state’s historical decline in attracting and keeping teachers.
New legislation does not have to pass by Thursday education bill veto deadline, Dunleavy spokesperson says. Alaska's News Source
If lawmakers show an “understanding” about Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s teacher bonus and charter school priorities moving forward, they would not have to pass new legislation by Dunleavy’s Thursday deadline to veto a bipartisan education bill, governor spokesperson Jeff Turner told Alaska’s News Source Monday. When asked if a commitment to advancing Dunleavy’s priorities meant the governor would not veto the bill, Turner said the governor’s office is still assessing the situation to see if there is a clear understanding from lawmakers.
(My Comment: This is an absurd guessing game. Its embarrassing.)
Many Alaska charter school principals oppose Dunleavy's plan for state approval option. Alaska Public Media
“That local control, I think, is really important,” McCanna said. “If that’s not the case, what I’m afraid is going to happen is we’re going to be diluting the quality of charter schools in Alaska.” Lisa Leeper, the principal at Anvil City Science Academy in Nome, has over two decades of experience in Alaska charter schools. She said that rural charter schools would also struggle without the foundational support of their local school district.
AK Leg Day 56: "I don't want to teach on the Titanic." The Alaska Memo
“You could double my pay on the Titanic, and it wouldn’t help a lot. I don’t want to teach on the Titanic.”
Politics
Ranked choice supporters ask judge for pre-election ruling on repeal group's misdeeds. Alaska Beacon
The Alaska Public Offices Commission ruled in January that a group of repeal supporters illegally sent campaign money through an organization registered as a church in Washington state. APOC commissioners fined the group more than $94,000 and ordered they make regular public disclosures.
Lawmakers concerned Dunleavy's PFD proposal could mean deficit spending. Alaska's News Source
Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s roughly $3,500 Permanent Fund Dividend proposal hit strong headwinds this week, as House and Senate members publicly expressed concern the large PFD amount could mean deficit spending.
Alaska Republicans help fuel Trump's juggernaut. This GOP consultant thinks they've lost their minds. Alaska Public Media
Art Hackney, co-chair of Nikki Haley’s Alaska campaign, eyes Donald Trump’s major wins on Super Tuesday and posits a theory to explain what’s come over Republicans in Alaska and beyond: “We live in a world where a substantial number of people have lost their minds.”
Oregon passes campaign finance reform that limits contributions to political candidates. AP News
Under the bill, starting in 2027, individuals and corporations can only give up to $3,300 to a statewide candidate per election cycle, while political party committees can give up to $30,000. So-called “membership organizations,” such as labor unions and nonprofit advocacy groups, can contribute a total of $26,400 to a statewide candidate per cycle.
Concerns raised about one-time PFD payout in House committee. Alaska's News Source
“I am sorry to say this is a poorly thought out bill that needs to be sent back to the drawing board and does not need to waste any more of this committee’s time,” Deltana resident James Squyres said during a House Resources Committee meeting. Squyres said he is concerned the proposal could quickly diminish the PFD if more people than anticipated opted for the one-time payout. “If it turns out to be a run on the bank, so to speak, the ability of the Permanent Fund to produce income on the remaining funds to pay dividends to other Alaskans is diminished,” he said.
Alaska newspaper publishers worry about bill ending some public notice requirements. Alaska Beacon
The Alaska Senate voted without dissent Monday to allow the Department of Natural Resources to stop publishing some public notices in local newspapers.
(My Comment: The bill makes both publication in local newspapers and state’s online sites. Some areas, without adequate broadband, will still rely on newspapers.)
Alaska psychology board's application is unconstitutional and discriminatory, lawsuit says. Alaska Beacon
Alaska’s state-run board overseeing psychologists breaks state and federal law when it requires applicants to disclose their medical histories and potentially make them part of the public record, according to a class action complaint filed in Anchorage Superior Court last week.
Healthcare
Monkey business is slow. Axios
Booming investment in vaccines prompted by COVID-19 sent non-human primate prices soaring to $26,000 per animal in 2022 and squeezed biotech companies that rely on the animals for safety tests.
Sen. Jesse Bjorkman: Leveling the health care playing field. Peninsula Clarion
The Committee is considering Senate Bill 121, which I co-sponsored, to lower the cost of prescription drugs and ensure Alaskans have access to the medications they need. I don’t support placing a lot of regulations on the private sector, but I do believe that Alaskans need to have protections in place when Lower 48 corporations have a chokehold on a business relationship. The Committee will continue to investigate the situation and consider the best course of action to ensure Alaska pharmacies have a level playing field when contracting with PBMs.
Trust your gut. Axios
70% of your immune system sits in your belly. You are what you eat. And a healthy gut keeps your body — and mind — from getting sick.
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