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Current Topics
Military
spending bill includes free flights for Alaska soldiers and a push to
reopen Adak. Alaska Beacon
The new military spending law
requires reports every 90 days on how that money is being spent and
“an assessment of the feasibility of any viable infrastructure
options in the Arctic region.”
Things That I Found Interesting
Don't
be a "slopper". Axios
There's not much scientific
evidence proving AI is making us lazy or stupid. But
there is evidence that humans are wired to take shortcuts
when given the opportunity. "We do what we can to avoid
using the most calorically expensive part of our body, which is the
brain," engineer, investor and tech founder Paul Kedroski.
Classic
Christmas ads. Axios
This season marks 35 years
since the iconic whistled tune and serene beach in the Corona O'Tannenpalm made its 1990 debut.From 1992, Santa rides a
Norelco rotary shaver ("hugs every contour, every curve").
Dare ya not to cry: 2020
Christmas ad from DocMorris, a Swiss-based online pharmacist.
Stunning reveal at end!
(My comment: The last ad,
by the pharmacist, is the very best. Watch it until the end.)
Arctic
Murkowski
celebrates codification of Arctic Ambassador position. Murkowski Senate Page
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski
(R-AK) welcomed the codification of the Ambassador-at-Large for
Arctic Affairs position within the U.S. State Department through the
National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Senator Murkowski has long
pushed to elevate U.S. Arctic diplomacy, leading
to the State Department’s establishment of the position in 2022.
China,
Russia pulling ahead of NATO in Arctic drone capabilities: report. CBC
A new study by the Center
for European Policy Analysis suggests Russia and China are pulling
ahead of NATO nations, including Canada, in the race to develop and
field drones capable of operating in harsh Arctic conditions.
Economy
Rough
year for the dollar could continue in 2026. Axios
The U.S. dollar, the
dominant currency in global trade, has had a rough year, falling in
value against other major currencies amid continued uncertainty over
tariff policy and falling interest rates in the U.S.
Energy Resources
Dunleavy
administration may divert federal oil revenue from North Slope. Alaska Beacon
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s
administration is proposing to divert money from a program intended
to compensate North Slope communities for the side effects of oil and
gas drilling on federal land near them. “Definitely a big deal,”
said Alexei Painter, director of the Legislative Finance Division,
which analyzes the budget on behalf of legislators.
INTERVIEW:
Tokyo Gas mulls participation in US Gulf Coast LNG project. S&P Global
"The LNG project in
Alaska is geographically advantageous for Japan, as Alaska is
relatively close and does not require passing through so-called
'choke points' that pose risks. In that sense, I believe it is well
located geographically," Sasayama said. "However, at this
stage, the price and terms remain completely unclear, so it is
difficult to say either yes or no," he said.
My Comment: Reality – Nobody
actually signs up to buy something for which the price is unknown. At
this point, the gas pipeline is all hype. The price estimate needs to
be at the Class V level for buyers to seriously consider buying it.
Is
the Alaska gasoline a pipe dream? Skeptics flag concerns. Alaska Public Media
Glenfarne could make a lot
of money even if a mile of pipe is never laid. The company now owns
permits, engineering work and other assets that give it leverage in
future deals within the state or in qualifying for federal support.
Elections
A
Kodiak couple faces possible deportation due to a voter registration
error by the state. Alaska Beacon
“The creepy thing is that the
registration form says you’re not allowed to use an electronic
signature on it, but the state’s been doing that anyway. … We have a
copy of their voter registration form, and the state created that on
their own, without the immigrants’ knowledge, and submitted it and
checked off that they were US citizens. Some employee of the state is
really doing bad things, basically,” Stock said.
Alaska
joins states providing voter data to Trump's DOJ. Juneau Independent
Dahlstrom, in a prepared
statement, said she is aligned with Trump’s stated goals.
“Alaska is committed to the integrity of our elections
and to complying with applicable law,” said Lt. Governor Nancy
Dahlstrom. “Upon receiving the DOJ’s request, the Division of
Elections, in consultation with the Department of Law, provided the
voter registration list in accordance with federal requirements and
state authority, while ensuring appropriate safeguards for sensitive
information.”
Politics
State
opts to give Anchorage $19M less than expected for road safety next
year. ADN
Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s
administration on Wednesday revealed a Highway Safety Improvement
Program plan omitting nearly $19 million that city officials expected
to use to address some of Anchorage’s dangerous roadways.
(My comment: To state the
obvious…the State needs to replace lost oil revenue (dropping price
of oil). That means taxes; Alaskans have to pay for the amenities
they enjoy. The “free stuff” has run out. IDEA: increase motor fuel
tax which is right now lowest in the US). Put the tax into a
Transportation Fund, channeled to roads.)
Opinion:
In Anchorage, there is no free lunch. ADN
The mayor of Anchorage,
Suzanne LaFrance, has taken a stand that is refreshing to see from a
politician — she has actually come right out and said that there is
no free lunch anymore.
In her comments to the Assembly and the public last week,
she said that the city can no longer provide acceptable levels of
service without investment. She actually stated that we cannot
address outmigration, housing, child care or economic growth without
spending money to address those issues. How refreshing — a politician
who dares to tell the truth fearlessly.
(My comment: In Alaska,
leaders are usually punished for telling the truth! That’s why its so
rare! Its more rewarding (on many levels) to lie, tell Alaskans they
will get huge checked from government (dividends), that the good
times are just around the corner and they’re free! We’ve reached the
point that people are looking behind the curtain and seeing that the
wizard is a fraud. Bravo to Mayor LaFrance for her leadership!)
Opinion:
Governor’s final budget kicks the can yet again. ADN
Opinion:
You get what you pay for — and Alaska is paying too little. ADN
It is clear, even to the
stingiest among us, that Anchorage and Alaska need more income. Our
severely underfunded public schools, decreasing population — called
“outmigration” these days — underfunded police force, deteriorating
streets and highways, underfunded city and state park budgets, and on
and on, are not going to fix themselves. We have to pay for it.
(My comment: The only people
who don’t understand are so-called conservative Republicans who want
to depend on the government for everything. They oppose all taxes
(except the ones on other people), oppose protecting the Permanent
Fund spending by keeping the earnings open to spending for big
dividends for themselves, and want to eliminate any legislator who
bases decisions on facts.)
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