The Sunday Minefield – December 11, 2022

Spherical two of the massive snow dump continues to fall in a lot of Southcentral, and simply as many of the roads have been lastly plowed. Governor Mike Dunleavy (R – Alaska) and Lieutenant Governor Nancy Dahlstrom (R – Alaska) have been sworn in on Monday on the Alaska Airways Middle in Anchorage. Two recounts in shut legislative races didn’t change the end result whereas two Home races stay in litigation. And Governor Dunleavy’s proposed working and capital budgets are due by Thursday.

A pleasant message and reminder to all our readers. The Landmine is made potential on my own and a group of superior Alaskans. We labored onerous on all of our election protection. I can be headed again to Juneau once more in January to report on the session. When you benefit from the content material we offer, please take into account making a one time or recurring month-to-month donation. You may click on right here to donate. We’ve a donation system that makes it tremendous straightforward. We might actually recognize it. And due to everybody who has been supportive.

Snowpocalypse 

Anchorage and far of Southcentral was hit by a serious storm on Tuesday night time. It was a lot snow that the Anchorage Faculty District closed faculties for not one however three days. I can’t bear in mind a time faculties have been closed for 3 days due to snow. And with the brand new storm that began at the moment it appears like faculties may be cancelled once more tomorrow. Whereas the primary roads (state maintained roads) have been all plowed in a well timed method, many smaller roads remained unplowed or solely partially plowed. Take a look at this livestream I did from Downtown Anchorage on Friday. I’ve lived in Anchorage since 2004. Whereas this was a extremely huge storm we’ve had main storms earlier than. We do dwell in a subarctic local weather in any case.

Plowing has lengthy been complained about in Anchorage. You may see a historical past of individuals complaining within the beneath tweet thread by Matt Tunseth. However between an absence of CDL drivers and poor planning by the Anchorage Municipality, that is now a serious downside. Individuals anticipate the federal government to do fundamental capabilities like public security, training, and plowing the rattling roads. I’ve been on my condominium board for a few years. We’ve 116 models and a personal street that goes via a part of our neighborhood. We contract with a terrific firm for all of our plowing. Shout out to the A-Workforce! Irrespective of how a lot it snows they at all times get it taken care of in a well timed method. Additionally they plow a metropolis street that cuts via our neighborhood as a result of snow from driveways will get piled in that street. That is usually finished days earlier than metropolis plows get to that street. Check out non-public parking tons, companies, and personal roads. They virtually all get plowed in a well timed and environment friendly method. If the town can’t adequately carry out this fundamental service possibly it’s time they begin contracting it out to individuals who can.

Different Happenings

Governor Mike Dunleavy and Lieutenant Governor Nancy Dahlstrom have been sworn in on Monday on the Alaska Airways Middle in Anchorage. Dunleavy is the primary governor re-elected since Democrat Tony Knowles in 1998. Dahlstrom is the primary elected feminine lieutenant governor since Democrat Fran Ulmer in 1994 (Val Davidson briefly served as lieutenant governor after Byron Mallott resigned in 2018 however she was not elected). Ulmer was re-elected with Tony Knowles in 1998.

Dunleavy’s proposed working and capital budgets are due by Thursday. When he was first elected in 2018 he solely had weeks to introduce the finances, so former Governor Invoice Walker’s finances was largely used a placeholder finances till Dunleavy’s amended finances got here out in February. This time the finances will extra precisely mirror what he plans to do subsequent yr as there’s not a serious employees turnover there could be with a brand new governor. If you want to see an entire breakdown of Dunleavy’s proposed working and capital budgets, take into account subscribing to the Alaska Political Report.

Recounts in Cathy Giessel’s Senate race and Consultant Tom McKay’s (R – Anchorage) Home race came about this week in Juneau. Each races have been inside the margin for the state to pay for the recounts. Giessel and McKay each stay winners after the recounts.

A choose dominated that Senator Lora Reinbold (R – Eagle River) violated the First Modification when she blocked a constituent from her official Fb web page – one thing she has change into well-known for doing. Reinbold is on her manner out of the Legislature however this order will ship a message to legislators who suppose it’s okay to dam constituents or individuals on social media who disagree with them. You may learn the total order right here.

A choose dominated that the trial will go ahead within the case in opposition to Consultant David Eastman (R – Wasilla) that alleges his membership within the Oath Keepers bars him from serving within the Legislature. They will’t beat him on the polls so they’re attempting the courts. I can’t think about he can be dominated ineligible due to that little factor known as the First Modification however the repair could also be in.

The Home remains to be removed from forming a majority. The Eastman race is in query due to the trial and Consultant-elect Jennie Armstrong is dealing with a residency problem. It’s trying very doubtless that for the third time in a row the Home gained’t be organized by the beginning of the session following an election.

Alaska North Slope Crude closed at beneath $74 a barrel on Friday. If these costs maintain the state can be in bother for this fiscal yr, which balances round $90 a barrel. The fiscal yr began on July 1 and excessive costs means the typical remains to be manner above present costs. However there there’s nonetheless greater than six months left within the fiscal yr. If costs keep this low it’s going to be one thing else watching how the brand new legislature tries to cope with the finances and dividend.

Moira Gallagher, who was just lately engaged on the Walker/Drygas marketing campaign, began a brand new job at McKinley Capital Administration. Congrats, Moira!

This Week’s Free Unit 

This week’s designee grew to become obviously apparent throughout Tuesday’s Anchorage Meeting assembly. This week’s Free Unit it the Girdwood Board of Supervisors and all of the Girdwood NIMBY sorts against the proposed Holtan Hills housing growth in Girdwood. Some fast background. There’s a serious housing downside in Girdwood so the town, via the Heritage Land Financial institution, put out a bid in April 2021 to make use of a few of their land for housing in Girdwood. Solely two builders responded. Connie Yoshimura gained and the method began. The Girdwood Board of Supervisors and Girdwood NIMBYs flipped out on the prospect of somebody constructing one thing they don’t have management over. The Anchorage Meeting has to approve the proposal for the mission to maneuver ahead.

The merchandise was on the agenda throughout Tuesday’s Meeting assembly. A ton of individuals from Girdwood have been in attendance, many holding “Halt Holtan Hills” indicators. One after one other went up and spoke in opposition to the event for numerous causes. One lady stated she has seven rental properties. One other man who lives in Anchorage however has a second house in Girdwood stated he “stands in solidarity” with the individuals of Girdwood. The hypocrisy of the “I obtained mine” crowd was laughable and really unfastened. A number of Meeting members requested these against the event what they felt the suitable housing density is. Nobody may reply. Very unfastened.

The Girdwood Board of Supervisors and the Girdwood NIMBYs wish to flip Girdwood into a large HOA the place they’ve closing say in each side of housing. However only a few new houses have been inbuilt Girdwood within the final 20 years. One factor they have been complaining about is the beginning worth of roughly $500,000 for a house. The common worth of house in Anchorage is just barely beneath that. Girdwood is a excessive demand space. What do they anticipate houses to value? The reply to housing is extra housing. Think about if the Meeting proposed dense, sponsored condominium buildings in Girdwood? These individuals could be in opposition to that too. The entire thing is tremendous unfastened. There’s a particular assembly on Tuesday night time for extra public testimony. When you just like the odor of weed and BO, come on by.

When you’ve got a nomination for this week’s Free Unit, or you probably have any political information, tales or gossip (or any outdated pics of politicians or public officers) please e-mail me at jeff@alaskalandmine.com.