Moving Alaska Forward
ANCHORAGE – Today, several lawmakers who represent coastal communities urged the Dunleavy Administration to fulfill the Alaska Department of Transportation’s mission statement to “Keep Alaska moving through service and infrastructure” by promptly getting two essential Alaska Marine Highway System vessels back into operation.
Things have picked up in the public and among the press regarding the BP sale to Hilcorp. As Co- Chair of Resources Committee I have been studying this closely over the last couple of months since the announcement was made public on August 27th. Initially, I think some Alaskans, if they were around in 1990 for the BP-ARCO merger had an expectation of a robust public process. However, as I learned, that public process was in part because the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) identified anti-competitiveness issues that prompted what’s called a consent agreement and that process requires public…
I hope this Update finds you doing well. I am amazed how quickly time goes by. With Thanksgiving coming up, the holiday season is upon us. I am currently attending a Women in Government Conference in our nations capitol for first time women lawmakers. I am very proud to be serving as one of 23 female Alaska Law Makers.
Traffic is a near-universal subject of conversation, and Anchorage is no exception. Over the decades, our city and state have contemplated and built numerous roads, bridges, roundabouts, and more, with the goal of increasing connectivity and access within the Anchorage bowl.
As our daily sunlight dwindles away, so do hopes for a third special session focused on the Permanent Fund and PFDs. Until recently, I thought a compromise was possible that would allow lawmakers to go back to work to find long-term solutions about how to best use the earnings of the $64 billion Alaska Permanent Fund. However, with no easy path forward and an apparent unwillingness by many to reengage on the issue, another special session this year seems very unlikely.
