Monthly Archives: January 2013

Legislative Committees took more time this past week for their “overview” hearings.  As long as members are attending those meetings are more than the time-killers they might appear to be.   It’s encouraging to see people willing to take the time to actually learn in detail about subjects they have never previously studied – or even given a damn about.  They might leave with some base level on which to decide about future laws and budgets.

There are many more overviews this week, although some committees are getting down to their assignments.  Continue reading →

Governor Parnell has sent a very clear message that he will not debate Anchorage Senator Bill Wielechowski over his oil tax proposal.  He offered his staff to debate the tax in the committees and hallways of the capitol.

I respectfully remind the governor that Alaskans elected him, not his subordinates.  Alaskans deserve to hear from him, not his subordinates. Continue reading →

Some things  you can’t top.  This, from Willie Nelson is one.

I am through thinking about the subject … once this message gets delivered.

The state will likely have to withdraw some money from its savings accounts just to pay for everything that was included in last year’s budget.  And it could take a bigger withdrawal to cover next year’s needs. Continue reading →

This all started with this Tweet:

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bob valeu @bobvaleu

We the citizens of North Dakota must say “NO” to tax breaks or increased incentives to oil companies until… Continue reading →

The Alaska legislature got off to a running start this past week that was worthy of comparison to O.J. Simpson.  To me, Simpson was the greatest running back in college or professional football history.  It’s a shame he’s gotten old in prison.  Continue reading →

Three House bills show Alaska is concerned about the national gun control issue.  Those measures show that Alaskans want to keep their weapons ready and warm. Continue reading →

Odds and Ends:  Legislative Reception, Governor’s State of the State, Flu Outbreak, Oil Taxes Continue reading →

When the governor proposed linking teacher evaluations to student performance tests,  he left a lot of details unfinished.  Education Commissioner Mike Hanley says that forty other states had such requirements in place when Alaska’s administrators put the rules on paper.

When it formally  changed the regulations concerning evaluations, the Board of Education didn’t deal with the details that the entire education system will have to work with.

There are problems with a set of regulations saying that, eventually,  student scores on standard tests will make up fifty percent of teacher evaluations.  Continue reading →

This has been the best Week-Before-They-Convene that I can remember.  A whole bunch of bills proposing strange things from stranger national interest groups,  people in one district calling for the recall of a member already,  and committees set to come out throwing punches at the governor.  I really question whether that children’s choir should be here to sing the flag song on the opening day.  It could risky. Continue reading →