The Sunday Minefield – February 12, 2023
February 12, 2023
We are nearly a month into the legislative session, and things have been relatively quiet. Senator Dan Sullivan (R – Alaska) gave his annual…
All Articles
Dispatches from Juneau: We don’t need no education
Jacob Hersh February 10, 2023
In my experience, there’s two types of people who vocally concern themselves with education as a political issue. The first type are people (often…
Brad Keithley’s chart of the week: Fiscal baselines, take your pick
Brad Keithley February 10, 2023
One of the things we spend a lot of time studying are Alaska’s fiscal policy baselines. There are several. On the revenue side, the...
The finance freshman from Fairbanks: An interview with Rep. Will Stapp
Jacob Hersh February 8, 2023
“A wise man once told me that no one’s interested in politics until it’s interested in them,” Representative Will Stapp (R - Fairbanks) said...
Senate bill aims to radically change how oil and gas property taxes are calculated
Jeff Landfield February 7, 2023
Last week, the Senate Resources Committee introduced Senate Bill 50, "An Act relating to the assessment of property for the purposes of the oil...
Ask a Cat: Situationships, reconnecting, and nostalgia
Cat February 6, 2023
Ask a cat is new advice column featured in the Alaska Landmine. Have a question for the Cat? Email askacat@alaskalandmine.com or click here to submit...
From the Editors: Housing delayed is housing denied; approve the Holtan Hills development
Paxson Woelber and Jeff Landfield February 6, 2023
If there is one lesson that has emerged from the debate over the proposed Holtan Hills development in Girdwood, it is that the phrase...
The Sunday Minefield – February 5, 2023
Jeff Landfield February 5, 2023
We are nearly three weeks into the legislative session. Committees have been meeting to hear departmental overviews, the budget, and various bills. The House…
The Alaska Stalker – February 4, 2023
The Alaska Stalker February 4, 2023
Welcome to this edition of the Alaska Stalker, a lighthearted round up of the best and worst of Alaska’s social media landscape. If you...
Dispatches from Juneau: Baby got (gold)back
Jacob Hersh February 3, 2023
I ordered a Manhattan at the bar a few nights ago because spiritually, I’m 63 years old. They’re not great, but I feel a…
Brad Keithley’s chart of the week: How Alaska can control oil revenues
Brad Keithley February 3, 2023
One of the complaints we have heard often at the start of this legislative session is how state oil revenues are volatile and can’t...
Dispatches from Juneau: Anchorage vs. Alaska
Jacob Hersh February 1, 2023
On Monday I watched the Senate Resources Committee talk about natural gas. Apparently, there’s fucking loads of the stuff. I sort of knew this...
From the debate team to the Alaska House: An interview with Rep. Genevieve Mina
Jacob Hersh January 31, 2023
When you ask Representative Genevieve Mina (D - Anchorage) about her time spent on UAA’s Seawolf Debate, her eyes light up. The college’s world-renowned...
Ask a Cat: Heartbreak, life, and cats
Cat January 30, 2023
Ask a cat is new advice column featured in the Alaska Landmine. Have a question for the Cat? Email askacat@alaskalandmine.com or click…
The Sunday Minefield – January 29, 2023
Jeff Landfield January 29, 2023
We are almost two weeks into the legislative session. Everyone in Juneau is settling in to what is sure to be a weird session….
Dispatches from Juneau: The State Office Building and micro nuclear reactors
Jacob Hersh January 27, 2023
When I’m walking to the Capitol, I take a shortcut through the State Office Building, a large stained concrete monstrosity that’s dug into the...
Brad Keithley’s chart of the week: The goal isn’t new revenues, it’s new revenue design
Brad Keithley January 27, 2023
Some of what we bring to the discussion of fiscal policy has been learned over the years from dealing with utility rate cases. In...
Gene Peltola, husband of Rep. Mary Peltola, is trying to get a piece of Alaska’s emerging carbon market
Jeff Landfield January 25, 2023
Governor Mike Dunleavy (R - Alaska), who was re-elected in November, has made selling carbon credits as a means to raise new state revenue...
Dispatches from Juneau: The State of the State
Jacob Hersh January 24, 2023
I’ve been confused five or six times now for a legislative staffer, to whom I apparently bear a striking resemblance. It’s happened in various…
Truck Drivin’ Man: An interview with Senator Robb Myers
Jacob Hersh January 23, 2023
Sincerity and politics are stereotypically seen as mutually exclusive - the caricature of the lying lawmaker is well known in popular culture. There are,...