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 Department of Revenue (DOR) regularly publishes two long term (10-year) revenue forecasts every year (Spring and Fall). As a regular…… Read More

“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 during an interview in his office. Stapp, an insurance agent from Fairbanks serving his first term in the House, is one of the 17…… Read More

Last week, the Senate Resources Committee introduced Senate Bill 50, “An Act relating to the assessment of property for the purposes of the oil and gas exploration, production, and pipeline transportation property tax; and providing for an…… Read More

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 via a form (anonymous) to get the answers to any of life’s problems. Dear Cat, What do I get my situationship-not-quite-boyfriend-but-almost… Read More

If there is one lesson that has emerged from the debate over the proposed Holtan Hills development in Girdwood, it is that the phrase “I’m not a NIMBY, but…”… Read More

We are nearly three weeks into the legislative session. Committees have been meeting to hear departmental overviews, the budget, and various bills. The House minority gained a member, Representative Louise Stutes (R – Kodiak), taking the group to 16 members. … Read More

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 enjoy the Alaska Stalker, please consider supporting working moms like me by sending in…… Read More

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 certain kinship with the concoction. My mom tells stories of learning to drive with her dad … Read More

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 be controlled. That’s false. State government oil revenues can be controlled and made predictable for budget purposes. It’s just that we’ve…… Read More

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 intrinsically, through cultural osmosis, having lived in Alaska my whole life, but having the Natural Resources Commissioner-Designee John Boyle…… Read More