HB77 isn’t in the public’s interest

In a Clarion article dated March 13th, I was misquoted and I wish to clarify what actually was said in relation to what was reported.

The article erroneously states that I said Senator Micciche disparaged me when I spoke to him of my concerns with HB77.

That isn’t at all what I actually stated. Besides, I’m fairly thick skinned, I doubt I’d mention it publicly were I the only one being disparaged.

When I spoke of the Senator’s attempt to disparage others, I was speaking of his going to the press in order to preemptively mischaracterize as ‘extremists,’ anyone who may dare object to the alleged compromise language in HB77.

In subsequent testimony given to the Senate Resource Committee, counting the various organization members, native group members and individuals, literally thousands of Alaskans registered their objections to the so-called ‘compromise language’ in HB77. Were all those everyday Alaskans extremists?

Not by any stretch of the imagination.

By attempting to label a vast multitude of everyday Alaskans as extremists, even before those Alaskans had a chance to articulate their objections, the Senator committed an unpardonable lapse of public trust.

What I did say about my own conversation with the Senator was that when I spoke to Senator Micciche about my concerns with the bill not serving the best interests of the public, Senator Micciche replied that he has ‘another side’ he felt he has to represent.

I, for one, have a problem with defining what ‘other side’ he’s supposed to represent besides the best interests of the public, but that can perhaps be answered by looking to his voting record and seeing whose interests are being served by his actions.

Senate Bill 21 comes immediately to mind, a bill which provided, without any strings attached, billions of dollars to the oil corporations. Including the oil corporation which employs the Senator.

In that case, the Senator started out saying he had problems with that bill, but in the end, despite vast numbers of Alaskans objections, he voted for it.

In the case of HB77, the Senator again started out saying he has concerns with the bill, I expect in the end, he’ll be voting for it too, despite vast numbers of the Alaskan public objecting to it. Some ‘other side’ must be appeased, no?

 

More in Opinion

Larry Persily. (Juneau Empire file photo)
Point of View: Some state lawmakers need to embrace reality, not PFD political theater

State revenues minus public services do not leave enough in the checkbook to pay an oversized dividend

Rep. Ben Carpenter, R-Nikiski, speaks about teacher bonuses during consideration a bill increasing state funds for public education in the Alaska House of Representatives on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, in Juneau, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Rep. Ben Carpenter: Holding up a mirror to state government

Capitol Corner: Legislators report back from Juneau

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, speaks in opposition to an executive order that would abolish the Board of Certified Direct-Entry Midwives during a joint legislative session on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, in Juneau, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Sen. Jesse Bjorkman: Ensuring food security for Alaska

Capitol Corner: Legislators report back from Juneau

Rep. Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna, speaks in support of a bill increasing state funds for public education in the Alaska House of Representatives on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, in Juneau, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Rep. Justin Ruffridge: Executive orders and spring forecast

Capitol Corner: Legislators report back from Juneau

Sarah Vance (Photo provided)
Opinion: Strengthening Alaska Grand Juries

Upholding constitutional intent for transparency and accountability

Rep. Ben Carpenter, R-Nikiski, speaks Thursday, April 27, 2023, at a news conference in Juneau. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Rep. Ben Carpenter: Why reform for the grand jury matters

Capitol Corner: Legislators report back from Juneau

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, listens to testimony during a Senate Community and Regional Affairs Committee hearing on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, in Juneau, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Sen. Jesse Bjorkman: Leveling the health care playing field

Capitol Corner: Legislators report back from Juneau

Rep. Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna, speaks Monday, May 8, 2023, on the floor of the Alaska House. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Rep. Justin Ruffridge: Another big week for education

Capitol Corner: Legislators report back from Juneau

Rep. Ben Carpenter, R-Nikiski, speaks about teacher bonuses during consideration a bill increasing state funds for public education in the Alaska House of Representatives on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, in Juneau, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Rep. Ben Carpenter: Supporting better outcomes in education

Capitol Corner: Legislators report back from Juneau

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, listens to testimony during a Senate Community and Regional Affairs Committee hearing on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, in Juneau, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Sen. Jesse Bjorkman: Managing Cook Inlet basin for the benefit of all

Capitol Corner: Legislators report back from Juneau

Rep. Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna, speaks Monday, May 8, 2023, on the floor of the Alaska House. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Rep. Justin Ruffridge: Time is growing short

Capitol Corner: Legislators report back from Juneau

The Alaska State Capitol. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
Opinion: Millions needed for Alaska’s child care sector

Without public investment, Alaska will continue to witness an inadequate and diminishing supply of child care services