(Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Fixing legislative salaries and per diem

The state Senate was right to unanimously reject giving a 20% pay raise to Gov. Mike Dunleavy. Not because he’s failed to deliver a sustainable… Continue reading

  • Mar 3, 2023
  • By Rich Moniak
(Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Alaska First Lady Rose Dunleavy. (Photo courtesy of Office of the Governor)

Opinion: Volunteerism is a key pillar of Alaska history, future

I am happy to continue the First Lady’s Volunteer Awards

  • Feb 28, 2023
  • By Rose Dunleavy
Alaska First Lady Rose Dunleavy. (Photo courtesy of Office of the Governor)
Nikiski Middle/High School teacher Jesse Bjorkman delivers a commencement address at the school’s 2022 commencement ceremony on Monday, May 16, 2022 in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Time to invest in public schools

As newly elected legislators, we bring over 52 years of collective teaching experience to the political conversation about our public schools. We have each grappled… Continue reading

  • Feb 26, 2023
  • By JESSE BJORKMAN, MAXINE DIBERT and REBECCA HIMSCHOOT
Nikiski Middle/High School teacher Jesse Bjorkman delivers a commencement address at the school’s 2022 commencement ceremony on Monday, May 16, 2022 in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, an Alaska Republican, discusses oil and gas policy during an Armed Services Committee meeting at the U.S. Capitol in May. (Screenshot from official U.S. Senate video)

Working to realize Alaska’s enormous potential

On February 7, I addressed the Alaska Legislature — the most important speech I give all year. The country’s attention was understandably focused on President… Continue reading

  • Feb 21, 2023
  • Sen. Dan Sullivan
U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, an Alaska Republican, discusses oil and gas policy during an Armed Services Committee meeting at the U.S. Capitol in May. (Screenshot from official U.S. Senate video)
(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Lawmakers should meet school funding needs before determining PFD size

The vote will come down to which is more important for Alaska

  • Feb 9, 2023
  • By Larry Persily
(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
A “Vote Here” sign is seen at the City of Kenai building on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion file)

Voices of the Peninsula: Get out there and Vote!

The League of Women Voters on the Kenai and Kenai Peninsula Votes created this voter guide for the mayoral election

A “Vote Here” sign is seen at the City of Kenai building on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion file)
Taz Tally. (Photo by Christina Whiting/courtesy)

Point of View: I stand with drag queens

I changed my perspective when I saw my first drag queen show in Montreal in 1964

Taz Tally. (Photo by Christina Whiting/courtesy)
U.S. Senate candidate Kelly Tshibaka and former President Donald Trump stand on stage during a July 2022 rally in Anchorage. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Tshibaka’s insincere defense of democracy

There are a lot of possible explanations why fewer votes were cast last November

  • Jan 27, 2023
  • By Rich Moniak
U.S. Senate candidate Kelly Tshibaka and former President Donald Trump stand on stage during a July 2022 rally in Anchorage. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File)
Capitol

Opinion: Humanism and the billionaire class

Compromise is the right thing to do and they should do it.

  • Jan 25, 2023
  • By Jerry Smetzer
Capitol
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Opinion: The challenged truths of 3 elected representatives

“Politicians lying is nothing new.”

  • Jan 23, 2023
  • By Rich Moniak
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This photo shows the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: The wrong way to define demand

And as glaciers go, the Mendenhall is only a minor attraction.

  • Jan 16, 2023
  • By Rich Moniak
This photo shows the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Zachary Hamilton (Courtesy photo)

Borough mayoral candidate: ‘The best is yet to come’

Zachary Hamilton is running for Kenai Peninsula Borough mayor in the special election

  • Jan 13, 2023
  • By Zachary Hamilton
Zachary Hamilton (Courtesy photo)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy holds a press conference at the Capitol on Tuesday, April 9, 2019. (Juneau Empire file photo)

Opinion: Alaska must act now to capitalize on carbon markets

Alaska has vast forests and coastlines that can provide natural carbon management

  • Jan 12, 2023
  • By Gov. Mike Dunleavy
Gov. Mike Dunleavy holds a press conference at the Capitol on Tuesday, April 9, 2019. (Juneau Empire file photo)
Love, INC in Soldotna, Alaska, provides homelessness prevention and housing services to people on the Kenai Peninsula. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Opinion: COVID relief funds help homeless children in Alaska

We need to sustain this kind of investment.

  • Jan 12, 2023
  • By Leslie Rohr
Love, INC in Soldotna, Alaska, provides homelessness prevention and housing services to people on the Kenai Peninsula. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
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Opinion: MLK Day clinics offered in the ‘spirit of service and advocacy for equality and social justice’

Attorneys across the state will be spending their holiday as “A Day On, Not a Day Off”

  • Jan 11, 2023
  • By Becky Kruse
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The M/V Tustumena comes into Homer after spending the day in Seldovia in 2010. (Homer News File)

Opinion: New federal funding could aid Alaska Marine Highway System

The evidence is clear that the AMHS is in grave danger of failing and moving into Alaska’s history books

  • Jan 10, 2023
  • By Frank H. Murkowski
The M/V Tustumena comes into Homer after spending the day in Seldovia in 2010. (Homer News File)
(Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: I’ve seen the union difference

As a community we can show solidarity…

  • Jan 9, 2023
  • By Miguel Rohrbacher
(Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File)
(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Sullivan’s irrelevance in defense of democracy

Two years ago this week, supporters of then-President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol…

  • Jan 7, 2023
  • By Rich Moniak
(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
People vote in polling booths at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Voices of the Peninsula: What’s on your 2023 schedule so far?

There is a Kenai Peninsula Borough Special Mayoral Election coming up in February

  • Jan 3, 2023
  • By Therese Lewandowski
People vote in polling booths at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna City Council member Dave Carey testifies in support of the Kenai Peninsula Reentry Coalition during a meeting of the Kenai City Council on Wednesday, March 16, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Voices of the Peninsula: Vote Carey for borough mayor

I know the responsibilities and obligations of being borough mayor

  • Jan 2, 2023
  • By David Carey
Soldotna City Council member Dave Carey testifies in support of the Kenai Peninsula Reentry Coalition during a meeting of the Kenai City Council on Wednesday, March 16, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)