What happens when your seaplanes get cancelled because of weather? In Alaska, you improvise. Grateful to the Alaska Marine Highway System for hosting our meetings with
@SecretaryPete
while we tour the Southeast.
A🧵about
@MustReadAlaska
, Suzanne Downing (
@Downing907
), and accountability.
I know MRAK regularly allows commentary and dog-whistles containing misinfo, racism (esp against AK Natives), homophobia, survivor blaming, and the like
But today the topic is
#Antisemitism
#akleg
1/16
Reason
#1
,000,001 that Alaska is literally the best.
Portugal. The Man is playing an end of day concert at my daughter’s school today!
🎶 ✊ 💙💛
cc-
@selenarosemary
Thank you!
@portugaltheman
This is an incredibly important decision that will govern the redistricting process & protect Alaskans for generations.
Very proud that Nicole Borromeo &
@MelanieBahnke
showed the courage to publicly stand up in the face of immense pressure to make this outcome possible.
#akleg
In a landmark decision, the Alaska Supreme Court ruled Friday that partisan gerrymandering is unconstitutional under the Alaska Constitution’s equal protection doctrine.
Buffalo, NY is identical in size to Anchorage.
By planning & coordinating resources Buffalo cleared a larger snowfall much quicker.
The
@mayor_bronson
Admin has failed at a basic function of Muni govt, causing huge costs to economy/education
Competence > Ideology
#AncGov
In politics it’s takes a lot to shock me. When the people who want to repeal Ballot Measure 2 formed a fake church to run campaign 💰 through, THAT shocked me.
But this… this just disgusts me. Regardless of politics, there’s no excuse to treat another human this way👇
#akleg
If a candidate:
—is obsessed with conspiracy theories;
—has zero leadership skills; &
—doesn’t respect women…
…then he can’t be mayor of
#Anchorage
@Tuck4Alaska
fails this test. Badly. We can do so much better, and I hope we do.
#akleg
#ancgov
🚨 Important 🚨
Commentary from a former AK Attorney General showing that
@GovDunleavy
is attempting to misappropriate a *half a million dollars* in *public funds* to pay off his personal debt.
Hope the
#akleg
and the press are paying attention.
“There is no vision, no hope, no future, no agenda for Alaska, if your only ideology, if your only philosophy, if your only cause is to cut the budget.” —Gov. Wally Hickel
Get involved. Contact your legislators and help your friends and family to do the same.
#akleg
#akgov
Nearly 9,000 more votes added to the results and
@mayor_bronson
made up 🥁… *66* votes of his nearly 5,000 vote deficit.
Time to call this race and send a hearty congratulations to Mayor-elect LaFrance! 🙌 🎉 🍾
#ancgov
#ancelect
#akleg
#akelect
@GovDunleavy
is proposing ending tuberculosis screening for children.
Totally unrelated statistic: Alaska has the highest rates of TB of any state.
#akleg
#akgov
Antisemitism is rising & not just on the news. It's here.
Today at work I received a package (no rtrn address) filled with weird stuff including a letter demanding Jews accept Jesus & a bizarro book on the Rapture. (APD is picking it up).
Stand against antisemitism everywhere.
@GovDunleavy
Alaskans are not “special interests” they should be your ONLY interests. How about you come back to Alaska and actually talk to Alaskans? Got time for One America News? Then you’ve got time for ADN, FDNM, Empire, etc
#akgov
#akleg
#RecallDunleavy
Good news: they plowed my neighborhood for the first time in the six days since the storm.
Bad news: this is a before and after of the sidewalks my neighbors and I were keeping clear for each other.
Happy
#TeacherApppreciationDay
!
Did you know that public employees in Alaska (including teachers) don’t get social security?
They don’t have the option to retire with dignity.
If we want to retain and reward qualified teachers, we should offer them a modest pension.
#akleg
I wouldn’t hire arsonists to work as firefighters.
We don’t need Moms for Liberty/L48 culture wars in our schools. I’m a parent & can decide what books my own kids can read.
Vote Jacobs, Wilson, & Higgins 4 School Board
#ancgov
#ancelect
#akleg
@carl4anchorage
@doraforschools
I voted for Kay Schuster, Chelsea Pohland, and Angela Frank for Anchorage School Board. I encourage my friends that vote in Anchorage to do the same. That board needs some damn balance!
Over 200 cases today. More than the entire month of March. We’ve flattened the curve alright, but on the wrong axis. We need leadership AND a mask mandate now. Platitiudes about personal responsibility are not getting it done. Speak up:
@annezinkmd
&
@Alaska_DHSS
#akleg
#akgov
There is too much hate. It's time for the majority of reasonable and kind Alaskans to hold those who promote or profit by it accountable.
"Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs." Proverbs 10:12
And sometimes "love" means fighting hate.
#akleg
16/16
Bright spot to end the day.
Stopped by the Assembly chambers and there is a large group with signs standing with us against anti-Semitism.
@repzackfields
@JakeMetcalfe4
and many more.
Thank you, brothers and sisters—it was nice to shake the hands of real Alaskans.
#akleg
#ANCgov
Very unfortunate that the
@alaskalandmine
decided to publish this false, weak, and unsubstantiated story.
Someone should tell them that an awkwardly-worded social media post doesn’t void someone’s legitimate residency in Alaska.
1/4
#akleg
Real progress in Juneau as
@davideastmanjr
is removed from the Judiciary Committee.
This outcome would not have happened without the dogged efforts of
@ChugachMtnBlues
👏 👏 👏
#akleg
The House has voted 39-NEASTMAN to accept the Committee on Committees report that, among other things, removes the far-right Rep. David Eastman from the House Judiciary Committee.
#akleg
Great news! The AK Supreme Court affirms Alaskans’ right to vote on improving our elections. VOTE YES on
#2
this November to: end Dark Money; Open Primary elections to all voters; and give voters more power and choice in General Elections.
#akleg
#akelect
The
#akleg
has the power to fix this by removing all doubt and amending AS 18.80 to protect LGBTQ+ Alaskans in the same way we protect Alaskans on the basis of their race, gender, national origin, and religion.
And they should.
Special report: On the advice of the state attorney general, Alaska’s Human Rights Commission quietly deleted language promising equal protections for LGBTQ Alaskans against most categories of discrimination, and began refusing to investigate complaints.
NEWS: The Alaska Supreme Court has issued an order UPHOLDING the slate of election reforms—ranked voting, non-partisan primaries, Gov./Lt. Gov. tickets—approved by voters in 2020, clearing the way for this year's elections.
#akleg
#akelect
I am literally begging *anyone* in the
@GovDunleavy
Admin to actually speak with LGBTQ Alaskans & groups to ask them whether they believe his bill impacts their rights.
To date, they can’t name *one* that they’ve spoken with.
They’re not enemies, they’re fellow Alaskans.
#akleg
If your first choice for Anchorage mayor didn’t make the runoff, please read this joint op-ed from me (a Centrist) & Terre Gales (a Republican & former chair of Dunleavy for Alaska).
TL;DR? Vote
@ForrestDunbarAK
for mayor.
#ancgov
#akleg
I often didn’t agree with Ms. Bakalar’s use of her 1st Amendment rights, but that’s exactly why it’s important to protect them.
Very proud of her for standing up to these bullies & weathering years of harassment.
We are a better state when we respect others’ rights.
#akleg
#akgov
My at-risk mother just received her COVID vaccine and it’s easily the best news of the year around our house!
She hasn’t seen any of her grandchildren now in over a year, and it’s great to know that the day is coming soon when she can.
I’m very proud of Non-partisan Board Members Nicole Borromeo and
@MelanieBahnke
for standing up for fair maps throughout this process.
They didn’t seek to advantage any candidate or party, they just fought for fairness and fidelity to the Constitution.
Leaders and friends.
#akleg
Anchorage GOP Rep. Tom McKay, and member of the education committee, says he's a fan of Gov. Mike Dunleavy's Don't Say Gay-style parental rights bill:
"As a father of five, my children belong to me."
#akleg
#akgov
@mayor_bronson
just defended the wearing of Stars of David as an appropriate protest of health measures. He said it’s a “tribute” to those who died, a tribute to “never again.”
Mayor, you are dead wrong. You are traumatizing members of the Jewish community. (1/2)
#akleg
#ancgov
Unacceptable. The administration meant to regulate Pebble, lobbying on their behalf. Pebble ghostwriting official communications for Admin VERBATIM. Whatever your position on the Project, Alaskans should expect better than this.
#nopebble
#akleg
#akgov
.
@WCKitchen
teams getting a chartered plane loaded and ready to move west to communities affected by the remnants of typhoon Merbok….we will help every community in need….!
#ChefsForAlaska
The hypocrisy of Nick Begich’s campaign for Alaska’s at large congressional seat, a 🧵:
@NBegich
styles himself as a businessman who can get our economy back on track. Here’s the problem with that…
#akleg
#akal
#akelect
1/9
Great visualization of today’s tabulation from the Washington Post.
Makes clear that the vast majority of Alaskans made a choice and used their power.
#akleg
#akelect
#akal
I guess he means it’s “Time for Change” in how we spell Anchorage?
New Slogan idea: You can’t spell “Anchoreage” without “Chore”.
#ancgov
#akleg
#akelect
There’s nothing “honest” about Alaskans for Honest Elections. 👇
#akleg
#akelect
#akgov
Complaint alleges opponents of Alaska’s ranked choice voting formed church to skirt disclosure laws
The
@adndotcom
Editorial Board leads by calling out the hypocrisy of
@GovDunleavy
’s HB105.
The
#akgov
should focus on feeding & educating Alaskans rather than legislating hate.
Thank you to the many Alaskans & members of
#akleg
who’re already opposed.
EXACTLY, ADN Ed Board: “It’s not like those who favor the 1982 PFD formula do so because they have more respect for the law. Dunleavy’s veto of funds for senior benefits, violates a law w/ same legal weight as the one that established PFD.”
#akleg
#akgov
@GovDunleavy
joins a baseless lawsuit fueled by conspiracy theories and nonsense. He sullies Alaska’s good name in order to bow to the delusional wishes of a partisan few. This case will be over in days, but the damage to Alaskans’ interests will be long lasting.
#akleg
I'm skeptical of disruptive protests (i.e. throwing soup on the Mona Lisa).
But these students' protest at the Capitol is aimed right at those who let them down. Good for them. Some can vote & the rest can in 2 years.
A huge shift on Ed funding has occurred-watch on 11/5.
#akleg
Alaska schools are feeling the immediate harmful impacts of the
#akleg
failure to override the veto of the BSA increase in SB140.
This heartbreaking article is just the tip of the iceberg 👇
*Don’t* let the 20 legislators who voted no lie & say they care about education…
1/10
With hope fading for additional state education funding, Alaska’s rural school districts — experiencing spikes in operating expenses, record staff vacancies and mounting deferred maintenance costs — are preparing to make difficult cuts.
Often Twitter brings out the worst in people & today is no exception.
But even if you didn’t support
@repdonyoung
please don’t be a ghoul—give a little time for loved ones to remember his legacy of bipartisanship & hard work for AK.
May his memory be a blessing.
זיכרונו לברכה
But what do I know? I’m only an elections attorney with 16 years experience.
I’m also the only lawyer to ever *successfully* challenge a candidate’s residency and also won the Alaska Supreme Court case that actually defines the statutory residency standard.
3/4
Liz is an outstanding Alaskan. I might not agree with her on every issue, but she’s always going to put Alaska’s interests before her own or those of her party. This is fantastic news.
#akleg
Even if it’s a stunt that won’t pass, it’s important to note
@GovDunleavy
’s copycat bill targeting LGBTQ students is likely invalid under the Alaska Constitution’s strong privacy clause. 👇
Thank you to my Rep
@rep_jennie
for raising these important legal questions.
#akleg
A “parental rights” education bill proposed by Gov. Mike Dunleavy could be found to violate the state’s constitution, according to an agency charged with analyzing proposed legislation in Alaska.
Rather than focusing on campaign stunts and dodging debates—
@GovDunleavy
should’ve declared a disaster/emergency for this storm before it made landfall to marshal resources.
He knew it was coming—why didn’t he act?
R/T if you agree.
Images are coming in from residents of Western Alaska who are bracing against a massive storm that formed from the remnants of Typhoon Merbok.
LATEST UPDATES:
With her recent avalanche of endorsements, LaFrance is clearly becoming the leading contender to unseat Mayor Bronson, and it doesn’t appear to be particularly close…
#akleg
#ancgov
#akelect
#ancelect
During unprecedented times and the most partisan election of our nation’s history, Alaska has chosen a better path.
So proud to be an Alaskan today! 💙💛
#akleg
#akelect
#YesOn2AK
VICTORY for the YES on Ballot Measure 2 campaign! Alaskans approved a ballot measure aimed at reducing polarization in politics and encouraging greater cooperation among lawmakers by reforming the state’s election system.
#YesOn2AK
@GovDunleavy
@GovDunleavy
when you tweeted this did you or
@akgovpress
realize that 65% of all law enforcement deaths in the line of duty during 2020 were caused by Covid?
If you “back the blue” why do you encourage refusing the vaccine—something that clearly puts their lives in danger?
Art Mathias is the big funder behind the attempt to repeal Open Primaries & RCV. He also formed a fake church (maybe 2) to run his campaign 💰 through.
Unfortunately, he has also apparently decided to engage in thinly-veiled anti-Semitic attacks against me personally.
1/5
#akleg
Having homeschooled our children along with
@selenarosemary
(while trying to do our day jobs) for a grand total of 6 hours, I’m now running on a platform to pay public school teachers a starting salary of $1 million per year.💰
#onlyhalfkidding
#lordoftheflies
#akleg
“Alaska might be next-to-last on lists of states, but it’s first to employ the electoral reform that’s most likely to save democracy.”
Opinion | Can Alaska save democracy? - The Washington Post
#akleg
#akgov
#aksen
#akelect
Maybe the Landmine staff should have read that case and then asked me if they were on the right track before publishing this? 🤷♂️
Either way, I look forward to seeing
@JennieForAlaska
get sworn in in January.
👇
4/4
@DermotMCole
Dermot, it’s useful judge someone’s real impact by the enemies they make. Based on Art’s tasteless comment, it is clear Terrence made the “right” enemies. Terrence was clearly a Tzadik, a righteous man, who sought justice and to uplift others. May his memory be for a blessing.
A lot can be said about Vic Fischer, but I think very few people loved (and fought for) Alaska for as long as he did.
Grateful to have the chance to discuss our Constitution with its last living signer. Farewell, Vic.
Condolences to his family.
#akleg
#akgov
Thank you to the over 100 Alaskans who testified about this dangerous bill.
And thank you to the members of the
#akleg
who listened to and considered the testimony.
More than 100 Alaskans spoke out against a “parental rights” bill proposed by Gov. Mike Dunleavy, in a wave of opposition to the legislation many said would harm already vulnerable transgender youths.
✅AK’s First People getting free admission doesn’t mean there’s “less” museum for others. It’s not a pie.
✅There’s an entire floor dedicated to Native art & artifacts, a huge contribution to the collection.
✅More people accessing the museum always=a good thing.
#akleg
#akgov
Senate Bill 52, providing the largest single increase in Alaska's base student allocation funding (about $174M), has passed the Senate on a 16-3 vote.
#akleg
For Anchorage mayor, our choice could not by more clear: a competent nonpartisan executive, like Suzanne LaFrance, or a fire breathing radical who never met a culture war he didn’t love.
@mayor_bronson
claims his opponent is too “woke” & that he’s “normal”
#akleg
#ancgov
1/
Always remember the way
@GovDunleavy
punishes strong, competent women for doing their jobs well, but covers up for and protects abusive and incompetent men who are his cronies.
#akleg
#akgov
#akelect
Kyle Hopkins: You released Rodell's personnel file but refuse to release Kevin Clarkson's?
Dunleavy says the laws say they can, suggesting anyone who doesn't know that is underhanded.
Hopkins tries a follow up.
Dunleavy: How many questions is he gonna get?
They cut him off.
@MayorBronson
took homeless (incl children & disabled) to this campground & abandoned them.
Now—bear attacks, thefts, injuries, & deaths are resulting.
Mayor, enough excuses. Grow up & help solve the problem.
You wanted the job?
Do the job.
#akleg
@MustReadAlaska
provides a platform to stoke hate and rhetoric that *most* Alaskans find unacceptable.
@GovDunleavy
& others can whisper to a hate-fueled crowd while presenting a "normal" face to most Alaskans.
#akleg
7/16
Make no mistake
@GovDunleavy
has the power to make a difference here—the
@adndotcom
has had a story up for 18 hours.
From the
#akgov
Comms shop? Crickets and campaign stunts.
Why isn’t he putting out information and resources? Why are Alaskans forced to follow this via SM?
#akleg
Some will have the impulse to say “but, but…” and reference some other policy difference they have with them—but for just a moment can we enjoy as Alaskans that we have two leaders like
@repdonyoung
and
@lisamurkowski
with the courage to put truth before party?
#akleg
#akelect
Anchorage Mayor-elect Suzanne LaFrance announced two members of her executive team.
Becky Windt Pearson will be municipal manager. She was muni attorney from 2017 to 2020.
Katie Scovic will serve as chief of staff. She was LaFrance's campaign manager.
How about when we create policy, we think about the next generation, instead of the next election?
If we just do that, then all of these intractable problems—PFD, education funding, ferries, infrastructure, taxes, healthcare costs—can actually be solved.
#akleg
#akgov
#akelect
You’re only empowering parents who agree with you—but taking away options from all others.
Here’s a policy idea for you:
Try to put *at least* as much energy into feeding & educating Alaskans as you all do obsessing about which bathroom kids use & what clothes they wear.
#akleg
“What business does a state have poking around in its residents’ medical data, much less health care procedures that took place beyond its own borders?”
—ADN Ed Board
#akleg
#akgov
“My philosophy is simple: When you see something that is not right, not fair, not just—say something. Do something. Get in trouble. Good trouble. Necessary trouble.” — Rep. John Lewis
The date of March 31 for
#TransgenderDayofVisibility
was selected years ago.
This year it just happens to fall on Easter. (Sometimes the World Series falls on Yom Kippur!)
You can be religiously observant & also support the rights of marginalized people.
I hope this helps!🌈
#FathersDay
generates complicated emotions for me.
The fact that my “father” utterly failed in that role is increasingly outweighed by the incredible joy I get from being Dad to this wonderful family.
Sending hope to those still searching for the balance I’ve found.
Especially, you
@KellyForAlaska
, considering that one of your supporters was not only part of the anti-Semitic mob, but apparently was carrying a firearm he refused to disclose to the police when contacted.
#akleg
14/16
Everything you need to know about
@GovDunleavy
‘s ethics:
1) illegally demanded 100s of dedicated, nonpartisan state employees resign & swear a loyalty oath;
2) but defended & retained an AG for months after he harassed a woman who worked inside the Gov’s office.
#akleg
#akgov
Can
#akleg
spend MORE time working on:
—stopping outmigration;
—lowering energy costs;
—making housing affordable; and
—actually funding education?
…and LESS time worrying about what pronouns people are using?
@WildAKGirl
TL;DR I want LGBTQ Alaskans (especially LGBTQ kids) to live, not contemplate suicide.
I want them to thrive & be free from harassment.
These fake legislative debates hurt them, & the public should demand better from elected officials. There are plenty of real problems.
#akleg