For decades, Alaska has operated under a fiscal and budgeting system unlike any other state, and some could argue any place in the world. It is a system at the mercy of volatility, political discretion, and short-term decision-making. The outcome has been entirely predictable. Chronic instability, endless political conflict, boom-and-bust budgeting, and leaders who struggle […]
As I enter my sixth year as Alaska’s governor, the Fiscal Year 2025 budget introduced this past week reflects a continuing policy to be guided by priorities rather than the price of oil. Alaskans well understand how quickly prices can swing in either direction, and the past five years have offered no shortage of reminders […]
A uniquely Alaskan event – the distribution of the annual Permanent Fund Dividend – is coming up on Sept. 20 and I’m pleased to announce that it will be the largest in state history. The 2022 PFD, at $3,284, is being sent out a couple weeks early this year as Alaskans bear the brunt of […]
The ongoing geopolitical events occurring around the world remind us how interconnected Alaska is to global events. Sadly, these events are resulting in loss of life, terror in Ukraine, and economic disruptions felt around the world, including Alaska. Alaskans are experiencing high costs of energy and inflation impacts, all while recovering from a global pandemic and now the war. […]