Opinion

Gov. Mike Dunleavy held a press conference at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, June 17, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Governor’s budget plan doesn’t add up

Keeping secrets from the public is irresponsible, dishonest and harmful.

  • Jun 20, 2021
  • By Larry Persily
Gov. Mike Dunleavy held a press conference at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, June 17, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
The Tongass National Forest sign seen en route to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: It’s time to compromise on the Roadless Rule

The Roadless Rule has become a fight over which wild exaggeration of the facts will prevail.

  • Jun 18, 2021
  • By Rich Moniak
The Tongass National Forest sign seen en route to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Kate Troll (Courtesy Photo / Kate Troll)

Opinion: Turn My PFD into a PFD (a personal floatation device) for future generations

By Kate Troll Even as the budget talks get close to being settled the PFD question lurks as a possible show stopper. As noted in… Continue reading

  • Jun 16, 2021
  • By Kate Troll
Kate Troll (Courtesy Photo / Kate Troll)
t

Opinion:Term limits, discretionary voting deserve same rules as trust resolution

Thoughts on potential resolutions.

  • Jun 14, 2021
  • By Dominic Salvato
t
teaser

Opinion: Voting rights and the majority’s minority

Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W. Va., is right to oppose H.R. 1, the “For the People Act.”

  • Jun 12, 2021
  • By Rich Moniak
teaser
Corri A. Feige is commissioner of the Alaska Department of Natural Resources. Doug Vincent-Lang is commissioner of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.((Courtesy Photos)

Opinion: Alaskans should be good stewards of our home

Alaskans should be mindful of our responsibility to respect our common natural resources.

  • Jun 10, 2021
  • By Corri A. Feige and Doug Vincent-Lang
Corri A. Feige is commissioner of the Alaska Department of Natural Resources. Doug Vincent-Lang is commissioner of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.((Courtesy Photos)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Should we move forward or look back on cruise ship tourism?

The best solutions will always be attained by moving forward.

  • Jun 10, 2021
  • By Win Gruening
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Base PFD on resource revenue deposits, not percent of fund earnings

By Ray Metcalfe Almost daily, I read where some legislator is pontificating over what we meant back when we, in the 11th and 12th Legislature,… Continue reading

  • Jun 9, 2021
  • By Ray Metcalfe
(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Teaser

Opinion: Sustaining Alaska’s fisheries through nonprofit hatcheries

You don’t need me to tell you that fishing is central to Alaskan life…

  • Jun 8, 2021
  • By Matt Alward
Teaser
From left to right: Rep. Adam Wool, D-Fairbanks, U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, and Alaska State Sen. Josh Revak, R-Anchorage, in the hallway of the Alaska State Capitol following Sullivan’s address to the Legislature. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: The irony of Sen. Sullivan’s free speech defense

Jan. 6 commission vote undermines proposed free speech amendment.

  • Jun 4, 2021
  • By Rich Moniak
From left to right: Rep. Adam Wool, D-Fairbanks, U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, and Alaska State Sen. Josh Revak, R-Anchorage, in the hallway of the Alaska State Capitol following Sullivan’s address to the Legislature. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Alexander B. Dolitsky

Opinion: Witnessing effects of the Cold War in the Soviet Union

People of the Soviet Union had little except their secret faith in God and hope for a better life.

  • Jun 3, 2021
  • By Alexander B. Dolitsky
Alexander B. Dolitsky
This 2013 photo shows Juneau’s Capitol Disposal Landfill. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Cruise line debate is garbage

By Stuart Hallam A metaphor for the cruise lines view of Juneau? In 2016, they dumped just under 650,000 pounds of garbage in Juneau. In… Continue reading

  • Jun 2, 2021
This 2013 photo shows Juneau’s Capitol Disposal Landfill. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Faith Myers stands at the doors of API. (Courtesy Photo)

Legislature should give psychiatric patients improved rights

Alaska is still too often warehousing people with a mental illness.

  • Jun 1, 2021
  • By Faith Myers
Faith Myers stands at the doors of API. (Courtesy Photo)
(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Local fireworks ordinance makes too many exceptions

I applaud (adopting the ordinance) but am of the opinion that it does not go far enough.

  • May 31, 2021
  • By Don Koch
(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
(Michael Penn/Juneau Empire File)

Initiative support is light on facts

Before signing any petition, ask for the facts that support their positions.

  • May 31, 2021
  • By Midgi Moore
(Michael Penn/Juneau Empire File)
teasers

Opinion: History needs a face

My memories of WWII, Korea and Vietnam all have faces.

  • May 31, 2021
  • By Mike Clemens
teasers
(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Dunleavy’s fiscal laziness

Voters first need a well-developed analysis.

  • May 29, 2021
  • By Rich Moniak
(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: We pay, they spend — assembly members reject property tax relief

The assembly can still reconsider property tax relief.

  • May 27, 2021
  • By Win Gruening
(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
(Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Large cruise ships are a clear and present danger to Southeast Alaska

We don’t have to ban cruise tourism, but do need to eliminate the greatest risks to our communities.

  • May 26, 2021
  • By Douglas Mertz
(Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
The Holland America Line cruise ships Eurodam, left, and Nieuw Amsterdam pull into Juneau’s downtown harbor on May 1, 2017. Holland America extended its pause on sailings to Alaska until mid-May as the company tries to find ways to sail under new health regulations. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Independent travelers cannot compensate for what cruise ship travelers bring

If these initiatives pass, what kind of future are we leaving for our children?

  • May 26, 2021
  • By Scott Bergmann
The Holland America Line cruise ships Eurodam, left, and Nieuw Amsterdam pull into Juneau’s downtown harbor on May 1, 2017. Holland America extended its pause on sailings to Alaska until mid-May as the company tries to find ways to sail under new health regulations. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)