Alaska Legislature OFFICIALLY Creates A Legislatively Funded, Task Force

While Lawmakers Were Mesmerized and Traumatized By the Failed Attempt of Coastal Elected Leaders to Empower 'Coastal Policy Boards' (SB4) to Stifle Alaska Development, Another Potentially Harmful Measure Passed Without Controversy (HCR22)

Saturday, members of the Senate officially turned Alaska greener with passage of an innocent-looking but life-changing resolution that gives the global warming movement credibility, endangers Alaska sovereignty, enables the Legislature to oppose Administration policies, enables a 'Task Force' which could oppose the will of a majority of legislators, and provides a powerful, new tool for those who wish to delay, frustrate and block Arctic development.  We editorialized warnings Friday and Saturday .

Yesterday, SB4 failed....

 (video coming)

...while the amended form of HCR 22 breezed through the Senate.  Lawmakers were concerned and divided about the former but gave the latter barely a glance.  The conservative majority of both houses and whoever is governor for the next several years may live to lament the passage of this extraordinary measure that officially brings Alaska closer to the "Ally" column of the International environmental organizations seeking to cripple Alaska's economy.  

In fairness, we appreciate how advocates may believe that their intent is just to have a place at the table of a newly forming Arctic commission.  Also, their participation is intended to support creation of a new port serving Northwest passages.  But the environmental code words used in justifying creation of the Task Force will surely be used by anti-development environmental activists to verify that, "The State of Alaska is firmly in the camp of those who know that global warming is proven science, damaging and merits Alaska's intervention as America's only Arctic state."

We know the authors of the resolution and further know them to be of good intent.  However, the words that were adopted by resolution give a wide opening for environmental messages to march through.  Furthermore, as in other aspects of life, the players are important.  It is likely that a majority of the 11-member legislative Task Force will be representing rural Alaska, coastal interests.  If the majority of those wish to use the Task Force in ways that support anti-development  agendas, they could accomplish that end by negotiating formation of an international 'commission' whose mandate could threaten Alaskan if not American Sovereignty.  We hope those appointed will be a balanced lot and have the interests of coastal and interior Alaska citizens--and the public interest--at heart.

We know that the authors view the passage of this resolution and subsequent creation of the Task Force to be a positive and patriotic move forward for Alaska.  Unless we discussed the other possibilities, no meaningful consideration would likely have been given the downside.  We thank all involved for considering our aprehensions.  We urge thoughtful caution as the House Speaker and Senate President move forward to appoint the 11-member Task Force.  

We further urge the President and Speaker to carefully monitor the actions of the Task Force, for its mandate allows it great potential for appearing to speak for and represent the Legislature, if not the State of Alaska, in many international dealings and communications with the Federal government.   Lastly, we urge the President and Speaker to assure that Task Force Members work with them to assure relationships between the Executive and Legislative branchs are protected--and that Alaska moves forward with solidarity, and with one message.   -dh