Alaska Headlamp comments on the Juneau Empire survey (column left), then goes on to tackle related subjects, like how to control government spending.

We're delighted with Alaska Headlamp's contribution to the public dialog, along with that provided by citizen groups and other thinking columnists like those representing the Anchorage Daily Planet.

For further reference, we draw reader attention to our earlier commentary dealing with how the parents of this generation should be treating their children, of the next generation.  (We think this will be welcome reading for young people determined to have a voice in decisions that will affect them–represented by groups such as, Our Alaska.) 

-dh

ALASKA'S FISCAL CRISIS

The Juneau Empire asked legislators for their views on this year's legislative session.  

Here's what they said:

Everyone wants to know what the second session of the 29th Alaska Legislature will bring, but no one knows the answer. Well, no one outside the 60 members of the Legislature, that is. To get the best insight into what this session will bring, the Empire e-mailed a simple three-question survey to all 60 legislators on a Monday during the interim. Fifteen lawmakers — 25 percent of the Legislature — responded by our deadline. Their full answers are reprinted below.

Sen. Cathy Giessel…

Q: How should the state fix its budget problems?

A: First step — stop looking for magic bullets. We can’t tax people and business or cut services enough to bridge the gap. We have to remind ourselves ….  (Read the balance of the Empire article here.)


ADN by Erica Martinson.  Admiral Paul Zukunft, the commandant of the Coast Guard, announced Wednesday that the military was beginning discussions with ship architects and builders to advance early stages of acquiring a new icebreaker to supplement the nation’s dwindling fleet. The Coast Guard also released a draft wish list of sorts, detailing its hopes for….  (More