This is the place to talk about Alaska politics -- state, local, national. Public life in the Last Frontier may never have been more interesting than right now -- the broad and still-evolving corruption investigation, a big election, a popular governor, powerful members of Congress under scrutiny, and the usual hardball Alaska politics. Come here for news, tidbits and information, and join the discussion. Keep your comments civil and on point. Avoid personal attacks. Do not use profanity. Posts that violate the Terms of Use will be deleted. Repeat offenders will be banned.
Kyle Hopkins
Kyle Hopkins writes about Anchorage city government and politics. He covered last year's campaign for governor, and has blogged extensively about Alaska politics for the past year. He grew up in Southeast Alaska and was a reporter at the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner and Anchorage Press. E-mail Kyle at khopkins@adn.com
Sean Cockerham
Sean Cockerham writes about Alaska state politics. He spent three years based in Juneau for the Daily News before joining the Tacoma News-Tribune two years ago to write about Washington state politics. He went to Iraq twice for the News Tribune, and previously wrote about Alaska government and politics for the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. Now he's back in Anchorage. E-mail Sean at scockerham@adn.com
Erika Bolstad
Erika Bolstad covers Alaska issues, including the congressional delegation, from Washington, D.C., for McClatchy Newspapers. Before joining the bureau this summer, she spent seven years as a reporter at the Miami Herald, where she covered politics, government and the state legislature. E-mail Erika at ebolstad@adn.com.
Palin spokeswoman: Kopp never told governor about reprimand (Updated with comments from lawmakers) - 7/24/2008 4:03 pm
Legislative Council to meet; Monegan on agenda? - 7/24/2008 2:40 pm
Metcalfe on the air - 7/24/2008 11:06 am
TransCanada still looking for federal help - 7/24/2008 10:52 am
Wall Street Journal on Stevens, Young - 7/24/2008 4:40 am
Rep. Meyer – TransCanada supporter? - 7/23/2008 11:57 pm
$1,200 rebate clears first committee - 7/23/2008 11:36 pm
Smile! - 7/23/2008 2:00 pm
National Dems like Begich's chances - 7/23/2008 1:33 pm
House passes TransCanada license – again - 7/23/2008 1:03 pm
What Kopp said - 7/22/2008 8:19 pm
Palin responds to "Latest round of falsehoods" - 7/22/2008 4:59 pm
Kopp: "I am not a sex harasser" - 7/22/2008 3:50 pm
Kopp to talk about Kenai years - 7/22/2008 2:53 pm
Cowdery resigns as Legislative Council chair - 7/22/2008 2:33 pm
T. Boone Pickens on ANWR - 7/22/2008 2:28 pm
How far would those $1,200 checks go in covering increased fuel prices? - 7/22/2008 11:47 am
Show and tell on ANWR - 7/22/2008 10:34 am
Poll chatter - 7/22/2008 8:48 am
Monegan speaks - 7/21/2008 6:05 pm
Palin investigator expected - 7/21/2008 1:36 pm
Pipeline issue marches on - 7/21/2008 1:23 pm
JULY 24, 2008 - 4:03 PM
From Sean Cockerham and Megan Holland in Anchorage --
New state Public Safety Commissioner Chuck Kopp never told Gov. Sarah Palin that he received a letter of reprimand from a sexual harassment complaint when he was chief of the Kenai police, the governor's office said today.
The governor learned of the letter when the public did after Kopp's Tuesday press conference, Palin spokeswoman Sharon Leighow said this afternoon.
"The governor is concerned, and she's disappointed," Leighow said.
Leighow wouldn't comment further -- including on whether Palin plans to dismiss Kopp as the state's top cop. There are a lot of rumors going around and the governor wants to deal in facts, she said.
Kopp, reached this afternoon, said Palin's office learned of the harassment complaint when he was named to her transition team in 2006, but that the case, or the letter, didn't come up when he was interviewed for the job two weeks ago.
He said he doesn't intend to step down. "I've had an enormous outpouring of support," he said.
JULY 24, 2008 - 2:40 PM
From Wesley Loy in Juneau –
Just received word the Legislative Council has called a meeting for 1 p.m. Monday.
On the agenda: nomination of a new chairman and “other business.”
The presumptive new chairman is Juneau Democratic Sen. Kim Elton, whom Senate President Lyda Green named to replace the outgoing Sen. John Cowdery.
The “other business” part is more intriguing. This could concern the hiring of an independent investigator to look into Gov. Sarah Palin’s controversial firing of former Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan.
I just ran up to Rep. Nancy Dahlstrom’s office to try to find out more about Monday’s agenda, but her door was locked.
JULY 24, 2008 - 11:06 AM
Ray Metcalfe is now advertising his "three hour tour" on KUDO AM and KABA AM, according to Tati Broadcasting. That's the tour where people are supposed to get on his bus, called the USS Minnow, and Metcalfe drives them to places around town where he alleges shady real estate deals went down.
Here's an audio file of the ad:
And here's an animated version of the ad that Metcalfe has put up on You Tube.
The ad makes allegations against Mark Begich, who Metcalfe is running against in the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate, and Ted Stevens, whose U.S. Senate seat Metcalfe is after.
"Ray Metcalfe continues to make outrageous and false claims about Mark Begich," said Julie Hasquet, Begich's spokeswoman.
The Stevens campaign didn't respond to a request for comment.
JULY 24, 2008 - 10:52 AM
TransCanada representatives watch the Alaska House debate on Tuesday. From left: Tony Palmer, Patty Bielawski and Tom Roberts. (AP/Seanna O'Sullivan)
From Wesley Loy in Juneau –
TransCanada Corp. looks well on its way to landing the state of Alaska’s exclusive license plus $500 million to support its natural gas pipeline between the North Slope and Alberta.
But executives also are still looking to the U.S. government to carry the project in case the three oil companies that control the gas decline to ship their supplies on the pipeline.
JULY 24, 2008 - 4:40 AM
From Erika Bolstad in Washington D.C. --
The Wall Street Journal has a report today from Alaska on the likelihood of Sen. Ted Stevens and Rep. Don Young holding on to their seats. It references what is likely to be a common theme of the 2008 election, nationwide: "Both men face the malaise afflicting many other Republican incumbents: voter disenchantment over the country's stewardship under the party," the Journal reports. An excerpt, after the jump:
JULY 23, 2008 - 11:57 PM
From Wesley Loy in Juneau –
A curious “yes” vote on the TransCanada Corp. natural gas pipeline license was Rep. Kevin Meyer, an Anchorage Republican who works for a big oil company with its own gas line proposal.
Meyer voted just the way he said he would.
He explained his position to me in June back in Anchorage, and I posted this at the time:
One of the most intriguing views I’ve heard is from Rep. Kevin Meyer, R-Anchorage.
When he’s not legislating, Meyer happens to hold a job with Conoco Phillips, the state’s top oil and gas producer.
Conoco, of course, is working on a competing gas pipeline project with partner BP.
JULY 23, 2008 - 11:36 PM
From Wesley Loy in Juneau –
The bill that might hold the greatest interest for Alaskans during this special legislative session has nothing to do with the darned natural gas pipeline.
It’s House Bill 4002, which would give each resident $1,200 as a “resource rebate,” or share of the state’s extraordinary oil revenue surplus.
Lots of people are asking lawmakers to support the rebate as a way to help cope with the rising cost of heating oil and other energy, especially in rural Alaska.
The bill cleared its first hurdle today, winning passage out of the House Community and Regional Affairs Committee.
JULY 23, 2008 - 2:00 PM
(White House photo by Joyce N. Boghosian)
From Erika Bolstad in Washington D.C. --
Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, is among the lawmakers with President Bush today as he signed a bill into law requiring internet telephone providers to offer emergency 911 service. President Bush is joined by from left, Stevens, Sen. Olympia Snow, R-Maine, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., Rep. John Shimkus, R-Ill., Rep. Bart Gordon, D-Tenn., Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla. and Rep. Chip Pickering, R-Miss.
JULY 23, 2008 - 1:33 PM
From Erika Bolstad in Washington D.C. --
The head of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee is already tallying Alaska in its "win" column.
Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said today in a briefing with reporters that he's pleased with recent polls showing Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich, a Democrat, pulling ahead of Republican Sen. Ted Stevens in the polls. Schumer said he counts the Alaska race as one of five that the DSCC thinks it has a lock on turning red to blue -- the others are in Virginia, New Hampshire, Colorado and New Mexico.
Schumer predicts Begich will do well in Anchorage, and said that when you factor that in with Sen. Ted Stevens' "decline in popularity....we believe we're going to win."
"We think Alaska is a race we're going to win," Schumer said. "Mark Begich is just an incredible candidate. You've got to meet him. He would really do proud in the Senate."
Here's what Rebecca Fisher of the National Republican Senatorial Committee had to say in response: "We obviously think he is wrong on this race and that is because the more voters in Alaska learn about Mark Begich’s dirty little secrets (she cites some of the things they've brought up on this NRSC-sponsored website), the less appealing they will find him."
JULY 23, 2008 - 1:03 PM
From Wesley Loy in Juneau –
The House of Representatives just voted again to pass House Bill 3001, which gives state officials authority to grant a natural gas pipeline license to TransCanada Corp.
The final tally was 23-16.
Last night's vote on the bill was 24-16. One member who voted yes yesterday was absent today, Bethel Democrat Mary Nelson.
House members also adopted a "letter of intent" saying they expect the administration of Gov. Sarah Palin to continue to "aid" other gas projects such as an "all-Alaska" pipeline to Valdez. It passed 39-0.
JULY 22, 2008 - 8:19 PM
From David Hulen in Anchorage --
Here's a quick transcript of what new Public Safety Commissioner Charles Kopp told the news media earlier today.
“I look forward to serving the people of the state of Alaska as commissioner of Public Safety. I called a press conference this afternoon because my reputation as a career Alaska police officer, as a manager and as a decent person with a wife and a family I love has come under attack, unfairly as I see it.
"I was asked about this a week ago. I knew at that time that it was a personnel matter and I would need to speak with the City of Kenai legal department to find out what I could even say on this matter to protect the confidentiality of all involved. This day I am ready to talk about the entire circumstances of what I have been accused of. My reputation is very, very important to me. In this job, a good name is to be desired above all else and that is why I am speaking to you today.
JULY 22, 2008 - 4:59 PM
The governor's office just sent out this statement:
Governor Responds to Latest Round of Falsehoods
July 22, 2008, Juneau, Alaska – Governor Sarah Palin today strongly denied the latest accusations made by the former commissioner of the Department of Public Safety. The Governor also released details of her schedule outlining her meetings with former Commissioner Walt Monegan.
Through various media outlets, Monegan has accused the Governor of expressing concerns about the contents of an annual trooper report.
“Walt has falsely accused me of making a comment to him that a draft report on troopers’ activities would somehow make my administration look bad,” Governor Palin said. “Why would it? I would welcome further proof that my administration needs the resources we requested to get the job done. My administration asked for nearly $7 million more for the Department of Public Safety. However, working with the dollars that the legislature funded, I am confident that under new leadership, we will develop new public safety initiatives that are reasonable and actionable.”
JULY 22, 2008 - 3:50 PM
Department of Public Safety Commissioner Charles Kopp at today's news conference in Anchorage. (Bill Roth/ADN)
From David Hulen in Anchorage --
New Public Safety Commissioner Charles Kopp is strongly disputing that he sexually harassed an employee when he was Kenai police chief. He says he did hug an employee in the workplace three or four times, which generated a sexual harassment reprimand.
Speaking to reporters this afternoon, Kopp disclosed he was reprimanded, with a letter, by the Kenai city council after an investigation found he improperly hugged the employee multiple times. He said the hugs were non-sexual, in a "friend-to-friend capacity," and he has no idea why the woman eventually filed a sexual harassment complaint with the city.
JULY 22, 2008 - 2:53 PM
From David Hulen, ADN state/local news editor --
This coming up shortly: "Department of Public Safety Commissioner Charles Kopp will have a press availability for news media at 3 p.m. today to make a statement concerning the claims levied against him while he was with the Kenai Police Department. Kenai Mayor Pat Porter will attend in support of her former police chief."
Check back for updates.
Last week, we reported Kopp disputed accusations that he sexually harrassed a former employee while he was Kenai police chief. Here's the letter, at the time, from the city of Kenai to the woman who accused Kopp of harassment.
KTUU reported on the complaint again last night, and has audio of the woman describing what she says happened.
JULY 22, 2008 - 2:33 PM
From Wesley Loy in Juneau –
Just got word from Jeff Turner, spokesman for the Senate bipartisan majority, that embattled Sen. John Cowdery has resigned as chairman of the Legislative Council due to health problems. Here's his resignation letter.
Senate President Lyda Green will appoint Sen. Kim Elton, D-Juneau, as the new chairman, Turner said.
The Legislative Council, made up of seven House members and seven senators, is a committee that handles legislative business during the time lawmakers are not meeting in regular session.
JULY 22, 2008 - 2:28 PM
From Erika Bolstad in Washington D.C. --
Legendary Texas oilman T. Boone Pickens has been making a lot of noise in Washington D.C. (You've probably seen his national television commercials emphasizing his new wind energy projects.)
Here's a McClatchy story about Pickens' testimony today on Capitol Hill. An excerpt: "Pickens, ranked by Forbes as the 117th richest man in America, has amassed a $3 billion fortune as one of the nation’s most successful oilmen. But the 80-year-old entrepreneur is now urging Americans to quickly shift to other forms of energy to escape what he called a national security crisis over the nation’s "addiction" to foreign oil."
Steve Hansen, who serves as a spokesman for Rep. Don Young on the House Natural Resources Committee, points out that Pickens also has strong opinions about developing domestic resources. From CNN's Situation Room this afternoon:
CNN’s WOLF BLITZER: "What about drilling offshore? There's a debate, as you know, McCain says, 'yes, go ahead and drill off the coast of Florida and California.' Obama says, 'No.' You're an oilman. What do you say?"
T. BOONE PICKENS: "Okay. McCain says, 'OK off the East and West Coast.' I say East, West Coast and ANWR –- get it all! To get off of foreign oil, that is the enemy. … You're drilling and whatever you are able to find and put into the domestic system will help us."
JULY 22, 2008 - 11:47 AM
From David Hulen in Anchorage --
UAA's Institute of Social and Economic Reseach put out a new report today that tries to calculate how much the proposed $1,200-per-resident energy-assistance checks would help Alaskans deal with rising fuel and home-heating costs.
There's not a simple answer. Energy prices and consumption varies a lot from region to region and from household to household, so it's hard to generalize. There are other variables as well, such as whether people use less gas as prices have risen.
The report's bottom line: For most households, the proposed payments wouldn't cover the real cost increases since 2006 for gasoline and home energy.
Bullet points from the report:
• Alaska households overall are paying about 70% more for home-energy and gasoline now than in 2006 and 180% more than in 2000 (assuming the same energy consumption as in 2000).
• Proposed state payments would cover increases since 2006 in combined home-energy and gasoline costs for 38% of Alaska households and would be less than increases for the other 62%.
JULY 22, 2008 - 10:34 AM
From Erika Bolstad in Washington D.C. --
House Republicans in front of the pipeline on their visit to the North Slope and ANWR
The House GOP tour of the Arctic plain is over, and the ten Republicans who made the trek, led by Rep. John Boehner, the House minority leader, recapped their journey this morning. Seemed a little like show-and-tell, with each member of the class playing their part. (There's even a class picture!) More after the jump.
JULY 22, 2008 - 8:48 AM
From Erika Bolstad in Washington D.C. --
Polls are popping up everywhere in Alaska's congressional and Senate races.
In a poll released yesterday, Rasmussen Reports gives Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich, a Democrat, a nine point lead over Republican U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens. "When "leaners" are included, Begich leads 52 to 44 percent," according to the poll. Also: "Last month, Stevens was up two, 46 to 44 percent. In May, the incumbent trailed by two. The month before, Stevens had a statistically insignificant 46 to 45 percent lead. Begich’s current lead is the largest the race has seen since Rasmussen polling began," the poll's authors wrote.
The poll credits the bump to Begich's television ads, which began running July 8; the Rasmussen survey was done nine days later.
There's this, too: "Normally, an Alaska Republican in trouble could count on some help from the top of the ticket. In its entire history, Alaska has voted for a Democratic Presidential candidate just once, and that was forty-four years ago. This year, however, John McCain holds just a single-digit lead over Barack Obama in Alaska," the poll's authors wrote.
The poll also asks about Gov. Sarah Palin. Sixty-nine percent said she was doing a good or excellent job.
And in yet another poll, commissioned by the left-leaning DailyKos website by the nonpartisan Research 2000, shows Rep. Don Young in trouble. Here's a link.
JULY 21, 2008 - 6:05 PM
Here's former Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan on KUDO-AM 1080 earlier this afternoon. Sen. Hollis French also made an appearance.
Important warning about e-mails purporting to be from the adn.com staff.
© Copyright 2008, The Anchorage Daily News, a subsidiary of The McClatchy Company 
Contact Us | Newsroom Contacts | Communication Forms | Subscriptions | Advertising | Terms of Use
Daily News Jobs | RSS Feeds | ADN Store | Newspapers in Education | Privacy Agreement
