This is the place to talk about Alaska politics -- state, local, national. Public life in the Last Frontier has probably never been more interesting -- the governor is a national figure in the wake of her 2008 run for vice president, Anchorage faces a heated mayoral race, we have a new U.S. senator, and the usual hardball Alaska politics. Come here for news, tidbits and information, and join the discussion. We encourage lively debate, but please keep it civil and stay on point. Don't use profanity, make crude comments or attack other posters. Posts that violate the Terms of Use will be deleted. Repeat offenders will lose their ability to post comments.
Erika Bolstad
Erika Bolstad covers Alaska issues, including the congressional delegation, from Washington, D.C., for McClatchy Newspapers. Before joining the bureau in 2007, 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.
Sean Cockerham
Sean Cockerham writes about Alaska state politics and is covering the 2009 legislative session. He's worked for the ADN in Anchorage and Juneau, covered the legislature for the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, and covered Washington state politics for the Tacoma News Tribune. E-mail Sean at scockerham@adn.com
Kyle Hopkins
Kyle Hopkins covers rural affairs, general assignments and politics for the ADN. He covered the 2006 campaign for governor, has blogged extensively about Alaska politics, covered Anchorage city government and was a reporter based in the Mat-Su. He grew up in Southeast Alaska and previously wrote for the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner and Anchorage Press. E-mail Kyle at khopkins@adn.com and also find him on our rural Alaska blog, The Village.
Don Hunter
Don Hunter covers Anchorage city government and politics. He is a longtime ADN reporter and editor and wrote for the Anchorage Times. E-mail Don at dhunter@adn.com
David Hulen
David Hulen, the ADN's assistant managing editor for news, is responsible for state and local news coverage in the ADN, including politics. He has been an editor and reporter at the ADN for more than 20 years. E-mail David at dhulen@adn.com
SECTION
The FBI raided state legislature offices in Aug. 2006, and the fallout since has been epic in Alaska's political world.
Complete coverage, video and photo galleries of Gov. Sarah Palin as she commands and navigates the world of Alaska politics.
UPDATE: Palin to resign as governor - 7/3/2009 10:04 am
Palin gets Sitting Duck Award - 7/2/2009 12:47 pm
French files intent to run for governor, says it doesn't mean he's running - 7/1/2009 6:00 pm
Troopergate looks to have dominated state costs for ethics complaints - 7/1/2009 8:43 am
Palin sparks internal GOP warfare. Again. - 7/1/2009 8:03 am
Sullivan names spokesperson, city attorney - 6/30/2009 3:30 pm
Sean Parnell questions Young's candidacy - 6/30/2009 3:02 pm
Cabinet secretaries to visit Alaska on rural tour - 6/30/2009 2:17 pm
Judge in Stevens' trial: Do federal prosecutors have a pattern of mishandling evidence? - 6/30/2009 2:05 pm
Vanity Fair: Palin’s life has sometimes played out like an unholy amalgam of Desperate Housewives and Northern Exposure - 6/30/2009 7:52 am
Palin's PAC: "Please also encourage your friends and family to give" (Updated) - 6/29/2009 12:40 pm
Weyhrauch case to be heard in front of Supreme Court - 6/29/2009 9:26 am
Do you know where your governor is? A state-by-state rundown - 6/27/2009 5:21 pm
Palin in Kosovo: videos - 6/26/2009 6:55 pm
Palin in Kosovo - 6/25/2009 3:47 pm
Murkowski elected to Senate GOP leadership role - 6/25/2009 12:09 pm
Pew poll: Palin popular among Republicans but polarizing - 6/24/2009 12:29 pm
Palin leaves country for troop visit - 6/24/2009 10:52 am
Begich, like Murkowski, asked Sotomayor about guns - 6/24/2009 9:11 am
Ethics complaint against Palin aide dismissed (Updated) - 6/23/2009 2:13 pm
'Alaska waiting on Sarah Palin's plans' - 6/23/2009 9:47 am
Supreme Court decides in favor of Kensington mine owner - 6/22/2009 7:26 am
Posted: October 10, 2008 - 4:20 pm
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Download the report here.
FINDINGS:
Finding Number One
For the reasons explained in section IV of this report, I find that Governor Sarah Palin abused her power by violating Alaska Statute 39.52.110(a) of the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act. Alaska Statute 39.52.110(a) provides
The legislature reaffirms that each public officer holds office as a public trust, and any effort to benefit a personal or financial interest through official action is a violation of that trust.
Finding Number Two
I find that, although Walt Monegan's refusal to fire Trooper Michael Wooten was not the sole reason he was fired by Governor Sarah Palin, it was likely a contributing factor to his termination as Commissioner of Public Safety. In spite of that, Governor Palin's firing of Commissioner Monegan was a proper and lawful exercise of her constitutional and statutory authority to hire and fire executive branch department heads.
Finding Number Three
Harbor Adjustment Service of Anchorage, and its owner Ms. Murleen Wilkes, handled Trooper Michael Wooten's workers' compensation claim property and in the normal course of business like any other claim processed by Harbor Adjustment Service and Ms. Wilkes. Further, Trooper Wooten received all the workers' compensation benefits to which he was entitled.
Finding Number Four
The Attorney General's office has failed to substantially comply with my August 6, 2008 written request to Governor Sarah Palin for infomration about the case in the form of emails.
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