Alaska Politics Blog

This is the place to talk about Alaska politics, state, local, national. Public life in the Last Frontier has rarely been more interesting -- a full slate of federal and state elections, the influence of former Gov. Sarah Palin, 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.

Sean Cockerham

Sean Cockerham writes about Alaska state politics. 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.

David Hulen

David Hulen, the ADN's state and local news editor, is responsible for political coverage. He has been an editor and reporter at the ADN for more than 20 years. E-mail David at dhulen@adn.com

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Alaska political corruption

When the FBI raided state legislature offices in Aug. 2006, it publicly launched an investigation that ultimately reached the highest levels of Alaska politics, and continues to this day.

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Sullivan: No immediate decision on right ordinance

From Don Hunter in Anchorage --

Mayor Dan Sullivan says he is studying the anti-discrimination ordinance passed last night by the Anchorage Assembly and will announce whether he will veto it later.

Under city law, Sullivan has seven days to make that decision.

The ordinance bans discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. It was approved by a 7-4 Assembly vote after two months of public hearings. The Assembly would need an eight-vote supermajority to override a veto, if Sullivan issues one.

Sullivan said he is immersed in trying to close a new $9 million gap in the city budget. He plans to announce his plans for doing that Thursday afternoon.

Here is a Sullivan statement e-mailed out by the mayor's office a few minutes ago:

"I understand that Anchorage residents want to hear from their mayor regarding the Assembly ordinance that passed last night.

"This issue is important to our community and, as such, deserves careful consideration. It is my responsibility not only to listen to constituents but to examine the ordinance’s language in depth.

"The city currently is consumed with a budget crisis, and my energy is directed at solving that problem in the immediate future.

"When the time comes to make an announcement as it relates to the ordinance, I will do so."

© Copyright 2011, The Anchorage Daily News. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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