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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.

Put it on the governor's tab

Posted by Alaska_Politics

Posted: May 14, 2008 - 3:50 pm

From Sean Cockerham in Anchorage --

Remember how legislative leaders John Harris and Lyda Green refused to approve money for their fellow state lawmakers to come to Anchorage for the governor's gasline briefings?

Well, the Palin administration is responding by picking up the bill itself.

The administration (which has its own budget and flexibility to move around funds) is offering to cover transportation and lodging for the 30 state legislators who don't live in the Anchorage bowl or the Mat-Su Valley.

The average cost is estimated to be about $1,200 for each legislator who agrees. The administration isn't going to pay for legislative staff travel.

The presentations are scheduled for May 28-30. Harris and Green had said money should not be spent on the briefings because lawmakers are going to be getting the same information during Palin's natural gas pipeline special session -- which starts in Juneau just a few days later on June 3.

But Palin spokeswoman Sharon Leighow said the Anchorage briefings would let legislators talk with a majority of the governor's gas consultants "whose schedules may be uncertain during the special session."

"The Anchorage forum is likely to be the most comprehensive presentation of the AGIA data and analysis that will be provided," Leighow said in an email. "Once the special session starts, the gas line team will not be in control of the presentation structure and timing."

Leighow said 11 legislators from outside Southcentral have accepted the governor's offer, two are pending, and more are possible.

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12 May 15, 2008 - 3:54pm | juneauguy

AGIA seminar

Jeez...I wonder how many of the legislators had Elton John tickets and were worried they'd have to pay their own travel costs? The Gov. helped them out!

May 15, 2008 - 4:01pm | rfn

If they could

afford Elton John tickets they should be voted out of office. They're out of touch with the reality of the average, gasoline/heating fuel buying, person.

May 15, 2008 - 6:47pm | AK_Lady

rfn

Do you ever take a break? You're on here 24/7!

May 15, 2008 - 9:34pm | rfn

Remember...

There are three of us using the same name.

Not much like one disappointed politically wannabe using three names. Though perhaps totally unaware of each other.

Good to see you "out"! Enjoy the evening.

My contribution to the energy matter for this evening:

Outlaw the use of public waterways for launching incredibly dangerous floatplanes which menace innocent people paddling non-energy consuming canoes! Not just fuel-saving but encouraging more people to enjoy the lakes and rivers in safety.

One of several things that could cut down on noise pollution, too.

May 16, 2008 - 6:54am | nickolas

this is a solution

why not just turn Anchorage into a park

11 May 15, 2008 - 1:53pm | HeathEdward

Foundations of American Government

Seems like this offer badly batters the "separation of powers" doctrine. I guess it's ethical because it's out in the open.

10 May 15, 2008 - 1:23pm | racecars

Palin

Lousy governor!!

May 15, 2008 - 6:06pm | _Syrin

You said it

I agree :)

May 15, 2008 - 6:41pm | rfn

But not

sufficiently to do anything to change the situation?

May 15, 2008 - 1:25pm | rfn

But Great

Vice President ?

May 15, 2008 - 1:45pm | AK_Lady

Ha!

Palin does seem to like attending funerals, don't she?

Are you clicking for her at "VP Madness"???

May 15, 2008 - 2:38pm | rfn

I can think of a few

she might enjoy attending.

However, to answer your question, no.

Alaska needs Governor Palin. We cannot afford to give her up to the ungrateful in the lower-48 who are so undeserving of a single drop of Alaska's oil or even a whiff of our gas.

Natural or otherwise.

What other governor has ever come up with a plan to relieve the energy pains of their population? They simply find new ways to make life in their states more expensive. Hear about the California plan to add state "surcharges" to the purchase of homeowner's insurance? Of course that's not a tax.....even though it does flow from the homeowner's pocket to the state treasury.

9 May 15, 2008 - 7:03am | Stags_Leap

Palin is becoming a laughing stock

does the one-upmanship ever stop? You expect this behavior from junior high kids -NOT the governor of a state. Pathetic.

8 May 14, 2008 - 10:56pm | juno

A bribe is like pornography

You can't really define it, but you know it when you see it.
There's a reason for the separation of powers in our state constitution. Palin needs to clean up her own broken administration and keep her nose out of the legislature's business. She's not above the rules of ethical conduct. Next thing she'll be doing with her slush fund is offering to pay for Hickel's junket to China. She doesn't seem to get it that this is the people's money and not her own private piggy bank.

May 16, 2008 - 6:29am | rfn

I cannot but yield

to the superior knowledge of one intimately acquainted with both.

Yes, no state government should ever spend a dime on researching or advancing the potential for sale of resources to other states....let alone countries!

Only, it might seem, to solicit political contributions. But we'll see how well that works when the next president is finally bought and paid for.

May 14, 2008 - 11:04pm | Cartman3_15

Do you think

legislators, with their bloated, pork-laden capital budget, "get" that they're playing with the people's money and not using their own private piggy banks?

Do you think Lyda Green, who put $25 million in the capital budget for her son-in-law at MEA, for a project that has no value for Railbelt energy needs, "gets" it?

Do you even think? It would seem you don't.

Now pay attention while Palin, the adult in the house (and senate), busts out the red pen for vetoes. She understands. They don't. You definitely don't.

May 14, 2008 - 11:08pm | TheSdog

Palin

will do what she did last year. She will not cut everything that needs to be cut.

She may be a little more careful to not make a Mat-Su bias obvious in her cuts but that remains to be seen.

She, of course, has done nothing about the operating budget where all the real continuing long term wasteful spending is present.

Interesting that you use her "adult" rhetoric. Did you forget about her "bare bones" rhetoric? Your picking and choosing of her phrases shows you are nothing more than a Palin Posse member eating up the populist pandering at every turn.

May 14, 2008 - 11:20pm | Cartman3_15

I wonder why

McCain, who takes pandering to previously unseen extremes, does not bother you.

Careful, Dog. Your misogyny is showing.

May 15, 2008 - 10:49am | TheSdog

Cartman

Why do you think McCain does not bother me?

It is an assumption, and a bad one on your part.

7 May 14, 2008 - 10:43pm | TheSdog

Palin

wants to pay to bring in legislators to listen to her propaganda on AGIA before the special session.

Did Leighow actually say the schedules would be uncertain during the special session? There is something more important then keeping the legislature well informed during the session? It is amazing how people buy off on the garbage the Palin administration pops out.

Palin is concerned the gasline team "will not be in control of the presentation structure and timing" during the special session. Heaven forbid the legislature may take input from all sides we better make sure we try to butter them up with a free trip and some propaganda before they get to Juneau.

It was not politics on the part of Green and Harris. This was politics on the part of Palin setting up this propoganda party before the session starts. The data could have easily been sent and questions asked and answered using modern technology.

This is a waste of state money whether it comes from Palin or not. It is yet another example of Palin populist pandering acting like this "briefing" will add anything to the process.

6 May 14, 2008 - 10:37pm | Cartman3_15

86 percent approval rating

Perhaps obstructionist legislators should learn from the governor. The people's business should not be thwarted by petty personal power grabs.

Shame on Green and Harris for not realizing this. Thank you Gov. Palin for standing tall. As usual.

May 14, 2008 - 10:43pm | TheSdog

Power grabs?

You mean like using a travel bribe and a propaganda session?

5 May 14, 2008 - 10:32pm | happycamper

VP Madness

Check out CQ, Gov Palin is ahead of Jindal in the Elite Eight. Vote here to send her to the Final Four: http://innovation.cq.com/vpmadness

4 May 14, 2008 - 10:32pm | _Syrin

refusing needless costs

was called good government....leaders John Harris and Lyda Green refused to approve money for their fellow state lawmakers to come to Anchorage for the inept governor's convenience.

May 14, 2008 - 10:39pm | Cartman3_15

Palin's latest approval rating

must really chap your ass, eh?

May 15, 2008 - 9:53am | rfn

I hear the governor's

approval rating within even the ranks of Lyda's fan club are slowly creeping up as the handwriting on the wall comes more sharply into focus!

May 15, 2008 - 12:59am | AK_Lady

Carter was popular too!

Do you think he was a good President?

May 15, 2008 - 12:01pm | rfn

Consider, before condemning,

that if Carter were running for president today he'd be a hands-down favorite over any of the current contenders.

"Good" is a relative thing.

May 16, 2008 - 10:01pm | akmooster

one-term carter...

was popular? Have you forgotten 'the misery index'? The triple-double. Double digit inflation, unemployment and interest rates. That was dear ol' jimmy.
If you enjoyed that you'll be glad to hear it is coming back to a government near you. The recipe? A liberal president, congress, and senate. Buy the cheese now for the big whine party. Of course it will be declared bush's fault so that should soften the blow.

May 16, 2008 - 10:36pm | rfn

Of course I remember those things!

Point is that most activist Liberals never heard of them.

Or, if they did, they love the concepts.

Besides, I figure he's the least dangerous of the lot. The entire lot.

There's much to be said for simplicity.

3 May 14, 2008 - 8:08pm | cat966

I hope they can all be there

I'm glad to see the Governor step up to the plate when no one else will. Thats why she has that 86% approval rating. She cares that everyone gets involved.

May 14, 2008 - 10:21pm | happycamper

Thank you Gov Palin!!

I wish legislators would take your lead and look out for the good of the state. Many thanks to you for your thick skin and patience in dealing with all those personalities, and for ALWAYS looking out for us Alaskans.

You showed true leadership by offering to pick up the legislators' tab. Thank you!

May 14, 2008 - 9:25pm | Zamboni

Home Run

Gov Palin not only stepped up to the plate...again, she keeps knocking the ball out of the park. True leadership on her part springing for the tab.

Harris and Green need to field a team that can play in the big leagues.

May 14, 2008 - 8:19pm | haut_monde_ak

No, she cares only about approval ratings...

and blames others for her shortcomings and lack of leadership and intellect.

Do you honestly think there's no motive behind this?

May 14, 2008 - 9:09pm | Zamboni

Sticks and Stones

Gov Palin earned every point in her 86% approval rating. Thank the Lord she continues to make good decisions for the good of the State. Her offering to fly 30 legislators to Anchorage to educate them on the most important issue they'll ever vote on in their careers shows true character and leadership, something you are sorely lacking.

You want to talk about shortcomings, I'd say look in the mirror or talk to a certain senator that could send all 30 of them to Anchorage with the personal discretionary they spend every week on flowers for their office. Hmm...

May 15, 2008 - 11:12pm | haut_monde_ak

When I look in the mirror...

I like what I see. No indiscretions here. I live a good life, hence part of the name. Not a politician either- too smart for that.

"Her offering to fly 30 legislators to Anchorage to educate them on the most important issue they'll ever vote on in their careers shows true character and leadership, something you are sorely lacking."

How would you know that? You read one paragraph of mine and decide that I lack character and leadership? Sorry buddy, got lots to prove otherwise, including serving my country as an active duty Air Force officer. You?

I'm not offended, you'll have to try much harder. I actually got a good laugh at that statement. Thank you, I love to laugh!

BTW, what good decisions has she made? Mat Maid? AGIA, ACES? Please spend the time to specify.

Governor Palin's leadership and character? Examples please, and only ones that don't involve her self-promotion. I have one for you that demonstrates complete lack of regard for human life: she risked her life and the life of her son's by traveling transcontinentally with preterm premature rupture of membranes. Character? Hmmm... don't think so.

May 15, 2008 - 11:13pm | haut_monde_ak

May 14, 2008 - 8:35pm | JoeSixpack

the motive seems pretty clear

legislative "leadership" won't allow legislators to attend, so the governor is stepping in to fill the leadership vacuum.

some people are playing silly games and the governor is saying "look, this is a chance to find out what all of the fuss is about. if the 'leaders' in the house and senate won't foot the tab, the executive branch will."

it's time to stop playing games and do the work.

2 May 14, 2008 - 7:44pm | chasm

Administration's show and tell.

"Once the special session starts, the (administrations) gas line team will not be in control of the presentation structure and timing."

Thank the lord for small favors.

Dump the turkey called AGIA.

1 May 14, 2008 - 4:47pm | juno

Beware of Greeks bearing gifts (Palin's Trojan Horse?)

Palin violates Executive Ethics Act in attempt to buy legislators with public funds.

Sec. 39.52.120. Misuse of official position.
(a) A public officer may not use, or attempt to use, an official position for personal gain, and may not intentionally secure or grant unwarranted benefits or treatment for any person.
(b) A public officer may not...
((3) use state time, property, equipment, or other facilities to benefit personal or financial interests;..
(6) use or authorize the use of state funds, facilities, equipment, services, or another government asset or resource for partisan political purposes;

Sec. 39.52.130. Improper gifts.
(a) A public officer may not SOLICIT, accept, or receive, directly or indirectly, a gift,
whether in the form of money, service, loan, travel, entertainment, hospitality, employment,
promise, or in any other form, that is a benefit to the officer's personal or financial interests,
under circumstances in which it could reasonably be inferred that the gift is intended to influence
the performance of official duties, actions, or judgment. A gift from a person required to register
as a lobbyist under AS 24.45.041 to a public officer or a public officer’s immediate family
member is presumed to be intended to influence the performance of official duties, actions, or
judgment unless the giver is an immediate family member of the person receiving the gift.
(b) Notice of the receipt by a public officer of a gift with a value in excess of $150,
including the name of the giver and a description of the gift and its approximate value, must be
provided to the designated supervisor within 30 days after the date of its receipt
(1) if the public officer may take or withhold official action that affects the giver; or
(2) if the gift is connected to the public officer's governmental status.

What's the difference between this and VECO bribing legislators? Follow the money.

This is another blatant attempt by Palin to conduct the state's business away from the capital city at the expense of the public.

May 14, 2008 - 10:52pm | Talkradio

Why do you respond

I fail to understand why people respond to Juno (Dan Fagan) and other Palin haters?

Eddie Burke

May 15, 2008 - 1:02am | AK_Lady

Hey Eddiot

Did your psychic friend tell you who Juno is?

May 14, 2008 - 8:27pm | Cartman3_15

Yeah, God forbid "the state's business" should be

conducted where more of the state's residents can witness it.

May 14, 2008 - 9:02pm | chasm

The state capitol is in Juneau

and that is where the states business should be conducted.

May 15, 2008 - 12:03pm | rfn

Juneau?

The (according to Alaska Airlines) Incredible Shrinking City? The one where they're urging that all work be stopped on expanding the airport because it can't sustain a level of business to support even the existing level of service?

THAT Juneau?

May 15, 2008 - 12:22pm | juno

THIS Juneau-Where governors have resided since statehood

Read Airline apologizes to board for letter pressuring airport. from the capital of the great state of Alaska. Palin MIA. Lights are off at gov's mansion and nobody's home.

May 15, 2008 - 1:07pm | rfn

Didn't take the Incredible Shrinking City

long to figure out they were pricing themselves out of airline service. Looks like Alaska Airlines got what they really wanted:

"For now, the airport will not increase rent, proffer fees or include surcharges on tenants' rent to cover crisis-level power costs. Electricity is included in lease payments."

That was the city's reaction as they groused about the pressure and quickly caved in!

Meanwhile, please explain in detail why it's a good idea to leave lights burning precious electricity and keeping the heat turned up in an unoccupied building. Unoccupied, during non-legislative session periods by most governors -- well, except for those who are otherwise homeless ("living" in decrepit former railroad cars in the woods).

May 14, 2008 - 9:27pm | Cartman3_15

Most people would disagree

There's nothing wrong with taking a special session, or other random state business on the road -- especially if it means more Alaskans could see this in action.

What have you got to hide?

May 14, 2008 - 7:48pm | chasm

The last sentence says it all.

This is just a blatant attempt to put pressure on the legislature to approve TransCanada's bid. Hopefully the legislature will act responsibly and refuse to give TC $500,000,000 dollars for nothing.

May 14, 2008 - 7:39pm | JoeSixpack

Give it a rest, Fagan

You're tilting at windmills. If you're not careful, you'll stop being the cute little organ grinder's chimp that provides us all such entertainment and you'll just be another bitter old Angry Halcrow.

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Put it on the governor's tab