Opinion

Treatment of homeless a salient question for Assembly candidates

The sad truth is, the number of people living on Juneau’s streets is rising. The City and Borough of Juneau Assembly’s move last winter to… Continue reading

  • Sep 16, 2017
  • By ROSITA WORL

The do-nothing politics of floods and climate change

Hurricanes Harvey and Irma dominated the news cycle during the past few weeks as they left a trail of devastation in their wake. But it… Continue reading

  • Sep 15, 2017
  • By Rich Moniak

Leave something for the next generation

Back in 2015, the Juneau Assembly tried to strike a balance between the struggles of our senior citizens and those of young families trying to… Continue reading

  • Sep 15, 2017
  • By DEBBIE WHITE

A response to recent columns on the Catholic Church

In the past 30 days there have been two “My Turn” opinion columns asserting the Catholic Church’s teachings, especially in the area of human sexuality,… Continue reading

  • Sep 13, 2017
  • By MIKE MONAGLE

Return Indian Point land to Alaska Native people of Juneau

The City and Borough of Juneau has the special opportunity to join with the Alaska Native community, Goldbelt Heritage Foundation, and the Auk Kwaan people… Continue reading

  • Sep 12, 2017
  • By Kate Troll and Randy Wanamaker

Walker: Achieving stable, affordable health care is important for Alaska

In Alaska, we pay more for health care than do most Americans. In much of the United States, a medical emergency typically means a $400… Continue reading

  • Sep 11, 2017
  • By GOV. BILL WALKER

Losing my religion

It’s too late for General Custer, too late for Robert E. Lee. Gotta get back on the highway, before it’s too late for me. —… Continue reading

  • Sep 10, 2017
  • By JIM HALE
A view of the West Douglas Pioneer Road. (Photo by Ben Brown)

Pioneer road peaceful, calming and important to Juneau

The west side of Douglas Island has been talked about for many years as an enticing place where Alaska’s capital city can expand and find… Continue reading

  • Sep 10, 2017
  • By Ben Brown
A view of the West Douglas Pioneer Road. (Photo by Ben Brown)

Do you know how your utility rates are set?

As a privately owned utility, AEL&P is overseen by the Regulatory Commission of Alaska (RCA). When AEL&P wants to change the price of electricity, they… Continue reading

  • Sep 10, 2017
  • By DANIELLE REDMOND

Single-payer health care can be a budget solution

Last week Gov. Bill Walker notified lawmakers that he’ll be calling a fourth special session in October. It’ll focus on new tax proposals to close… Continue reading

  • Sep 10, 2017
  • By Rich Moniak

Magic formula for transforming local schools into true centers for learning

This week thanks go to Hecla Mining, the operator of Greens Creek Mine on Admiralty Island, after the company made a significant contribution to the… Continue reading

  • Sep 6, 2017
  • By WIN GRUENING
Thinkstock

Please keep food stamp benefits for Alaskans

When you work or volunteer at the Southeast Alaska Food Bank, you can get a sense of the kinds of struggles families in our community… Continue reading

  • Sep 6, 2017
  • By Dennis Watson
Thinkstock

Alaska’s national parks: Policy of economics and common sense, or a state and federal political agenda?

In August 2016, the National Park Service issued wildlife management regulations protecting the natural diversity of wildlife that were the result of 10 years of… Continue reading

  • Sep 6, 2017
  • By TONY KNOWLES

Use a flat tax for the income tax

The FAIRtax — i.e., H.R. 25 (“FT”) is a progressive scam — we need a simple 10 percent tithing income tax. FT marketers advertise that… Continue reading

  • Sep 5, 2017
  • By Stephen Eldridge

Freedom to join unions can fix this economy

Across the country, and in Alaska, Americans are working longer hours for less money and fewer benefits, despite being more productive than ever. No matter… Continue reading

  • Sep 5, 2017
  • By Jim Duncan

The ghostly products of economic growth

“This year, they gave up.” That’s how The New York Times reporter Binyamin Applebaum summed up last week’s annual Economic Policy Symposium in Jackson Hole,… Continue reading

  • Sep 3, 2017
  • By Rich Moniak

Do you know what your children are learning?

It’s two weeks into the new school year, and the honeymoon is over. Children and adolescents who were excited to see their friends have been… Continue reading

  • Sep 2, 2017
  • By Todd Smoldon
Tiffany Hall

September is National Recovery Month

September is National Recovery Month, a time to highlight recovery from mental health and substance use disorders. This month is for honoring the warriors among… Continue reading

  • Sep 1, 2017
  • By TIFFANY HALL
Tiffany Hall

Alaska politicians are raiding your PFD

It’s an article of faith among many politicians that the Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD), needs to be reduced to fix Alaska’s fiscal problem. This assumption… Continue reading

  • Sep 1, 2017
  • By JOSEPH W. GELDHOF

Corporate taxes should be zero

Tax reform is a priority agenda item in the 115th Congressional session. In the coming months, we will hear significant proposed changes to the extremely… Continue reading

  • Aug 29, 2017
  • By WILEY BROOKS