Gov. Bill Walker

In this Sept. 29, 2014 photo, candidate for governor Bill Walker speaks as Gov. Sean Parnell listens during their debate in front of the Juneau Chamber of Commerce at Suite 907. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Why I’m voting for Bill Walker

Walker has proven over and over again that when the going gets tough — Alaska-tough — Bill gets going.

In this Sept. 29, 2014 photo, candidate for governor Bill Walker speaks as Gov. Sean Parnell listens during their debate in front of the Juneau Chamber of Commerce at Suite 907. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Juneau Empire File

Feds sign death certificate for Juneau Road construction

Nineteen months after Gov. Bill Walker killed the Juneau Access Project, the federal government has signed the death certificate.

Juneau Empire File
In a photo provided by the office of the governor, Gov. Bill Walker signs Senate Bill 63, a statewide public smoking ban, on Tuesday, July 17, 2018 at the Lucky Wishbone restaurant in Anchorage. Standing at right is Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, the legislative sponsor of the bill. On Walker’s lap is Stella Micciche, one of Micciche’s daughters. Also visible, from right to left behind Walker are Dr. Jay Butler, Alaska’s chief medical officer; Rep. Geran Tarr, D-Anchorage; Rep. Jason Grenn, I-Anchorage; Micciche; Rep. Chris Birch, R-Anchorage; and the smile of Emily Nenon of the American Cancer Society. (Courtesy photo)

Alaska Gov. Bill Walker signs bill banning indoor smoking

Effective Oct. 1, ban mirrors similar regulations approved by Bethel, Juneau, Anchorage.

In a photo provided by the office of the governor, Gov. Bill Walker signs Senate Bill 63, a statewide public smoking ban, on Tuesday, July 17, 2018 at the Lucky Wishbone restaurant in Anchorage. Standing at right is Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, the legislative sponsor of the bill. On Walker’s lap is Stella Micciche, one of Micciche’s daughters. Also visible, from right to left behind Walker are Dr. Jay Butler, Alaska’s chief medical officer; Rep. Geran Tarr, D-Anchorage; Rep. Jason Grenn, I-Anchorage; Micciche; Rep. Chris Birch, R-Anchorage; and the smile of Emily Nenon of the American Cancer Society. (Courtesy photo)
The Alaska State Capitol is seen Saturday, May 12, 2018. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

Dunleavy supports Juneau as capital

As I volunteer on the Mike Dunleavy for Governor campaign, I have been asked whether or not Dunleavy supports keeping the capital in Juneau. Dunleavy… Continue reading

The Alaska State Capitol is seen Saturday, May 12, 2018. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)
Five candidates running for Alaska governor, at left, squared off in Naknek at the Bristol Bay Fish Expo. From left are Gov. Bill Walker, former Lt. Gov. Mead Treadwell, Anchorage businessman Scott Hawkins, former state Sen. Mike Dunleavy and former Anchorage Mayor and U.S. Sen. Mark Begich. The debate was moderated by KTVA’s Rhonda McBride. (Molly Dischner | Alaska Journal of Commerce)

Mead Treadwell is the solution to three-way gov. race

Rep. Les Gara wrote an excellent opinion piece in the Juneau Empire recently. He quite rightly pointed out that if it comes to a three-way… Continue reading

Five candidates running for Alaska governor, at left, squared off in Naknek at the Bristol Bay Fish Expo. From left are Gov. Bill Walker, former Lt. Gov. Mead Treadwell, Anchorage businessman Scott Hawkins, former state Sen. Mike Dunleavy and former Anchorage Mayor and U.S. Sen. Mark Begich. The debate was moderated by KTVA’s Rhonda McBride. (Molly Dischner | Alaska Journal of Commerce)
In this photo provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, people who’ve been taken into custody related to cases of illegal entry into the United States, sit in one of the cages at a facility in McAllen, Texas, Sunday, June 17, 2018. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Rio Grande Valley Sector via AP)

Walker urges Trump administration to stop splitting children from parents

Gov. Bill Walker has joined opponents of the Trump administration’s effort to separate illegal immigrant children from their families. In a statement Tuesday, Walker called… Continue reading

In this photo provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, people who’ve been taken into custody related to cases of illegal entry into the United States, sit in one of the cages at a facility in McAllen, Texas, Sunday, June 17, 2018. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Rio Grande Valley Sector via AP)

Walker urges Trump administration to stop splitting children from parents

Gov. Bill Walker has joined opponents of the Trump administration’s effort to separate illegal immigrant children from their families. In a statement Tuesday, Walker called… Continue reading

Walker keeps funding for Juneau Access but nixes money for Anchorage bridge

Gov. Bill Walker declined to veto additional money for the Juneau Access Project, but he did nix funding for another Alaska road-building project before signing… Continue reading

Gov. Bill Walker watches from the House gallery as legislators discuss Senate Bill 26 on Tuesday, May 8, 2018. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

Walker still opposes The Road

Gov. Bill Walker has not changed his opposition to the Juneau Access road project. Reading a prepared statement, Walker press secretary Austin Baird said Tuesday… Continue reading

Gov. Bill Walker watches from the House gallery as legislators discuss Senate Bill 26 on Tuesday, May 8, 2018. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)
Gov. Bill Walker, right, speaks to KTVA-TV reporter Steve Quinn, left, on Tuesday morning, April 3, 2018 at the governor’s mansion. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

Walker abandons push for $10M ANWR survey, instead asks for statewide 911 call center

Gov. Bill Walker is abandoning a push to spend up to $10 million on oil and gas survey work in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.… Continue reading

Gov. Bill Walker, right, speaks to KTVA-TV reporter Steve Quinn, left, on Tuesday morning, April 3, 2018 at the governor’s mansion. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)
The Alaska State Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Senate seat nominee withdraws name after controversial abortion post surfaces

A vacant seat in the Alaska Senate was the eyewall of an 18-hour political hurricane late Wednesday and Thursday morning. Gov. Bill Walker controversially named… Continue reading

The Alaska State Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Walker to GOP on Senate pick: Vote now

Walker to GOP on Senate pick: Vote now

Gov. Bill Walker isn’t backing down. In a letter to Senate President Pete Kelly, R-Fairbanks, and Senate Majority Leader Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, the governor said… Continue reading

Walker to GOP on Senate pick: Vote now
Jude Pate is seen in this undated photo provided by the office of Gov. Bill Walker. Pate was selected Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018 by Walker to fill a vacancy on the Sitka Superior Court bench. (Courtesy photo)

Jude Pate named to Sitka court bench

Gov. Bill Walker has appointed Sitka public defender Jude Pate as that city’s new Superior Court justice. Pate will replace judge David George, who announced… Continue reading

Jude Pate is seen in this undated photo provided by the office of Gov. Bill Walker. Pate was selected Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018 by Walker to fill a vacancy on the Sitka Superior Court bench. (Courtesy photo)

Governor calls for Permanent Fund to bring jobs to Juneau

In a speech to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, Gov. Bill Walker told the assembled crowd that he believes the Alaska Permanent Fund… Continue reading

New poll finds Gov. Walker among America’s least-popular governors

Gov. Bill Walker is the most unpopular state governor seeking re-election this year, the results of a new poll indicate. The poll, conducted by Morning… Continue reading

Gov. Bill Walker speaks during his State of the State address before a joint session of the Alaska Legislature at the Capitol on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2018. Senate President Pete Kelly, R-Fairbanks, left, and Speaker of the House Bryce Edgmon, D-Dillingham, watch from the Speakers desk in the background. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

In State of the State, Walker promotes self-sufficiency as solution to Alaska’s problems

With allusions to grit, determination and self-reliance, Gov. Bill Walker delivered his annual State of the State address to Alaskans on Thursday night in the… Continue reading

Gov. Bill Walker speaks during his State of the State address before a joint session of the Alaska Legislature at the Capitol on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2018. Senate President Pete Kelly, R-Fairbanks, left, and Speaker of the House Bryce Edgmon, D-Dillingham, watch from the Speakers desk in the background. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Governor says Alaska’s deficit will not be fixed in 2018

Gov. Bill Walker is an optimist, but even he thinks Alaska’s multibillion-dollar budget deficit won’t be resolved this year. Walker spoke to the Empire in… Continue reading

Gov. Walker calls for more spending on jobs, public safety and oil company tax credits

Gov. Walker calls for more spending on jobs, public safety and oil company tax credits

Gov. Bill Walker on Friday unveiled his plan for a $10.6 billion state budget that includes spending from the Alaska Permanent Fund’s earnings reserve to… Continue reading

Gov. Walker calls for more spending on jobs, public safety and oil company tax credits
Gov. Bill Walker signs an Executive Order in his Capitol conference room on Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2017, outlining his administration’s policy on climate change and creating the Climate Action for Alaska Leadership Team. Standing behind Gov. Walker are Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development Deputy Commissioner Fred Parady, left, Attorney General Jahna Lindemuth, Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott, Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Larry Hartig and Senior Advisor on Climate Change Dr. Nikoosh Carlo. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Walker names members of climate change advisory panel

Gov. Bill Walker on Tuesday morning announced the members of his climate change advisory board. The board, established by an executive order on Halloween, has… Continue reading

Gov. Bill Walker signs an Executive Order in his Capitol conference room on Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2017, outlining his administration’s policy on climate change and creating the Climate Action for Alaska Leadership Team. Standing behind Gov. Walker are Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development Deputy Commissioner Fred Parady, left, Attorney General Jahna Lindemuth, Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott, Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Larry Hartig and Senior Advisor on Climate Change Dr. Nikoosh Carlo. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott laughs while sampling a cookie before the Governor’s Open House on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Cookies take the cake at governor’s open house

For Kristi Kraft, preparing for the governor’s annual holiday open house is no piece of cake. It’s a stack of cookies. Kraft is the baker… Continue reading

Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott laughs while sampling a cookie before the Governor’s Open House on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)