Dunleavy discusses State of the State

JUNEAU — Gov. Mike Dunleavy delivered his second State of the State address on Monday in front of a meeting of all 60 Senators and Representatives in the House chambers in the state Capitol building. While Dunleavy struck a different chord than he had at his state of the state address last year, he hit many of the same notes as he has been on his speaking tour around the Valley prior to the start of the second half of the legislative session last week. While Dunleavy talked briefly about education and public safety, the majority of his 31 minute speech discussing the Alaskan economy and upcoming budget.

“As we begin 2020, I’m proud to report that the state of the state is strong,” said Dunleavy. “This year I introduced the flat budget. Last year’s budget focused solely on reductions. It took all of the oxygen out of the room, so to speak. Critical components of a long term sustainable solution, while introduced, were not addressed and left on the table. These solutions need to be taken up this year. This initial budget absent the large reductions introduced last year should allow us the ability to focus on a sustainable long term plan.”

Dunleavy detailed his plan to introduce a state lottery. As one of only five states without a state lottery, Dunleavy projects that a lottery will increase incoming revenues. Dunleavy proudly proclaimed that Alaska has moved out of a recession and the economy is growing. Dunleavy said that Alaska is currently at its lowest unemployment rate in state history with a 10-year high in wages and nearly 2,000 additional jobs. Dunleavy lauded the 2.4 percent growth in gross domestic product during the third quarter of 2019, calling Alaska one of the fastest growing economies in the nation. Noting Alaska’s economic past, Dunleavy repeated his belief that the North Slope is undergoing an oil renaissance with $5.5 billion in private investments last year. Dunleavy estimates an additional 200,000 to 300,000 new barrels of oil in the next several years.

“We should be able to at least agree that resource development forms the basis of our economy and as such, we are compelled to develop those resources to the maximum benefit of all Alaskans,” said Dunleavy. “We must reject those who would shut Alaska down and put our state’s future in jeopardy. We know Alaskans develop our resources better than any place on earth. We can all agree no one cares more about protecting Alaska than Alaskans. I repeat, no one cares more about Alaska than Alaskans.”

Dunleavy said that his relationship with the Trump administration is opening new doors for Alaska’s economy and continued to focus on the ‘fiscal issue’ that must be solved by the legislature. With the price of oil dropping in the two months after he was elected in 2018, Dunleavy estimated that $2 billion in potential revenue was lost by the drop. Dunleavy continued to promote the three constitutional amendments he introduced last year and also promoted his new legislation that decreases barriers for over 100 licensed professions to begin work in Alaska. Dunleavy also hopes to change the Alaska hire laws, creating incentives for businesses that work with the state and hire as many Alaskans as possible.

“It’s the people that we must bring into this grand discussion regarding Alaska’s future. To ignore them we do so at our own peril because they have the power of the ballot box,” said Dunleavy.

Dunleavy was proud to announce that 61 percent of all fish landed in the United States were caught in Alaska and that half of the country’s top 10 commercial ports are in Alaska. While noting Alaska’s history with oil, Dunleavy also discussed a law passed in 2010 that mandates Alaska produce half of its energy through renewable resources.

“Renewables can work. It’s not just good for the environment, it’s good for Alaskans. It’s really the smart thing to do. Therefore, I’ve instructed my departments and agencies to identify and evaluate options and a path forward to deliver affordable energy to Alaskans based upon renewable resources,” said Dunleavy.

Dunleavy discussed his multiple initiatives to put Alaskan land in private hands. Only one percent of Alaskan land is held by private citizens, and Dunleavy introduced his plan to exchange land certificates for two times the value of a historic calculation of the Permanent Fund Dividend. Dunleavy introduced a number of invited guests sitting in the gallery during his speech, first of which was Palmer-based Gannett Glacier Fire Crew’s Superintendent Bryan Quimby.

“Under the leadership of Bryan Quimby, this 20 member team battled the Swan Lake fire, McKinley ire as well as fires near Anchorage, Talkeetna and many other Alaskan communities. Bryan represents thousands of men and women who put themselves in harm’s way to protect all of us so I’m honored to have Bryan with us tonight,” said Dunleavy.

In total, 742 fires burned 2.6 million acres of Alaskan land in 2019. Dunleavy also introduced hunting rights legend John Sturgeon, who won two unanimous decisions in the supreme court among other invited guests as he discussed education. Dunleavy promoted his Alaska Reads act that was introduced two weeks ago. Dunleavy said that he has directed Commissioner of Education Michael Johnson to form a working group to review issues with teacher recruitment and retention.

“The commissioner with the help of this working group will develop a plan that addresses this issue this year. Until we solve this revolving door, especially in our most remote locations and difficult to fill positions, we cannot hope to deliver the outcomes parents, children, and all of us expect. Solving this issue will be a focus of my administration,” said Dunleavy.

Dunleavy said that more Troopers were added last year than in any other year in the last decade. Of those serving prison sentences in Alaska, 95 percent will be released at some point, leading Dunleavy to discuss issues around recidivism.

“We must work together and reduce and prevent crime for those offenders who truly want a second chance. It’s imperative upon us to provide it,” said Dunleavy.

Dunleavy proudly proclaimed that he had delivered on his promise to repeal and replace Senate Bill 91 and said that he had added funding for prosecutors and public defenders. Dunleavy also said that his administration had begun to address a decades old backlog of rape kits yet to be evaluated. Dunleavy said that he introduced a new initiative to combat sex trafficking, adding teeth to the current law with longer prison sentences for those convicted. Dunleavy concluded by noting Alaska’s capacity for resource development, natural beauty and strategic location.

“We are America and so much more. We’re given this one moment in time to do what’s best for our great state. Let’s take advantage of it,” said Dunleavy.