Opinion: Alaska deserves better than this political theater

As Alaskans gathered to celebrate the Fourth of July—honoring our nation's founding principles of liberty, accountability, and representative government—we were met with a stunning reminder of how far some in leadership are willing to stray from those ideals.

On the very day $6.8 billion in federal education funds were expected to reach our schools—money meant for after-school programs, academic enrichment, and professional development—we learned that the federal government is now withholding it. While communities brace for the fallout, Alaska’s political leadership is putting on a different kind of show—one that plays politics with students’ futures.

Governor Mike Dunleavy has called for a surprise August 2nd special session on education and the creation of a new Department of Agriculture. But instead of rallying lawmakers to address these issues head-on, he asked members of his own Republican minority to skip the first five days of the session—just long enough to avoid any attempt to override his controversial line-item vetoes to school funding.

I’m stunned. I never thought I’d see conservative legislators—who claim to champion transparency, accountability, and constitutional duty—resort to this kind of manipulation. Since when did evading debate and dodging votes become a conservative value? You don’t defend the Constitution by undermining its processes. You don’t claim fiscal responsibility while slashing school budgets and simultaneously proposing a brand-new government department.

The governor’s actions send a clear message: education is not a priority—control is.

Let’s be honest about what’s happening. After vetoing a bipartisan $700 per-student increase, slashing it down to $500, Governor Dunleavy is now dangling an extra $200 per student—but only if lawmakers pass his preferred policies. That’s not leadership. That’s political extortion.

Meanwhile, legislators from both sides of the aisle are rightfully criticizing the move as “disappointing” and “dumbfounding.” They passed real reforms during the regular session, including expanded charter options and increased base student funding. But instead of building on that progress, the governor wants a redo—on his terms, under his conditions, and with half the room told not to show up.

Let’s not forget the hypocrisy: Dunleavy vetoed funding for this very special session, and now expects lawmakers to scramble to fund it while he attempts to expand government. All of this, he claims, is due to falling oil revenues—a reason that somehow justifies cutting education but not creating a new Department of Agriculture.

On Independence Day, we remember the courage of those who stood against unchecked power and fought for a representative government that serves the people. That spirit should guide our leadership today—but sadly, it isn’t. What we’re seeing instead is political maneuvering that undermines the very foundations of our republic.

As a conservative, I support fiscal discipline and lean governance—but not like this. Not at the expense of our kids, our schools, and our democratic process.

Alaskans should be furious. Our students are not political bargaining chips. Our educators are not props in a budgetary game. And voters should remember this moment when some of their elected officials chose party politics over public service.

If this is what passes for leadership in 2025, then yes—November 2026 cannot come fast enough.

Rick Morgan is the President of the Mat-Su Classified Employees Association and a long-time advocate for public education and government accountability in Alaska.