After months of wrangling with government agencies over Freedom of Information Act requests, the Associated Press has an interesting bit of news today: Some of Obama’s most important appointees use non-public email addresses to conduct official business.
Federal Government
Alaska’s first honorary Filipino Consul sworn into office
The first Honorary Consul of the Republic of the Philippines to Alaska has been sworn into office.
Potential challengers eye Begich’s senate seat
The next U.S. Senate race in Alaska is still 18 months away. A number of Republicans have jumped in the race, or are publicly mulling taking on Senator Mark Begich in November 2014.
Alaska lawmakers pushing back against Federal royalty cuts
Alaska is joining 10 other states in opposing cuts to federal royalty payments.
States ordered to refund federal money
Local communities have come to rely on the money because they can’t tax federal land. It took more than a few by surprise when Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell fired off a letter to governors saying he needs the money back.
DC lawmakers recess with plenty still to be done
The Senate is out for the week. But it will return to a full slate.
Juneau observes Memorial Day
Small American flags and flowers decorate Juneau grave sites as families and friends observe Memorial Day at two locations in Juneau.
Alaskan officials rip feds on NPR-A
House Bill 1964 would force the federal government to scrap its current management plan and environmental assessments for new ones. And it would require the federal government to hold annual lease sales in NPR-A.
Executives push feds for export approval
The Senate Energy Committee is holding a series of so-called “forums on natural gas.” To the uninitiated, they sure look like typical Congressional hearings. For insiders, they look like Congressional hearings without the usual five minute speaking limits.
State unemployment rate lowest in 6 years
Alaska continues to add jobs to its seasonal economy. The preliminary statewide unemployment rate for April is 6 percent, the lowest since mid-2007. It dropped a full percentage point from April 2012. Nationally, unemployment last month was 7.5 percent. Once again, Juneau and the North Slope Borough boast the lowest rate in Alaska, at 4-point-4…