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matt.akmemo.com
Matt Buxton
@matt.akmemo.com
1.5K followers 160 following 2.5K posts
Alaska wonk. Husker. Roller coaster, Magic card and staying in enthusiast. Writes akmemo.com

Hanging out and hanging on.
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matt.akmemo.com
Matt Buxton @matt.akmemo.com · Jan 21
And I'll be at it here throughout session.

Follow my newsletter for even more #akleg wonkery at www.akmemo.com
The Alaska Memo
The What and Why it Matters of Alaska Politics by Matt Acuña Buxton.
www.akmemo.com
matt.akmemo.com
Wait, Dunleavy's really not going to talk about the details of his fiscal plan?

#akleg
fry from futurama is shocked with his mouth open
ALT: fry from futurama is shocked with his mouth open
media.tenor.com
January 23, 2026 at 5:08 AM
matt.akmemo.com
Gov. Mike Dunleavy's final special session is already underway, with the usual attack on the "special interests." Which, for him, are usually teacher groups. Says they're gonna have a party the day leaves office.

So pretty much what you'd expect.

📺: www.ktoo.org/video/gavel/...

#akleg

🧵
January 23, 2026 at 4:13 AM
matt.akmemo.com
Wednesday was a little quiet, so today's newsletter recaps this morning's override session and how it lines up against the governor's plan to introduce a sales tax:

Day 3: With Dunleavy's sales tax looming, GOP votes down corporate tax bill

#akleg
Day 3: With Dunleavy's sales tax looming, GOP votes down corporate tax bill
The fact that the governor is leading with a broad-based tax that would definitely raise costs for Alaskans was a point many supporters of the bill didn't let slide.
www.akmemo.com
January 23, 2026 at 1:23 AM
matt.akmemo.com
In the House Health and Social Services Committee, they're hearing Rep. Gray's HB232, which would lower the age of consent for mental health counseling from 18 to 16.

Right now, Sen. Giessel is talking about her time helping in Anchorage middle schools.

#akleg

Link: www.ktoo.org/video/gavel/...
January 23, 2026 at 12:40 AM
Reposted by Matt Buxton
pat.alaskarobotics.com
#akleg In governor Dunleavy's first State of the State he called for a constitutional amendment that would allow "no change in taxes without a vote of the people."
Gov. Mike Dunleavy during his first State of the State address.
January 22, 2026 at 11:40 PM
matt.akmemo.com
Already underway is Senate Transportation on how much Dunleavy and co have screwed up the 2026 construction season with his veto of $60M+ in federal highway matching dollars.

They're asking for the money now, but it's unclear where it'll come from.

Watch: www.ktoo.org/video/gavel/...

#akleg
January 22, 2026 at 11:19 PM
matt.akmemo.com
Meanwhile, there's a new lawsuit today accusing Alaska Attorney General Stephen Cox of unlawfully biasing the ballot language for the initiative to repeal open primaries.

His description claims that repealing the dark money provisions "restores" or "brings back campaign finance rules."

#akleg
II. SUMMARY 5. This case involves untrue, incomplete, and partisan ballot language adopted by the Defendants for the ballot measure denoted 24ESEG. This ballot language is neither “true” nor “impartial” as required by law. 6. In some respects, the ballot language adopted for 24ESEG states that the proposed law would operate in the opposite manner of what it would actually accomplish. This will confuse or deceive voters by potentially causing them to vote in favor of policies they oppose. This ballot language also omits several aspects of the proposed law that, if known to voters, would give them pause or cause them to vote against the measure. 7. Under Article XI, Section 4 of the Alaska Constitution, and AS 15.45.180, Plaintiffs — and all Alaska voters — are entitled to true and impartial ballot language so COMPLAINT FOR INJUNCTIVE AND DECLARATORY RELIEF Page 3 of 24 Cashion Gilmore & Lindemuth 510 L Street, Suite 300 Anchorage, Alaska 99501 (907) 222-7932 fax (907) 222-7938 that they can make an informed decision on whether to vote yes or no on 24ESEG. Plaintiffs seek to enforce that constitutional and statutory right in this litigation.
January 22, 2026 at 7:46 PM
Reposted by Matt Buxton
matt.akmemo.com
On a vote of 35-25, the #akleg has FAILED to override Gov. Dunleavy's veto of Senate Bill 113, which would have shifted online corporate tax revenue from other states to Alaska.

It's a caucus-line vote.

Instead, the Republican gov is expected to call for a sales tax tonight.
January 22, 2026 at 7:34 PM
matt.akmemo.com
The #akleg joint session to take up Gov. Dunleavy's veto of SB113, the online corporate income tax bill, is getting underway now.

#akleg

Watch: www.ktoo.org/video/gavel/...
January 22, 2026 at 6:15 PM
Reposted by Matt Buxton
scottcrass.bsky.social
Glad to see the folks in Juneau get to work. #akleg
Alien monsters from the Simpsons wonder why the house, the largest legislative body, doesnt simply eat the Senate.
January 22, 2026 at 6:07 AM
Reposted by Matt Buxton
adriftalchemist.bsky.social
tonight, we learned that nearly 100 students have withdrawn from mount edgecumbe high school this year

that’s 1/4 of the entire student body

also, sitka tribe of alaska council just unanimously approved a resolution requesting alaska dept of ed create an ad-hoc committee on student safety at mehs
January 22, 2026 at 5:06 AM
Reposted by Matt Buxton
thealaskacurrent.com
The Alaska Legislature kicked off its 2026 session on Tuesday with a gloomy outlook thanks to an already-bad fiscal picture, escalating global uncertainty and a litany of headaches caused by lame-duck Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy.
thealaskacurrent.com/2026/01/21/a...
Alaska Legislature kicks off with a ‘downer’ of an outlook - The Alaska Current
The Alaska Legislature kicked off its 2026 session on Tuesday with a gloomy outlook thanks to an already-bad fiscal picture.
thealaskacurrent.com
January 22, 2026 at 1:30 AM
matt.akmemo.com
The House Resources Committee is underway. They're getting a presentation today on legislative and policy options for the Alaska LNG project.

(Dunleavy's ask so far has been a massive cut to local property taxes)

#akleg

Docs: www.akleg.gov/basis/Meetin...
Watch: www.ktoo.org/video/gavel/...
January 21, 2026 at 10:03 PM
matt.akmemo.com
Latest newsletter recapping the first day of the #akleg:

'At some point, the dam's gonna break'

The budget is front and center as the 2026 legislative session got underway on Tuesday, and legislators aren't thrilled with Gov. Dunleavy's proposed budget or what it means for the state's future.
Day 2: 'At some point, the dam's gonna break'
The state of the state's budget is front-and-center as the 2026 legislative session got underway on Tuesday, and legislators aren't exactly thrilled with Gov. Mike Dunleavy's proposed budget.
www.akmemo.com
January 21, 2026 at 8:07 PM
Reposted by Matt Buxton
alaska.bsky.social
Looks like someone's been charged in Alaska federal court for trying to open the cabin door of an international flight from Minneapolis to Tokyo while being drugged or having dementia ... Alaska gets these cases infrequently because it's the place where planes land in emergency situations.
At approximately 4:09 p.m. on Sunday, January 18, 2026, I received an email containing an FAA Incident Notification regarding Delta Flight 121 from Minneapolis to Tokyo, Japan. The notification indicated that the flight crew reported an unruly passenger and declared a Level 2 Disturbance, diverting the plane to land in Anchorage. 7. At approximately 5 :23 p.m., I received a second email containing another FAA Incident Notification containing additional information. This second email indicated that a disruptive passenger was walking around the aisle of the aircraft, attempted to open a cabin door, and had become verbally abusive towards the flight crew as they attempted to help him back to his seat.
January 21, 2026 at 7:24 PM
Reposted by Matt Buxton
pat.alaskarobotics.com
Aurora was just ripping tonight. Could even see them downtown with all the light pollution.
Aurora over Juneau
January 21, 2026 at 5:42 AM
matt.akmemo.com
The Senate State Affairs Committee is already underway with its hearing on two proposed constitutional amendments:

SJR2, lowering the veto override threshold for budgets
SJR13, allowing the gov to bypass the Alaska Judicial Council for selecting judges

#akleg

Link: www.ktoo.org/video/gavel/...
Senate State Affairs Committee
SJR 2 – CONST. AM: VOTES NEEDED FOR VETO OVERRIDE — Invited & Public Testimony — SJR 13 – APPOINTMENT OF STATE JUDGES Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled
www.ktoo.org
January 21, 2026 at 12:40 AM
matt.akmemo.com
First day of #akleg has me like:
a man with a beard and a crown on his head is looking at the camera .
Alt: An animated gif from The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, where Théoden, released from the influence of Gríma Wormtongue, goes from a ghastly old man to a hale-and-hearty older man.
media.tenor.com
January 20, 2026 at 11:25 PM
matt.akmemo.com
Meanwhile, a long-expected lawsuit challenging the state of Alaska for failing to adequately fund education (the Alaska Constitution requires the state to establish and maintain public education for all students) has been filed, the Coalition for Education Equity announced today.

#akleg
School Districts File Lawsuit Against State for Failure to Adequately Fund Public Education Anchorage, Alaska— Two public school districts in Alaska filed a lawsuit today against the State, alleging that the state has failed to meet its constitutional obligation to adequately fund their public education system. The lawsuit, filed in the Anchorage Superior Court, asserts that chronic underfunding has left districts unable to provide students with the resources, facilities, staffing, and educational opportunities required under the Alaska Constitution. As a result, students—particularly those in rural, low-income, and high-need communities—are being denied their right to a high-quality public education. “For years, our districts have done everything possible to stretch limited resources, but the funding system has not kept pace with inflation or the unique operational costs in the state” said Caroline Storm, Executive Director of the Coalition for Education Equity. “The state’s failure to meet its constitutional responsibility is harming students and communities across Alaska. This lawsuit is about ensuring that every child has access to the education they deserve.” According to the complaint, inadequate state funding has led to overcrowded classrooms, outdated instructional materials, reduced academic and support services, deferred building maintenance, and difficulties recruiting and retaining qualified teachers and staff. District leaders argue that these conditions violate the state’s constitutional mandate to provide an adequate system of public education. The plaintiffs emphasize that the lawsuit is not about politics, but about fulfilling a constitutional obligation to the state’s children. “We are taking this step because students cannot wait any longer,” said Dr. Madeline Aguillard.
January 20, 2026 at 10:42 PM
matt.akmemo.com
The #akleg is officially underway!

The House and Senate are both in and introducing their new members.

www.ktoo.org/video/gavel/...
January 20, 2026 at 10:14 PM
matt.akmemo.com
The Senate Majority is underway with its session opener press availability. Senate President Stevens opens up by calling it a "challenging" session and highlights the experience in the chamber. Says fiscal discipline and core services are the goal.

#akleg

Link: www.ktoo.org/video/gavel/...
January 20, 2026 at 8:32 PM
matt.akmemo.com
Today's the day!

The start of the #akleg session, which kicks off with a gloomy combination of an already-bad fiscal picture, escalating global uncertainty and a lame-duck governor with a bad attitude.
Day 1: Lame-duck Dunleavy
Legislators are also increasingly frustrated with the state's languishing public services under the governor, with everything from social safety net programs to business licensing taking a hit due to ...
www.akmemo.com
January 20, 2026 at 8:23 PM
Reposted by Matt Buxton
wormeguy.bsky.social
At UAF, a student chewed up and spit out another student's AI geberated art about AI psychosis.

www.uafsunstar.com/news/student...
Student arrested for eating AI art in UAF gallery protest — The Sun Star - UAF's Student Voice
On Tuesday, January 13, University of Alaska Fairbanks undergraduate student Graham Granger was detained after he had been found “ripping artwork off the walls and eating it in a reported protest,” ac...
www.uafsunstar.com
January 16, 2026 at 12:47 AM
Reposted by Matt Buxton
alaskasurvey.bsky.social
Alaska Survey Research was preparing to field our latest survey last week, when it happened. Renee Good was shot and killed.

Our survey shows that Alaskans don’t think her killing was justified.

Alaska Survey Research
February 8-11, 2026
N=2,132 Alaska adults
MOE +/-2.0%
January 16, 2026 at 1:04 AM
matt.akmemo.com
Today, an Alaska Superior Court judge struck down the state's restrictions on breweries and wineries hosting live music and entertainment, a long-running fight over the legality of fun in non-bar alcohol-serving places, as a free speech violation.

Ruling: drive.google.com/file/d/1OX8e...

#akleg
Conclusion from the court filing: The parties do not dispute any material facts. The Defendants fail to present sufficient evidence demonstrating a connection between the challenged speech restrictions and a substantial government interest. The speech restrictions fail the tests of strict and intermediate scrutiny, and such suppression of speech by the state cannot stand. This Court recognizes that the challenged speech restrictions were once a critical piece of a grand compromise achieved in the passage of broad reform to our state's alcohol industry. Additionally, this Court appreciates that in negotiating this compromise, "the legislature aimed to balance 'the interest of the public, people holding licenses or permits under this title, and the alcoholic beverage industry in general."'*94 However, political compromise is not recognized as a substantial government interest for the purposes of restricting speech under the First Amendment. Neither is the codification of preference for one industry actor over another.95 Accordingly, this Court declares AS 04.09.320(e)(1), 04.09.320(g)(1), AS 04.09.330(e)(1), and AS 04.09.330(g)(1) unconstitutional in part, and AS 04.09.700 as unconstitutional in entirety pursuant to the First Amendment of the United States Constitution and Article 1, Section 5 of the Alaska Constitution.
January 15, 2026 at 8:12 PM