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Articles by John Coghill
Alaska's citizen voting measure is the first step; a constitutional amendment is next
To the editor: Alaskans delivered a clear message with the overwhelming passage of Ballot Measure 3: voting in Alaska is a right that is reserved for U.S. citizens. Ballot Measure 3 will shore up Alaska statutes. The next step is to enshrine it in the Alaska Constitution. Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one.
Why Ballot Measure 3 deserves a yes vote
Ballot Measure 3 asks a simple question: should Alaska law say plainly that only United States citizens may vote in Alaska elections? Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. Your current subscription does not provide access to this content.
Opinion: Alaska’s citizen voting initiative is proactive, not political theater
A sign is tied to a fence outside Anchorage's Central Lutheran Church for the general election on Nov. 3, 2020. (Emily Mesner / ADN archive) A recent commentary published by ADN (“Alaskans, don’t be duped by the citizens voter initiative”) asks a good question: If it’s already illegal for noncitizens to vote in Alaska elections, why do we need the Alaskans for Citizen Voting initiative? The answer is simple: Rules work best when they are explicit, durable and beyond legal ambiguity.
Alaska’s citizen voting initiative is proactive, not political theater
To the editor: A Community Perspective printed by the News-Miner earlier this week asks a good question: if it’s already illegal for noncitizens to vote in Alaska elections, why do we need the Alaskans for Citizen Voting initiative? The answer is simple: rules work best when they are explicit, durable, and beyond legal ambiguity. Alaska’s current law is not clear. Clarification is not redundancy. It is a proactive step to avoid future confusion.
Opinion: Protecting the value of citizenship in Alaska’s elections
As Alaskans who care deeply about the future of our state and the integrity of our democracy, we feel compelled to speak out in support of the Citizen-Only Voting Initiative. At first glance, some may shrug and say, “Don’t our laws already require you to be a U.S. citizen to vote?” But the truth is less clear. Right now, Alaska law uses the word may — and that ambiguity creates space for confusion and misinterpretation.
Protecting the value of citizenship in Alaska’s elections
As Alaskans who care deeply about the future of our state and the integrity of our democracy, we feel compelled to speak out in support of the Citizen-Only Voting Initiative. At first glance, some may shrug and say, “Don’t our laws already require you to be a U.S. citizen to vote?” But the truth is less clear. Right now, Alaska law uses the word may — and that ambiguity creates space for confusion and misinterpretation.
Opinion: Protecting the value of citizenship in Alaska’s elections
As Alaskans who care deeply about the future of our state and the integrity of our democracy, we feel compelled to speak out in support of the Citizen-Only Voting Initiative. At first glance, some may shrug and say, “Don’t our laws already require you to be a U.S. citizen to vote?” But the truth is less clear. Right now, Alaska law uses the word “may” — and that ambiguity creates space for confusion and misinterpretation.
Tax cap increase is not the solution
To the editor: I am voting against raising the tax cap. Please join me in rejecting this poorly timed tax increase. The vote we are told is for the education budget for the upcoming year. That may be the goal, but the increase will be permanently in the general fund and may be spent in any way future assemblies decide. We are told we don’t have the funds to manage the shortfall this year. That is only part of the story.
OPINION: Diversify Alaska’s energy sources to power our economy
A recent Anchorage Daily News story noted that a proposed wind farm near Anchorage could provide a much-needed boost to the area’s energy supplies — and will be most productive in the coldest conditions, when demand is highest. The project, Little Mount Susitna Wind, could have met 20% of the city’s electric demand during January’s extreme cold snap, according to developers. This is great news given the uncertain outlook for Cook Inlet natural gas.
OPINION: Alaska has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to unlock its energy potential
For decades, Alaskans have wished for more reliable, affordable and locally generated energy. The high cost of energy and our limited control over it has hampered our households and communities, making everything from subsistence activities to attracting businesses more difficult in our state.
OPINION: Why Alaskans are uniting against a constitutional convention
By Cathy Giessel, John Coghill, Bruce Botelho, Bryce Edgmon, Gail Schubert, Joelle Hall, Bill Corbus and Luke Hopkins Updated: 25 minutes ago Published: 25 minutes ago The Alaska State Capitol in Juneau on Jan. 16, 2017. (Marc Lester / Alaska Dispatch News) Imagine 55 Alaskans from all walks of life, citizens with different political affiliations and backgrounds meeting together with a unifying passion for Alaska’s future.
Gov. Dunleavy’s ’50-50′ plan falls far short of a real fiscal solution
Gov. Mike Dunleavy presented his proposal for a fiscal “plan” at a recent press event. He claimed broad, bipartisan support from legislators, but it was telling that only a single Democrat was in attendance, and that none of the co-chairs of the House or Senate Finance Committees were in the room. All in all, the event seemed more like a pep rally than a serious policy discussion. To be fair, we should discuss the good in this proposal. First, a constitutional amendment to cap spending.
Opposed to Measure 2
To the editor: I am not supporting Ballot Measure 2. I will support any effort to defeat Ballot Measure 2. First, I believe in the right of parties to select their best nominee in a primary. This initiative would leave parties less effective by making their freedom of association less authoritative. Even though I was not selected as the Republican nominee this last primary, I support the process for Republicans to elect Republicans.
Letter: Don’t support voting changes
I am not supporting Ballot Measure 2. I will support any effort to defeat Ballot Measure 2. First, I believe in the right of parties to select their best nominee in a primary. This initiative would leave parties less effective by making their freedom of association less authoritative. Even though I was not selected as the Republican nominee this last primary, I support the process for Republicans to elect Republicans.
Why legislators should let the University of Alaska Board of Regents do its work
On Sept. 20, the Senate State Affairs Committee heard from the UAA Faculty Senate. I was there and listened; however, the Board of Regents is still best suited to decide about structuring the University of Alaska at this time. First a context, then a comment. In a break from normal procedure, the State Affairs Committee was used to hear additional faculty voices. Those voices were appreciated and I will consider them in this priority: first constitutionally, then statutorily, then budgetary.
Leadership laid bare by former army boss John Cantwell
The Sunshine Coast's John Cantwell knows a thing or two about leadership, but that did not stop him confronting his own abilities when commanding Australian troops in the Middle East and at the Royal Military College in Duntroon. "Peter Leahy, the former chief of army and one of my mentors, used to say me 'find the biggest problem you have, go and stand next to it, and make it yours'," he said. "If you see a wasteful situation, if you see bias, then walk up to that problem and deal with it.
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