The Weekly Top 3: Recent Episodes
Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets
Podcast by Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets. Our top 3 issues each week in the world of Alaska oil, gas & fiscal policy.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of August 3, 2026.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss some potentially troublesome developments with ANS oil prices (1:59), 2) we review some of the numbers behind the concerns about the reliability of Southcentral gas deliveries this coming winter (19:52), and 3) we explain why a recent op-ed from Adam Crum shows that some Republicans are part of Alaska's ongoing budget problems, not the solution (39:41).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of July 27, 2026.
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss Enstar's petition for rehearing of its Cook Inlet storage proposal and where the process goes from there (2:10), 2) we discuss an issue that Hilcorp left out of its recent letter to the legislature, but we think is critical to understanding the S-corp issue (18:59), and 3) we explore where #AKLNG goes from here (37:28).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of July 20, 2026.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss the results (that will surprise many) from comparing the income tax rate on middle-income Alaska families resulting from PFD cuts against the income tax rates on middle-income families in other states (2:10), 2) we try to bring some clarity to the seeming confusion about where the Southcentral gas supply sits heading into the next winter and beyond (17:05), and 3) we explain why we draw a straight line from the failure of the legislature earlier this session to treat Dunleavy’s proposed sales tax seriously to where we are now on the S-corp tax (37:18).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of July 13, 2026.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we update our look at the Permanent Fund Corporation from the information contained in its most recent performance report (2:10), 2) we discuss how the state is making the economic situation faced by middle-income Alaska families even worse than that caused by the other disruptions in the economy (20:28), and 3) we explain why the response of some to the proposed S-corp fix — “we will get to that later” — is so disingenuous (38:19).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of July 6, 2026.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss a recent example of where the K-12 industry’s expectations have become unreasonable (2:00), 2) we explain why Rep. Schwanke is right about a lot of things, but is very wrong when it comes to the proposed S-corp provision (17:51), and 3) we explain why Larry Persily (and others) must not be listening to themselves when they talk about tax fairness (36:29).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of June 29, 2026.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we outline the state's deeply unsettling fiscal outlook, even if spending growth is held to inflation from FY26 onward (2:05), 2) we discuss why we continue to believe that the #akleg should pass the S-corp amendment and override the Governor's veto of the resulting bill if necessary (16:39), and 3) we explain why there are no Jay Hammond-like candidates in the race for Governor, and why that is troubling for Alaska (34:29).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of June 22, 2026.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain why, by following a one-way fiscal policy that favors spending over revenues, Governor Dunleavy is making the state's already bad fiscal situation even worse (2:26), 2) we explain why we believe the Senate is right in proposing to fix Alaska's Subchapter S oil & gas loophole and what we will be looking for the Conference Committee to consider as it attempts to resolve the differences between the House and Senate on the issue (17:36), and 3) explain why we believe former Governor Walker's proposal to terminate the PFD is equivalent to Texas or Louisiana confiscating the royalties owed to private mineral interest owners in those states (40:05).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of June 15, 2026.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain the reason why the Bullet Line (now called Phase 1 of the #AKLNG project) has never been built and question why some think #AKLNG overcomes it (2:12), 2) we dive deep into the #AKLNG bill and discuss why we think Alaska will be at significant risk if we build Phase 1 without the Phase 2 commitments in hand (19:15), and 3) we shift over to the federal side to discuss the looming problems with Social Security and explain why we are concerned they may hit Alaska harder than most (39:33).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of June 8, 2026.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain why the potential of ending up stuck in Phase 1 of the #AKLNG project poses an unacceptable risk to Alaskans (2:11), 2) we discuss what the lack of interest in the ANWR lease sale last week tells us about the North Slope oil situation (22:02), and 3) we explain why we think most, if not all, of the candidates for Governor seem oblivious to the signals Alaska consumers are sending about their economic situation (38:47).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of June 1, 2026.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss yesterday’s filing deadline, who filed for office, who didn’t, and what the result means for Alaska’s future (2:15), 2) we review the significant insights we have gleaned from LegFin’s recent fiscal summaries of the FY26 and FY27 budgets (18:40), and 3) we discuss why justifying a property tax break for AKLNG based on how Louisiana and Texas approach their projects is nothing more than cherry-picking fiscal policy (37:14).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of May 25, 2026.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain why the more we learn about how Phase 1 of the AKLNG project is intended to work, the more concerned we become about its potential impact on Alaskans (2:16); 2) we explain how some attempt to use the “federal income tax” argument to deflect attention from the economic impact on Alaska families of PFD cuts (18:20), and 3) we discuss how, just as the effort to inject more fiscal responsibility into the K-12 process at the local level is making some headway, the legislature steps in to undercut it (40:04).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of May 18, 2026.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss the effort yesterday by some to use the gasline bill permanently to divert revenues to their favored spending categories, and why we continue to be concerned about the potential for similar efforts in the future, even though yesterday's effort failed (2:11), 2) we explain what, in the euphoria about first oil, many are forgetting about the state revenue side of Pikka, Willow, and other new developments (17:40), and 3) we discuss where the conference report puts the FY27 budget (35:27).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of April 27, 2026.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain why we believe the Governor should veto, and the Legislature should uphold his veto of the defined benefits bill, assuming it passes the Legislature in the first go round (2:24), 2) we discuss both the signals the feds are sending on the LNG project and what federal involvement in that project would mean for the state (19:22), and 3) we discuss the role we believe fiscal policy should be playing in this year’s Governor’s race, and our disappointment over why it isn’t (38:55).
And finally, a scheduling note. We will be off for the next two weeks, traveling. We will return with the next edition of The Weekly Top 3 on Tuesday, May 19th.
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of April 20, 2026.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we analyze where the FY26 and FY27 budgets currently stand, focusing on the revenue sources that are being used to support them (2:12), 2) we discuss the current status of the AKLNG project, including the potential impact of yesterday’s Presidential Executive Order invoking the Defense Production Act (17:13), and 3) we discuss where the K-12 funding debate goes from here, particularly in light of the recent defeat of the two K-12-related bond propositions in this month’s Anchorage municipal election (36:49).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of April 13, 2026.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain why the way the legislative R’s are handling the PFD debate is a certain loser, and consider whether that is, in fact, their goal (2:10), 2) we explain why we believe SJR 29, the proposed Constitutional amendment to establish a constitutionally dedicated education fund, will create a giant sucking sound within the Alaska budget if enacted(19:52), and 3) we examine who exactly it is the Legislature is trying to protect from paying taxes (39:47).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of April 6, 2026.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss the absolute hypocrisy being exhibited on all sides during the recent debates on the PFD issue in the House Finance Committee (2:14), 2) we discuss the issues we see with SJR 29, the proposed Constitutional amendment to establish a constitutionally dedicated education fund (20:25), and 3) we examine an extremely interesting and, we think, important presentation made last week in the House Resources Committee by Gaffney Cline, the legislature’s consultant on the AKLNG project (39:48).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of March 30, 2026.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain why the projected FY27 oil revenue windfall seems to be burning a hole in legislators’ pockets (2:16), 2) we explain why SB274, the Senate Finance Committee’s proposed reduction of the POMV draw percentage, is addressing the wrong problem with the Permanent Fund (19:41), and 3) we explain that while the Administration and the AKLNG project have provided many numbers, they have failed to provide those necessary to explain why the proposed volumetric property tax rate is good for Alaskans (40:08).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of March 23, 2026.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we examine what last week's successful NPRA lease sale means for Alaska (1:58), 2) we discuss the source and extent of the problems the AKLNG project is facing in the Legislature (17:26), and 3) we examine the upcoming challenges the Legislature faces in finalizing the FY27 budget (38:35).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of March 16, 2026.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss the ongoing debate in the House over the funding source for the FY26 Supplemental (1:54), 2) we explain how, yet again, the House Majority is attempting to Orwellianize the term “fiscally responsible” (16:03), and 3) we discuss the issues involved in the competing LNG import projects (32:19).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of March 9, 2026.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain how SB 274 — the Senate Finance Committee’s proposal to reduce the level of the annual POMV draw from the Permanent Fund — is applying the wrong lesson taken from the performance of the Permanent Fund Corporation (2:18), 2) we discuss whether the market dynamics behind the #AKLNG project have changed as a result of the effects of the military operation in Iran (19:24), and 3) we explain why the legislature should ignore the oil price derived from the Spring Revenue Forecast when setting the FY27 budget and instead use the rolling 10-year average price (38:41).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of March 2, 2026.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain why the Legislature should use the rolling 10-year average oil price in preparing the FY27 budget, rather than whatever will come from the snapshot of the current futures market being taken this month in the midst of what’s happening in the Middle East (2:26), 2) we review two slides included in Permanent Fund Corporation advisor Callan’s presentation last week which undermine both the claim that the PFC is doing “well” compared to its peers, and that even a 4% POMV draw rate adequately protects the Permanent Fund corpus (17:35), and 3) we discuss why a distributional analysis of who pays under any given revenue approach is critical to both the legislative process and the long-term well being of both Alaska families and the Alaska economy (39:10).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of February 23, 2026.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss the action taken by Senate Resources this past week on oil taxes and why we think its performative and unserious (2:17), 2) we explain how Rep. Galvin’s proposed income tax becomes very regressive — indeed, much more than the Governor’s proposed sales tax — when coupled with the additional steps required to close the full deficit (17:54), and 3) we explore why some seem to discard alternatives to PFD cuts even when, by raising susbstantial amounts from non-Alaskans, using the alternatives would leave much more money in the pockets of Alaska families and the Alaska economy (34:54).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of February 16, 2026.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss what the House Finance Committee is up to with its recent actions on the PFD (2:16), 2) we explain how recent data from the Permanent Fund Corporation itself demonstrates why the goal of the proposed one-account Permanent Fund Constitutional amendment is to open a back door into the Permanent Fund corpus (16:22), and 3) we discuss our comparison of the impact of PFD cuts and the Governor's proposed sales taxes by legislative district and how it shows that, in virtually all of them, using a sales tax leaves more money in the pockets of the median Alaska household (36:35).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of February 9, 2026.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain how the response of the House Finance Committee to the Governor’s proposed fiscal plan badly fails working class Alaska families (2:08), 2) we discuss how their reaction to the Governor’s proposed fiscal plan proves even “progressives” really don’t care about the economic situation faced by working class Alaska families (19:18), and 3) we explain how the new data on non-resident workers acts as a report card on how the Legislature is treating working age Alaska families, giving them a failing grade (39:39).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of February 2, 2026.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain how the new ISER study shows, by shifting a significant part of the responsibility for revenue to non-residents, the Governor’s seasonal sale tax proposal materially reduces the burden currently being borne by Alaska families through PFD cuts (2:23), 2) we explain how, by misrepresenting and ignoring the effect of the Governor’s seasonal sales tax proposal, the editorial boards of the Anchorage Daily News and Fairbanks News Miner are intentionally obfuscating its significant benefits to Alaska families (19:08), and 3) we discuss the parts of the Governor’s proposal that are problematic, such as its failure to close the state’s full deficits and its painfully inadequate adjustments to oil taxes. (36:22).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of January 26, 2026.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) now that all of the pieces have been filed, we explain and start to analyze Governor Dunleavy’s proposed fiscal plan (2:09), 2) stripped of the hype, we discuss how far along the Alaska LNG project is really (17:39), and 3) we explain why, rather than writing op-eds patting themselves on the back, the Permanent Fund Corporation Board members should be doubling down on working harder to achieve the earnings levels the Fund should be generating (38:34).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of January 19, 2026.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain what we will be looking for in the Governor’s proposed fiscal plan he is preparing to roll out as part of his State of the State address Thursday (2:12), 2) we explain why this year’s version of Jansen & Schierhorn’s annual “don’t change SB21” op-ed is missing a paragraph, and discuss why the absence is hugely meaningful (18:20), and 3) we discuss our thoughts about how the Legislature should construct a government spending cap; it is a much different approach than how the current spending caps are constructed (37:00).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of January 12, 2026.
This week, we are using the segment to discuss our Top 5 fiscal priorities for this coming legislative session:
In the first part of the segment (at 2:30), we discuss our first and second priorities:
- Opposing the consolidation of the current two-account Permanent Fund system into a single account, and
- Reforming oil taxes,
In the second part (at 18:04), we discuss our third and fourth priorities, both of which are designed to reduce the current disproportionate burden imposed by state fiscal policy on middle and lower-income Alaska families and the overall Alaska economy:
- Restructuring and constitutionalizing the PFD, and
- Coupled with a spending cap, adopting a broad-based tax, and
And in the final part (at 40:05), we discuss our fifth priority:
- Reforming the Permanent Fund Corporation Board to refocus its membership on those having substantial investment expertise and experience.
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of January 5, 2026.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss what we view as the single most important fiscal issue facing the legislature this coming session (2:05), 2) we discuss what the impact of a potential new surge in Venezuelean oil development could have on Alaska (18:42), and 3) we explain how a recent report from the Permanent Fund Corporation itself demonstrates that its Board continues to overspend and underperform (36:13).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of December 15, 2025.
For those who follow us, this is our last podcast for 2025. After taking a couple of weeks off for the holidays, we will return on January 6, 2026.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain what the Department of Revenue’s Fall Revenue Forecast tells us about state petroleum revenues (2:07), 2) we explain what OMB’s 10-year forecast tells us about the outlines of a potential solution to the state’s never-ending fiscal crises (17:08), and 3) in our wrap-up to this, ourlast show of 2025, we do our annual “Christmas Top 3” (35:43).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of December 8, 2025.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain why neither the “fair share” nor “all we need is more development” sides of the oil tax debate is addressing the issue in the way the Constitution does and the Legislature should (2:15), 2) we discuss a recent op-ed by Larry Persily: while he explains that he understands that Alaska has developed a K-shaped economy, he doesn’t seem to get that he and others who advocate for deep PFD cuts are a big part of the reason for it (19:35), and 3) after reviewing recent news reports, we explain why the Bishop for Governor campaign seems to lack any appreciation of the most critical issue facing the state (39:22).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of December 1, 2025.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss the significant uncertainty regarding oil price, and with that oil revenues, that the Legislature will face this coming session (2:10), 2) we explain why we have asked whether Lt. Governor Dahlstrom is duplicitous or just dumb when it comes to the Permanent Fund (18:56), and 3) we explain why, while we like Ralph Samuels, we believe he is a horrible pick for the Board of the Permanent Fund Corporation (36:59).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of November 24, 2025.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we catch up on some recent developments affecting the Cook Inlet gas market (2:00), 2) we catch up also on some recent developments related to North Slope oil (21:54), and 3) we explain the fatal disconnect which undermines what many think is Alaska’s “trickle down” economy — GDP growth followed by household income growth (38:39).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of November 17, 2025.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss why revenues — where the money is supposed to come from — should be an equal part of the discussion of the Legislature’s Task Force on Education Funding (2:15); 2) we explain why the Alaska fiscal policy debate sounds a lot like two kids fighting: it’s your fault, no, it’s your fault (19:24); and 3) we explain why the pre-session “priorities” discussions between local bodies and their legislators should be a two-way conversation, which includes a segment on “who pays” (37:51).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of November 10, 2025.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain what, to us, seems missing so far from this year’s Governor’s race (2:02); 2) we explain what irritates us about how many in the Top20% support taxes (18:00); and 3) we review the Permanent Fund’s first quarter investment returns and what they tell us about the Permanent Fund Corporation’s performance (37:33).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of November 3, 2025.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss a stunner: how Alaska takes more as a share of income from its middle & lower-income families than California takes under its income tax from its billionaires (2:14); 2) we explain why the Task Force on Education Funding needs to address how they actually intend to FUND the increased spending they want (19:49); and 3) we examine the irony of Alaska’s SNAP funding “crisis,” how many of the same legislators who are now outraged about the potential loss of funds themselves voted to take even more from the very same recipients in the last budget (38:03).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of October 27, 2025.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain why Legislators should ask those pushing for more spending to clarify at the same time how the proponents propose to pay for it(2:09); 2) we explain why one of the most prominent champions of PFD cuts is the very definition of hypocrisy (19:34); and 3) we discuss why, after taking some odd turns, MustRead Alaska’s Jon Faulkner seems to be coming to the right conclusion on the ill-advised proposal to consolidate the two Permanent Fund accounts into one (39:02).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of October 20, 2025.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) following up on recent comments by House Speaker Bryce Edgmon about the situation in western Alaska, we ask whether it could be the final straw that breaks the PFD (2:18); 2) we use a recent op-ed from House Minority Leader Mia Costello to demonstrate that it’s not just Ds that push spending without saying how they will pay for it (17:44); and 3) having read the second in his series on the Permanent Fund, we ask whether MustRead Alaska’s Jon Faulkner should just start over (37:07).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of October 13, 2025.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss EIA’s most recent oil price forecast, why the oil futures market is starting to trend the same way, and what that means for Alaska’s fiscal situation (2:12); 2) we explain how all of the enthusiasm over the Ambler road and other new projects could end up causing even deeper PFD cuts (16:02); and 3) we explain how Jon Faulkner’s Permanent Fund inflation-proofing argument in Must Read Alaska undermines both the current two-account system and the PFD (35:39).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of October 6, 2025.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain how the current candidates for Governor have lost sight of former Governor Jay Hammond’s vision for Alaska that put Alaska families first (2:05); 2) we explain how some in the oil industry are trying to rewrite the history behind SB21 (21:21); and 3) we discuss how Governor Dunleavy is failing to do his part to help resolve the state’s fiscal problems (39:35).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of September 29, 2025.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss Alaska’s K-shaped economy and how it helps explain outmigration (2:06); 2) we explain the parts of the story that the Permanent Fund Corp’s claims about a “successful” FY25 ignore (18:11); and 3) we discuss why op-eds proposing new or continued spending should come with a fiscal note (38:23).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of September 22, 2025.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain why we think the Alaska media has completely whiffed on this year’s real PFD story (2:10); 2) we explain why the North Slope renaissance isn’t producing the benefits for Alaskans they were led to expect (16:31); and 3) we discuss what the termination of the Santos/ADNOC deal likely means for Santos’ Alaska Pikka project (35:50).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of September 15, 2025.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain why a recent op-ed by Senator Cathy Giessel proposes to make Alaska’s fiscal situation even worse than it already is (2:22); 2) we review recent data from the Department of Revenue that is telling us production taxes remain broken even well beyond the current 10-year revenue forecast (19:54); and 3) while the recent headlines are interesting, we explain what information we and other industry observers are really waiting for about the AKLNG project (37:29).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of September 8, 2025.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss Sen. Robb Myers recent op-ed in the Alaska Landmine, which explains that the proposal to change the current two-account Permanent Fund system to a one-account system is really about protecting state revenues, not protecting the Permanent Fund (2:24); 2) we dive into the state’s new fiscal analysis of the Pikka oil field and what the numbers are telling us about SB 21 (19:21); and 3) we explain how, by not looking at the numbers, Must Read Alaska is missing the big story behind the performance of the Permanent Fund Corporation (39:14).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of September 1, 2025.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain, using the Permanent Fund Corporation’s own numbers, how its high-cost “active asset management” program is failing Alaskans by badly underperforming even its own Passive Index Benchmark (2:25); 2) we explain why we applaud Senator Mike Cronk’s point that developing a successful K-12 funding plan is contingent on first developing an overall, solid fiscal plan for the state (18:45); and 3) we explain how the recent op-ed’s from gubernatorial candidates Click Bishop and Tom Begich blatantly ignore the central issue facing the next Governor: the huge and continuing current law budget deficits the state is projected to run over the next decade (37:12).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of August 25, 2025.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss some recent comments by Speaker Edgmon about the economic strains being felt by Alaska’s coastal communities and explain why, in certain real respects, they are being self-inflicted by the Legislature (2:28); 2) we start a new, occasional series by explaining the “rest of the story” surrounding some recent campaign comments by Adam Crum and Tom Begich (20:02); 3) we remember Stephen Haycox and the lessons about Alaska we learned from him and will continue to learn as we and others continue to read the rich legacy that he has left with us (33:01); and finally, in some brief comments at the end, we give a shout out to Sen. Mike Cronk for some comments he made at this week’s opening meeting of the Education Task Force (47:42).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of August 18, 2025.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain why the EIA’s new oil price forecast suggests Alaska is on the precipice of slipping back into a steep, deficit-driven budgetary position for the remainder of FY26 and into FY27 (campaign year 2026) (2:16); 2) we explain why the growing problem with Social Security is likely to have a significant impact on Alaska (21:44); and 3) we explain how a recent proposal from the FNSB would only make the state’s K-12 funding issue even worse (41:88).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of August 11, 2025.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) the Anchorage business community says they are concerned about the economy but at the same time they push the revenue option that has the “largest adverse impact” on it (2:15); 2) we explain why the next rounds of K-12 funding growth should come from increased local contribution (18:08); and 3) we explain why those pushing the “one account” approach to “protect” the Permanent Fund are, in fact, opening the door for raids on it (39:26).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of August 4, 2025.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain how the votes on the veto override do much to explain the state's deep fiscal problems (2:15); 2) we discuss again, whether they realize it or not, how those advocating for a one-account Permanent Fund approach are pushing to create a back door into the Permenent Fund corpus (24:13); and 3) we explain why, whether he intended to or not, Rep. Bill Elam has suggested a helpful way to exercise better control over K-12 spending (35:41).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of July 28, 2025.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain how a recent op-ed demonstrates why some legislators seem not to grasp how Alaska oil taxes work (2:15), 2) we explain why Sen. Shelley Hughes potentially has a significant leg up on fiscal issus over other candidates in the coming Governor’s race (20:49), and 3) we explain why we think, with one exception, a recent op-ed by Kevin McCabe makes a significant contribution toward understanding the K-12 issue (38:40).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of July 21, 2025.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss the significant state revenue downside of Conoco’s — and others’ — new exploration programs (2:07), 2) we explain, contrary to the hope of some, why the gas pipeline is not a “fix” to Alaska’s broken financial foundation (17:37), and 3) we discuss how the OBBA may make state level K-12 funding issues even more complicated (37:57).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of July 14, 2025.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) while the OBBA increases access to potential new oil fields on federal lands, we discuss whether it will actually result in new development and, more importantly, additional state revenues (2:17), 2) we discuss the fundamental economic issue we believe the candidates for Governor need to address in the coming election cycle (21:20), and 3) we explain why we think one journalist should listen to himself and follow his own advice that he recently gave in an op-ed piece (36:01).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of July 7, 2025.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss whether Elon Musk is the new Ross Perot and what that might mean for national politics (2:09); 2) we explore how the One Big Beautiful A will affect the list of issues facing the Alaska legislature (13:13); and 3) we discuss Gov Dunleavy’s call for a special session and how, while it may be a tactical gain in some areas, it is yet another lost opportunity to resolve state fiscal policy (31:25).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of June 30, 2025.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss the hypocrisy of how Alaska leaders are governing at home compared to what they say at the national level (2:10 ); 2) we look at the actual returns the Permanent Fund Corporation is earning compared to its own benchmarks and other alternatives, something the PFC seldom does in its op-eds and press releases (17:00); and 3) we explain why PFD cuts should be counted as “skin in the game” in the same way as taxes (36:28).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of June 23, 2025.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss what's driving oil prices and where they appear to be headed now in the wake of the Israel/Iran ceasefire (2:15); 2) we explain how, like the #akleg before them, the US Senate is now resorting to accounting tracks to create fiscal space for continued deficit spending without raising revenues (17:32); and 3) we expplain why, if we don't fix Alaska oil taxes first, "drill baby drill" will only serve to increase our state budget shortfalls (37:39).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of June 16, 2025.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss where we believe oil prices are likely headed and how Alaska could reduce the fiscal roller coaster the state’s current budget approach creates (2:09); 2) we discuss one issue that we believe should be at the heart of the coming education task force and its subsequent recommendations (17:41); and 3) we examine what a recent decision by JERA — Japan’s largest LNG importer — means for Alaska LNG (37:39).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of June 9, 2025.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss the issues surrounding the state’s threat to terminate the Cosmopolitan leases (2:01); 2) we explain why we believe a recent op-ed about state child care support fails to address the equally important question of #WhoPays for the support (19:29); and 3) we focus on why what didn’t happen at Governor Dunleavy’s sustainability conference is more important than what did (39:35).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of June 2, 2025.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain why the Permanent Fund Corporation’s April results demonstrate our point about its deficient returns (2:03); 2) in the wake of the visit from three of its cabinet officials, we examine the potential impact of the Trump Admin’s focus on Alaska (18:58); and 3) putting all the pieces together, we discuss which “working people” exactly Angela Rodell really seems concerned about (34:02).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of May 26, 2025.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we walk through the sources and uses of funds in the FY26 budget, and examine who is bearing the burden created by using PFD cuts to provide nearly a third of the revenues (2:14); 2) we explain how a recent op-ed from Anna MacKinnon on the Permanent Fund picks up from where she left off when she left the Senate: finding ways to fund spending while protecting the Top20% & #OilCos from paying for it (18:50); and 3) we discuss how we could avoid the Alaska budget being so impacted by swings in oil prices (36:39).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of May 19, 2025.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain why this year’s PFD cut — which is the 10th in a row and the largest yet — is, like the others before it, nothing more than a bailout paid for by middle & lower-income Alaska families of the Top20%, non-residents, and the oil companies (2:18); 2) we discuss how, in its latest press release, the Permanent Fund Corporation is trying to divert attention away from its recent performance (19:40) and 3) we explain how dealing with supersized and uneconomic Alaska energy projects is like a game of whack-a-mole; just when you have one down, another pops up (38:31).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of May 12, 2025.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain why Alaska’s current fiscal dilemma reminds us of a game of chicken and what it will take to resolve it (2:04); 2) we discuss what role the Governor should play in resolving the dilemma and why Governor Dunleavy’s actions are lacking (18:34); and 3) we discuss how the failure to resolve the dilemma is adversely affecting Alaska’s private sector business climate and confidence level (38:11).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of May 5, 2025.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss what’s going on with oil prices: what’s driving the price drop, how low could they go and how long could the price drop last (2:17); 2) we discuss the failure of those who voted for HB 57 (the permanent K-12 funding increase) to realistically deal with a fundamental question: where’s the money coming from and #WhoPays (18:56); and 3) we discuss a bill hovering over this session that, if passed, could make Alaska’s future even worse from a fiscal perspective (40:35).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of April 28, 2025.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain how a recent op-ed by Larry Persily essentially lays out the same fiscal approach as the Legislature’s 2021 Fiscal Policy Working Group, and discuss how to implement both (2:13); 2) we discuss the impact of the Senate’s vote yesterday permanently to increase state spending on K-12, and with it, the state’s long-term deficit (20:19); and 3) we discuss the likely impact on Alaska of coming decisions at the federal level to shift a material share of the federal spending burden to the states (38:41).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of April 21, 2025.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss what the latest projections from the Permanent Fund Corporation are telling us about where the Permanent Fund is headed on its current course (2:02); 2) we examine the opportunity to make some small headway in generating substitute revenues and reducing the need for PFD cuts (20:13); and 3) we explore some budget-related good news (40:56).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of April 14, 2025.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain the difference between an accounting balanced budget and a distributionally balanced budget and why the Legislature is continually failing to produce the latter (2:06); 2) we discuss former Sen. Joe Paskvan’s excellent op-ed in a recent Fairbanks Daily News-Miner attacking the Permanent Fund Corporation’s proposed backdoor raid on the Permanent Fund corpus (21:40); and 3) for those interested, we do a Michael Dukes Show “Finer Things” segment on my recent Ireland trip (38:01).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of March 24, 2025.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain why the proposal to combine the Permanent Fund corpus and earnings reserve both puts the corpus at risk and undermines significant performance incentives for the Permanent Fund Corporation (2:14); 2) we explain how Rep. DeLena Johnson and other Republicans are ignoring important data to put the interests of the oil companies ahead of those of Alaska families (15:58); and 3) we explain why we aren’t hearing much about Cook Inlet gas in this session (spoiler alert: it’s because the market solved the problem) (28:08).
For your information, following this episode, we are taking a three-week break from the show to go on a tour of Ireland. We will return to our seat and be ready to go again on Tuesday, April 15.
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of March 17, 2025.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain how the Permanent Fund Corporation is leaving substantial amounts of money on the table (1:59); 2) we look at what both the left and right are missing about the Hilcorp loophole (19:54); and 3) we discuss how the Senate is being pushed this session to act as the fiscal grown-up in the room (38:42).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of March 10, 2025.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we review a recent, balanced look by the Alaska Beacon’s James Brooks at Alaska’s budget situation and the battle over #WhoPays (2:03); 2) we discuss the full on raid on the Permanent Fund corpus by the Senate Majority and how it’s being fueled by a poorly invested Permanent Fund (17:56); and 3) we explain how the #AKLNG project always looks great to newcomers … until they start looking under the hood at the economics (38:35).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of March 3, 2025.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain why we believe Alaska oil tax reform is not only justified, but needed (2:06); 2) we discuss the fiscal irresponsibility of how both increased K-12 spending as well as defined benefits are being pursued (19:25); and 3) we explain how the PFD is being squeezed from both the left and right (37:52).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of February 24, 2025.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss the Senate Finance Committee’s proposed SB109, which, if enacted, would be the largest permanent individual tax increase in Alaska’s history (2:09); 2) we explain why the source of the state’s fiscal problem isn’t either too much spending or too little revenue, it’s that we are using the wrong revenue structure (19:59); and 3) we explain why, if you look, you can see the forces behind the state’s next big spending wave starting to form (41:53).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of February 17, 2025.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss the needed conversation about Alaska’s fiscal situation that the Senate Majority and Senator Yundt from the minority have started (2:08); 2) we explain why the Permanent Fund's failed investment in Peter Pan Seafoods is only the tip of the iceberg of the conversation we should be having about the Fund's management and operation (18:16); and 3) we explain why the board of the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation is rapidly losing its credibility (37:59).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of February 10, 2025.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain what a difference a week made as we sort through recent developments on the Cook Inlet import projects (2:04), 2) we discuss our thoughts on President Trump's comments on Japan and #AKLNG (19:02), and 3) we discuss the additional disclosure that we think all presentations and op-eds pushing for more state appropriations should contain (36:56).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Looking down the road, HB69 has a $1bn price tag; with the #akleg backing out of the Cook Inlet, it’s now up to the RCA to protect Alaskans & what the 2026 #AKgov candidates need to start focusing on now
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of January 27, 2025.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) Senator Dunbar asks the right question about ENSTAR’s most recent Cook Inlet proposal, and by the way, where are Chugach, MEA … and Marathon (2:11), 2) Alaska is already sitting in a massive fiscal hole, but rather than working to repair it, the Alaska House Majority is proposing to make it even deeper (16:53), and 3) we explain the real Permanent Fund crisis — the Permanent Fund Corporation is so mismanaging the Fund that it isn’t earning enough even to cover the POMV draw (37:31).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of January 20, 2025.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss what Legislative Finance's "Overview of the Governor's Budget" says about the financial situation the Legislature is facing this coming year (2:14), 2) we ask what the heck Enstar is up to now in its ongoing efforts around Southcentral gas supplies (18:08), and 3) we discuss the selective political mutism of some when it comes time to address the adverse impact of PFD cuts on the economics of working-class Alaska families and even on Alaska entrepreneurship (38:44).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of January 13, 2025.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss whether the legislature should fund the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation’s “Hail Mary” to keep the #AKLNG project alive for yet another year (2:20), 2) to complement the Department of Labor’s recent analysis of Alaska’s population, we look at IRS data to examine where the drain in Alaska’s working age population is by income bracket (18:54), and 3) we explain why the energy “royalty relief” touted by some as a solution to the Cook Inlet gas situation is, in fact, an unnecessary subsidy being taken out of the pockets of middle & lower-income Alaska families statewide (37:52).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of January 6, 2025, our first of the new year.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we examine the effort by some, rather than focus on the endless string of deficits he is leaving behind, to reshape the “Dunleavy legacy” into one of even greater government spending (2:17), 2) we explain how, as the clock continues to run down, all of the posturing and discussion around Cook Inlet gas is getting us nowhere closer to a real solution (15:58), and 3) we discuss how, rather than shrinking in the face of budget reality, the proposed spending list for the coming legislature is actually growing (35:27).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of December 16, 2024, our last show of 2024.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain why, by completely ignoring an important statute, Dunleavy is failing in his responsibility to “protect the economic stability of the state” (2:25), 2) we discuss our big takeaway from the Fall Revenue Sources Book: while producers clearly are benefitting from SB 21, the statute is failing miserably to allocate a fair share of revenues to the state (19:48), and 3) we look at recent developments in the Cook Inlet, where Enstar is openly seeking a state subsidy to reduce its gas costs but Chugach Electic commendably is moving forward with market solutions (37:56).
And as befits an end-of-year show, after we finish those, Michael and I add one more segment to briefly summarize what we see as the biggest issue facing the state at the end of 2024 as we look ahead to the beginning and upcoming session of 2025 (55:35).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of December 2, 2024.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain why the “simple answer” some claim solves Alaska’s outmigration issue is, in fact, a significant reason we are in a death spiral in the first place (2:17), 2) we explain why the Alaska LNG Phase I project, as discussed in the Wood Mackenzie report, isn’t a “private sector” project, but, in fact, a proposal that is already heavily subsidized by the state (14:51), and 3) we ask, where the heck is the Regulatory Commission of Alaska (RCA) on the Southcentral energy issue. The statutes say they should be at the center of it, but when we look around, they are nowhere to be found (35:32).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of December 2, 2024.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss the outlook for the state’s fiscal situation that likely will be reflected in the upcoming fall 10-year revenue forecast and budget plan (2:07), 2) in light of the likely severe fiscal restraints the state will be facing, we consider the outlook for the upcoming legislative session (17:50), and 3) we explain why the recent sales pitch for the Alaska LNG Phase I project fails to convince and where we should be focusing instead (38:32).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of November 18, 2024.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss what Alaskans realistically should expect from the Trump Administration on resource development (2:07), 2) we discuss the coming legislative budget cycle and, based on the current oil outlook, what legislators will be facing when they arrive in Juneau next January (20:15), and 3) we use a recent report on where Alaskans are migrating to help make our point about how to help curb it (33:45).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of November 11, 2024.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain why we characterize the new House Coalition as a “bipartisan plutocracy” — government by the wealthy for the wealthy (2:11), 2) we explain why President Trump’s recent video hasn’t changed our skepticism of the Alaska LNG project (21:18), and 3) we discuss the internal inconsistency of the Trump energy policy — by making the oil & gas industry stronger, it may make prices and, with that, Alaska, among others, much weaker (39:19).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of November 4, 2024.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we ask whether the four business leaders writing a recent op-ed claiming that SB21 in its current form is still working for Alaska families even looked at the data first (spoiler alert: it’s not) (2:31), 2) we explain why Jake Metcalfe’s recent op-ed has it exactly backward: it’s the current use of PFD cuts to fund government that puts the fiscal burden onto the backs of working Alaska families; by massively broadening the base, Ben Carpenter’s proposal would reduce it significantly (17:13), and 3) we explain why, one way or the other, the coming Legislature will have to deal with campaign finance reforms, and our view on what they should do when they confront it (34:56).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of October 28, 2024.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss the broader implications of a recent op-ed in the ADN about the impact of government picking winners and losers (2:06), 2) we explain why those claiming to be “fighting for” Alaska families and the Alaska economy are in fact doing the reverse — undermining Alaska families and economy — when it comes to the revenue side (12:25), and 3) we explain the irony of Governor Dunleavy and others pushing for AIDEA to spend even more on — let’s be honest, useless — ANWR leases (34:14).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of October 21, 2024.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) whether the Governor’s focus on data centers is a last-minute Hail Mary in support of the AKLNG project and, if so, whether its a good one (2:14), 2) Larry Persily’s most recent column and why we think it’s hypocritical in not applying a similar standard to the state budget (17:28), and 3) some interesting developments in both the Kenai and Fairbanks legislative races and why we think they are significant (38:08).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of October 14, 2024.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss the question legislators don’t want constituents to ask: is the legislator willing to put their own money where their mouth is (2:14); 2) we explain why, to quote the late Yogi Berra, it's beginning to feel like “deja vu all over again” on the K-12 debate (17:28); and 3) Michael and I have an extended discussion on the issue of federal tax cuts, which is coming back around again for discussion with the coming expiration of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (38:08).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of October 7, 2024.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain how Republican legislative candidates have hamstrung themselves this election cycle (2:05); 2) we discuss how those candidates who continue to press for Cook Inlet gas subsidies are proposing to set the state backward economically (17:29); and 3) we discuss the message being sent by some shifts in ownership of North Slope oil assets (37:39).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of September 30, 2024.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss why those justifying PFD cuts on the basis it’s “free money” aren’t really against that; they just want it to go in their pockets instead (2:06); 2) we explain the fundamental hypocrisy of many pushing for increased K-12 spending (18:25); and 3) we explain how Jesse Bjorkman has become so desperate to avoid defending his own record, he’s taken to lying about others (36:48).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of September 23, 2024.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain how the data demonstrates the real driver of Alaska outmigration is faltering Alaska household income, which increased spending using PFD cuts only makes worse (2:14); 2) we look at this year’s PFD cut and the impact of the Legislature’s not-so-secret revenue approach of “the less you make, the more we take” (19:20); and 3) we explain why if Larry Persilly is genuinely concerned about “tax unfairness” he should focus even more on the Legislature than he has the Governor (37:14).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of September 16, 2024.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we look into the numbers behind the latest #AKLNG proposal and explain why they raise more questions than they answer (2:15); 2) we discuss the arguments the Big Government Republicans are using in their attempt to maintain control over who benefits from — and who pays the bill for — government spending (19:32); and 3) we discuss the ongoing effort by some to Orwellianize the PFD by changing the words they use to describe it to camouflage their inability to change the underlying statute (35:13).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of September 9, 2024.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain our frustration with the Governor’s veto of the proposed rental car tax in the face of the state’s ongoing $1.5 billion annual budget deficits (2:10); 2) we discuss some research that, contrary to what some think, concludes it’s actually upper-income Alaska families who splurge most at PFD time (19:56); and 3) we discuss the role that fiscal policy can and should play in responding to Alaska’s working-age migration issue (38:11).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of September 2, 2024.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain how some legislative candidates have become so focused on being pro-oil that they have lost focus on being pro-Alaskan (2:15); 2) on the opposite end of the political spectrum, we explain how some so-called progressive candidates have become so focused on increasing government spending they are pushing revenue approaches that hurt the very working Alaska families they claim to be protecting (18:19); and 3) we explain how those pushing Cook Inlet gas are increasingly ignoring market reality and, in the process, looking more and more like those who pushed the Alaska barley and dairy projects of the late 1970s and 1980s (36:31).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of August 26, 2024.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss our take on the results for various legislative races from the primary election and what we see as the path forward (2:33); 2) we discuss the effort by some to combine what we view as two entirely separate issues related to the Permanent Fund: whether the Permanent Fund Board should be reformed (which we strongly agree with), and whether the two-account Permanent Fund structure should be merged into a single account (which we strongly disagree with) (20:25); and 3) we discuss how a recent letter to the editor from Keep Alaska Competitive co-chairs Joe Shierhorn and Jim Jansen dodges a critical fact about oil taxes (38:18).
In addition, we include a brief discussion Michael and I had about the proposals by some to return state employees to a defined benefit pension plan (47:10).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of August 19, 2024.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain how, after draining the Statutory Budget Reserve, the Constitutional Budget Reserve and a large part of the PFD, some are positioning to come after the Permanent Fund corpus (2:19); 2) we discuss what the Alaska oil & gas industry is NOT telling Alaskans about the next ten years (17:30); and 3) we explain why, while they make claims that they are, those pushing for increased K-12 spending really don’t care about middle and lower-income Alaska families (36:26).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of August 12, 2024.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss whether the Alaska economy is on an up- or down-swing (2:17); 2) we discuss the significance of global LNG supplier Excelerate’s recent announcement that they are in advanced discussions to bring LNG to southcentral Alaska (19:43); and 3) we explain why we think the proposal to merge the two Permanent Fund accounts — the corpus and the earnings reserve — into a single account should become an election issue (36:17).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of August 5, 2024.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain how a recent ADN editorial board op-ed advocates for a fiscal future that, if successful, would largely undermine former Governor Jay Hammond’s vision for Alaska (2:15); 2) we explain how the Permanent Fund Corp and others are manufacturing a fake earnings reserve crisis and why Alaska’s press seems to be buying it hook, line & sinker (18:59); and 3) we explain why many of Alaska’s so-called progressives are just the latest incarnation of the old Limousine Liberals (36:51).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of July 29, 2024.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss the movement we are (finally) seeing from Southcentral utilities on gas supplies (2:10); 2) we discuss another bad week for the Permanent Fund Board and how the new Chairman made the case even stronger for replacing and restructuring the Board (24:01); and 3) we explain why the new childcare (or any type of) tax credits are worse than subsidies (39:19).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of July 22, 2024.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain how the term “surplus” has become another step in the Orwellianization of Alaska budget terms (2:05); 2) we discuss what is driving what some are now saying is the long-term outmigration of working Alaska families and why the Alaska “anomaly” isn’t really an anomaly after all (20:09); and 3) we ask (and answer) whether the reappointment of Ethan Schutt to the Permanent Fund Board is a positive, negative, or a status quo development (38:04).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of July 15, 2024.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) following up on last week's discussion, we keep digging into the problem with oil revenues (2:11); 2) we explain why it's deeply concerning that, while there's continued handwringing (and wild ideas), there is no apparent progress on Southcentral gas as we pass the end of the 2nd quarter (23:11); and 3) we discuss the Alaska anomaly of apparently low taxes but also significant outmigration of working age families (39:15).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of July 8, 2024.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss what the true "opportunity costs" are of PFDcuts (2:13); 2) we explain why assuming state revenues from oil follow oil production volumes is wrong (19:10); and 3) we explain why KTUU's recent "man on the street" question about the PFD is misleading (36:10). At the end of the third segment, Michael and I also have a brief discussion about the significance of the U.S. Supreme Court's recent decision to abandon judicial deference to federal agency actions (a reversal of the so-called "Chevron doctrine").
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of July 1, 2024.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we examine the sum total of the Dunleavy budget legacy so far: spending growth, no fiscal plan and PFD cuts (2:00); 2) we explain how the Permanent Fund Corporation is trying to manipulate Alaskans and why it no longer can be trusted (18:08); and 3) we explain how the Hilcorp tax loophole keeps growing and what that means for the state (35:00).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of June 24, 2024.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain why the Fairbanks Newsminer editorial board is hallucinating about the potential for a gas pipeline (2:10); 2) we discuss a subject on which we think Alaska’s Congressional candidates should be focusing a lot more attention this election cycle (18:07); and 3) we note another nail in the coffin of Cook Inlet production and ask again why the Regulatory Commission of Alaska (RCA) isn’t pushing the state’s Southcentral utilities to develop a realistic way forward (37:19).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of June 17, 2024.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain why, on fiscal matters, “bipartisanship” generally is becoming a dirty word at both the federal and state levels (2:13); 2) we discuss the concept of revenue design and why one of the objectives of the proposed Anchorage sales tax is actually a positive from the perspective of fiscal policy (20:09); and 3) we explain why a quote from one of the stories on Cook Inlet gas summarizes the issue well: “Someone should probably do something,” and discuss who that someone should be and what they should be doing. (37:09).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of June 10, 2024.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss the growing calls for scrutiny of the Permanent Fund Board (2:15); 2) we explain how, rather than rationally discuss the actual facts about the Cook Inlet, the Anchorage Daily News editorial page — or as we sometimes call it, the Binkley family blog — seems to be hyperventilating (18:09); and 3) we ask, given the increasing press on the Cook Inlet issues, why haven’t we seen the utilities’ Phase II report nor heard from the Regulatory Commission of Alaska (RCA) on those issues (38:03).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of June 3, 2024.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain why the fiscal future the state is facing is far different from what some think it is (2:10); 2) we discuss our initial reaction to how the upcoming legislative races are shaping up (18:53); and 3) we explain why, like the Alaska Public Utilities Commission was in the late 1990s, we believe the current Permanent Fund Board must be sunset and replaced with a restructured approach (39:29).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of May 27, 2024.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we look at why some are pushing for a special session to pass the Cook Inlet royalty relief bills that stalled out during the regular session (2:06); 2) we discuss what Shell’s decision to relinquish its West Harrison Bay oil & gas leases likely means for Alaska oil & gas (18:49); and 3) we ask — as many interested in Cook Inlet energy should — where’s the Phase II utility report on Southcentral gas (38:14).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of May 20, 2024.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we look at the "good" from this #akleg session - it's mostly a list of what the Legislature didn't do (2:01); 2) we look at the "bad" from this #akleg session - it's much a longer list than the good (16:36); and 3) with the candidate filing deadline 9 days away, we discuss what we are looking for this coming election cycle (37:12).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of May 13, 2024.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we look at Hilcorp’s recent, way over-the-top response to the proposal to close their unique loophole in the Alaska oil tax code (2:05); 2) we discuss what we see as the common theme underlying the current problems at both AIDEA and the Permanent Fund Board (20:14), and 3) we discuss whether there are any lessons from the Fairbanks Prop A election that can be applied statewide (38:13).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of May 6, 2024.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we assess where this year’s budget cycle is leaving us as we look forward to the years ahead (2:03); 2) we look at this session’s discussions around Cook Inlet gas and explain why it’s mostly involved going in circles while the market moves ahead (19:44), and 3) we describe who we think are Alaska’s super-socialists — those who benefit most from the state’s flow of “free money” (36:43).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of April 29, 2024.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss how the FY24 Supplemental and FY25 budgets are shaping up (2:18); 2) we explain the latest embarrassment involving the Permanent Fund Board and ask whether it will ever stop (17:14); and 3) we discuss what we believe is the worst idea yet for dealing with the so-called Cook Inlet gas crisis (33:40).
One additional note. Due to some technical difficulties encountered while recording, viewers may notice we go old school about a third of the way through today’s podcast and shift over to the telephone. All of the content from the show is included except for the air diargrams Michael and I are prone to draw occasionally with our hands.
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of April 15, 2024.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain our significant concerns about the recent passage by House Ways & Means of a bill cutting the state’s corporate income tax rate (2:05); 2) now that it is clear the Governor’s carbon bills aren’t going to produce the revenues he anticipated, we ask when he is going to offer a realistic fiscal plan (19:20); and 3) we discuss what we learned from our debate last week with John Sims of Enstar about Cook Inlet gas (36:29).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of April 15, 2024.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss what the debate last week on the House floor on HJR 7 tells us about future efforts to develop a durable fiscal policy for the state (2:15); 2) we explain what we believe our debate last week at the Alaska Common Ground event about the future of the PFD says about the current status of that discussion (14:06); and 3) we discuss what we anticipate the focus will be ofour discussion with John Sims of Enstar about Cook Inlet gas this coming Friday on an Alaska Landmine livestream (30:30).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of April 8, 2024.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss the operating budget as it passed from House Finance, including how the FY25 PFD is being jerry-rigged by taking money from FY24 (2:09); 2) we look at the timeline for Cook Inlet gas supply to explain why concerns about the impact of LNG imports are being overblown (19:49); and 3) we discuss an upcoming debate hosted by Alaska Common Ground on the PFD in which we and others are participating (38:22).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of April 1, 2024.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain why it appears Republicans on the House Finance Committee have given up on both “following the law” and trying to restrain spending ( 2:08); 2) we discuss how, just like the Democrats have, Governor Dunleavy has started pushing spending without addressing who is supposed to pay for it (20:26); and 3) we explain the fundamental and troubling inconsistency in Enstar’s recent statements about the Cook Inlet gas market (38:31).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of March 25, 2024.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss our take on the House Finance Committee’s draft budget (2:11); 2) we explain why we believe the Regulatory Commission of Alaska and the Department of Natural Resources have frontline responsibility for dealing with the Cook Inlet situation and the legislature should only get involved after the agencies have scoped the problem (18:06); and 3) we explain why, if anyone has too much power under the Constitution on fiscal matters, it is the Legislature (39:32).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of March 18, 2024.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain the hypocrisy of those voting on Monday to override the Governor’s veto of SB 140 (2:09); 2) we discuss our disappointment in the #akleg reaction to the Spring Forecast (among many it was “yippee, more money to spend”) (18:52); and 3) we discuss a big thing that’s likely to hit Alaska right between the eyes in the same brief time going forward as we’ve been in the 21st Century looking back (35:51).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of March 11, 2024.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain why it is time to have a serious discussion about revenue approaches (because even the R’s have given up on spending cuts) (2:02); 2) we discuss how we are sliding backward into Rep. Zack Fields’ vision of the future (19:11); and 3) we discuss what DOR’s Spring Revenue Forecast is likely to tell us and what that means for the budget going forward (36:18).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of March 4, 2024.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain how, even with deficits staring them in the face, the Legislature (and administration) just can’t stop themselves from continuing to spend (2:07); 2) we discuss what those who are proposing to “means test” the PFD really are attempting to achieve (21:52); and 3) we discuss where we may very well be headed if HJR 7, the proposal to constitutionalize the PFD, fails to pass (36:03).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of February 26, 2024.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss a recent tweet from former Governor Walker’s chief of staff that explains why some are so strenuously opposed to constitutionalizing the PFD, even though doing so would be better for the overall Alaska economy and would lower the cost of government to 80% of Alaska families (2:24); 2) we discuss the continued growth of Alaska corporate welfare, funded by even deeper PFD cuts, and how even Republicans are engaged in it (16:30); and 3) we propose a tighter definition of the Cook Inlet gas issue in an effort to help identify the best solution, not just the most expedient one (35:14).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of February 19, 2024.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain why we believe the Permanent Fund Board is continuing to become increasingly politicized and needs to be restructured (2:13); 2) we explain why we agree with Larry Persily about the huge problems being created not only for this generation, but even more for future generations by the Dunleavy Administration’s proposal effectively to deplete the CBR (20:12); and 3) we explain why the Senate’s proposed government employee pension bill is both a disingenuous and financially dangerous “pig in a poke” (39:01).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of February 12, 2024.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) while we liked the LegFin presentation to House Ways & Means last Wednesday on its fiscal model as far as it went, we explain why there’s some important information critical to fashioning an overall fiscal plan still missing (2:13); 2) we explain why we have serious concerns that the Legislature is heading the wrong direction — and indeed, is starting to sound like Venezuela — in dealing with Cook Inlet gas (16:12); and 3) we explain why the current discussion about a General Obligation (GO) bond may be starting out as a good idea, but may quickly become bad (38:15).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of February 5, 2024.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain why we think, as they develop fiscal policy, legislators have lost touch with the economics facing middle and lower-income (80% of) Alaska families (2:17); 2) while Governor Dunleavy seems to understand some of the issues facing middle and lower-income Alaska families, we explain why he is failing to do anything about it, but there are some signs that others may be (23:27); and 3) we explain why the discussion around Alaska fiscal policy is becoming Orwellian new-speak (37:45).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of January 29, 2024.
This week, our top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss the serious problems created by the fact that, unlike in other states, there’s literally no one in the Alaska Legislature (or administration, for that matter) focused on ensuring that, whatever the agreed level is, state spending is being paid for in the way that best serves Alaskan families and the economy (2:13); 2) we explain why, while it is good to hear Governor Dunleavy weigh in on an issue forcefully, he’s threatening a veto over the wrong thing (18:10); and 3) we explain why the legislature should stop chasing squirrels and let the market get on with deciding Cook Inlet gas (37:05 ).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of January 22, 2024.
This week our top 3 issues are these: 1) we use IRS data to look at which segments of Alaska’s working-age population are leaving the state (2:02); 2) we discuss what’s missing from DNR’s presentation last week on oil production volumes (19:33); and 3) we quickly address concerns we have about where the K-12 funding bill stands now and the currently proposed PFD “fix” (37:17).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of January 15, 2024.
This week our top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss the blatant hypocrisy of Senate President Gary Stevens and others in the Senate Majority when it comes to fiscal issues (2:05); 2) we explain what the new national “Who Pays” study from ITEP says about Alaska (18:48); and 3) we explain how those advocating for increased K-12 spending are pushing for everyone to pay but themselves (38:39).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of January 8, 2024.
This week our top 3 issues are these: 1) while many say Railbelt energy will be a big issue this session, we explain why our hope is that the Legislature leaves it to market forces (2:08); 2) we explain what we think the recent Alaska jobs report is really saying about the economy (18:38); and 3) we discuss why we think the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly has become part of the problem we face in this state, not part of the solution(38:00).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of January 2, 2024.
This week our top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss the big story coming out of the Governor’s proposed FY25 budget documents that we think others are missing (2:05); 2) we explain why we think Governor Dunleavy has just given up on trying to resolve the state’s budget problems and violated state statutes to boot (17:11); and 3) given the state’s fiscal outlook, we explain why we think the K-12 industry and many of the state’s legislators are being irresponsible (35:06).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of December 18, 2023.
This week — our last of the year and what Michael calls the Holiday edition — is a little different from the others. Instead of our usual approach, we pick three topics that are in keeping with the Christmas and Holiday spirit.
This year, they are these: In the first segment, we talk about our favorite Christmas plays, concerts & movies (2:08); in the second, we discuss our most memorable Christmas presents (18:53), and in the last, we discuss things we have thought about doing for New Years, but haven’t yet (35:43).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of December 11, 2023.
This week our top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain, while calling for honesty from others, how the ADN is being less than “honest” about its 𝙤𝙬𝙣 motives (2:07); 2) as their effort ramps up, we look at what those pushing for increased K-12 are leaving out of their discussion (17:09); and 3) we look at a new study that provides some significant insights into the potential role played by the PFD in Alaska small business capital formation (35:24).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of December 4, 2023.
This week our top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss a recent article from Nat Herz that adds another piece to the Cook Inlet gas puzzle (2:14); 2) we look at whether the Permanent Fund Board is still headed off the rails (19:34); and 3) we explain why we believe that if the Legislature isn’t going to fix campaign contributions, then Alaskans should through an initiative (37:53).
And then, at the end, we spend a bit of time discussing what we will be looking for in the upcoming proposed budget, revenue projection, and 10-year plan (47:38).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of November 27, 2023.
This week our top 3 issues are these: 1) we start to analyze what we believe likely will be the bellwether legislative race this coming election cycle (2:00); 2) we look at the way some are starting to sharpen the issues around this coming legislative session (16:14); and 3) we explain why we believe the Department of Revenue under Commissioner Adam Crum is flailing and failing to do what it should be doing at a critical time for Alaskans (33:03).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of November 20, 2023.
This week our top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss what we will be looking for in the Administration’s upcoming FY25 budget & 10-year outlook (2:07); 2) we explain why, although Juneau appears to understand the consequences of the problem, they don’t seem to realize that they’re contributing significantly to the cause (17:26); and 3) we explain why former Gov Frank Murkowski’s recent op-ed provides additional support for restructuring the Permanent Fund Board (34:09).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of November 13, 2023.
This week our top 3 issues are these: 1) first it was the Alaska House Coalition, now it’s Department of Revenue Commissioner Adam Crum who’s misleading Alaskans (2:02); 2) while the updates from North Slope projects Willow and Pikka are good, the overall outlook from the Slope needs to be tempered (16:40); and 3) there is a lot of excitement about some new federal funding, but it requires an equally large state match and no one is talking about who pays for that (34:41).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of November 6, 2023.
This week our top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain how the Alaska House Coalition is lying to Alaskans (2:14); 2) we discuss why, after last week's developments, we're even more convinced the current Permanent Fund Board should be sunset and replaced (19:10); and 3) we explain why we believe Alaska's reporters are getting close to the real fiscal story, but aren't there yet (37:34).
And as a bonus at the end, Michael and I discuss Governor Dunleavy's job performance and, then, at this point, where we see next year's legislative session heading (45:29).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of October 30, 2023.
This week our top 3 issues are these: 1) reflecting on the Administration’s recent proposals to subsidize Cook Inlet gas, we ask whether Alaska Republicans have given up on the free market (2:06); 2) we examine yet another pitch by Alaska Democrats for increased state spending without also addressing the issue of who they propose to pay for it (17:35); and 3) we look at some good news about a state push that potentially would have added even more pressure for increased K-12 funding (36:24). In addition, toward the end (43:50), we circle back for some continued discussion on the first two topics.
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of October 23, 2023.
This week our top 3 issues are these: 1) in response to those who claim it’s the PFD at fault for the current earnings reserve “problem,” we do a side-by-side comparison of the payments made out of the earnings reserve for inflation proofing and the PFD over the past seven years (2:12); 2) we look at how changes in the labor force undercut the argument going forward that government spending is needed to create jobs (19:49); and 3) we take issue with DNR’s proposal to issue net profits leases in the Cook Inlet (37:07).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of October 16, 2023.
This week our top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss the Permanent Fund Board’s proposal to change the structure of the Permanent Fund; to us, it represents the attempted completion of a triple play — first, the legislature came for savings, then they came for the PFD, and now, they are coming for the Permanent Fund corpus (2:21); 2) we explain why we are increasingly frustrated from a fiscal perspective with the direction in which AIDEA — the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority — is headed (19:55); and 3) using an approach developed at the federal budget level, we examine another way to evaluate North Slope oil tax credits — or what would be called at the federal level, tax expenditures (37:15).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of October 9, 2023.
This week our top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain how many talk a good game about “building the Alaska economy” but then turn around and use the revenue tool that has the “largest adverse impact” on it (2:08); 2) we discuss why it’s time to start thinking seriously about restructuring the Permanent Fund Board (17:41); and 3) we explain how it’s not just D’s that want to spend more state money without considering #WhoPays; this week’s ADN has an op-ed by a Republican elected official proposing the same thing (34:34).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of September 25, 2023.
This week our top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss a recent article confirming that there will be no special session this fall on a fiscal plan, the ADN editorial board’s reaction to that and ours as well (2:06); 2) we discuss our problem with the Dunleavy administration’s announcement of, and the subsequent reporting on this year’s PFD (18:56); and 3) we explain how the Permanent Fund Corporation is beginning its push for changes in the Permanent Fund structure, and why we think both the approach is disingenuous and the goal wrong (36:47).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of September 18, 2023.
This week our top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss the double standard employed by the ADN editorial board when addressing the issue of “fairness” in various contexts (2:15); 2) we explain the hypocrisy inherent in Sen. Cathy Giessel’s call for new legislation to address poverty and food insecurity when she, herself, has been a major contributor to both through her push for PFD cuts (14:49); and 3) with oil prices rising, we discuss how a budget approach used by the Legislature last year can be used this coming year to prevent a spike also in government spending (34:11).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of September 11, 2023.
This week our top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain why it's not just Democrats, but how Republicans also are pushing for increased spending (or reduced revenues) without addressing the issue of #WhoPays (2:10); 2) we explain why ANWR is political theater and what Alaska is receiving as part of the script (17:33); and 3) we discuss some new charts we are publishing that track the waterfall provisions in this year's budget, the earnings reserve account, and how much in state taxes Alaskans - and which Alaska families - actually are paying to balance the FY24 budget (32:26).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of September 4, 2023.
This week our top 3 issues are these: 1) to provide context, we add some of the other things that should be considered when discussing the impact that the oil industry has on the Alaska economy (1:58); 2) we discuss what’s missing from yet another legislative op-ed pushing for increased K-12 spending (14:02); and 3) we discuss whether Conoco’s Willow project is, in fact, facing a breaking point (30:41).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of August 28, 2023.
This week our top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss the recent push to make subsidies for childcare yet another “must have” state program (2:02); 2) we discuss the recent wholesale change out by the Dunleavy Administration of all of the key players on fiscal policy (and why that’s a concern for this coming legislative session) (18:52); and 3) we examine a recent, strange defense of House Finance Committee member Rep. Will Stapp’s position on fiscal issues (37:58).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of August 21, 2023.
This week our top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss Sen. Bert Stedman’s bootstrapped and other fiscal red herrings he discussed in a recent radio interview (2:01); 2) we explain the problem with former Sen. Joe Paskavan’s & others’ “single focus” fiscal solutions (19:46); and 3) we look at a recent, comprehensive report on solutions to the Southcentral gas situation (36:25).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of August 14, 2023.
This week our top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss the Dunleavy Administration’s apparent, and to us, disappointing decision not to call a special session on fiscal issues this Fall(1:57); 2) we discuss the Kabuki theater that various sides are making of the #AKLNG project (18:21); and 3) we look at the growing debate around whether the Permanent Fund Corporation should open an Anchorage office (37:26).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of August 7, 2023.
This week our top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain how PFDcuts have been used to buy the state's new higher bond rating, in other words, how it has been built on the back of middle & lower income Alaska families (2:03); 2) we discuss why it's significant that contributions by non-residents engaged in economic activity in the state be included as part of the state's overall fiscal plan (10:39); and 3) we explain our concern with the policy of disqualifying from the University's Board of Regents those who may have previously pushed for spending cuts at the University (27:38).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of July 31, 2023.
This week our top 3 issues are these: 1) using a recent letter to the editor by former ISER head Gunnar Knapp as a take-off point, we look at the various Alaska disconnects — and there are several (2:05); 2) we discuss the potential impact of a broadening dispute between the state and the Juneau school district over local contribution levels on the broader issue of state K-12 spending levels (19:00); and 3) we examine at the potential impact of inflation on construction costs in future capital budget debates (34:36).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of July 24, 2023.
This week our top 3 issues are these: 1) our periodic update on how oil prices and production are doing — this time as we start the new fiscal year — and what that might mean if the trends continue as the fiscal year plays out (2:06); 2) the $8 billion question around the claim, by some, that the PF earnings reserve is in trouble (19:07); and 3) recent developments around an old capital spending issue, and how those should inform our judgment going forward on new projects (28:01).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of July 17, 2023.
This week our top 3 issues are these: 1) why we think the Permanent Fund Corporation is being Chicken Little about the level of the earnings reserve account (2:02); 2) the elephant in the fiscal room that others are ignoring — who should pay for K-12 and other spending (21:40); and 3) some further insight into the potential politicization of the Department of Revenue tax group and why that matters very much to Alaskans (35:50).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of July 10, 2023.
This week our top 3 issues are these: 1) why we are concerned that Commissioner Adam Crum is politicizing the Department of Revenue’s oil & gas tax function (1:58); 2) where we think Alaska Policy Forum has gone badly wrong in its assessment of this year’s state budget (19:48); and 3) how an already challenging Cook Inlet energy situation could be made even worse (28:42).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of June 26, 2023.
This week our top 3 issues are these: 1) the argument that's missing from the PFD discussions, even from its defenders (1:56); 2) some recent insight into what the budget issues are likely to be in the next #akleg session (19:52); and 3) a recent development in the oil fields that could be a very big thing in terms of production levels (29:43).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of June 19, 2023.
This week our top 3 issues are these: 1) why the real mega-dividends being distributed from Permanent Fund earnings are far different - and far bigger - than most think (2:17); 2) why our initial reaction to the Dunleavy veto message isn't very positive (20:31); and 3) why those Alaskans who are correctly calling out Republican fiscal hypocrisy at the federal level should also call out the similar fiscal hypocrisy of Democrats at the state level (29:14).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of June 12, 2023.
This week our top 3 issues are these: 1) as we potentially face another, how Alaska can — and should — control the impact of oil price cycles on the state budget (2:17); 2) why we support a new ballot measure designed to impose campaign contribution limits in state races, but why it’s also only part of the needed solution (21:22); and 3) why Frank Murkowski’s proposal to shine more light on the Permanent Fund Corporation’s instate investment program is like shutting the barn door after some of the cows are already out, but also why it’s better than nothing at all (30:03).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of June 5, 2023.
This week our top 3 issues are these: 1) the #BigLie the Top20% keep spreading about the impact of various fiscal options on Alaska families and the economy (2:09); 2) what the Governor could do in handling the FY24 budget that would help protect the PFD and restore some balance to the fiscal discussion (17:52); and 3) why Hilcorp's $100 million tax bonus on top of the SB21 incentives is undeserved and bad policy (29:33).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of May 29, 2023.
This week our top 3 issues are these: 1) the ADN editorial board (aka, the Binkley Family Blog)’s latest attempt to set up a kill shot on the PFD (2:00); 2) how the #akleg has created an issue with the Permanent Fund (and what it can do to avoid it) (13:04); and 3) why “#NoTaxes until spending comes down” has become just another Top20% ruse for attacking the PFD (23:09).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of May 15, 2023.
This week our top 3 issues are these: 1) the one constant in this year’s budget (spoiler alert: it’s “spend, but don’t tax me, don’t tax you, tax middle & lower income Alaska families instead …”) (2:11); 2) how the ADN editorial board (what we sometimes refer to as the Binkley Family Blog) is misquoting former Governor Hammond in a recent op-ed (20:36); and 3) Rep. Zack Fields’ reveal that the size of this year’s budget is only the “first step” to even bigger spending ahead (30:52).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of May 15, 2023.
This week our top 3 issues are these: 1) why the House should decline to concur with the Senate's budget and what the Governor should include in the resulting special session call (2:03); 2) where the legislature, and specifically, the House Majority, needs to go from here on fiscal issues (20:15); and 3) why closing the Hilcorp $100 million loophole is appropriate and won't adversely impact Alaska oil & gas investment and production levels (26:22).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of May 8, 2023.
This week our top 3 issues are these: 1) why, as we follow the news on Alaska fiscal policy, we are continually reminded of Samuel Becket’s play, “Waiting for Godot,” (2:10); 2) why, as we read the op-ed pages and even see Facebook ads, we are reminded of former US Senator and Senate Finance Chairman Russell Long’s summation of tax policy: “don’t tax me, don’t tax you, tax that guy behind the tree,” (21:57); and 3) why pushing forward on a spending cap alone — rather than as part of an overall fiscal package — is a trap for the PFD (31:46).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of May 1, 2023.
This week our top 3 issues are these: 1) Gov Dunleavy sets the right goal, but will he follow it up with the right proposal (2:09); 2) what do Carl Marrs and the other Top 20% really have in mind for Alaska (20:25); and 3) the critical question about Alaska oil taxes no one is asking (38:14).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of April 24, 2023.
This week our top 3 issues are these: 1) in a recent op-ed, the Binkley family - the owners of the ADN - make clear that while they support govt spending, they want other people to pay for it while they avoid (2:09); 2) the Senate Finance Committee is setting up an Alaska version of The Hunger Games, but with an exception - they are giving the Top20% a pass and allowing them to sit at home watching while the rest of Alaskans have to fight it out (19:13); and 3) sales taxes aren't the right answer, but they are far better than doing nothing (27:53).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of April 17, 2023.
This week our top 3 issues are these: 1) why we believe some don't comprehend the depth of Alaska's fiscal hole (2:01); 2) now that the House has passed its version, the dynamics at work in finalizing this year's budget (28:28); and 3) why Sen. Stedman's amendment yesterday to SB107 isn't about paying for POMV 50/50; it's about burying the PFD (38:29).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of April 10, 2023.
This week our top 3 issues are these: 1) why the House budget debate last week reminded us a lot of the old Jody Foster body swap film Freaky Friday (2:03); 2) why a recent op-ed by ISER economist Matt Berman hits the nail on the head about the regressivity of PFD cuts and also reminds of an important state fiscal advantage income taxes have over sales taxes (20:36); and 3) we discuss the various pieces of the recent oil tax proposals that appear to be moving forward (28:35).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of April 3, 2023.
This week our top 3 issues are these: 1) the positive impact Rep. Ben Carpenter's proposed sales tax is having on the conversation about an Alaska fiscal solution (2:16); 2) how a vote yesterday on the House floor on the proposed budget serves to hilite the hypocrisy of some representatives who claim to be looking out for working Alaska families (20:07); and 3) how we believe the legislature should respond to the surprise runup in oil prices happening as a result of OPEC's decision over the weekend to reduce supply (29:00).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of March 27, 2023.
This week our top 3 issues are these: 1) while the legislature has started to intensify the fiscal debate after the Spring Revenue Forecast, their focus thus far remains on continued spending and protecting the Top20% from paying for it (2:04), 2) the wide and growing disconnect between the legislature's fiscal approach and the conditions actually facing Alaska families and the economy (22:10), and 3) the Alaska media begins to recognize the adverse impact of PFD cuts on Alaska families (34:11).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of March 20, 2023.
This week our top 3 issues are these: 1) the critical facts that Alaska media continually leave out of their coverage of the PFD (2:01), 2) the growing disconnect in how the legislature is approaching Alaska’s fiscal situation this session (15:28), and 3) legislative hypocrisy on steroids: “we” need big raises but middle & lower income #AKfams should accept big PFD cuts (29:17).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of March 13, 2023.
This week our top 3 issues are these: 1) we look at what the Spring Revenue Forecast, due out this week, is likely going to tell us about the state’s current and future fiscal situation (2:04), 2) now that the Willow decision is in hand, we look at what’s ahead on the upstream project front that has even more importance to the state (20:02), and 3) we discuss what we think some are missing in their analysis of why there’s been a decline in the state’s working age population over the past decade (39:49).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of March 6, 2023.
This week our top 3 issues are these: 1) we back into how much some are proposing to spend overall this coming fiscal year as the proposed spending increases and new programs start to pile up (2:08), 2) we put a proposed new constitutional amendment from Rep. Cliff Groh in context and puzzle over why two in the House majority have signed on as co-sponsors to it instead of supporting two other, Ways & Means Committee bills (18:24), and 3) we discuss the importance of the upcoming Willow decision, but emphasize again why it's not a cure for Alaska’s fiscal situation (31:38).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of February 27, 2023.
This week our top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain how Permanent Fund earnings are being shifted from mid & lower income #AKfams to the Top20% and why the amount is staggering (1:54), 2) we discuss how Rep. Zack Fields is proposing to shift even more (12:55), and 3) we explain how some producers in the Cook Inlet are coming for even more state money (30:33).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of February 20, 2023.
This week our top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain why, without a fiscal counterbalance, the push for more spending has become irresistible (1:58), 2) we discuss why the “Alaska model of bipartisanship” is just another version of the old, not so good Congressional model (20:57), and 3) we discuss what Governor Dunleavy’s supplemental budget signals to us (28:27).*
*Note: Parts of the discussion during the show were based on an article by Sean Maguire that appeared in the February 19, 2023, Anchorage Daily News (“Alaska child care crisis more acute than ever, legislators hear”) about hearings on a bill by Rep. Zack Fields (D-Anchorage) that would, among other things, establish a state-funded “Child care provider fund” to help, according to Dugan’s article, “stabilize the child care industry.” The article included statements made by an employee of Alyeska Pipeline Service Company.
Subsequent to the show’s airing we received an email from Alyeska to “correct any misrepresentation of Alyeska’s position and our employee’s comments.” The email is available here.
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of February 13, 2023.
This week our top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss something Larry Persily and the AK Policy Forum have in common - they both want to ignore the best fiscal alternative for Alaska families (2:04), 2) we explore why campaign finance reform doesn't seem to be on anyone's agenda this legislature (18:02), and 3) we quantify what Rep. Ortiz's K-12 funding bill would mean in terms of increased taxes on Alaska families (25:27).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of February 6, 2023.
This week our top 3 issues are these: 1) the hypocrisy of Alaska "moderates:" they want to be seen as moderate, but do it with someone else's money (2:10), 2) why, while the BLM's pending approval of Conoco's Willow project is an important thing from an economic perspective, its ultimate contribution to a fiscal solution is uncertain (18:07), and 3) why Rahm Emanuel's admonition of "never let a crisis go to waste" comes to mind when we read the latest story about the looming Cook Inlet gas "crisis" (26:10).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of January 30, 2023.
This week our top 3 issues are these: 1) how DOR’s analysis disproves the Governor’s most recent fiscal plan (2:04), 2) the critical fact that’s consistently missing from the press stories around the K-12 funding issue (13:22), and 3) how a recent Alaska Policy Forum op-ed on taxes badly misleads policymakers and the public (27:18).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of January 23, 2023.
This week our top 3 issues are these: 1) Ed King gets it right about the PFD (2:04), 2) the most interesting - and potentially, hopeful - thing to us about the new House organization (13:22), and 3) how Governor Dunleavy is trying to "levitate above" - another term for unrealistically ignoring - the real fiscal issue the state is facing (27:18).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of January 16, 2023.
This week our top 3 issues are these: 1) what we learned the first time through from reading LegFin’s overview of the Gov’s budget (2:02), 2) the thing that surprises us most about this session’s pre-filed bills (22:33), and 3) why we question whether Governor Dunleavy any longer is really serious about protecting the PFD (27:26).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of January 9, 2023.
This week our top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss the ADN editorial board's latest effort to lay a trap for the PFD (2:00), 2) we explain why the ADN news page is only reporting half the story on K-12 spending (18:23), and 3) we explain why - and how - disputes among North Slope producers over facility sharing should be resolved permanently (27:19).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of January 2, 2023.
This week our top 3 issues are these: 1) we outline our initial take on the Gov’s proposed FY24 budget & 10-year plan (1:58), 2) we discuss what we see ahead on fiscal issues in the upcoming legislative session (21:33), and 3) we explain our take away from the recent Cook Inlet federal waters oil & gas lease sale (31:28).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of December 12, 2022.
This week our top 3 issues are these: 1) what we'll be looking for in the Revenue F'cast, Gov's budget & 10-year plan due out this week (2:01), 2) our take on two recent op-eds in the ADN that argue Alaska should be "going big" on spending - but here's the part they leave silent, at the expense of middle & lower income Alaska families (16:42), and 3) what will happen to education spending if oil prices remain down (24:08).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of December 5, 2022.
This week our top 3 issues are these: 1) the missing question in all of the media stories on the need for additional K-12 spending (2:03), 2) the ADN editorial board says Alaskans need to tone down the rhetoric and seek compromise, then promptly ignores the rule itself (17:31), and 3) while the new Senate majority talks a lot about the areas that need additional spending, they ignore how they intend to pay for it (30:56).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of November 28, 2022.
This week our top 3 issues are these: 1) what we expect this coming session from the new, bipartisan Senate majority (1:54), 2) what’s going on with oil prices and what that likely means for this coming session (22:49), and 3) where Alaska’s industrial policy is headed next and who is leading it (36:00).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of November 21, 2022.
This week our top 3 issues are these: 1) the revenue and PFD strategy some appear to be considering for this coming #akleg session (2:17), 2) the recent focus on the status of the Alaska economy, and how that also plays into the strategy of some for this coming session (18:06), and 3) the option some appear to be considering for importing LNG into — not out of — Alaska (32:56).
Finally, for those who may notice, due to some technical issues that arose during taping, about a quarter of the way through this week’s podcast we shift from a video to an audio feed. You shouldn’t notice much difference, other than you may need to turn down the volume a bit after the shift.
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of November 7, 2022.
This week we only had time to cover the first 2 of our issues: 1) why, at least from the fiscal side, "moderate" is the wrong word to describe who won the #akleg election (2:05), and 2) we discuss the next big fiscal issue facing the state - the "whatever it takes" drive to increase K-12 spending (24:31). We will get to the third issue - what impact the Willow and Pikka oil projects are likely to have on this #akleg session - next week.
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of November 7, 2022.
This week our top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain why our original high hopes for this #akelect cycle have been lessened (1:58), 2) we ponder whether a Dunleavy second term will be focused on building a legacy, or looking ahead to the US Senate election 6 years down the road (16:23), and 3) we explain why the #AKLNG project is in a different - and potentially more successful place - than before (30:01).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of October 31, 2022.
This week our top 3 issues are these: 1) why we don't consider Senate candidate Doug Massie - and other candidates who are advocating "left over" PFDs - serious fiscal conservatives (1:59), 2) where we believe the K-12 funding debate goes off track and what helps get it back on (15:03), and 3) why we are concerned when we hear some describe the #ConCon vote as a referendum on the PFD (24:14).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of October 24, 2022.
This week our top 3 issues are these: 1) we look at what the platform is of those running on a "Bi-Partisan Coalition" ticket (2:08), 2) we explain why we think the discussion about increasing the K-12 BSA would look much different if it had to be funded through a tax increase, and why that matters (20:40), and 3) we explain why the phrase "Don't tax me to pay for a PFD" is wrong factually, is unbelievably elitist and, in the end, is just enabling continued spending (31:07).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of October 17, 2022.
This week our top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain why a recent op-ed about needing “pro business” legislators is really a disguised appeal for “pro Top20% (and let the other 80% keep picking up the check)” legislators (2:00), 2) we explain why the Top20% are working so hard to change the narrative about the PFD (10:46), and 3) we look at just another #halfaplan proposal to increase spending without addressing at all #WhoPays (26:35).
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. We join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of October 10, 2022.
This week our top 3 issues are these: 1) why we believe Bill Walker's campaign slogan should simply be "I'm from the rich running to protect the rich" (2:05), 2) why the most recent Tax Foundation study still fails to address, in an Alaska context, the question of #WhoPays for government (12:35), and 3) the subtext being directed toward the Top20% of those campaigning on increased K-12 spending (27:34).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of October 3, 2022.
This week our top 3 issues are these: 1) we quantify the significant differences in the positions of the various candidates for Governor on the PFD (2:09), 2) we discuss the recent Salmon State report on AIDEA and explain why AIDEA is never going to produce returns comparable to those from the Permanent Fund Corp (19:56), and 3) we provide our take on why Alaska will remain at significant fiscal risk until the various sides in the debate work on a compromise along the lines of the legislature's 2021 Fiscal Policy Working Group (27:59).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of September 26, 2022.
This week our top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss two recent ADN articles that analyze the economic impacts of PFDs (1:55), 2) we look at what’s going on with oil prices and the impact they may have on Alaska’s fiscal situation (19:13), and 3) we explain our frustration with those #akleg candidates who are campaigning with only half a fiscal plan (26:16).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of September 12, 2022.
This week our top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain why, in the West Anchorage Senate race, we have problems with the fiscal approach of both the D and R candidates (1:59), 2) we discuss what causes Alaska outmigration and why it isn’t any Governor’s fault (28:43), and 3) we explain why the appointment of Deven Mitchell as the interim Commissioner of Revenue is at best, an uninspired decision (35:48).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of September 12, 2022.
This week we only cover the first two of our issues: 1) as the drumbeat starts for increasing the base student allocation (BSA), we discuss why we need to be talking about #WhoPays for any increase at the same time as we discuss whether and how much any increase should be (2:09), and 2) Michael and I debate whether the Governor should have vetoed the tax on e-cigarettes that overwhelmingly passed both bodies of the legislature this past session (17:04).
We took so long on the second, we rolled the third - our reaction to the appointment of Deven Mitchell as the interim Commissioner of Revenue - to next week.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of September 6, 2022.
This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1)we explain what we will be looking for in the successor to resigning Revenue Commissioner Lucinda Mahoney (2:10), 2) we discuss why #AKLNG is testing the outer limits of the theory of “if you throw enough money at it, they will surely come” (12:19), and 3) we explain why our reaction, when someone from government asks what “Alaskans” are willing to invest in a new program, is “first tell me which Alaskans you propose to pay for the investment, then we can talk” (27:52).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of August 29, 2022.
This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) we ask what would it mean exactly for Republicans to “take back the [Alaska] House” (1:57), 2) we explain why the Governor’s race is far from the cakewalk some currently predict (17:52), and 3) we ask how exactly Alaska is supposed to pay for itself in the state’s “next economy” some are touting (26:26).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of August 15, 2022.
This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) Michael and I discuss our take on the primary election results thus far (2:06), 2) we explain why the decision by Santos and Repsol to sanction — take the final investment decision on — Phase I of the Pikka project is very good news for Alaska in a NUMBER of ways (27:10), and 3) we explain where we differ from the Department of Revenue on its oil price outlook and why we aren’t as concerned as others about DOR’s most recent state revenue update (31:54).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of August 15, 2022.
This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain why the Walker Drygas campaign pitch that PFD cuts are "for the children" is a smokescreen (1:58), 2) we discuss the impact of the Supreme Court's decision late last week upholding the Dunleavy Administration's position on forward funding (15:24), and 3) we discuss the significant take aways for Alaska from ConocoPhillips second quarter earnings call (23:52). And then after we finished those, Michael and I had an extended discussion on today's election and the mechanics of rank choice voting (27:03).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of August 8, 2022.
This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss what we've learned from the various state candidate interviews published this past week as a run up to next week's primary (2:05), 2) we explain why we believe under ranked choice voting its very important this election cycle who comes in fourth in the primary for Governor (20:48), and 3) we examine another instance which demonstrates Governor Dunleavy isn't really that serious anymore about holding the line on spending. (32:08).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of August 1, 2022.
This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) we focus on what the money & endorsements are telling us so far about state races in this election cycle (1:58), 2) we look at the five #akleg races we are using as a bellwether and why we have selected them (17:25), and 3) we explain why we are going to find out something important about Alaska’s oil future in the next couple of months (33:22).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of July 25, 2022.
This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) we focus on some fiscal issues that some are already trying to move front and center for the 2023 legislative session (1:56), 2) we discuss a new report from Wood MacKenzie on what it will take to be an energy “super basin” in the coming years and where they see Alaska headed in that context (21:21), and 3) we focus on some additional good news about Conoco’s Willow project (28:29).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of July 18, 2022.
This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) we continue the discussion of what some recent polling tells us about the upcoming Governor's race (2:02); 2) we discuss a recent op-ed by the Governor trying to spin the FY23 budget as a "win" for Alaskans (23:25); and 3) we look at a legislative proposal to spend $100,000 on a "friendly" lawsuit with the Administration (35:04).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of July 11, 2022.
This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) what a second Dunleavy term would mean (2:04); 2) what the federal government's draft supplemental EIS on Conoco's Willow project means for Alaska (17:22); and 3) why former Gov Walker's "leadership" the last time around, at least on fiscal issues, isn't something to be admired now (27:45).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of July 4, 2022.
This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) the Governor's FY23 budget decisions and how those flow through to the 10-year plan (2:14); 2) why, even if successful, #AKLNG won't result in "massive revenues to the state," (20:32); and 3) while some legislators are leaving the legislature, others are staying because they are continuing to find ways to spend on their pet projects (26:56).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of June 27, 2022.
This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) what we are looking for in the Governor's budget announcements this week (2:01); 2) what we are on the alert for in the federal government's upcoming decision on the Willow project (16:50); and 3) we continue our review of the issues this coming election cycle; this week we talk about infrastructure (26:08).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of June 13, 2022.
This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) Michael and I discuss the op-ed we wrote on fiscal policy and some of the reactions to it (1:57); 2) we discuss some of the common myths used to justify and rationalize continued PFD cuts (16:33); and 3) we start identifying some of the issues we think will be prominent in this coming campaign cycle, and how we are starting to think about them (25:57).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of June 13, 2022.
This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) we take a look at the status of the #AKLNG project and evaluate whether, as some claim, it is “closer than ever” (2:08); 2) we look at Alaska House candidate Cliff Groh’s proposed fiscal plan and how it measures up against the Legislature’s 2021 Fiscal Policy Working Group proposal (17:53); and 3) Michael and I discuss our reactions to the outcome, thus far, of the Special Primary Election, including the insights it may provide into some coming legislative races (28:50).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of June 6, 2022.
This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) we take a look at new Senate candidate Doug Massey’s position on the PFD and realize he’s just another from the “Big Government, but don’t make the Top20% pay for it” side of things (2:08); 2) continuing the theme, we focus on Top20%’er Carl Marrs’ recent ADN op-ed, and how it ties to Rep. Zack Fields and other “cut the PFD” D’s (17:59); and 3) on the positive side, we discuss what we are looking FOR this coming cycle from legislative candidates on fiscal policy (25:19).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of May 30, 2022.
This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) we follow up on a couple of recent articles in the press by discussing what is happening with Cook Inlet gas (1:53); 2) we pick up on a piece in the Alaska Beacon to discuss where the PFD may be headed next(14:37); and 3) we explain why, although there continues to be a lot of discussion about ANWR, all of the money is heading away from it (27:53).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of May 16, 2022.
This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss what the difference is between what the Governor should - but likely on the other hand will - do with the budgets the legislature has sent him (2:08); 2) we use a recent Twitter exchange to explain how some think, in their words, a "reasonable" PFD should be determined and how that differs (significantly) from Governor Hammond's vision (20:33); and 3) we discuss the current status of Santos' Pikka project and whether there's a silent "but" sitting behind their recent positive statements (31:00).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of May 16, 2022.
Because of the time we spent on them, this week we only cover the first two of our Top 3 issues: 1) Michael and I discuss a series of tweets from Rep. Ivy Spohnholz that says out loud what’s been historically the silent part of the progressive position on PFD cuts (2:15); and 2) we take on yet another ADN editorial board op-ed pushing the Top20% position that PFD cuts — in other words, middle & lower income Alaska families — should bear the full weight of government spending (19:59).
We will pick up the third topic — the current status of Santos’ Pikka project and whether there’s a silent “but” sitting behind their recent positive statements — next week.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of May 9, 2022.
Because of the time we spent on them, this week we only cover the first two of our Top 3 issues: 1) Michael and I discuss at length our take on the status of the budget, current through the Senate's actions on Monday (2:00); and 2) in light of what has happened this session, what the prospects are now for a long term fiscal plan (21:29). We will pick up the third topic - the current status of Santos' Pikka project and whether there's a silent "but" sitting behind their recent positive statements - next week.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of May 2, 2022.
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. I join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) the huge amount of additional spending that is being layered on the FY23 and FY22 Supplemental budgets as the legislature nears the end of session (2:10); 2) the ADN editorial board essentially calls for middle & lower income #AKfams to bear the brunt of the $600 million requested for the Port of Alaska (22:16); and 3) why we believe campaign finance reform needs to pass and the be signed by the Governor before the session ends (31:21).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of April 25, 2022.
This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) while some call SB199 the "cornerstone of a fiscal plan, we believe it is substantially flawed (2:05); 2) what some believe the end game of this year's legislative session is beginning to look like as we enter the final three weeks (19:36); and 3) why ANS oil prices are beginning to elevate even over the Brent benchmark (29:27).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of April 18, 2022.
This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) the pro's, con's and alternatives to a Constitutional Convention (2:12); 2) why it's fiscally irresponsible of the House to be rolling out new, permanent spending bills without first resolving a long term fiscal plan (39:04); and 3) we discuss a recent op-ed which, we think, does an excellent job outlining a key criteria in the upcoming Congressional election (46:18).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of April 11, 2022.
This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss where the budget stands as it passes the House and starts being worked by Senate Finance (2:02); 2) we explore an interesting interaction during the budget debate on the House floor related to a long term fiscal plan (20:13); and 3) we discuss why we think the Alaska Constitutional Defenders are leading with their chin in these early stages of the debate (29:24).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of April 4, 2022.
This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain how, by pursuing permanent spending increases, some in the #akleg are putting the fiscal cart well in front of the horse (2:13); 2) we discuss what criteria we are using to sort through the 48 candidates in the special election for Alaska’s congressional seat (12:11); and 3) we discuss how the #AKLNG project is being perceived in the market in light of the changing situation regarding Russian gas (30:20).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of March 28, 2022.
This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss the operating budget passed by HFIN and headed to the House floor this week (2:05); 2) we use this past weekend’s ADN editorial on the same subject as a stepping off point to explain again why we continue to be deeply concerned with the Permanent Fund Corporation’s in-state investment initiative (19:23); and 3) we explain why we are urging the Senate to take up the House bill on campaign finance reform (26:34).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of March 21, 2022.
The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on Facebook and YouTubeLive as well as via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6–8am. I join Michael weekly in the first hour of Tuesday’s show, from 6:25–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about our three issues.
This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss what we find important in the Administration’s new Spring Revenue F’cast (2:00); 2) we examine the tension that’s unfolding in the legislature between increased spending on one hand and Permanent Fund Dividends on the other (15:06); and 3) we explain why we continue to be deeply concerned with the Permanent Fund Corporation’s in-state investment initiative (31:45).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of March 14, 2022.
This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss the Alaska Yuppie version of fiscal responsibility, as reflected in a recent Anchorage Daily News op-ed (2:05); 2) we explain why, as proposed, the Governor’s gasoline tax suspension isn’t saving Alaskans anything, but just shifting govt costs from one set of Alaska families to another (12:48); and 3) we discuss why we are concerned about the newest front in the North Slope producer wars and how it impacts Alaskans (24:09).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of March 7, 2022.
This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) we put the version of the House Operating Budget currently being considered by the House Finance Committee into context by comparing it to prior budgets and discuss what we will be looking for as the budget continues to work its way through the legislature this session (2:13); 2) we discuss inflation factors and set the baseline for how we will be thinking about the issue as it starts to be raised in the context of legislative budget discussions (20:10); and 3) we discuss the additional problems for campaign finance created by APOC's decision to abandon any contribution limits on state and local races (27:07).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of February 28, 2022.
This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss the upcoming Spring Revenue Forecast and why we think the Administration should release it sooner than later (2:10); 2) we explain the opportunities the withdrawal from Russia of BP, other oil & gas companies and resource companies in general may create for Alaska (13:08); and 3) we discuss our growing frustration with LegFin and the Alaska media over their lack of transparency about more equitable and lower impact alternatives to PFD cuts (26:22).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of February 21, 2022.This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss the lead fiscal bills that are emerging in both the House and Senate and why they ultimately aren't headed anywhere (2:02); 2) we explain why we likely are a no on the Governor's proposed general obligation bond package (20:13); and 3) we discuss a recent event that reenforces yet again the need for campaign finance reform (28:54).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets — for the week of February 14, 2022.This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss the significance of the ongoing increase in oil prices to the #AKbudget; at the levels projected by the futures market, the FY23 budget now balances at a full, statutory PFD (2:09); 2) but now that the budget is within range of a full PFD, we explore how various interests are emerging from the woodwork to spend that increased revenue elsewhere (18:12); and 3) we explain our significant concerns with the Governor’s recently proposed renewable energy program (27:28).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of February 7, 2022.This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain that while the federal infrastructure bill does bring significant benefits to Alaska, it also comes at some cost that needs to be accounted for as well (1:59); 2) we discuss some important assumptions built into the newly released analysis of the #AKLNG project (12:06); and 3) we explain our concerns about the recent push for a return to defined benefit programs for certain state employees (21:11).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of January 31, 2022.The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on FacebookLive and via streaming audio from the Show's website weekdays from 6–8am. I join Michael each week on Tuesday's show, from 6:20–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about the three issues. As listeners will note about half-way through, we ran into some technical issues while recording this week's segment, but by resorting to the old school approach of calling in, we overcame and finished.This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss why some some legislators don't appear to support a PFD even at the POMV 50/50 level, although the money to pay it is clearly there this year (2:17); 2) we discuss why the approach some take of settling the PFD now and deal with the remainder of the fiscal issues later isn't realistic (14:47); and 3) we discuss why campaign finance issues should be an integral part of the election issues being addressed this year by both the House and Senate (20:58).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of January 24, 2022.This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) why we support using a portion of the federal COVID relief funds as replacement UGF revenues this budget cycle (2:02); 2) we explain why we increasingly believe Gov Dunleavy has become a fiscal wimp (22:48); and 3) following up on some recent discussions of the issue in Senate Finance, we explore whether there are better ways to smooth oil revenues over budget cycles (31:49).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of January 17, 2022.This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) after looking at the summaries published by each, we discuss how far both the Administration and the Legislative Finance Division already are straying from "truth in budgeting" this session (2:06); 2) in the wake of Angela Rodell's termination, we explain our thoughts on the steps needed going forward to depoliticize the governance of the Permanent Fund (21:50); and 3) we discuss the harm to Alaska from the continued treatment of the NPRA as a political football by both Democrats and Republican Administrations (30:52).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of January 10, 2022.This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain our concerns about the Governor's proposal this budget to raise revenues through permanent PFD cuts, without first exploring even obvious revenue alternatives the Administration itself has raised (2:05); 2) we focus on a specific concern raised by former Governor Frank Murkowski hi-lited by the recent termination of Permanent Fund Corporation head Angela Rodell (25:22); and 3) we discuss the positive outlook for current oil production levels outlined in a recent piece by Tim Bradner (32:37).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of January 3, 2022.This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) we review the Governor's proposed FY23 budget and 10-year fiscal plan released just before the holidays (2:17); 2) we discuss the Carl Marrs' op-ed appearing in the ADN and elsewhere over the holidays, that when read in context thanks the legislature essentially for continuing to insulate those in the Top20% income bracket from the impact of government spending levels by shifting the burden instead to middle & lower income Alaska families (18:19); and 3) we discuss what we will be facing from a fiscal perspective as the COVID-related influx of federal money into Alaska recedes and things return to normal (23:54).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - Holiday Edition, our last of the year, for the week of December 20, 2021.Normally on the podcast we talk about the Top 3 issues currently facing state fiscal and oil & gas policymakers. But this week on the holiday edition Michael and I get in the spirit by talking about three, holiday-themed topics: 1) we talk about our favorite Christmas movies, including taking on the eternal question of whether Die Hard qualifies as one (2:01); 2) we talk about some of our favorite Christmas memories (9:37); and 3) at Michael's urging, I go through a list of five of my favorite Celtic music artists (22:57).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of December 13, 2021.This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss what we will focus on in the Governor's Supplemental FY22 and FY23 budgets when they are released later this week (2:01); 2) we provide our way to early thoughts on the Permanent Fund Board's decision late last week to terminate Executive Director Angela Rodell (17:51); and 3) we explain why we agree with Dermot Cole's recent concerns about the Permanent Fund's in-state investment program (29:37).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of December 6, 2021.This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss how, with oil prices dropping in the wake of the Omicron variant and other events, the Administration is facing rougher times ahead on its fiscal proposals (1:58); 2) we consider what the federal infrastructure dollars headed our way mean for the state budget (20:00); and 3) we take a look at what the Department of Interior's new report on federal oil leasing means for Alaska oil (30:56).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of November 29, 2021.This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) we outline what we believe HB4003 - what seems to be the House leadership's leading fiscal bill coming into the next session - really does (2:01); 2) we discuss former Gov Walker's recent - and highly disappointing - op-ed on the Alaska economy (13:03); and 3) we take a way too early look at the impact Christopher Kurka may have on the Alaska Governor's race (24:49).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of November 22, 2021.This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) we outline the key criteria we intend to use in deciding which candidates to support this coming election cycle (1:56); 2) we discuss the potential impact on Alaska of President Biden and other countries' decisions to release oil from their strategic petroleum reserves in an effort to push prices downward (16:20); and 3) we discus some of the practical issues around pushing for a resolution of the PFD issue through a Constitutional Convention (23:31).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of November 15, 2021.This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss why a recent op-ed by Sen. Robb Myers reminds us a lot of Gov Hammond's themes behind the PFD (1:58); 2) we explain our frustration with the bill that House Ways & Means appears to be readying for a strong push next session (16:50); and 3) we discuss some more GOOD news about the Pikka project (28:15).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of November 8, 2021.This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss how the fiscal battle this coming regular session over the anticipated excess oil revenues is shaping up (1:52); 2) we take a wayyyy too early look at the impact of redistricting on Alaska fiscal policy (18:27); and 3) we discuss some GOOD news about the Pikka project (26:46).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of November 1, 2021.This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain why we have a lot of questions about the Administration's recently released Preliminary Fall 2021 Rev F'cast (2:25); 2) we discuss what we will be looking for in DOR's new "Fiscal Model" released Wednesday of this week (18:17); and 3) we explain why, as a result of a recent federal 9th Circuit decision, money is about to become an even bigger problem in Alaska elections (25:17).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of October 25, 2021.This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain how the legislature's House Coalition has consistently masked from the public critical information in its analysis of various proposed fiscal solutions (2:20); 2) we dig down into the information the News-Miner glossed over in its story on Rep. Adam Wool's proposed flat tax (16:18); and 3) we take a first look at the implications of Exxon's decision to hand over operatorship of the Pt. Thomson Unit to Hilcorp (27:54).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind here at Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets - for the week of October 18, 2021.This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) we take a look at what's happening (or not) in the Special Session (2:02); 2) we explain why we think the Fall Rev F'cast - due in December - will surprise many and have a big impact not only on next year's regular session but potentially also the 2022 election cycle (18:55); and 3) we discuss the Alaska Municipal League's strong pushback on a state sales tax (26:54).
This week Alaska Public Media's "Talk of Alaska" focused on the Permanent Fund Dividend. We are reposting the podcast of the discussion here.Permanent Fund Dividends will arrive soon, but the plan to pay for them going forward hasn’t materialized. Legislators have yet to agree on a solution, despite a fourth special legislative session and a list of recommendations made by a bipartisan working group this summer. Advocates share their ideas for a sustainable plan for the future.HOST: Lori TownsendGUESTS:Andrew Kitchenman, State Government Reporter, Alaska Public Media and KTOORick Halford, Permanent Fund DefendersBrad Keithley, Managing Director, Alaskans for Sustainable BudgetsCliff Groh, Alaska Common GroundCORRECTION: Alaska Public Media and KTOO reporter Andrew Kitchenman made an error in this Talk of Alaska. An update to public employee pension contributions will save the state more than $100 million per year. It will not cost more money than the working group assumed.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of October 11, 2021.This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) the Walker/Drygas campaign offers some troubling insight into their PFD and, through it, their fiscal policy (2:09); 2) after defying the odds to develop an agreed set of proposals, legislative leadership seems intent on avoiding the recommendations of the Comprehensive Fiscal Policy Working Group (14:04); and 3) why we are relieved the Alaska Retirement Management Board rejected the Administration's efforts to tinker with the main PERS & TRS investment accounts. (32:32).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of October 4, 2021.This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) the legislature's Alaska House Coalition effectively admits it is fine with inflicting collateral damage on MIDDLE income Alaska families (1:58); 2) yes, oil prices are up but no, Alaska's fiscal situation isn't saved (21:08); and 3) why we hope Senator von Imhof DOES run for governor (28:04).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of September 27, 2021.This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) why we think House Democrats are leaving MIDDLE income Alaska families out in the cold (2:03); 2) why we don’t see many signs of progress leading up to Monday’s start of the 4th Special Session (21:20); and 3) why its not just us that are concerned about where oil volumes and revenues are headed in the latter half of the decade (39:17).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of September 20, 2021.This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) how much of the FY22 budget is being paid for by PFDcuts - we think it will shock most (1:57); 2) the public abandonment by the House Ways & Means Committee Chair of the efforts of the Comprehensive Fiscal Working Group (17:59); and 3) we update on some recent, significant developments in the global LNG market and on the AKLNG board (28:40).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of September 13, 2021.This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) where are we headed on the PFD as this session comes to an end (1:49); 2) the additional arguments the Governor should be using to push back on PFD cuts (11:15); and 3) we explain how both the legislature and Administration are using distorted revenue forecasts (26:40).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of September 6, 2021.This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) the Administration restarts discussions on revenue, but then immediately rules out the very approach that has the lowest adverse impact on Alaska families & the Alaska economy (1:54); 2) as the FY22 budget mess moves to the Senate, we explore how they may put Humpty Dumpty back together again (16:43); and 3) we discuss some anticipated, but nonetheless good news on Conoco’s Willow project (29:27).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of August 30, 2021.This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) yes, the state’s fiscal situation is a result of a “lack of guts to make the decisions,” but the real question is who is it that is lacking (2:13); 2) we discuss what it will take for the 2022 election, unlike the previous ones the last decade, finally to determine Alaska’s fiscal future (22:19); and 3) yes, there’s even more oil resource on the North Slope, but do investors care any more (32:54).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of August 23, 2021.This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) we do some numbers that show the extent of the #AKfiscal challenge, why the legislature has resorted to bigger and bigger PFDcuts and why that will continue without substitute revenues (2:01); 2) we explain why the US District Court's decision on Conoco's Willow project potentially creates some huge issues for Alaska (21:07); and 3) we discuss some insight we have gained this past week into why some D's - who we would think would support PFDs - instead are pushing PFDcuts (29:21).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of August 16, 2021.This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss a weekend op-ed by the Anchorage Daily News editorial board, which completely ignores #WhoPays, the issue that ISER Head Ralph Townsend told the legislature's Fiscal Policy Working Group earlier this month is the "single most important" fiscal issue (2:03); 2) we discuss the Commissioner of Revenue's appearance before the Working Group, in which the Administration appears to join in in others' efforts to push the costs of government off on middle & lower income Alaska families(13:27); and 3) we explain our assessment of the potential, long term impact of a recent superior court decision on the so-called "reverse sweep" (25:55).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of August 9, 2021.This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) the Governor shows some movement in the Administration's presentation to the Fiscal Policy Working Group, but we explain why, in our view, he's limiting the options too narrowly (2:05); 2) in his presentation to the Working Group, ISER head Ralph Townsend hits the right notes, but we question whether anyone is listening (17:37); and 3) we discuss some interesting conjecture around Oil Search's Pikka project, with some upsides & downsides for Alaska (25:17).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of August 2, 2021.This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss what the legislature's Fiscal Policy Working Group is missing so far in its public analysis so far (1:56); 2) we explain why Rep Wool's HB37 isn't much of a compromise once you fill in the missing part (18:26); and 3) we explain how the most recent new turn the Oil Search saga has taken impacts Alaska's fiscal condition. (28:06).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of July 26, 2021.This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss Sen. Hoffman's hint about where the legislature's Fiscal Policy Working Group may be headed as well the comments we intend to file (1:50); 2) we make our point about the gaping hole in Gov Dunleavy's fiscal policy in graphic form (26:36); and 3) the good news/bad news from the North Slope: Hilcorp is drilling again in Prudhoe, but the Pikka project is in flux. (35:20).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of July 19, 2021.This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1)we discuss the lessons we draw from CNBC's recent ranking of Alaska as 50th - dead last - for business (2:03); 2) we explain why we think funding the PCE and PFD are essentially the same issue (21:01); and 3) we discuss a slide left out of Sen. vonImhof's presentation on her proposed ARORA plan, but that explains everything you need to know about it (29:38).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of July 12, 2021.This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss the three things we hope the legislature's new Comprehensive Fiscal Policy Working Group keeps front and center in its deliberations (1:56); 2) we explain why we think the Governor continues to fall far short on proposing a complete fiscal plan (17:29); and 3) we explain why we think the Biden Administration is directly targeting Alaska in its recent order reopening the environmental review of the LNG project (32:55).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of July 5, 2021.This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss two ADN op-eds that, for various reasons, miss the mark on Alaska's fiscal situation (1:54); 2) we explain how a recent BBC story badly misunderstands what went on in Alaska's last election cycle (11:58); and 3) in preparation for the Administration's upcoming "fiscal update," we examine what is going on with oil prices (23:23).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of June 28, 2021.This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) we discuss the final outcome of the budget during this special session (1:49); 2) we explain why some who claim to be "pro business" are really "pro business executives" instead, and why that's a huge difference (19:44); and 3) we examine what we think is the biggest failure this legislative session (27:51).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of June 21, 2021.This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) we explain our thoughts on how to resolve the current budget impasse (1:55); 2) we explain why we think, in its weekend editorial on fiscal issues, the ADN failed badly to live up to the standards of objectivity and balance usually expected of editorial boards (22:10); and 3) we explain why, in a different way, we think Gov. Dunleavy is becoming as unreasonable as Sen. vonImhof on fiscal issues (36:35).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of June 14, 2021.This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) we examine what's going on with the budget and how, in our view, the legislature should respond to the conference committee proposal (1:43); 2) we discuss what the Governor needs to bring to the table to save the PFD (17:55); and 3) we explain why Rep. Sara Rasmussen's latest effort to rationalize PFD cuts fails (32:05).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of June 7, 2021.This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) we question whether the Governor really is serious about passing SJR 6, the proposed PFD constitutional amendment (1:46); 2) we explain why Rep. Fields is complaining about the wrong set of Republicans in his recent Anchorage Press op-ed (16:32); and 3) we spell out why the ADN's recent headline about the reverse sweep is misleading (25:14).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of May 31, 2021.This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) why the numbers 11 and 6 are key in resolving the budget (1:52); 2) last week's evolution of the discussion around SJR 6 and what its going to take to constitutionalize the PFD (20:37); and 3) why, although the new oil field announcement from Pantheon Resources contains big numbers, its all about the financing (31:00).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of May 24, 2021.This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) where the legislature is on the budget and the issues ahead in resolving it (2:02); 2) what we think its going to take to pass SJR6, the Governor's proposed PFD-related constitutional amendment (22:08); and 3) we focus one last time on why we think its important for Alaskans to watch Unrepresented (trailer at https://vimeo.com/327738486), the award winning documentary on the corrupting influence of money in politics, and the Alaska panel discussion following (32:05).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of May 17, 2021.This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) where the legislature & Governor appear to be on the PFD now, as we enter the last two days of the regular session (2:03); 2) why we are perplexed about the Governor's proposal to delay addressing the appropriation of the state's share of the federal American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds (21:33); and 3) why its important for Alaskans to take the upcoming opportunity to watch the virtual screening of Unrepresented (trailer here), the award winning documentary on the corrupting influence of money in politics (25:40).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of May 10, 2021.This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) the current state of play (as of showtime, Tuesday morning) concerning the PFD, including the Administration's statement last week that they no longer back the current statutory PFD (2:16); 2) the current, incomplete state of play surrounding the budget and where we think it goes from here (22:02), and 3) our biggest surprise this session, and its a disappointing one (31:28).We note that that state of play concerning the PFD changed dramatically Wednesday morning, after the show, when the Governor announced his support for a revised version for SJR 6. We discussed that development further on a special episode of The Michael Dukes Show devoted to the issue on Friday, which is available on the show's Facebook and Spotify pages. We also will discuss it further in our segment on next week's show.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of May 3, 2021.This week our Top 3 issues are these : 1) the current, confused budget situation in the House (2:00); 2) why we believe Reps Rasmussen & Merrick dissemble when they say they oppose an "income tax" (they just oppose one that requires the Top20% to contribute, they don't mind one that mostly burdens middle & lower income Alaska families) (18:47); and 3) why the argument advanced in a recent op-ed by Permanent Fund Corporation head Angela Rodell is disingenuous (25:40).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of April 26, 2021.This week our Top 3 issues are these : 1) why, despite the influx of flexible federal dollars which could be used to create adequate fiscal space, the HFIN's draft committee substitute nevertheless threatens to divert almost all of the PFD to government (1:53); 2) we focus on an excellent article examining where Alaska oil - and Alaska oil employment - goes from here (21:19), and 3) we discuss an upcoming project which will explore the deep problems with the nation's current approach to campaign finance (28:27).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of April 19, 2021.This week our Top 3 issues are these : 1) how HJR1, Rep. Kreiss-Tomkins proposed constitutional amendment, sets a trap for the PFD (2:00); 2) why we are deeply disappointed in the way the Governor proposes to spend the bulk of the federal funds coming to the state under the American Relief Plan (12:19), and 3) why there's a good reason NOT to rush on K-12 funding, as some in the House have proposed (30:26).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of April 12, 2021.This week our Top 3 issues are these : 1) our take away from testimony last Saturday before the House Ways & Means Committee (1:56); 2) our concern as some start proposing ways to spend Alaska's share of the federal American Rescue Plan funds (21:49), and 3) some good oil news from the Slope, but the same big question lingers (32:55).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of April 5, 2021.This week our Top 3 issues are these : 1) we are increasingly concerned the combination of some oil price recovery and the incoming federal rescue dollars is leading the legislature to avoid facing up to the state's fiscal situation yet again (2:04), 2) we take a look at what's going on with the Alaska economy - most of it is challenging, but its not as bad from an income perspective as one might think (22:04), and 3) we discuss the importance of demonstrating support for SJR 1, Sen Wielechowski's proposed Constitutional Amendment, at Friday's Senate Judiciary hearing (29:01).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of March 29, 2021.This week our Top 3 issues are these : 1) we discuss how the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner badly botched an analysis of Alaska's tax burden (1:56); 2) we ask whether the Senate Finance Committee even cares about Alaska families & the overall Alaska economy (13:37); and 3) some recent discussion about potential vetoes makes us wonder whether the Governor is part of the fiscal solution - or has become part of the problem (25:39).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of March 22, 2021.This week our Top 3 issues are these : 1) why we believe the Department of Revenue's Spring Rev F'cast misleads on an important issue (1:50); 2) the Alaska House Coalition's proposal to layer on yet another regressive tax on middle & lower income #AKfams (14:00); and 3) yet another legislator proposes an ineffective "spending cap" placebo (29:12).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of March 15, 2021.This week our Top 3 issues are these : 1) how we believe the legislature should address the federal money coming to the state under the American Relief Plan (1:52); 2) why we think the House Minority's "Declaration of Guiding Principles" prioritizes the Top20% over middle & lower income Alaska families (11:54); and 3) we look back at some historical numbers to see if we can draw any parallels for making - and sustaining - deeper cuts in state spending (21:34).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of March 8, 2021.This week at Michael's request our Top 3 becomes a Top 4. These are the issues : 1) LegFin's presentation to the Senate Finance Committee last week was great as far as it went, but it had one huge hole (2:12); 2) an op-ed piece in Republican mouthpiece MustRead Alaska signals a deepening split among fiscal conservatives (18:19); 3) why the latest round of federal relief eliminates the need for Gov Dunleavy's supplemental PFD (30:58); and 4) we explain where the spending cuts would need to be made if the Governor (or legislature) was going to try to balance the budget entirely, or even mostly, through "cuts only" (35:20).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of March 1, 2021.This week our Top 3 are these: 1) the growing battle over whether to overdraw the Permanent Fund (2:00); 2) what Reps Merrick & Rasmussen really mean when they say they intend to "stop" an income tax (17:09); and 3) we celebrate some good news from the oil patch (34:12). Then, in response to a listener question, we discuss whether former Governor Bill Walker is likely to run again in 2022 (35:55).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of February 22, 2021.This week our Top 3 are these: 1) establishing a House Ways & Means Committee is a good thing (1:58); 2) the COVID relief bill currently making its way through Congress shortchanges Alaska and other state & local governments in need (12:52); and 3) following up on a listener request, we look at SB 75, Sen. vonImhoh's proposed spending cap bill (28:11).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of February 15, 2021.This week our Top 3 are these: 1) the Ninth Circuit's decision staying Conoco's Willow project raises longer term concerns (1:50); 2) we need alternative revenues to substitute for PFDcuts, but how do we avoid them adding to spending (15:10); and 3) our take on the current House (dis)organization (31:37).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of February 8, 2021.This week our Top 3 are these: 1) a Ketchikan Daily News op-ed has it right, the legislature should "Focus on the Economy," but they aren't (1:50); 2) oil prices are going up, but not nearly enough to dig the state out of its fiscal hole (18:43), and 3) like his predecessors, the Governor is beginning to use the long sought after gasline as a diversion (26:41).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of February 1, 2021.This week our Top 3 are these: 1) the Senate Finance hearings are revealing a lot about where members think the state's fiscal situation is headed (1:56); 2) the ADN editorial page entirely ignores what we believe is the fundamental problem driving some to push for excess Permanent Fund draws (20:16), and 3) some clarifications during the week have reduced concerns about the near term impact on Alaska of the Biden Administration's recent orders on federal lands (28:23).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of January 25, 2021.This week our Top 3 are these: 1) Senator Micciche outlines the right objectives, the challenge will be in achieving them (1:59); 2) the language of the Governor's proposed Constitutional Amendments doesn't match what we understand to be the objectives (18:39); and 3) forget ANWR, this is where the real risk is to Alaska of President Biden's federal lands pause (32:27).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of January 18, 2021.This week our Top 3 are these: 1) the ADN's myopia is making Alaska's fiscal situation more difficult, not better (1:51); 2) Rep. Prax's approach will lead to continuing, ever-deeper PFD cuts (17:25); and 3) the Manhattan Institute's Brian Riedl offers some important insights into how to help heal the deep partisan divide facing the nation (32:09).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of January 11, 2021.This week our Top 3 are these: 1) we start by taking a look at Legislative Finance's budget outlook presentation last Friday (1:44); 2) we discuss what we find of interest so far in the legislature's stack of prefiled bills (15:45); and 3) we share our takeaway from last week's ANWR lease sale (31:33).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of January 4, 2021, our first podcast of the new year. (To demonstrate how rusty we are, the podcast starts by referencing the week of January “9th,” but don’t be confused, its the week of the 4th.)This week our Top 3 are these: 1)our take on the upcoming House Finance Committee session on the Governor's proposed budget (1:54); 2) the likely impact on Alaska of the new argument by some at the federal level that "debt doesn't matter" (12:19); and 3)why its important to keep in mind this coming legislative session what's going on with oil prices over the longer term (30:17).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of December 21, 2020, our last podcast of the year.This week our Top 3 are these: 1) our take on the ADN's outlook for the coming legislative session (1:50), 2) why former Governor Murkowski's proposal that the state bid on ANWR leases is a bad idea for the state (16:45), and 3) as we approach the end of the year, our view of the biggest fiscal issue facing Alaskans in 2021 (25:21).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of December 14, 2020.This week our Top 3 are these: 1) which path did the Gov choose with his budget - to make deep spending cuts or continue business as usual (2:01); 2) what does the Gov's proposal tell us about who will pay the necessary additional revenues - put another way, who is going to be taxed (20:36); and 3) how should the legislature focus in the midst of a pandemic on all the things that will be on its plate this coming session (28:53).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of December 7, 2020.This week our Top 3 are these: 1) coming off the Prop 1 debate, some are now suggesting the state should completely eliminate the PFD and divert the money to state government in order to attract investment (2:02); 2) what we will be looking for this coming week as the state issues, first, the Fall Revenue Forecast and then, behind it, the Governor's proposed FY22 budget (20:12), and 3) we look at whether the feds are likely to enact additional COVID fiscal relief before the end of the year (32:23).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of November 23, 2020.This week our Top 3 are these: 1) the coming budget will force the Governor to make a big decision between two alternative paths (1:44); 2) as push comes to shove, the Alaska Policy Forum seems to be siding with the Top20% on the PFD (22:48), and 3) the Permanent Fund Corp lays out its agenda for this coming session (28:40).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of November 23, 2020.This week our Top 3 are these: 1) now that we know the legislature will be closely divided, all eyes turn to the Governor's budget (1:52); 2) the Alaska Municipal League says its weighing in on state fiscal policy, and that may be a good thing for the PFD (14:48); and 3) with the federal government proceeding to sell leases, we take a realistic look at the potential for ANWR development (23:40).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of November 16, 2020.This week our our Top 3 are these: 1) now that the vote count is nearing the end, where those looking in the upcoming session for deep budget cuts should focus their energy (1:54), 2) what last Friday's Institute of the North discussion on "constitutionalizing" PF draws may portend for the PFD (18:54), and 3) what we have learned this election cycle about the issue of money in Alaska politics (27:10).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of November 9, 2020.This week our our Top 3 are these: 1) we break down the #akleg election results so far and take a stab at what they mean going forward for Alaska fiscal policy (1:53), 2) we dive into the two core issues surrounding the Permanent Fund, why some want to divide them but why we think that's not only bad policy, but ultimately undoable (21:58), and 3) we take a first look at what a Biden Presidency likely will mean for Alaska oil (29:19).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of November 2, 2020.This week our discussion centers on what we believe will become the Top 3 issues once the election results are finalized: 1) the likely interplay between the efforts to organize House and Senate leadership and the Governor's FY22 budget, due to be presented in mid-December (2:05); 2) the fiscal facts we believe this week's election winners need to absorb once their victory parties wind down (22:24); and 3) from a federal perspective, why it's critical for the next Congress to prioritize from the start bringing deficits and the national debt under control (39:39).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of October 26, 2020.This week our Top 3 are these: 1) Michael (leans no) and I (yes) have a final, pre-election discussion on Prop 1, the oil tax initiative(1:55); 2) our thoughts on the proposal by some to use the Power Cost Equalization (PCE) fund to plug a portion of next year's deficit (16:56); and 3) we discuss some recent developments in other states with University funding that is relevant as well to Alaska (30:37).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of October 19, 2020.This week our Top 3 are these: 1) what Conoco's Lower 48 acquisition of Concho Resources means for Alaska (1:48); 2) what's important in the #akleg races with two weeks to go before the election (18:58); and 3) its important to understand that a big part of the fiscal clash next session will be between the state & local govts (31:26).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of October 12, 2020. This week our Top 3 are these: 1) both the #AKmedia and many Alaskans are overlooking two, hugely important issues related to Prop 1 (1:57); 2) the false question about the PFD being put to legislative candidates at many debates (17:21); 3) the impact reduced oil demand is having on ANS production (25:10); and then, as a wrap up, Michael and I discuss what we are looking for in this election cycle in preparation for the next session (29:05).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of October 5, 2020.This week our Top 3 are these: 1) the Leg Finance and Department of Revenue presentations last Friday before House Finance; they are important for a number of reasons (note, we include a correction at the start to clarify some confusion over terminology during the discussion) (1:49); 2) Dittman Research's most recent polling results on the PFD; they will surprise many (19:53); and 3) a recent, anonymous piece in the Midnight Sun that critiques Donna Arduin (26:36).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of September 28, 2020.This week our approach is a bit different. In the first segment we talk about our Top 1 for the week - the fundamental misstatements included in two recent "No on 1" op-eds (1:55). But in the second, instead of doing two and three, Michael channels recent listener questions, which largely challenge why we have turned from the "cuts only" fiscal approach we advocated up until the late-2010's, to a fiscal approach which now proposes a mix of cuts & new revenues (23:21).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of September 21, 2020.This week our Top 3 are these: 1) we dive into the "glide path" approach some have advocated for dealing with Alaska's current fiscal situation (1:46), 2) we explain why we believe Commonwealth North's new Alaska Fiscal Game misleads (23:17), and 3) we outline what a recent Congressional Budget Office report tells us about where the federal fiscal situation is headed (28:50). (For those interested in a deeper dive on the third segment, a video of the Concord Coalition presentation we discuss is at https://youtu.be/eVvdoV6vojM.)
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of September 14, 2020.This week our Top 3 are these: 1) both an Anchorage Daily News editorial board op-ed and another in the Anchorage Press mislead to tilt against the PFD (1:55), 2) the ADN's "just the facts" piece about Prop 1, the oil tax initiative, misses on a key fact (19:05), and 3) surprisingly, Charles Wohlforth tells us Prop 2, the open primaries initiative, is really also about the PFD (26:00).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of September 7, 2020.This week our Top 3 are these: 1) oil's new "competitive analysis" of Prop 1 dodges key points (1:47); 2) we discuss why both "No on 1" & "Yes on 1" ads are misleading (18:38); and 3) the problematic 2019 'Buckeye Report' resurfaces with the same problems as before (29:08).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of August 31, 2020.This week our Top 3 are these: 1) does Wyoming's response to its own budget crisis show a way forward for Alaska (1:58); 2) we take a "way too early" look at where the next #akleg may be headed on fiscal issues (spoiler alert, it depends on reaching 16) (20:13); and 3) what the "No on 1" supporters avoid talking about when discussing Prop 1 (27:12).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of August 24, 2020.This week our Top 3 (+1) are these: 1) some R's scoring upsets in the primary ran on a platform of 'supporting the Gov," now that they have won, we ask what is the Gov's plan? (2:08), 2) Sen Coghill tries to blame 'talk radio' for being behind in the early count, but its not "talk radio" that is the Senator's problem, its the position he has staked out on #WhoPays for Alaska government (11:46), 3) we discuss the question that, to date, all of the op-eds urging "No on 1" have avoided (23:25), and then, at the end, now that the primaries are behind us, we talk about what we are looking for next in this election cycle (31:56).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of August 17, 2020.This week our Top 3 are these: 1) what the Trump Administration's action on ANWR this week means for Alaskans (both the cheerleader & realist versions) (1:51); 2) what we are looking for in the this week's election results (11:02); and 3) where the Permanent Fund goes from here (spoiler alert, NOT $5K PFD's) (35:30).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of August 10, 2020.This week our Top 3 are these: 1) while some candidates say they support maintaining PFDs, the numbers show they are misleading voters (1:57); 2) while others talk a good game, Lynn Gattis has already demonstrated she is capable of effectively standing up to a "binding caucus" when the times require (18:56); and 3) while strong, July ANS production numbers need to be put in context (27:40).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of August 3, 2020.This week our Top 3 are these: 1) recent op-eds by Larry Persily and others are avoiding the important question(1:47); 2) we break down the costs of ANS oil production and explain why we think Prop 1 is an acceptable addition (20:08); and 3) why what the Congress does on the next COVID relief package is important to Alaska (28:22).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of July 27, 2020.This week our Top 3 are these: 1) why a recent op-ed by Sen. Shelley Hughes and others actually has convinced us to vote YES on Prop 1 (1:54); 2) like others from the Top20%, Rep. Jennifer Johnston seems to be running on both sides of the fence at once just to stay in office (27:17); and 3) Sen. John Coghill's APOC report seems to be saying that he and his supporters believe Robb Myers, his challenger, poses a real threat to win that race (37:19).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of July 20, 2020.This week our Top 3 are these: 1) in an op-ed, Sen. Stedman expresses more concern about future generations than he does those right in front of him (1:51); 2) Senator Giessel sends out a mailer that claims things she's not (12:56) and 3) the Governor of Wyoming takes steps in response to his state's oil price driven fiscal crisis Alaska should be taking as well, but isn't (29:05).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of July 13, 2020.This week our Top 3 are these: 1) the, what sometimes seems intentional, confusion among candidates around the FY22 deficit number (1:49); 2) what the University should be looking for in a new, long term President (18:41); and 3)we (mostly) agree with a new report from the Alaska Policy Forum on how to rein in Alaska health care costs (26:08).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of July 6, 2020.This week our Top 3 are these: 1) some good news on oil prices (1:55); 2) a recent op-ed by Sens. Hughes, Costello and Rep. Prax on oil taxes badly puts the cart before the horse - we discuss what it takes to fix it (9:01) and 3) why what happens in DC this month will have a big impact on Alaska's economy this fall (22:54).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of June 29, 2020.This week our Top 3 are these: 1) a new paper provides insight from a global perspective on who opposes resource distribution approaches like Alaska's PFD and why (1:55), 2) two new industry papers help pinpoint the challenges Alaska will face in coming years in continuing to attract oil industry investment (16:34), and 3) our thoughts on a structured way to evaluate every candidate's fiscal position this election cycle on a common basis (22:57).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of June 22, 2020.This week our Top 3 are these: 1) the missing question so far in the 2020 election cycle, and why its the most important (1:50); 2) the underlying truth facing the University whoever is in charge (24:55) and 3) surprisingly (and disapointingly), the state appears ready to approve the Hilcorp sale w/o being transparent with Alaskans about the terms (33:10).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of June 15, 2020.This week our Top 3 are these: 1) two from the Top20% argue "don't tax me, don't tax my industry, tax middle & lower income Alaska families instead," our reaction (1:52); 2) oil prices are stabilizing and Conoco is restoring ANS production, what does that mean for Alaska's finances (17:58); and 3) even the News Miner is calling for reduced spending, what we think that means (24:14).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of June 8, 2020.This week our Top 3 are these: 1) the University's spending cuts are good, but there is much more to go (1:49); 2) while they don't directly impact us, Chevron & BP's layoffs nevertheless are an important signal to Alaska (12:39); and 3) why we think Ed Rasmuson's recent editorial is hollow and hypocritical (23:50).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of June 1, 2020.This week our Top 3 are these: 1) now that we know the candidates, our first reaction to the upcoming election cycle (1:46); 2) oil prices are back to where they were in mid-March, what does that mean for Alaska (22:37); and 3) why a recent report from Moody's indicates that Alaska state government is only slightly suffering financially from COVID (28:15).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of May 25, 2019.This week our Top 3 are these: 1) What our focus will be with candidates as we head into the coming election season (1:45); 2) now that it has FERC approvals, where we think the #AKLNG project is headed (18:01), and 3) why ending proration doesn't mean TAPS is back up and running at bigger volumes (30:09).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of May 18, 2019.The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on FacebookLive and via streaming audio from the Show's website weekdays from 6–8am. I join Michael each week on Tuesday's show, from 6:20–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about the three issues.Because of the time we spent on each, this week we only covered the first two of our Top 3. They were: 1) our view of what is happening with the legislature in Juneau this week and what that means for the upcoming election cycle (1:54), and 2) our reaction to Charles Wohlforth's effort in a recent ADN op-ed to assign blame for the state's current fiscal situation; he is missing a key player (21:32).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of May 11, 2019.This week our Top 3 are these: 1) if it were politically achievable, how much would blocking the reverse sweep of PCE & the other designated budget items really help (1:53), 2) Bert Stedman raises the issue of borrowing from the future, but in our view this generation already has borrowed enough (19:34), and 3) the ANS/Brent differential continues, what does that mean for Alaska (34:50).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of May 4, 2019.This week our Top 3 are these: 1) what concerns us most right now about Alaska oil (1:52), 2) the emerging issue in the state CARES Act debate and what our Congressional delegation can do to help (20:09), and 3) what those involved in the "Restore the PFD" rallies need to be ready to answer (30:21).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of April 27, 2019.This week our Top 3 are these: 1) what we've learned about the market for ANS since last week (1:50), 2) why we don't like the Begich-Parnell PFD proposal (22:50), and 3) while its still on, Alaskans still are flying blind on the BP/Hilcorp transaction, and that's not a good thing (32:20).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of April 20, 2019.This week our Top 3 are these: 1) what happened to oil prices Monday and what does it mean for Alaska (1:52), 2) this coming election cycle will be about FY22, what does that look like (22:29), and 3) the impact COVID-19 is having on the federal fiscal situation is going to make the future even more difficult, starting with Social Security (34:27).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of April 13, 2019.This week our Top 3 are these: 1) some think its time to talk about the "death of the PFD," if so, we address the next chapter, "who lost the PFD" (1:53); 2) we discuss the negative fiscal message sent last week's by the combination of the Spring Rev F'cast followed by Gov Dunleavy's vetoes (23:42); and 3) the announcement of another new oil find proves again that Alaska has "good rocks," but we discuss why that's not enough to ensure a strong future (34:07).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of April 6, 2019.Because of the deep dive we do on the first, this week we only have time for 2 of our Top 3: 1) because of the oil price drop, we are down to the end game on the PFD; preserving it will require a Plan B if, as highly likely, we aren't able to achieve the level of spending cuts necessary to restore it (1:43), and 2) we discuss why the push by Saudi Arabia and Russia to involve the US in oil production cutbacks is relevant to Alaska (30:38).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of March 30, 2019.This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) the final budget passed Saturday night includes an income tax, we discuss how much and who's paying it (1:53), 2) our view on where oil prices are headed and what that means both for the state's fiscal situation and North Slope development (24:35), and 3) we take a stab at how we think the Governor will handle the budget; will there be vetoes, and if so, what type (33:37).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of March 23, 2019.This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) our view of the Senate budget bill passed on Monday, and more importantly, where we go from here (1:45), 2) the clearer the picture we have of the economic impact of the oil price drop and virus, the more bleak the state's long term financial numbers become (19:43), and 3) our first take on the effect of the price drop on Alaska oil development (29:13).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of March 16, 2019.This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) some propose a $0 PFD, some $3K, we discuss our take on the issue (1:47); 2) the projected state revenue numbers are bad and we are operating w/o a safety net, we discuss the consequences (21:35); and 3) why we disagree, strongly, with the RCA's decision to keep Hilcorp's financials behind closed doors (32.30).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of March 9, 2019.This week our Top 3 issues are all tied to this week’s oil price collapse: 1) the last time oil prices dropped we had $17 billion in fiscal reserves, this time we have nothing (1:59), 2) two nat’l think tanks weigh in with proposals on how to raise Alaska revenue (18:59), and 3) our first pass at the potential effects of the oil price dive on the Alaska oil patch (34:53).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of March 2, 2019.This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) Leg Finance Division's biased and inaccurate treatment of the PFD under current law is now crossing over into the media (1:56), 2) the significant impact the coronavirus-induced economic downturn is likely to have on state revenues (18:07), and 3) something many are badly missing as they think about whether to sign the #RecallDunleavy petition (26:42).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of February 24, 2019.This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) our concern that the Gov's current path on budget issues is leading straight to another year of deep PFD cuts (1:57), 2) SFIN's leading proposal on a spending cap doesn't do much (18:54), and 3) why the Goldman, Chase & others' decisions to curtail funding of Alaska oil investments is significant, and our view of how the state should respond (25:06).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of February 17, 2019.The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on FacebookLive and via streaming audio from the Show's website weekdays from 6–8am. I join Michael each week on Tuesday's show, from 6:20–7am, for a discussion between the two of us about the three issues.This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) what is the outlook for the PFD this session - and beyond (1:47); 2) the University of Alaska still isn't understanding how big the challenge is ahead (21:35); and 3) some suggest a carbon tax could help (not hurt) #AKoil (29:20).
The third topic of this week's Weekly Top 3 was briefly to discuss a debate that was happening Tuesday evening, after we taped the show. As we explained there, the debate, hosted by Alaska Common Ground, featured a series of mini-debates, focused on four issues: making substantial additional budget cuts, relying even more on Permanent Fund earnings, reinstating broad-based taxes, and raising oil taxes.Each issue was argued by a proponent and opponent, who were given five minutes each to present their views, followed by a question. We made the case for reinstating broad-based taxes. The cut here is of our presentation and the following question. For those interested, a video of the full debate, including the opening presentation by Common Ground's Cliff Groh and Drew Cason laying out Alaska's current fiscal situation, as well as the presentations by both the proponent and opponent on all four issues, is available at https://www.facebook.com/akcommonground/videos/236907563994625/.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of February 10, 2019.By way of background, this week Michael and I start the show by doing a brief review of the evolution of our thinking on fiscal policy these last 10 years. (2:00). Then we dive into the Top 3: 1) we take a peek behind the curtain at what "other taxes" the Gov may have in mind this session (4:37); 2) why, despite the claims of some, a "spending cap" doesn't solve (or even much help) with the state's fiscal problem (21:49); and 3) we quickly mention a debate on fiscal issues that occurred Tuesday, and which we will post also on these pages later this week (35:45).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of February 3, 2019.This week, before working through our Top 3, we outline presentations we made Tuesday of this week before the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly (2:17). For those interested, the slide deck we use in those presentations is available on our Facebook and Twitter feeds.Then we move on to our Top 3: 1) the impact of the upcoming supplemental budget on overall FY20 spending levels - it mostly wipes out the progress made in last session's budget cuts (7:07); 2) the claims by some that the Governor isn't providing "leadership" this session on fiscal issues - we disagree … some(18:17); and 3) we discuss a report last week from the DC-based Tax Foundation attempting, similarly to last year's report from the Ohio-based Buckeye Institute, to justify a statewide sales tax over an income tax as a means of raising new revenue (28:21).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of January 27, 2019.This week we our Top 3 issues are these: 1) the first two big votes this session tell us already where its going to end up (2:06), along the way we also touch on the Governor's state of the state address (8:04) and Americans for Prosperity-Alaskans new ad campaign (12:01); 2) a recent op-ed from Tom Brennan seems to argue the fiscal solution is all one way or another; that overlooks what we think is a much better, "all of the above approach" (17:28); and 3) the LegFin division claims to be non-partisan, but the legislature appoints as its Director someone who's one of the most partisan on the key issue of the day (25:08).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of January 20, 2019.This week we fit in four issues. We start with a brief discussion of our reaction to Monday’s appointment of the new OMB director (1:54), before turning to our our “regular” Top 3: 1) our take on the results of the PFD working group (7:59), 2) now that they appear to have the necessary signatures, our views on the oil tax initiative (21:23), and 3) Ed King’s most recent piece suggesting we’ve already seen before in the state’s history how the current fiscal dynamics play out (27:33).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of January 13, 2019.This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) why Alaska's fiscal situation increasingly reminds us of Brexit (1:41), 2) our nominee for the worst in the first batch of pre-filed bills (21:14), and 3) the federal deficit crosses a bad threshold we haven't seen since the middle of the Obama Administration (28:06).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of January 6, 2019.In this, our first podcast of 2020, we focus on the Top 3 stories we see for the year ahead: 1) what the numbers tell us about where we are headed in the coming year, and more importantly, decade (1:54), 2) as the state pushes down costs, the muni's are asking for a piece of the Permanent Fund earnings stream (20:11), and 3) the Governor takes an important step toward increasing the transparency of the BP/Hilcorp transaction, likely the biggest oil issue this coming year (28:44).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of December 23, 2019.Our last this year, this week we review the 2019 Top 3. 1) In the end, not even 16 out of 60 in the legislature were willing to back up the Governor on a "cuts only" approach (2:06), 2) one oil era on the North Slope comes to an end; an uncertain one comes next (17:15), and 3) the legislature once again reaffirmed this year that it cares more about the Top 20% than the overall Alaska economy or the Remaining80% of Alaska families (26:46).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of December 16, 2019.This week our Top 3 focuses entirely on the Governor's budget proposal. In the first segment we talk about the challenges faced in dealing with the FY20 supplemental and FY21 budget (at 1:45). In the second, we take up the 10-year plan to discuss what lies beyond that (25:56). The short version? There is no cavalry coming over the hill to save the state from taxes. The only question is who will pay them.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 - our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week - for the week of December 9, 2019.This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) what the Fall Revenue Forecast tells us about this year and the future (at 1:36); 2) why Sen. Shelley Hughes proposed spending cap is an ineffective placebo (23:25); and 3) what we should take away from last week's warning from the Permanent Fund Corporation (37:21).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of December 2, 2019.This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) what we expect to see in the coming Fall Revenue Forecast and the Governor's FY21 budget proposal (at 1:43); 2) ANWR isn't only an Alaska issue, its become a global one as well (and not in a good way) (20:32); and 3) as the oil tax initiative heats up, Alaskans should take the time to understand the facts (28:35).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of November 25, 2019.This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) what Gov. Dunleavy's address last week to the Alaska Municipal League says to us about next year's budget (at 1:46), 2) what we will remember retiring Leg Finance head David Teal for most (19:11), and 3) why Conoco's proposal to sell 25% of its interest in its west side properties bothers (27:13).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of November 18, 2019.This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) what Bruce Tangeman's resignation as Revenue Comm'r likely means for fiscal policy (at 1:47), 2) why we won't get spending under control as long as we rely on PFDcuts (and why we will if we use a mechanism that taxes the Top20%) (20:39), and 3) why continued low bond yields are likely to have a big -- and adverse -- impact on Alaska (31:04).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of November 11, 2019.This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) why a statewide sales tax is simply another Top20% effort at pushing costs off on middle & lower income Alaska families (at 1:46), 2) why the Saudi Aramco IPO is significant to Alaskans (23:27), and 3)why the disclosure of Hilcorp's financials is appropriate as part of the state's review of the company's proposed acquisition of BP's Alaska assets (31:19).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of November 4, 2019.This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) is the "spending cap" #akleg leadership says they are focusing on, "effective" (at 1:48); 2) using sales taxes -- another regressive tax -- to fill the budget gap is simply the Top20% fallback position (18:34); and 3) a new article takes a deep dive into where oil prices are headed, and what that means for Alaska (24:05).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of October 28, 2019.This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) only four months in, this year's Alaska budget deficit is already growing (at 1:48), 2) there is a new, proposed North Slope LNG project (23:00), and 3) as we head into the 2020 election cycle, its important that Alaskans focus on the fact the federal budget deficit is spiraling out of control (30:57).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of October 21, 2019.This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) the Top20% are long on talking about compromise, but ignore it when offered (at 1:40); 2) Charles Wohlforth's series on the PFD in the ADN is an important read, but proves a different point than he may intend (21:22); and 3) the oil tax initiative is out for signature; let's talk about that (28:21).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of October 14, 2019.The Weekly Top 3 is a regular weekly segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Show broadcasts on FacebookLive and via streaming audio from the Show’s website weekdays from 6-8am. I join Michael each week on Tuesday’s show, from 6:20-7am, for a discussion between the two of us about the three issues.This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) rather than acting as a non-partisan source of analysis, the Legislature's Legislative Finance Division is rigging the information deck being given to Alaskans (at 1:46); 2) what is the difference between the current statutory PFD and one based on a 50/50 split of the SB26 POMV draw; and 3) what is the impact on Alaskans and our fiscal situation of adopting the second approach, what some refer to as 50/50 POMV. (The discussion of the second and third topics are combined and begin at 21:47.)
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of October 7, 2019.This week our Top 3 are these: 1) in our view, why those resisting other taxes are prolonging PFDcuts (at 1:37); 2) Sen. Shelley Hughes took a big step at Monday's #akleg PFD Working Group session, now its the Top20%'s turn to take one (20:36); and 3) the University Board of Regents blink & revert (yet again) to 2016 (28:50).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of September 30, 2019.This week our Top 3 are these: 1) wasting yet another opportunity to show vision, the ADN editorial board overlooks the middle on the PFD issue (at 1:49); 2) what the Governor's nomination of Josh Revak to the vacant Senate seat, the likely Senate R reaction and his statement on the Special Session means about where we are headed on the PFD (23:10); and 3) amidst all the static, we talk about whether the University will ever be able to get it right (30:50).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of September 23, 2019.This week our Top 3 are these: 1) what the new OMB Dir will tell us about the future direction of the Dunleavy Administration (and who we think would send a good message) (at 1:44); 2) why the Alaska GOP's decision to cancel the R Presidential Preference Poll is a big deal (17:22); and 3) what Rep. Laddie Shaw's rejection by the Senate R's tells us about where we are headed on the PFD (25:50).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of September 16, 2019.This week our Top 3 are these: 1) our initial take on what the weekend strike on Saudi oil facilities means to Alaska (at 1:47); 2) what Ed King's latest piece on the PFD is telling us about the state's fiscal road ahead (at 12:44); and 3) as federal FY 2019 comes to an end it has become clear that the Trump Administration's deficits are now on track to surpass even Obama's (at 31:09).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of September 9, 2019.This week our Top 3 are these: 1) why, even if the Administration achieves all of its goals next year for spending cuts, we STILL will be talking about more PFD cuts(at 1:45); 2) what the Permanent Fund's continued strong returns mean for the current generation (its not everything you would hope)(19:25); and 3) our takeaway from the Fitch bond ratings downgrade (its not the cuts, its the unstable revenue sources we are relying on)(27:26).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of September 2, 2019.This week our Top 3 are these: 1)our first take on what BP's sale to Hilcorp means for Alaska (at 1:44); 2)yet another op-ed in support of cutting the PFD (or, put another way, yet another effort to save the Top20% from contributing toward the costs of govt)(18:57); and 3)at a federal level the Tea Party appears to be fading to black just at the time it is needed most (27:11).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of August 26, 2019.This week our Top 3 are these: 1) both the ADN and NewsMiner editorial pages throw in with the Top20% hook, line and sinker, by calling for PFD cuts without even addressing other revenue options first (at 2:00); 2) going in the opposite direction from the ADN and NewsMiner, a newly revealed poll shows the majority of Alaskans oppose PFD cuts and favor using other revenue measures (12:26); 3) our initial thoughts on the new oil tax initiative (22:14); and in the bonus round, Michael and I talk about the Governor's new communication efforts (33:19).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of August 19, 2019.This week our Top 3 are these: 1) the "second veto" budget - what's in it and where do we go from here (at 1:41); 2) a live lesson in hypocrisy - many of those who are pushing to maintain govt spending are voting to avoid paying for it themselves (24:26), and 3) what a "progressive income tax" would mean to Alaskans - its not pretty (28:53).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of August 12, 2019.This week our Top 3 are these: 1) what a deep dive into Alaska's 10-year forecast reveals (hint: it's not pretty)(at 1:38); 2) what should be the ultimate goal in the coming #AKoil tax debate (18:19), and 3) should the Governor veto less than a full PFD (29:10).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of August 5, 2019.This week our Top 3 are these: 1) what we think of legislative leadership's push for a PFD-only session (at 1:31); 2) oil prices take a dive - what does that mean for Alaska's fiscal situation (21:33), and 3) the U is starting down the right road (29:50).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of July 29, 2019.This week our Top 3 are these: 1) our assessment of the #akleg's budget votes Monday and where are we headed next (at 1:44); 2) why the fiscal meltdown at the federal level is relevant to Alaska's 2020 election (20:59), and 3) why the #AKLNG project is headed into sleep mode (28:40).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of July 22, 2019.This week our Top 3 are these: 1) the University starts moving beyond the denial phase (at 1:37); 2) signs that the #akleg may be working toward a budget deal, but what happens if they don't (12:21), and 3) how do we avoid repeating Groundhog Day on the PFD (23:04).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of July 15, 2019.This week our Top 3 are these: 1) HB 2001, the House Finance Committee's hot off the presses troubling proposal to go down the same road again as we've just finished (at 1:45); 2) our concerns with rumors of a PFD "compromise" - it can't just be the PFD (20:30); and 3) by delaying the inevitable, the University's Board of Regents is making the situation worse (37:56).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of July 8, 2019.This week our Top 3 are these: 1) where are the Governor and legislature likely to be by this time next week (at 1:45); 2) we discuss the huge inconsistency in the economic arguments some are making -- they are concerned about state jobs, except when they have to help pay for them, then they aren't (11:42); and 3) we explain why we believe a discussion last week between Sens. Shower & Kiehl previews the next phase of the fiscal debate (28:54).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of July 1, 2019.This week our Top 3 are these: 1) the Governor's vetoes and how they play out from here (at 1:37); 2) we need to be honest with ourselves, someone is going to be taxed; we need to be talking about who (19:10); and 3) the @UA_System needs to start thinking ahead, after it fails to land its Hail Mary (35:16).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of June 24, 2019.This week's podcast is a bit of a wild one. Before turning to the Top 3, we start with a discussion of the Legislative "leadership's" decision to reject the Governor's call for the special session to be held in Wasilla -- an issue that arose Monday (at 1:55).Once we exhaust that topic we then turn to these: 1) vetoes are coming, but they will still leave a deficit; we discuss who will pay the taxes necessary to cover those (15:32); 2) we discuss the fake news Alaska public media spread last week about the PFD (21:45), and 3) we explain why the University is failing to respond to fiscal reality (29:00).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of June 17, 2019.This week our Top 3 are these: 1) as we sit in a (brief) eye of the state's fiscal hurricane -- what's coming next (at 1:50), 2) at the end of this someone is going to pay taxes - the only question is who (20:25), and 3) what we should know as we head toward the next federal fiscal crisis (26:35).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of June 10, 2019.This week our Top 3 are these: 1) our thoughts on where we go from here on the #AKbudget (a 60-day budget to give the #akleg time to finish their job) (at 3:47); 2) why the Congressional tool of "Continuing Resolutions" has become relevant to the #AKbudget (13:13), and 3) our thoughts on the so-called "PFD Working Group) (21:17). In addition, we take a few minutes to discuss the legal issue swirling around education funding (27:05).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of June 3, 2019.This week our Top 3 are these: 1) our thoughts on SB 1002, the Senate's new PFD bill (at 1:48); 2) we discuss the downright, "let them eat cake" attitude many Senate R's are taking about paying a full PFD (18:15); and 3) the latest, significantly downward movements in oil prices (23:40).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of May 27, 2019.This week our Top 3 turned into 4: 1) why the #akleg’s current efforts to change the PFD is just spinning its wheels (at 2:04), 2) we believe the Governor SHOULD be calling out individual legislators (16:24), 3) a substantial transfer from the earnings reserve account to the Permanent Fund corpus is fiscally irresponsible (25:08), and 4) some positive news from the oil & gas patch (31:00).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of May 20, 2019.This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) is the #akleg likely to approve a full PFD, and if so, where do things go from there (at 1:55), 2) how deep should vetoes go this year - "glide path" or "rip off the band aid" (19:55), and 3) yes, the state has other fiscal reserves, but should they be spent now (27:20).This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) is the #akleg likely to approve a full PFD, and if so, where do things go from there (at 1:55), 2) how deep should vetoes go this year - "glide path" or "rip off the band aid" (19:55), and 3) yes, the state has other fiscal reserves, but should they be spent now (27:20).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of May 13, 2019.This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) what is happening with the Conference Committee on the budget and where we are headed after it finishes its work (at 1:49), 2) a News-Miner op-ed editorializes on courage, yet shows none itself (22:52), and 3) we discuss a Rasmuson Board op-ed in the Anchorage Daily News which argues that the state needs more time to deal with budget cuts, even though it has had since 2013 to prepare (27:37).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of May 6, 2019.This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) the question those urging restored spending -- such as doctors and university supporters, to pick a couple that have made the papers in recent days -- should be asked (at 1:51), 2) how so-called conservative Sen. Chris Birch is urging his fellow legislators to ignore the law (14:10), and 3) why NONE of the so-called spending caps -- neither the Governor's nor the legislature's -- actually match spending to revenues (27:20).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of April 29, 2019.This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) the Senate Finance Committee's adoption last Friday of a $3000 PFD for this year (at 1:50), 2) the huge significance of the Senate Finance Committee's simultaneously proposed move of $12B from the Permanent Fund earnings reserve to the Permanent Fund corpus (19:25), and 3) what to look for on spending as the Senate takes up the Operating Budget on the floor this week (28:08).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of April 22, 2019.This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) early in the session, the House and Senate scolded the Dunleavy Admin for not doing its homework, but now, both bodies are doing the same thing (at 1:47); 2) the long-awaited Buckeye Institute Report, which the Administration touted in its 10-year plan, is out but hugely disappoints (26:00); and 3) on the federal side, the annual Social Security report is out and its frightening (32:25).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of April 15, 2019.This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) why the state's current budget process doesn't achieve the needed goal of balancing "what we want" with "what we are willing to pay" (at 1:46); 2) we count the number of PFD "plans" circulating in various parts of the legislature -- we are up to four (18:29), and 3) at the end of this session, will at least parts of the budget end up in court and what happens if they do (26:32).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of April 8, 2019.This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) the House Finance Committee's proposed budget and things to watch as it moves to the floor (at 1:38), 2) why both SJR6, the Governor's proposed spending cap, and the Senate Finance Committee's version of the same, are ineffective as written, and what changes are needed as a result (23:36), and 3) our thoughts on the Senate Finance Committee's proposed PFD bill (30:43).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of April 1, 2019.This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) why some in the #akleg keep pressing for PFDcuts even when other options are better, for the overall Alaska economy and Alaska families (at 1:46), 2) the concerns we have about raising oil taxes (at 21:27), and 3) why think changes are needed to SJR 6, the Governor's proposed spending cap. We ran out of time before discussing the third issue on the show, and will bring it back next week.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of March 25, 2019.This week we only covered the first two of our Top 3 before running out of time: 1) the false choice the Alaska House Majority is pushing between spending cuts and PFD cuts -- there are other options that are better for most Alaskans which the House steadfastly is refusing to discuss (at 2:14); and 2) Governor Mike Dunleavy's 10-yr outlook -- its the most important analysis we have seen in the seven years since the start of the state's fiscal crisis (at 22:10). We will pick up the third -- whether The Buckeye Institute (discussed in the 10-year plan) intends to provide the same type of look at the distributional impact of various options on Alaskans the Institute for Taxation & Economic Policy did in 2017 -- on a subsequent podcast.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of March 18, 2019.This week we start with a brief discussion of the controversy surrounding the treatment of the Governor's proposed budget earlier this week in a House Finance Education Subcommittee hearing (at 2:05). Then we turn to our Top 3: 1) an update of our 10-yr outlook to reflect the Administration's Spring Revenue Forecast -- red ink for as far as the eye can see (6:45); 2) if we have to go there, why a #FlatTax is better than PFD cuts from the perspective of the avereage Alaska family (22:57), and 3) we discuss what is driving the growing federal deficit (43:27). We also include a summary of our first two points that Michael asked us to do at the beginning of the second hour of the Show (37:32 - 43:27).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of March 11, 2019.This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) the hypocrisy of Win Gruening (and many others in Alaska's Top 20%)(at 1:38), 2) why last week's SFIN ISER hearing was hugely misleading (9:59), and 3) Tax Policy 101: "It's all about the bas(e)" (22:12).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of March 4, 2019.This week our Top 3 issues are these: 1) we walk through a spreadsheet that explains why Governor Mike Dunleavy is doing what he's doing on the budget (at 2:26), 2) we discuss why we believe a #FlatTax is better than PFD cuts & other options (20:01), and 3) before we go too far down the road of making changes, let's reflect on what SB21 -- the state's 2013 oil tax reform -- has accomplished (28:34).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of February 25, 2019.This week the first two of our Top 3 are focused on the big things missing so far from this year's budget discussion: 1) a 10-year outlook, which is critical to enabling us to understand the longer term concerns facing us and the options available to us (at 1:53), and 2) a discussion of ALL new revenue options and how they would affect various Alaskans, not just PFD cuts (13:33). The third of our Top 3 is our concern about the growing inconsistency of some around the Senate Finance table (26:58).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of February 18, 2019.This week our Top 3 are these: 1) our initial take on Governor Mike Dunleavy's proposed budget (at 1:45), 2) once the smoke clears, what we think the ultimate answer is to the state's fiscal situation (12:24), and 3) no, oil producers aren't receiving "$1.9B in unnecessary subsidies" as some legislators claim (27:34).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of February 11, 2019.This week our Top 3 are these: 1) our view of what to expect from Governor Dunleavy's budget and, as importantly, where the #akleg goes from there (at 1:40), 2) why cuts to the University budget are inevitable and completely reasonable (11:02), and 3) the question isn't if there's an economic impact from the upcoming budget, but who takes it (23:59).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of February 4, 2019.This week our Top 3 are these: 1) Governor Dunleavy's proposed Constitutional Amendments need some work (at 2:04), 2) a Twitter exchange reveals a critical disconnect in the PFD debate (17:00), and 3) what Governor Dunleavy's proposed Supplemental Budget rollback tells us about the coming budget battles (24:18).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of January 28, 2019.This week our Top 3 are these: (1) What is the dispute between the Dunleavy Administration and the Legislature's Leg Finance Division over so-called "designated" general funds really about (at 2:12), (2) is the end of Alaska's recession really on its way as some economists predict -- we don't think it is (22:31), and (3) in our view, where is Rep. Gary Knopp really trying to lead the #akleg in his standoff with other House Republicans (28:22).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of January 21, 2019.This week our Top 3 are these: (1) Governor Mike Dunleavy's proposed "payback" of past PFD cuts (and why we oppose) (at 1:41), (2) But why we believe preserving future #PFD's is critical (18:37), and (3) a quick primer on a #FlatTax, what we think is a better alternative going forward than PFD cuts (29:40).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of January 14, 2019.This week Michael and I start the segment with a brief discussion of the accreditation issues at UAA's College of Education (at 2:02) before turning to the Top 3.Once we do, the Top 3 are these: (1) our look out at the Alaska budget over the next 10 years, why we are coming to believe taxes are inevitable and why we favor flat taxes once we start down that road (5:35); (2) Journal of Commerce editor Andrew Jensen zeroes in on the broader consequences of HB 331 in a recent editorial and they aren't good (29:36); and (3) in her preview of the session, SFIN Co-Chair Natasha Von Imhof tells Alaskans how the Alaska Senate Majority envisions using ALASKANS' PFD's as sort of a forced "Pick, Click & Give" (40:54).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of January 7, 2019.This week our Top 3 issues are these: (1) our thoughts on the coming budget debate as the #akleg session approaches (at 2:33), (2) HB 331 -- the oil tax credit bonding bill -- survived its first court challenge, but we discuss why we nevertheless believe the upcoming #akleg should kill it (19:55), and (3) what's being lost in the rhetoric over the "wall": the fiscal implications of the partial federal shutdown (29:13).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of December 17, 2018. For those that follow, this is our final podcast of 2018. We will resume the week of January 7, 2019.This week our Top 3 issues are these: (1) our thoughts on the Dunleavy Administration's revenue forecast and budget proposal (at 2:00); (2) our view of what the new Dunleavy Administration should be doing with the #AKLNG project (19:47); and (3) what the 2017 federal tax cut, 2018 spending bill & resulting huge federal deficit mean for the U.S. economy in the coming year (27:00). And then at the end, because this is our last segment of 2018, Michael asks for our final thoughts on 2018 and how we see the playing field in the New Year (31:40).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of December 10, 2018.This week our Top 3 issues are these: (1) the potential consequences for fiscal reform arising from Rep. Gary Knopp's departure from the House Republicans (at 3:03), (2) our thoughts on Governor Dunleavy's administrative order consolidating the budget making process into the Governor's office (19:05), and (3) a recent op-ed hi-lites one of the reasons why we consistently focus on and oppose fiscal approaches which have the effect of kicking costs created by one generation down the road to those that come after (24:45).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of December 3, 2018.This week our Top 3 issues are these: (1) some initial thoughts on the impact of the earthquake on the state budget (at 1:41); (2) our thoughts on Gov. Dunleavy's pick for DOR Commissioner (we think its a lost opportunity) (21:00), and (3) what the trade cease fire between the US and China likely means for AKLNG (34:50).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of November 26, 2018.This week we start with a brief discussion of a couple of things that occurred Monday -- Governor Walker's final draft budget and Governor-elect Dunleavy's announcement of his selection of OMB Director -- (at 2:38) and then turn to the weekly Top 3. They are: (1) why taking "excess" dollars from the ERA -- dollars above what is needed to fund Hammond 50/50 -- results in a long term PFD cut (7:55); (2) our view of Frank Murkowski's proposed new LNG option (22:50); and (3) some background on why we may be headed to a partial federal government shutdown (29:23).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of November 19, 2018.This week our Top 3 issues are these: (1) our thoughts on what the new Alaska Senate organization means for state fiscal policy (at 4:39), (2) Alaskans are hearing great news on all the new activity related to North Slope oil development, but we need to understand it doesn't mean the cavalry is coming over the hill to save Alaska's fiscal situation (20:30), and (3) our thoughts on where the Alaska LNG project is headed under Governor Dunleavy (28:27).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of November 12, 2018.This week our Top 3 issues tare these: (1) our views on the early appointments & organization by the Mike Dunleavy Administration and the House Republicans (at 2:30); (2) why we believe the state should not rebate past #PFDcuts (19:52), and (3) what is going on with oil prices and what that mean for Alaska (30:11).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of November 5, 2018.This week we focus on the Top 3 fiscal issues that will face the new Governor and Legislature regardless of who is elected. They are these: (1) how much do we spend (at 3:00), (2) how do we pay for it (12:10), and (3) what happens to the PFD in the process (25:45).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of October 29, 2018.This week our Top 3 are these: (1) our view of the MOST important piece of preserving the #PFD and where the two remaining candidates for Governor stand on the issue (at 3:00), (2) why, contrary to what some claim, new oil developments on the North Slope aren't a solution to Alaska's fiscal situation (22:45), and (3) once again we explain why #akleg races are soooo damned important to the #PFD & budget (31:06).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of October 22, 2018.This week our Top 3 are these: (1) our thoughts on the fiscal policy debate now that the governor's race is down to a two-person matchup between Mike Dunleavy and Mark Begich (at 3:40); (2) how do fiscal issues play in the Young/Galvin race for the US House (15:27), and (3) where does AGDC go after Walker, under a new Governor (23:45).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of October 15, 2018.This week we start with a discussion about a new "Information Paper" on the PFD from the Legislature's Legislative Finance Division (at 1:55), and then turn to our Top 3 issues: (1) our growing concern with Mike Dunleavy's budget numbers (at 8:20), (2)why that concern makes the Senate District O race between incumbent Peter Micciche and Challenger Ron Gillham even more important (at 23:00), and (3) how Jared Kushner's use of tax loopholes matters to the national fiscal policy debate (31:28).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of October 8, 2018.This week our Top 3 issues are these: (1) our view of “the elephant in the room”: the single most important fiscal issue this year that none of the candidates are talking about (at 3:20); (2) Gov. Walker’s former DOR Comm’r calls out opponents for lack of truth, but then avoids the hard truths about Walker’s position (12:20); and (3) in our view, the single most important legislative race this cycle (23:50).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of October 1, 2018.This week our Top 3 issues are these: (1) does the Alaska budget "balance without taxes" at $80 oil (hint: not even close) (at 2:34), (2) just when we need them most the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation Board starts down a very, very dark road (15:40), and (3) in DC, the House (with Rep. Don Young in support) votes to add $5T MORE (20yr) to the #NationalDebt (21:55).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of September 24, 2018.This week our Top 3 issues are these: (1) we agree with an Anchorage Daily News editorial that argues Alaska's "toughest budget choices are yet to come" (at 2:37), (2) we take a look at what's happening with oil prices; are they sustainable and what do they mean for the #AKbudget (at 21:45), and (3) why, as a state and nation, we REALLY need to be paying attention to what's going on with Social Security (at 29:35).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of September 17, 2018.This week our Top 3 issues are these: First, as the candidates start settling into their campaign fiscal positions we examine what they are (at 2:26), Second, we look at the question of how much did the #AKleg really approve in spending last session and what does FY 2020 look like (13:00), and* Third, we examine AGDC's recent agreement with Exxon; how far does it push the project forward (23:45).At the end (31:00) we also include discussions we had with Michael during the breaks about what's driving Mike Dunleavy's evolving fiscal plan and about Peter Micciche's recent, election-year conversion to "PFD Defender."
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of September 10, 2018.This week’s show is a deep dive into both federal and state fiscal issues. Maya MacGuineas of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget joins Michael in the first segment (at 2:09) to talk about federal fiscal issues. Then we join in the second (at 33:22) to focus on state issues. Because there is a significant connection between the two we include both segments in this podcast.Our segment focuses on these three issues: First, following on from Maya’s discussion, why we believe Alaska’s fiscal situation in many respects is, unfortunately, a mirror image of the situation at the federal level (at 33:22); Second, now that oil prices and production levels are recovering, why we believe refilling the Constitutional Budget Reserve (CBR) should become a priority (at 52:45); and* Third, what its going to take from a budget standpoint to preserve the PFD over the long term (at 1:12:35).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of September 3, 2018.This week our Top 3 issues are these: (1)we explain why we believe the sustainable budget number is significantly lower than the $4.3B level Mike Dunleavy recently has been using (at 2:38), (2)we analyze a new ad by Governor Walker's campaign that claims he had to cut the PFD to create a "sustainable PFD" (14:09), and (3)we discuss whether the #AKgov & #AKleg have an obligation to future Alaskans and, if so, are they meeting it (20:57).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of August 27, 2018.This week our Top 3 issues are these: (1) why we believe Walker's labor endorsements actually strengthen Mark Begich's messaging (at 2:30), (2) a fairly deep look at the strengths and weaknesses of the fiscal positions taken by each of the three remaining candidates for #AKgov (11:50), and (3) what we should take away from the surge these past couple of weeks in analyst and trade press coverage of #AKoil (32:35).
This week in addition to our regular discussion of our Top 3 issues on the Tuesday morning Michael Dukes Show, we also did an abbreviated version with Michael, with a twist, as he sat in as guest host during the afternoon on The Dave Stieren Show. The twist is that at the end of the discussion Michael raised a fourth issue, based on a piece appearing that morning on the Alaska Public Radio Network website. The issue, essentially, is whether Alaska can afford a PFD. The discussion begins at 14:27 of the Stieren Show edition.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 — our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week — for the week of August 20, 2018.This week our Top 3 issues are these: (1) our final thoughts on the primary and the issues we see emerging for the general (at 4:30), (2) our first thoughts on oil taxes (which we anticipate will emerge as an important topic this fall) (16:55), and(3) Sen Dan Sullivan argued that the fed tax cuts would pay for themselves -- how's that going so far as some start to talk about Tax Reform 2.0 (26:10).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 for the week of August 13, 2018, our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week. This week our Top 3 issues are these: (1) our look at whether, as some claim, Alaska has settled into a "new economic normal" (at 4:20), (2) as the timetable for #AKLNG slips away, what remains of Gov Walker's vision for a second term (13:20), and (3) our final, pre-primary wrap up of the issues that we think are important as voters go to the polls next week (24:55).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 for the week of August 6, 2018, our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week.This week our Top 3 issues are these: (1) what the real PFD number would have been had the legislature followed the statute (hint, its over $3000)(at 2:05), (2) our take on Mark Begich's evolving PFD plan (21:32), and (3) our problems with Mead Treadwell's economic plan (37:00).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 for the week of July 30, 2018, our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week.This week our Top 3 issues are these: (1) The coming fiscal tsunami facing state & local governments across the nation, including Alaska (& why HB 331 -- the oil credit bonding bill -- is part of Alaska's share of the problem)(at 2:30), (2) our view on whether the Alaska economy is getting better or just worse at a slower rate (28:30), and (3) our thoughts on the critical fiscal issues facing Alaskans three weeks out from the primary (39:05).
The outtakes dealing with Alaska fiscal policy from our day hosting the Tom Anderson Show: (1) Why we haven't cut the #AKbudget more (at 0:48); (2) the #akleg's use of #CreditCard fiscal policy (8:05); (3) our view of the state of the #AKecon (10:24); and (4) our view of where we are headed this #akelect cycle (12:20).
During our day guest hosting the Tom Anderson Show we talk to Craig Medred from craigmedred.com about the quality of the reporting during this year's Alaska election cycle.
During our day guest hosting the Tom Anderson Show we talk to Craig Medred from craigmedred.com about this year's fishing runs, and how the politics of fish may affect this year's Governor's race.
During our day guest hosting the Tom Anderson Show we talk to Maya MacGuineas, the President of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget (#BudgetHawks)about the current federal fiscal situation, the status of Social Security and ways that Alaskans can be involved in finding solutions.
During our day guest hosting the Tom Anderson Show we talk to Cody Rice from global oil & gas consulting group Wood Mackenzie about the current global LNG market and #AKLNG's place in it.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 for the week of July 23, 2018, our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week.This week our Top 3 issues are these: (1) why there is a difference between "Alaska First" (Gov. Walker's campaign theme) and AlaskaNS First, and why that difference is important (at 3:17); (2) are we on track, as Mike Dunleavy claims in a recent op-ed, for a "new legislature, which will look dramatically different next year, and what's the consequences if that doesn't happen (21:02); and (3) from the federal budget side, even the Trump Admin now admits we are headed for $1 T+ deficits; what does that mean for Alaska (34:24).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 for the week of July 16, 2018, our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week.This week our Top 3 issues are these: (1) Our reaction to a recent op-ed from Gov Walker attempting to excuse his unilateral 2016 #PFDcut (and some follow up with Michael about our current view of the Governor's race) (at 2:45); (2) why HB331 (the #OilCredit bailout bill) sets a dangerous legal precedent for future legislatures if upheld (24:45); and (3) what last week's legislative #AKLNG hearings said to us about the status of the project (38:35).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 for the week of July 9, 2018, our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week.This week our Top 3 issues are these: (1)Alaska Public Media swallows #AKGov Walker's campaign theme hook, line & sinker (at 2:10); (2) why we need to revamp the state gov'ts approach to budgeting (20:55), and (3) what we are looking for during this week's hearings on #AKLNG (40:18).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 for the week of July 2, 2018, our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week.This week our Top 3 issues are these: (1) this year's overriding #akelect issue at both state & fed levels (at 2:35); (2) is the #OilCredit bond bailout (HB 331) justified because, as some claim, it "creates jobs" (16:50); and (3) do we need (or more importantly, can we afford) another federal corp tax cut (41:20)? Michael also asks a bonus round question related to a dispute over numbers between Sen. John Coghill and columnist Dermot Cole (50:50).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 for the week of June 25, 2018, our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week.This week we turn our focus to the issues we believe will be important in this year's election cycle. We start with these three: (1) why we think the PFD is an important issue in individual #akleg races (at 3:05), (2) why we think the federal deficit is a real issue in Don Young's race (20:55), and (3) the reason we think #OilCredits will continue to be an issue in this year's state races (37:45).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 for the week of June 18, 2018, our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week.This week we focus on (1) What is a "shadow deficit" and why we should be concerned about it (2:45), (2) why George Orwell's book, "1984," is relevant to this year's Alaska election (20:10), and (3) what the employment numbers are telling us about the #AKecon (38:00).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 for the week of June 11, 2018, our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week.This week we focus on (1) whether the #AKGov candidates are talking about the right issues (at 5:10), (2) the 3% carve out from ANWR revenues proposed by the AK Congressional delegation for Alaska's regional native corporations (at 25:20), and (3) in a federal fiscal moment, why Social Security & Medicare funding are becoming issues (at 39:45).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 for the week of June 4, 2018, our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week.This week we focus on (1) our first take on the candidates in this coming #akelect cycle (at 2:40), (2) a deeper look at one of the "winners" and the resulting losers this past #akleg session (at 24:00), and (3) what did we learn about the #AKLNG project from the #AKGov Walker's China trip (at 41:45).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 for the week of May 28, 2018, our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week.This week we focus on (1) Why we need to take #AKLNG seriously (at 3:10), (2) the effort by some to apply revisionist history to the #PFD (at 19:46), and (3) our thoughts on Rep. Tammie Wilson's comments on the Show last week on HB 331 (and why it is and will continue to be an issue for us in the upcoming election cycle) (at 36:37). At the end, Michael also raises a fourth subject: is the federal government headed for yet another fiscal cliff in October (at 48:24).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 for the week of May 21, 2018, our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week.This week we focus on (1)what drove the $1+B increase--yes, increase--in state spending this session (at 3:08), (2) the fiscal story the #AKSen keeps telling itself (in hopes that others buy it) (at 23:00), and (3) what may already be the best campaign ad we will see this season (at 38:28).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 for the week of May 14, 2018.Typically we devote these segments to the top 3 things on our mind as we make the turn from the prior week to the one head. This week, however, we take time out to focus on "The Five Most Fiscally Irresponsible Votes This Past #AKLeg Session." We start with No. 1 on the list, HB 331, the Oil Credit Bond bill, or as we put it, the Oil Credit Bailout bill, and work our way on down the list. For those interested, you can find a slide with the full list on our website at bgkeithley.com.
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 for the week of May 7, 2018, our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week.This week we focus on (1)the HB 331 shell game. Seems good for current Alaskans, but very bad for future Alaskans (at 3:40); (2)the SB 26 conference committee proposal. In our view, if passed the conference committee proposal effectively spells the end of the PFD (at 26:15); and (3)BP signs a gas sales deal with AGDC. A small ray of sunshine for Alaska in an otherwise bleak week (at 38:49).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 for the week of April 30, 2018, our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week.This week we focus on (1) a very interesting new look by Ed King at King Economics Group at the legislature’s proposed POMV draw rates (at 2:57), (2) a look at at the effect of HB 331, the proposal to issue bonds to fund accelerating the payment of the outstanding oil credit balances, on future Alaskans (at 26:25), and (3) some questions we have for our Congressional delegation about what they are doing to deal with the rapidly growing #NationalDebt (at 41:15).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 for the week of April 23, 2018, our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week.This week we focus on (1) our analysis of how Alaska legislators are dodging personal responsibility for a proportionate share of the costs of government spending (at 3:19), (2) a question that is arising during the discussion of oil tax credit bonds: Why are at least some Alaska House R's supporting a proposal that will make Alaska’s future spending problems even worse (at 27:13), and (3) a look at what’s going on with oil prices, and is the recent rise sustainable (48:21).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 for the week of April 16, 2018, our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week.This week we focus on (1) the continuing effort by some in the #AKLeg to enact a permanent PFD cut this session (at 2:54), (2) the effort to kick #OilTaxCredits further down the road through bonding (at 26:08), and (3) since its federal tax week, the US budget situation (at 40:13).
Welcome to The Weekly Top 3 for the week of April 9, 2018, our look at the top 3 things on our mind this week.This week we focus on (1)The battle over PFD cuts (at 3:25), (2) what it will take to really reduce spending (at 22:33), and (3) oil taxes (& credits) (at 35:59).
Welcome to the April 2, 2018 edition of The Weekly Top 3, our weekly podcast covering the top 3 things on our mind as we look ahead to the upcoming week.This week we focus on (1) the budget & the PFD (at 2:05), (2) oil tax credits & bonds (it's more complicated than you think) (at 25:19), and (3) why we should take #AKLNG seriously (at 39:40). At the end of the show we also talk a bit about this year's upcoming elections (at 43:05).
Welcome to the March 26, 2018 edition of The Weekly Top 3, our weekly podcast covering the top 3 things on our mind as we look ahead to the upcoming week.This week and for the foreseeable future we will be doing The Weekly Top 3 as a segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Michael Dukes Show broadcasts on FacebookLive and via streaming audio from the Show's website weekdays from 9-11am. Instead of doing this as a monologue, I will be joining Michael on the Show each Tuesday from 9:15-10am for a discussion between the two of us about the three issues.This week we focus on (1) Monday's House vote to restore the full PFD (at 2:25), (2) the #AKSen's so-called "spending cap" (at 13:50), and (3) what's driving oil prices (>$70 as we did the show)(at 37:25).
Welcome to the March 19, 2018 edition of The Weekly Top 3, our weekly podcast covering the top 3 things on our mind as we look ahead to the upcoming week.This week and for the foreseeable future we will be doing The Weekly Top 3 as a segment on The Michael Dukes Show. The Michael Dukes Show broadcasts on FacebookLive and via streaming audio from the Show's website weekdays from 9-11am. Instead of doing this as a monologue, I will be joining Michael on the Show each Tuesday from 9:15-10am for a discussion between the two of us about the three issues. This week we focus on (1)the dynamics at work as the state budget works through the #AKLeg (at 3:00), (2) who the Alaska Senate is really protecting by making PFD cuts (at 13:45), and (3) the surprising, potential impact on #AKLNG of the Trump Administration's tariffs (at 25:35).
Welcome to the March 12, 2018 edition of The Weekly Top 3, our quick, 15 minute(-ish) review of the three biggest issues on which we are focusing as we pivot from the prior week to the one upcoming.This week we focus on (1) Constitutionalizing the PFD (at 1:35); (2) the worth of the Senate's proposed statutory spending limit (at 11:36); and (3) surprisingly, why a US/China trade war may be good for #AKLNG (at 15:54).
Welcome to the March 5, 2018 edition of The Weekly Top 3, our quick, 15 minute(-ish) review of the three biggest issues on which we are focusing as we pivot from the prior week to the one upcoming.This week we focus on (1) why the Administration's (and Senate's) explanation for cutting the PFD is silly (at 1:09), (2) the merits of POMV (at 8:30), and (3) Alaska's Congressional delegation & the #NationalDebt (at 16:40).
Welcome to the February 26, 2018 edition of The Weekly Top 3, our quick, 15 minute(-ish) review of the three biggest issues on which we are focusing as we pivot from the prior week to the one upcoming.This week we focus on (1) the Administration's newest plan for paying off oil tax credits (at 1:06), (2) whether taking half of the PFD is just step 1 of the Senate's fiscal plan (at 9:24), and (3) state funding levels for the University (at 15:22).
Welcome to the February 19, 2018 edition of The Weekly Top 3, our quick, 15 minute(-ish) review of the three biggest issues on which we are focusing as we pivot from the prior week to the one upcoming.This week we question why some supporters of PFD cuts have started dodging the phrase (at 1:22), discuss why, out of self protection, State retirees should consider becoming actively involved in reducing state spending (at 8:40) & the potentially significant impact of the FERC's recent letter on the #AKLNG project (at 17:53).
Welcome to the February 12, 2018 edition of The Weekly Top 3, our quick, 15 minute(-ish) review of the three biggest issues on which we are focusing as we pivot from the prior week to the one upcoming.This week we discuss the big story about Alaska's fiscal situation that the Alaska news media is missing, our response to a question raised in a recent ISER study & the Walker Administration's new proposed solution to oil tax credits.
Welcome to the February 5, 2018 edition of The Weekly Top 3, our quick, 15 minute(-ish) review of the three biggest issues on which we are focusing as we pivot from the prior week to the one upcoming.This week we discuss Ron Duncan's ongoing argument for cutting the PFD, the #AKleg bills to early fund K-12 spending and the new bill to raise oil taxes.
Welcome to the January 29, 2018 edition of The Weekly Top 3, our quick, 15 minute review of the three biggest issues on which we are focusing as we pivot from the prior week to the one upcoming.This week we discuss the "American model" of oil leasing and how Alaska's departure from that (through PFD cuts) is deepening the recession for Alaskan residents, families and local economies, the issues surrounding the use of a percent of market value (POMV) approach to calculating distributions from the Permanent Fund and the reasons why the Permanent Fund should not invest in the #AKLNG project.
Welcome to the January 22, 2018 edition of our Weekly Top 3, a quick, 15 minute review of the three biggest issues on which we are focusing as we pivot from the prior week to the one upcoming.This week we take a deep dive into the role the PFD plays in the Alaska economy, why it is important and the adverse consequences to the overall economy and Alaska families of making cuts, comment on the start of the #AKleg discussion about the use of Permanent Fund earnings as state revenues and provide our weekly oil update with a focus on recent developments in the Prudhoe Bay field.
Welcome to the January 15, 2018 edition of our Weekly Top 3, a quick, 15 minute review of the three biggest issues on which we are focusing as we pivot from the prior week to the one upcoming.This week we discuss the Legislative Finance Division's analysis of the Governor's proposed budget (which, once adjusted for oil tax credits, finds that the Governor's budget proposes a greater than 10% increase in UGF spending over FY 2018 levels), the fiscal policy aspects of Politico's claim that the Alaska legislature is turning more purple, and the potential impact of the recent run up in oil prices on the upcoming budget discussions.
Welcome to the inaugural edition of our Weekly Top 3, a quick, 15 minute review of the three biggest issues on which we are focusing as we pivot from the prior week to the one upcoming. This week we discuss Sen. Pete Kelly's odd claim that the Alaska Senate R's refuse "to get to yes on a plan that takes money out of the private sector" (when that is what they already have agreed to the last two years), the Governor's proposal for how to finance the state's share of #AKLNG, and the potential adverse impact on Alaska of the Trump Administration's proposal to open all of the US coastal areas to oil & gas leasing.
This week Michael and I dive into the Governor’s proposed FY 2019 budget: what are the real proposed spending levels & our thoughts on the proposed oil tax credit bonds and the “Alaska Economic Recovery Act.”
This week Michael and I discuss whether the worst of the current Alaska recession is behind us and yet another fiscal issue facing Alaska government (this one is about $8 billion). For those following, the Michael Dukes Show is now broadcasting daily from 6-9am Alaska both on Facebook Live at The Michael Dukes Show Facebook page, and audio via Livestream, linked through https://www.michaeldukesshow.com/.
This week Michael and I discuss what the oil industry and it allies are overlooking when they talk about Alaska tax policy & the effect of the US Senate #TaxReform bill on Alaskans.
This week Michael and I discuss the good and bad of #AKLNG as the Administration releases more details, and why the current federal tax debate increasingly sounds similar to the Alaska fiscal debate.
This week Michael and I discuss how the federal tax debate over the impact of various proposals on middle income families reveals the hypocrisy of both Alaska R's and D's at the state level, and while the RDC conference last week was optimistic, whether that translates to Alaska's fiscal situation.
This week Michael and I discuss the recent announcement regarding the #AKLNG project and China, and the most stunning fiscal news to come out of the latest special session and what it means for the 2018 regular session and beyond to the election.
This week Michael and I discuss what the Oil Search acquisition says about Alaska oil & the Alaska Senate R's disingenuous defense of the their fiscal plan ("we won't vote for taxes ... except the one we voted for.")
This week Michael and I talk about the current #AKleg session, the surprises in DOR's new preliminary revenue forecast & what effect they should have on state fiscal policy.
Former Senate President and current candidate for Governor Charlie Huggins joined us for a couple of segments Thursday while we sat in as guest host on The Tom Anderson Show. For those interested, Sen. Huggins platform is available here, https://goo.gl/F4QdCo. During our conversation we took the opportunity for a deeper dive on his positions on the PFD and #AKbudget reform. He had some very interesting things to say.
Our comments on the Administration's Preliminary Fall 2017 Revenue Forecast issued Wednesday and why we think it shows that the full statutory PFD can be maintained. (The comments are excerpted from the opening and close of the show.) The forecast is available here, https://goo.gl/kEFWzN.
This week Michael and I discuss how the Administration misunderstands the cause of Alaska's recession and as a consequence, the solution, and an update on the good and not as good news from the Alaska oil patch.
This week Michael and I discuss former Governor Murkowski's recent piece on oil tax credits (what I have called the worst fiscal policy idea ever) and why a flat tax is the best approach among the new revenue options for restraining spending (the commentary we discuss is here: https://goo.gl/izo5hM)
This week Michael and I discuss whether a permanent PFD cut is a "done deal" (we don't think so but time is running short on changing the outcome) and whether Alaskans are being played by the Top 20% and Senate R's.
This week Michael and I discuss additional problems building on the horizon for revenues and costs, and, if we need to go there (and it increasingly appears we do) why a flat tax is the best way to approach new revenues.
I sat in for Michael as guest host Tuesday and used the entire 7am block to discuss fiscal policy. I start the hour with a 13 minute discussion of what we should take away from Michael's discussion with Revenue Commissioner Sheldon Fisher the day before about what is driving the Administration's fiscal policy, and then former Rep. and current Lt. Gov. candidate Lynn Gattis joins to take a deeper dive into fiscal issues for the remainder of the hour.
Michael Dukes interviews Revenue Commissioner Sheldon Fisher on the show today about the Administration's proposed new payroll tax.