Articles & Op-eds
Op-Ed: Health Care Reform Leaving Alaska Care Far From Affordable
The Affordable Care Act has unfortunately become one of the most ironically named pieces of legislation for Alaska in history. Affordable for whom, exactly? Insurance costs here in Alaska continue to rise as Alaska's health care providers are struggling to work within the law for our high-cost, high risk state. Last month, we heard news that Premera needs to increase premiums by 38 percent for 2016; MODA also intends to increase its premiums by 30 percent in 2016 - this on top of double-digit in… Continue Reading
06.22.15
Op-Ed: Alaska Delegation United to Make Alaska VA Work for Veterans
Sometimes things seem too good to be true. Last year when the Phoenix VA waiting list scandal broke, and even as we began to discover that VA facilities in other parts of the country weren't meeting wait time standards, things were better in Alaska.It's not that Alaska VA didn't have staffing challenges like facilities in the Lower 48. Some of our challenges like staffing Wasilla with one doctor -- who ultimately quit -- when two were called horwere even more difficult to fix than they might be … Continue Reading
06.19.15
Op-Ed: Leaving Behind No Child Left Behind
Twenty-two to zero. In sports, that sounds like a convincing football score. In the halls of the United States Senate, though, such unanimity is nearly unheard of. But I am proud to tell Alaska's parents, students and teachers that this is exactly the result we got after weeks of consensus building and constructive negotiating to draft the Every Child Achieves Act - the antidote to the flawed No Child Left Behind law - as it passed out of committee and was sent to the Senate floor for debate. T… Continue Reading
05.22.15
Op-Ed: Time for U.S. to Lead on Arctic
The U.S. assumed the Chair of the Arctic Council last month in an international event held in Canada and attended by leaders from around the world. Unfortunately, it seems like this barely registered to most Americans. A recent study found only 32 percent of U.S. residents are either clearly or vaguely aware of the Arctic Council's existence. Alaskans, who have a natural affinity for the Arctic, didn't fare much better, with only 35 percent aware of the Arctic Council. When you compare this … Continue Reading
05.07.15
Alaska Dispatch News: Carter: US Arctic Defense Policy Falls Short
by By Erica Martinson
The U.S. military needs a better Arctic defense policy and has lagged in recognizing it is falling short, Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said in a congressional hearing Wednesday. Carter's remarks came in response to questions from Sen. Lisa Murkowski at an appropriations committee hearing. Carter didn't provide details of what might be coming. "But I think a plan that is more than aspirational is needed," he told the panel, offering to work with Murkowski "to that end." Murkowski and Sen. D… Continue Reading
05.06.15
Letter to the Editor: Saluting Hydropower
I want to congratulate the City and Borough of Sitka on successfully finishing the Blue Lake Dam expansion project. I wish I could be there this week to celebrate with you, but I trust you will have a wonderful dedication ceremony. I toured the Blue Lake site many years ago and saw its potential to provide clean, stable, and affordable energy for Sitka residents. Like many, I had high hopes for this development to one day deliver lower energy… Continue Reading
03.04.15
Alaska Dispatch News: Murkowski, King Seek to Enlist Other Senators in an Arctic Caucus
by By Yereth Rosen
Coming soon to the U.S. Capitol is a new group of lawmakers: the Senate Arctic Caucus. As of Tuesday, the group was just a nucleus of two -- Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, a Republican, and Maine Sen. Angus King, an independent who is part of the Senate's Democratic minority. But this week, Murkowski said, she and King are formally inviting other senators to join. "What I am trying to do is raise awareness about all things Arctic. I'm trying to allow members to see and appreciate that the Arctic… Continue Reading
01.18.15
Op-Ed: Keystone XL - Good for Alaska
by Senator Lisa Murkowski
I understand that some Alaskans are wondering how the Keystone XL pipeline is relevant to Alaska. It's a fair question that I believe deserves an answer. Alaska has a unique history with large-scale infrastructure projects, including energy projects of great magnitude. Prudhoe Bay is a world-class oil field and the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System is a true modern marvel. But Alaskans are also a little nervous right now. Even The New York Times has described a sense of "economic anxiety" that hang… Continue Reading
01.16.15
APRN: Small Businesses Struggle To Comply With Health Insurance Requirement
by By Annie Feidt
Starting this month, businesses in Alaska with more than 100 full time workers have to provide health insurance. And under the Affordable Care Act "full time" is any employee who works more than 30 hours a week. Senator Lisa Murkowski is sponsoring legislation that would change that threshold to 40 hours. Many restaurants owners in Anchorage are watching the legislation closely. It just after the lunch rush at Crossbar in midtown Anchorage and Sous Chef Roy Martinez is grilling steak, plating f… Continue Reading
01.15.15
Op-Ed: Alaska Beer Week Celebrates Alaska Small Business
Alaskans like to work hard and play hard -- and sometimes there is a market waiting to be tapped where the two overlap. Case in point, Alaska's thriving small brewing scene: a great example of Alaskan small business success. One of the little known facts about our state's economic picture is that we currently have 22 licensed breweries making high-quality craft beer, from Sitka to Silver Gulch, and I understand there are another eight in the works to be built and developed -- even in Hoonah! In… Continue Reading
01.13.15
Op-Ed: New Congress Brings New Hope for Alaska
For the first time in eight years, Republicans control both chambers of Congress. While our eight-vote majority in the Senate is not enough to unilaterally overcome filibusters or presidential vetoes, it is enough to restore regular order and actual debate on important issues. The changes we are bringing to the Senate - including longer work weeks and an open amendment process - will create opportunities for bipartisan coalitions to promote policies that strengthen Alaska and our nation.In this… Continue Reading
12.02.14
Roll Call: Murkowski’s Energy Manifesto Hiding in Plain Sight
by By Geof Koss
There's plenty of speculation about what Republicans will do on energy in the 114th Congress, and while a lot of details remain to be sorted out, the House and Senate chairs with primary jurisdiction have dropped plenty of hints about their thinking. Incoming Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chairwoman Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, has been hiding her agenda in plain sight since February 2013, when she unveiled Energy 2020: a Vision for America's Energy Future. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, … Continue Reading
11.19.14
Op-Ed: Embrace Challenges, Rewards of Being an Arctic Nation
As Alaskans and the rest of America emerge from their election bunkers and turn on their televisions again, we are faced with another pressing issue of lasting importance: making the Arctic a national and international priority in a manner that benefits those who live in the far north. Five months from now, in April 2015, the United States will assume the chair of the Arctic Council, the intergovernmental forum among the eight nations with territory inside the Arctic Circle and that includes ac… Continue Reading
11.18.14
Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman: Murkowski Singles Out Mat-Su Veteran
by By Andrew Wellner
As the U.S. Senate introduced legislation Sen. Lisa Murkowski co-sponsored to try and combat the problem of suicide among veterans Monday, she mentioned one Valley veteran by name. "Today I co-sponsored bipartisan legislation with a number of my Senate colleagues to bolster America's efforts to improve mental health care and suicide prevention resources for veterans. It's named after Clay Hunt - a Marine who fought in Afghanistan - but it could be named after R.K. Butts or any of our Alaska-ba… Continue Reading
11.12.14
Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman Editorial: Health Care a Daily Thank-You to Vets
Every year at about this time we write a pretty similar editorial thanking the service men and women among us for their time spent protecting this country. This year, we have quite a bit more to say. That's because this year we wrote a series of stories about problems at our local Veterans Administration clinic. The clinic, on Seward Meridian Parkway, has had more trouble than even an Alaskan facility should in recruiting and keeping doctors. There has not been a doctor there since August. Th… Continue Reading
11.05.14
Alaska Dispatch News: In the Tale of Two Arctics, Alaska is Losing Out
by By Mia Bennett
Over 1,400 delegates from 34 countries listened to his remarks. Announcing the dates for the next three Arctic Circle meetings, he expressed, "Arctic Circle will transform Reykjavik into a dynamic Arctic village every October for years to come." Reykjavik epitomizes the "magnificent" and cosmopolitan Arctic, but that only represents one part of the North. U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, able to attend in person this year thanks to the lack of a government shutdown, painted a different pi… Continue Reading
10.21.14
Op-Ed: Evidence Supports ‘No’ Vote on Marijuana
by By Sen. Lisa Murkowski
On Nov. 4, Alaskans will consider Ballot Measure 2, an initiative to legalize the sale and use of marijuana for recreational purposes. And those who support that commercial trade are investing heavily in hoping you will vote "yes." Make no mistake about it, marijuana - like tobacco and alcohol - is big business. Like alcohol and tobacco, the costs of marijuana to public health, public safety, our youth and lost productivity are similarly high. It's not surprising that Outside investors would r… Continue Reading
10.16.14
The Hill: Murkowski Questions Value of Icebreaker Repairs
by By Ramsey Cox
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) said she isn't convinced refurbishing one of only two polar icebreakers is a smart federal investment. Murkowski visited the Polar Sea, which is stationed in Seattle. The ship was commissioned in 1977 and has recently needed major repairs. "After seeing the Polar Sea firsthand, I am even more concerned with the status of the U.S. icebreaking fleet. This vessel was a workhorse for decades but is far from being returned to active duty," Murkowski said Tuesday. "I… Continue Reading
10.09.14
APRN: 50th Annual AVCP Convention Kicks Off in Bethel
by By Daysha Eaton
Leaders from around the state gathered in Bethel Tuesday for the 50th Annual Association of Village Council Presidents Convention. Dignitaries and political leaders form across the state attended. The Association of Village Council Presidents Convention opened at the cultural center in Bethel Tuesday. Julie Kitka, President of the Alaska Federation of Natives was the keynote speaker. She reported on two major wins in the courts for Alaska Natives this year, highlighting a federal judge's order… Continue Reading
09.30.14
Op-Ed: Alaskans Deserve a Fix for Obamacare
by By Sen. Lisa Murkowski
It has now been more than four years since then-Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi explained to Americans why she had to push the health care reform bill through in such a rush: "We have to pass the bill to find out what's in the bill ... and get away from the fog." Now it is 2014, the fog is lifting, and we are watching the "Affordable Care Act" (ACA) fall apart under its own weight, and contradictory legal interpretations. The Obama administration has now unilaterally delayed or changed over 3… Continue Reading
