Articles written by Larry Persily
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 38
Legislators will want a say in spending additional federal pandemic aid
More than $6.5 billion in federal funding for pandemic relief has already been authorized for individuals, communities, school districts, businesses,...
Governor wants summer advisory vote on Permanent Fund Dividend
Gov. Mike Dunleavy is asking legislators for $2 million in state funds to hold a special election this summer, to ask voters their opinion of a...
Governor needs a plan, not a poker face
The governor had a chance to talk honestly about taxes when he announced his 10-year budget plan last month. He had a second chance Jan. 28 with his...
Alaskans await opening of new housing assistance program
The state of Alaska and the municipality of Anchorage will share $200 million in new federal funds to help renters who have lost jobs or suffered...
Governor makes dividends key element of legislative session
The Legislature is set to convene next week in Juneau, with the Permanent Fund dividend perhaps the biggest issue lawmakers will confront. Gov. Mike...
It's up to Congress to do better
It was depressingly sad to watch the scenes in the Capitol last week as destructive rioters took over the historic building, furious at the outcome...
Beware false promises
It’s an election year, which means some legislative candidates around the state are pledging the unaffordable. It’s comforting to know that even...
Beware of false PFD campaign promises
It’s an election year, which means some legislative candidates are pledging the unaffordable. It’s comforting to know that even as most...
Suspect charged with arson, fire damages Sea Wolf Gallery
A woman has been charged with arson for starting a fire late Tuesday night that caused significant d...
Businesses, nonprofits apply for $388,000 in CARES Act grants
The Haines Borough received 137 applications from businesses and nonprofits for CARES Act grant funding before the July 10 deadline, totaling about...
Residents list health, jobs, and education as biggest COVID concerns
A survey of Haines residents “to get a sense of where people are right now,” under the economic and emotional damage caused by COVID-19, found...
Skagway residents line up for first $1,000 CARES Act checks
Alaska cities and boroughs are still figuring out how to spend the $569 million in federal CARES Act funding coming their way from the state — with...
Matanuska back in service after 6 months
Alaska state ferry service is getting closer to normal, even though passenger loads are far from normal. Even the Matanuska, the oldest operating...
Last big cruise line cancels
Norwegian Cruise Line has decided to give up on bringing its ships to Alaska even in late September and early October, putting an end to any chance...
Peratrovich $1 coin not easy to get
The U.S. Mint in February released its $1 coin commemorating and honoring the late Alaska Native civil rights leader Elizabeth Wanamaker Peratrovich,...
Work underway at boat launch; completion scheduled for Oct. 31
Work is underway on the $5.4 million project to build a two-lane boat-launch ramp at Haines Small...
Dunleavy scraps crew quarter plans for boats Tazlina, Hubbard
In addition to vetoing two-thirds of the Legislature’s increase in state ferry operating funds for the next fiscal year, Gov. Mike Dunleavy...
Dunleavy vetoes bulk of restored ferry funding
Gov. Mike Dunleavy on April 7 vetoed two-thirds of the additional funding appropriated by lawmakers for state ferry operations. The Legislature last...
Don't bet on Governor's revenue idea
The governor says he “has been actively seeking new revenue sources to diversify our economy.” He has been on the job almost 15 months and was a s...
Legislators willing to talk taxes while governor pushes for large PFD
In a repeat performance of recent years, the upcoming legislative session will focus on the budget, public services and the amount of the Permanent...
Legislators have not given up on Ocean Rangers
Haines’s legislators are waiting for the Gov. Mike Dunleavy administration to unveil its alternative to the Ocean Rangers onboard cruise ship...
WP&YR could be dredging ore terminal basin next fall
Dependent on getting regulatory approvals and then going to bid for the work, the White Pass & Yukon Route could have a contractor dredging out...
Commentary: It's time to change the PFD formula
Though I’ve never run for public office (student council in college in 1971 doesn’t count), I have a pretty good idea of the social media abuse...
Fall/Winter ferry schedule expected by mid-July
The Alaska Marine Highway System expects to have its draft fall/winter 2019/2020 schedule available for public comment in mid-July — about six...
Legislature approves $44 million cut to ferry system
Almost one-quarter of the total cut to next year’s state operating budget is coming out of the Alaska Marine Highway System. The ferry system was...