Alaska’s uphill battle to right its economy in 2021

Anchorage Daily News editorial board

There’s just more than a month until the Legislature returns to session in 2021, and nearly every issue that plagued lawmakers in 2020 looks likely to be the same or worse. The partisan rifts are deeper. The state’s budget situation is more dire. The COVID-19 pandemic is raging on, with grave impacts to both public health and Alaska’s economy. And, as in the last Legislature, the challenge of organizing majority caucuses in the House and Senate looks daunting. On top of that, Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s budget would set a scary, shortsighted precedent.

The Legislature, same as it ever was

Although the Alaska GOP effectively split into two different parties in August’s primary election, the overall effect this had on the number of seats the major parties held in the Legislature after the general election was surprisingly muted. As in 2019, the House is effectively split down the middle between Republicans and Democrats — and the allied independents who plan to caucus with the Democrats. Republican Rep. Louise Stutes of Kodiak, citing concern for ferry funding, said she plans to join the Democratic/independent caucus, making for a dead even 20-20 split.

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