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Matt Acuña Buxton

Matt is a longtime journalist and longtime nerd for Alaska politics and policy. Alaska became his home in 2011, and he's covered the Legislature and more in newspapers, live threads and blogs.

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The Legislature's long-shot fiscal plan comes into very blurry focus

It's not really a fiscal plan or even the bones of a fiscal plan, but at least the foundation is being considered.

The Legislature's long-shot fiscal plan comes into very blurry focus
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Dunleavy fired anti-Trump attorneys, what will he do now one's exposed as a racist homophobe?

It's a lesson in why government shouldn't be in the business of policing speech. Also, political speech is not the same as hate speech.

Dunleavy fired anti-Trump attorneys, what will he do now one's exposed as a racist homophobe?
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Dunleavy's gambit on PCE could have far-ranging consequences

The governor's actions have resulted in several consequential court rulings but there may be none more consequential than the newly filed case on Power Cost Equalization.

Dunleavy's gambit on PCE could have far-ranging consequences
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AFN, others file lawsuit against Dunleavy's 'back-door veto' of Power Cost Equalization

Without the funds in place, energy prices are expected to double in some parts of the state.

AFN, others file lawsuit against Dunleavy's 'back-door veto' of Power Cost Equalization
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The long-awaited final order in Recall Dunleavy lawsuit is finally out and it's a doozy

The order sets up two critical bits of precedent on recalls and the governor's veto power. Unsurprisingly, Dunleavy is now calling on the Legislature to make it harder to recall elected officials.

The long-awaited final order in Recall Dunleavy lawsuit is finally out and it's a doozy
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Bronsonville was spiraling, so the Assembly gave it a 'quiet death'

Turns out the eye-watering $15 million price tag on the tent shelter didn't include bathrooms, beds or showers. That would've been an extra $7 million.

Bronsonville was spiraling, so the Assembly gave it a 'quiet death'
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Ranked-choice voting is here to stay. (Probably)

And an obligatory reminder that ranked-choice voting and top-four primaries are uncharted territory so who knows what it means for 2022.

Ranked-choice voting is here to stay. (Probably)
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Politics are a long game and Alaska summers are short

That’s all to say, I finally understand all that hackneyed “I’d rather be fishing” merch.

Politics are a long game and Alaska summers are short
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With few details, Bronson hopes to dodge public input on mass shelter

He's asking the assembly to fork over $15 million on a shelter that they're calling a "short-term" fix for Anchorage's homeless population.

With few details, Bronson hopes to dodge public input on mass shelter
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Gara for governor? And the working group gets underway

Does Les have a shot? Who really knows, but his entrance makes for a particularly stark comparison to Gov. Dunleavy.

Gara for governor? And the working group gets underway