Until a late influx of money in the final weeks of the campaign, most of the cash for the pro-Dunleavy independent expenditure group came from two people: Dunleavy’s brother Francis, and Bob Penney, the developer and recreational fishing advocate who’s long donated to Republican candidates and causes.
Nat Herz, Alaska Public Media
Begich spent four years as a consultant. As governor, he could sign bills affecting former clients.
For the past four years, Begich has owned a public affairs and consulting firm, working with clients that intersect with state government. If elected, he’ll likely be faced with decisions that will directly affect the businesses, unions and Native organizations that have been paying his business for advice.
A solar project in rural Alaska takes aim at sky-high electric bills
A new renewable energy project in Buckland aims to demonstrate solar and wind power’s potential to reduce the region’s sky-high utility costs.
State regulators to Alaska lobbyist: Stop helping candidates raise money
Alaska lobbyists have been breaking an anti-corruption law by helping political candidates promote their fundraising events, according to a preliminary opinion from the state’s campaign finance watchdog.
Anchorage airport looks at building a new cargo handling center
Managers of the Anchorage airport are looking into construction of a big new warehouse to help boost the volume of air cargo shipped through the city.
Alaska law says lobbyists can’t raise cash for candidates. But lobbyists are still sending invites to fundraisers.
Some of Alaska’s most prominent lobbyists are boosting the fundraising efforts of political candidates, prompting questions about whether they’re breaking a state law that’s designed to limit lobbyists’ influence over the legislative process.