Thread by @mattbuxton

Gov. Dunleavy is holding a pre-#akleg presser.

Starts off with invoking MLK Jr. and says, "We just have to make sure we understand what his message was, not what some folks would like it to be and that message, once again, is unity."

#akgov

Watch: facebook.com/watch/live/?re…

Among the priorities outlined in his opening, Dunleavy says the state needs the budget for the upcoming elections to do education "budgets to hire people, budgets to do recalls and purge our roles where necessary."

"Purge roles where necessary."

#akleg

First questions to Gov. Dunleavy is about his administration's involvement in the firing of Angela Rodell, who's called it political retribution.

Dunleavy denies it and says, basically, prove it.

"I would ask if anyone has evidence to that to bring it forward."

#akleg

Dunleavy has a particularly smarmy attitude towards the press today.

Question about the #akleg nearly bringing the state to a shutdown over the effective date on the bill.

Dunleavy: Thanks for noting it was the Legislature's fault, not mine. (Then praises the shenanigans.)

If the #akleg passes an income tax, would you veto it?

Dunleavy: No, I'm not interested in signing an income tax bill.

Landfield: Y'all spent a load of money on studying gambling as a revenue. Can we see it?

Dunleavy: I'll get you some information through my people.

Dunleavy: We have every intention of funding the Alaska Marine Highway System.

Q: Do you think that per diem was an incentive for the unending sessions (that you called?)?

Dunleavy: It would be speculation, to be honest with you.

Kyle Hopkins: You released Rodell's personnel file but refuse to release Kevin Clarkson's?

Dunleavy says the laws say they can, suggesting anyone who doesn't know that is underhanded.

Hopkins tries a follow up.

Dunleavy: How many questions is he gonna get?

They cut him off.

Not sure what the question was, but Gov. Dunleavy uses it to attack the Anchorage Daily News directly.

"I wonder if we're going to get a fair shake or if the ADN is going to act as a campaign arm."

#akleg

He's also mad that they didn't mention the specific attorneys handling the lawsuit challenging Dunleavy's effort to sweep the Higher Education Investment Fund.

He says if people want stories, they should read "harlequin romances."

#akleg

Promising a big PFD = broke

Blaming the press = woke

Dunleavy's main complaints about the ADN aired:

-They keep asking questions about Rodell's firing
-They won't forget his administration covering up AG Kevin Clarkson's sexual harassment of an employee
-They didn't report a story how he'd like
-They host @AndrewHalcro's pod?

He also made some wild accusation about the ADN having "bloggers." I'm not sure what he means by that, but perhaps he's talking about the comments section or LTEs, which I've heard some people refer to as "the blogs" ... like 10 years ago.

#akleg

Important to note that all of this press shaming comes 30 minutes before the Legislative Budget and Audit Committee buckles down on one of the more serious investigative efforts in #akleg history over the firing of Alaska Permanent Fund Corp ED Angela Rodell.

And on that topic, this morning @AndrewHalcro published his latest look into the issue and named Dunleavy special assistant Brandon Brefczynski as the coordinator between the administration and APFC Chair Craig Richards on the firing, messaging.

#akleg

adn.com/opinions/2022/…

With All Due Respect has rattled the Dunleavy admin. Last week's edition spurred some v. beefy Twitter beef, all the more reason to check it out.

adn.com/opinions/2022/…

TL;DL: one of the commissioners on the PF board—Mahoney or Feige—was OH saying "it was my vote or my job."

Rolls*