Here is a sampling of editorial opinions from Alaska newspapers:
April 1, 2017
Ketchikan Daily News: No new fee
Taxes and other fees for an airline ticket between Ketchikan and Seattle are approaching 10 percent of the price.
A roundtrip, coach flight price two weeks ago amounted to $562.01 for an April 1 weekend trip. Taxes and fees came to $55.39, just under 9 percent of the entire ticket of $617.40.
During this time of year and most of the year, only one airline provides the service. About the only other way to get to Seattle from here is an approximately 36-hour ride aboard the Alaska Marine Highway System ferry to Bellingham, Washington, and then a two-hour drive into Seattle.
Ketchikan, compared to much of the Lower 48, is isolated. It’s choice of transportation is limited, and, even then, the competition is non-existent most of the time.
This is the situation for the fourth largest city in Alaska. For smaller, more isolated communities, it costs much more to go to the city.
Adding even what might be considered a small amount to any of these prices is significant to Alaska travelers. A little here, a little there, and it amounts to real money.
Congressman Don Young is well aware of this, especially with the Bush Alaska travel circumstances. Not only does he travel into the Bush to carry out his duties, but he lived and worked in the Bush before election.
Young has joined Hawaii’s representatives in sponsoring a measure to exempt both states and Essential Air Service communities from increases in air travel fees for the Transportation Security Administration.
The Passenger Fee Restructuring Exemption Act would lower Alaska and Hawaii’s TSA fee to $2.50 for interstate direct flights.
Congress set the fee at $5.60 in 2013, and the Trump administration is seeking an increase in the fiscal 2018 budget.
An increase disproportionately affects travelers in Alaska, Hawaii and ESA communities, some of which are in the Lower 48 and located more than 100 miles away from an airport. It only adds a higher fee to a ticket likely to be higher than in the other states.
And, as is often the case when prices are higher, it affects business and the economy. Higher TSA fees are detrimental to an industry on which both Alaska and Hawaii depend - tourism.
Security is invaluable. Alaskans and Hawaiians appreciate it and willingly will pay a fair fee for that. But that fee shouldn’t be such that it begins to impede commerce and unfairly increase the cost of travel, especially for Alaskans.
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April 1, 2017
Peninsula Clarion: Helping the environment need not be a political statement
Earth Day is coming up April 22, and while its observance comes with mixed feelings for many Alaskans, there are plenty of ways we can contribute to improving our environment locally.
For example, students at Soldotna Montessori Charter School recently completed a project to recycle old T-shirts, converting them into reusable cloth grocery bags.
It may sound like a small project, but it has the potential to make a significant difference. First and foremost, the project will keep some of those plastic grocery bags from blowing down the side of the road, where, in addition to being an eyesore, they pose a hazard for wildlife.
But the group effort should also serve as inspiration for more people to follow suit. Even if you don’t have a bunch of old shirts you can convert to bags, you can get reusable bags at most local stores for a nominal price.
There are plenty of other ways to contribute to improving the environment locally.
Perhaps one of the easiest things to do is to avoid contributing to the problem. In addition to reusable shopping bags, make sure your trash is tied down when you take it to the landfill or transfer station. Make an effort to recycle paper, plastics, glass and tin and aluminum cans. And ReGroup is planning an electronics recycling day for May 6 at the Central Peninsula Landfill.
Save energy by turning off lights and electronics when they’re not in use. Turn the thermostat down in your household. Look for opportunities to walk or ride a bicycle instead of driving.
As the snow recedes, there will be numerous clean-up days scheduled. Why not spend an afternoon helping to tidy up the community?
As the agricultural season ramps up, look for Alaska-grown food - it’s fresher than food shipped from other parts of the world, and takes far less energy to get to your dinner plate.
There are certainly much bigger debates to be had about the state of our environment. The issue has been in the news quite a bit of late as the new administration makes changes to rules issued by the previous one.
Most Alaskans have a deep appreciation for the natural grandeur around us, whether we hunt or fish or hike or camp - or just appreciate the view.
But we also are aware that resource extraction drives Alaska’s economy. Industries such as oil and gas, mining and timber have provided good jobs for many Alaskans over the years. Quite often, the environmental message that comes with events such as Earth Day seems to cast any resource development in a bad light, no matter how responsibly it’s done.
Appreciating the environment - and taking steps personally to make a positive contribution - doesn’t have to be a political statement. Every little bit counts, and when it comes down to it, small contributions can make a big difference.
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April 2, 2017
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner: Avoiding a REAL ID train wreck
When it comes to federal identification requirements, Alaska is about to be in a real pickle. In early June, the state’s last extension for noncompliance with the federal REAL ID Act will expire. Previously, extensions have been granted readily by federal authorities. But this time, no extension appears forthcoming. That will mean headaches for Alaskans traveling by commercial aircraft or onto military bases, as compliant forms of identification such as passports will be required at locations controlled by federal agents such as the military and Transportation Security Administration. Gov. Bill Walker has proposed a solution that, though somewhat inelegant, will balance the needs of those seeking access to federal facilities and those who have concerns about increased access to personal information by the government.
As the situation stands, precious little time remains to implement a solution to avoid negative impacts for Alaskans. In June, federally issued IDs such as passports would be required to access military bases. In January 2018, passports would be required for commercial flights, even those taking place within the state. In 2020, even passports would no longer suffice and REAL ID-compliant forms of identification would be mandatory.
Gov. Walker’s bills addressing the REAL ID requirement are Senate Bill 34 and House Bill 74. They would introduce a bifurcated system for state identifications such as driver’s licenses. Under the current system, Alaska’s IDs don’t comply with requirements of the act; the pair of bills would let the current system remain in place but also add the option of a REAL ID compliant license for those not wishing to get a passport to access military bases or commercial flights. There would be a small fee, set in the bill at $5, for those seeking a REAL ID-compliant form of identification.
The bifurcated solution isn’t particularly efficient, making the process of obtaining, maintaining and checking ID more complex. It does serve an important purpose, however, by providing an out for those who are wary of REAL ID Act requirements related to information sharing among states. It won’t be a permanent solution, as by 2020, passports will no longer suffice for air travel or base access. But it is an important concession for those who don’t travel and wish to maintain a higher standard of privacy.
A substantial number of people are likely to be negatively affected by the ID requirements if the Legislature doesn’t pass SB 34 and HB 74. Contractors working on improvements to Eielson Air Force Base, for instance, will need passports, and not all summer laborers are likely to be tracking the requirements. Given the substantial delay between filing a passport application and receiving a passport - in most cases, six to eight weeks - that means workers would miss two months of the already short summer construction season. For local companies and the military, that would likely mean delays and cost overruns. And in another six months, the same process would play out again for commercial air travel. The economic harm to the state could be grievous.
Alaska has long had a reputation for valuing the privacy of its people, and Gov. Walker’s plan to address the REAL ID requirements would help sustain that principle while providing an option for those needing compliant IDs for their livelihoods or convenience. The Legislature should pass Gov. Walker’s legislation to avoid the blindsiding of residents and industry when REAL ID requirements come into force.
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