The many compelling reasons for recalling the governor persist in 2020. During these past few months, while we have all been consumed with taking care of ourselves, our families, our jobs and businesses, the governor quietly doubled down on the Alaska institutions that he has targeted from the start. At the end of this spring’s legislative session, he again vetoed funding for school bond debt reimbursement, public education, the Alaska Marine Highway, the University of Alaska, public broadcasting (a lifeline for many communities during this crisis) and local government support.
Some say the recall should be set aside because the governor followed Chief Medical Officer Anne Zink’s advice and guidance. Do we overlook the governor’s troubling track record of constitutional violations and dangerous economic decision-making simply because he heeded the advice of Alaska’s chief medical officer? Alaskans deserve better. Seeking and following qualified, local, expert advice should be standard operating procedure for a governor. Alaskans are still suffering from Governor Dunleavy’s decision to seek and heed the advice of decidedly nonlocal, nonexpert, temporary budget director Donna Arduin. Let’s not forget, no less, that the governor’s funding choices in his first year and a half in office systematically weakened our health care system’s capacity in the lead up to the pandemic.
In August 2019, shortly after Recall Dunleavy announced its historic collection of over 28,000 recall application signatures in under two weeks, Governor Dunleavy changed his tune. He claimed that his budget slashing was merely an attempt to start a conversation with Alaskans. Explain that “conversation” to the coastal communities that have been crippled by his cuts and to the university faculty who have left for other institutions and the undergraduate and graduate students who are applying elsewhere because of UA’s uncertain future. Use those words with local taxpayers, who now face an increased tax burden because the governor vetoed millions in municipal community assistance dollars. Talk about that “conversation” with Alaska educators who were hard at work to provide remote learning opportunities during the school shutdown only to hear that the governor had independently contracted with a Florida company to open a “virtual learning academy.”
We’ve invested our lives and hearts in Alaska and care deeply about its future. Governor Dunleavy is hoping we will be distracted by our concerns with COVID-19, neglecting our obligation to participate civilly and stay informed. Maya Angelou was right when she said, “When people show you who they are, believe them.” Governor Dunleavy has shown us who he truly is. He had the opportunity to govern differently this year, and he failed to do so.
Now, more than ever, we need strong leadership. As we approach some of the most challenging economic times our state has faced, we need a governor who is able and willing to face reality, one who is able and willing to make difficult decisions. We don’t need a governor who continues to offer a “full PFD” and budget cuts as cure-alls. Nor do we need a governor who tries to hide his vetoes by wrongfully and illegally promising that they can be made up for with federal CARES Act dollars. We can’t depend on Governor Dunleavy and we can’t trust him, and we certainly can’t afford two more years of his incompetent approach.
Like so many Alaskans, the recall effort has endured; our movement is innovative, adaptive, and strong. When the coronavirus dictated a shift in tactics, we moved to a sign-at-home effort. This weekend, both Anchorage and Fairbanks will conduct COVID-19 compliant drive-thru petition-signing events. In Fairbanks we’ll be setup in the former Sports Authority parking lot on Friday from 4-7 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 12-5 p.m.
Nicky Eiseman and Doug Tansy both live in Fairbanks. They are volunteers with Recall Dunleavy.
AFTER SIX MONTHS OF WRONGFUL DELAY, THE RECALL WON IN ALASKA SUPREME COURT!
On May 8, 2020, Recall Dunleavy’s grounds were ruled legal by the Alaska Supreme Court. Thousands of Alaskans can now celebrate this long-awaited confirmation across the state and advance the biggest signature collection campaign in the state’s history.
“Together, Alaskans have prevailed in court and won after months of wrongful delays,” said Meda DeWitt, Recall Dunleavy Chair. “We’ve known since day one that we have the constitutional right to express our collective will and vote. The Alaska Supreme Court validated our grounds detailing the governor’s clear violation of the separation of powers, illegal and partisan misuse of state funds, and disturbing errors in executing his constitutionally mandated duties.”
The Committee will now collect over 40,000 more signatures to gather a total of over 71,252 required during the petition phase, or phase two, of the recall.
IN THE MEDIA
- Alaska court says recall effort against governor can proceed
- Why Alaskans Are Trying to Recall Their Governor
- After a Supreme Court win, Alaskans have a right and responsibility to recall
- Listen now: Alaska's Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy Faces A Recall Campaign
- Alaska Supreme Court puts Gov. Dunleavy recall campaign on fast track, allowing signatures to be collected
- Gov. Dunleavy said federal relief would make up for an education veto. School officials say that’s not the case.
- Complaint alleges Dunleavy violated ethics law by auctioning breakfast at Governor’s Mansion
- Group Backing Dunleavy Withdaws from Recall Case
- How Dunleavy burned an essential state service
- 2nd phase in recall effort against Dunleavy is underway
- Alaska Supreme Court challenges lawyers on both sides in Dunleavy recall arguments
- KRBD: Veto-Wielding Alaska Governor Slashes Ferry Budget
- Renowned Alaskan Artists Team Up for Recall
- Second phase of Dunleavy recall signature campaigns kicks off
- Gov. Dunleavy recall effort can proceed, Alaska Supreme Court rules
- Recall Group Hosts Fairbanks Signature Events
- Fitch warns of possible negative consequences to Alaska credit rating if governor’s fiscal goals are enacted
- Sen. Stedman on Gov’s responsibility for Marine Hwy. problems (1/18/20)
- Dunleavy turns back on veterans and pioneers
- New fees charged to Court System were unexpected (1/18/20)
- Judge Aarseth rules in favor of Recall (1/11/20)
- In painting a rosy picture, Gov. Dunleavy omits the chaos he caused
- Juneau Empire: Recall Dunleavy Gears Up for Court (1/3/20)
- If we Alaskans want to have our cake and eat it too, let’s take smaller bites.
- Ferry Emergency: Six of the state’s 11 ferries are out of service | Juneau Empire (12/10/19)
- Dunleavy Promises Better Communications with Alaskans Once They Stop “Venting” (12/5/19):
- Midnight Sun: Dunleavy Review a Year In (12/5/19)
- War on the judicial branch imperils Alaskans - The Arctic Sounder
- Opinion: The incompetence of unacknowledged conflicts of interest | Peninsula Clarion
- Dunleavy backs off plan to confiscate $470 million from local governments — Reporting From Alaska
- Rate increases raise questions about Pioneers’ Home’s future | Juneau Empire (11/17/19)
- Dunleavy counts on Alaska amnesia for his political survival
- Sitka dinner serves up $45,800 for ‘Recall Dunleavy’ campaign
Latest News Releases
Drive Through Signature Events in Anchorage and Fairbanks
Do you, family members, or friends still need to sign the recall petition in 2020? Join us for one of our upcoming Drive-Through Signature Gathering events in Fairbanks at the former Sports Authority parking lot near Barnes and Noble – May 29, 30 & 31 or in Anchorage at 3333 Denali Street – May 30 & 31. Sign a single use petition safely from your own vehicle.
More than 20,000 Alaskans Will Receive Recall Petition in the Mail
First-ever Alaskan petition campaign of its kind On May 13, 2020, Recall Dunleavy mailed recall petition booklets to more than 20,000 Alaskans to sign and return. Ads announcing the arrival of petitions in the mail have launched on television and radio stations across...
Alaskans Celebrate Historic Recall Win in Alaska Supreme Court
After six months of wrongful delay, thousands celebrate On May 8, 2020, Recall Dunleavy’s grounds were ruled legal by the Alaska Supreme Court. Thousands of Alaskans can now celebrate this long-awaited confirmation across the state and advance the biggest signature...
Renowned Alaskan Artists Team Up for Recall
Commemorative Piece Honors Historic 2019-2020 Era in Alaska Five renowned Alaskan artists have joined forces to commemorate this historic time in our state, releasing a limited edition print that brings together a diversity of styles and perspectives. The Alaska...
Governor Dunleavy’s Budget Vetoes Undermine Alaska’s Crisis Response
Alaskans reminded that recall must succeed Amidst the worst public health crisis in Alaska’s history, Governor Dunleavy doubled down on deeply concerning budget cuts, attacking the same core economic sectors and groups of Alaskans that he targeted in the summer of...
Alaskans May Now Sign the Recall Petition at Home
Observing Social Distancing During COVID-19 Pandemic Effective immediately, Recall Dunleavy will launch, “Sign At Home,” a safe and remote method of signature collection that will replace all suspended, in-person signature gathering events during the COVID-19...