Alaska Landmine Radio

Will Stapp - Episode 286

Jeff was joined by Representative Will Stapp (R - Fairbanks). They discuss how the military brought him to Alaska, how we was awarded the Purple Heart fighting in Iraq, how he met his wife, why he got involved in Alaska politics, why he decided to run for the State House, the fiscal challenges facing Alaska, this year's operating budget, and his thoughts on how session might end this year. 

Jesse Sumner - Episode 285

Jeff was joined by Representative Jesse Sumner (R - Wasilla). They talk about his race and how there were four Republican candidates, Alaska's new voting system, how the House Republicans were able to take back power this year after six years of being in the minority, what the amount of the dividend may be this year, how he was able to get an artificial intelligence to draft a bill to legalize gambling on Alaska ferries, what the future of artificial intelligence could look like, and the proposed Kink Arm Bridge.

Ashley Carrick - Episode 284

Jeff was joined by Representative Ashley Carrick (D - Fairbanks). They discuss her time working as a legislative staffer for former Representative Adam Wool, the district in Fairbanks she represents, her race and how it was the only legislative race with more than four people, how she overcame a well-known opponent, the chaos that ensued in the Alaska House amid budget debate, her thoughts about some of the procedural moves the House majority made, the budget process, and the new freshman caucus in the House. 

David Eastman - Episode 283

Jeff was joined by Representative David Eastman (R - Wasilla). They discuss the chaos that ensued in the House on Wednesday (4/5/2023) amid debate on the budget, the factors that caused it, the fight between the House majority and House minority, Eastman's position in all of it as he is not in either caucus, the dynamics between the majority and minority in the Legislature, how the majority tabled several of Eastman's budget amendments, and how the budget process might play out this session. 

Robb Myers - Episode 282

Jeff was again joined by Senator Robb Myers (R - North Pole). They discuss the new 17-member Senate majority and why he did not join, some of the internal workings of the Senate, his position on key issues like the size of the Permanent Fund Dividend, his recent re-election, his position on the recent controversial pay increase issue, ranked choice voting, his job as a truck driver, and what a long term fiscal plan might look like. 

Justin Ruffridge - Episode 281

Jeff was joined by newly elected Representative Justin Ruffridge (R - Soldotna). They talk about an early attempt to make him Speaker of the House (that he was unaware of), moving to the Kenai Peninsula when he was a kid, how he got to know Karl Malone, why he ended up becoming a pharmacist, the healthcare system, why he decided to run for the Legislature, the growing toxicity in politics, and his campaign. 

Trevor Storrs - Episode 280

Jeff was joined by Trevor Storrs, president and CEO of the Alaska Children's Trust. They discuss how he grew up in Canada, how he ended up in Alaska, the history and role of the Alaska Children's Trust, the importance of good role models for kids, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and a current bond proposition on the Anchorage ballot that would dedicate marijuana tax revenue for child care and early education. 

Greta Wade - Episode 279

Jeff was joined by Greta Wade, a nurse and healthcare representative with the Laborers Local 941. They discuss a recent encounter in the Capitol she had with Representative Jamie Allard (R - Eagle River). Wade was in town meeting with legislators and had a meeting setup with Allard. After Allard's office moved the appointment twice, Wade showed up for the third time. But when Wade walked into Allard's office, Allard told her, "I don't meet with laborers!" Allard ended up calling security when Wade asked her staff why they wasted her time. Talk about bizarre. They also talk about the Laborers Local 341 and how 43% of their members are healthcare workers.  

Jennifer Henderson - Episode 278

Jeff was joined by Alaska Supreme Court Justice Jennifer Henderson. They discuss her background as a judge for the District Court and the Superior Court, the Judicial Council process in Alaska used to select judges, her background growing up in California and then attending Yale Law School, how she came to Alaska to clerk for the Alaska Supreme Court, what she did before she became a judge, her three judicial appointments, the different roles of Alaska's courts, and what it's like being a judge. 

Jen Nelson - Episode 277

Jeff was joined by Jen Nelson, director of Rural Affairs for GCI and chair of the board for the Aleut Corporation. They discuss her role at GCI, some fiber projects GCI is working on, growing up in King Cove, the long sought after road from King Cove to Cold Bay, the cost of higher education, and the benefits fiber will bring to communities in the Aleutian chain.