While Alaska struggles with a multi-billion dollar deficit, the governor’s administration spent $50,000 on Washington D.C. consultant services before President Barack Obama’s visit.
Anchorage’s Perkins Coie was hired for services from July 8 through August 31 when Obama arrived in Alaska’s biggest city.
Peter Rouse and Mark Patterson were the authorized representatives of Perkins Coie, according to the contract. Rouse had previously been a long-time aide to Obama and Patterson was the chief of staff to two Treasury secretaries under Obama.
The president’s visit to Alaska lasted three days where he worked to highlight Alaska as the forefront in climate change concerns.