Governor Mike Dunleavy delivered his seventh State of the State address on Tuesday night at the Alaska Capitol Building.
The speech highlighted Alaska’s progress in public safety, education, and energy security and the Governor’s priorities for improving Alaskans’ quality of life in these essential areas.
“As I’ve always said, there’s nothing wrong with special interests, but they don’t speak on behalf of the people. We govern for those who get up every day and go to work and care for their families but don’t necessarily have a lobbyist here in Juneau,” Governor Dunleavy said. “When we put our minds together to create good policy, great things will happen.”
The Governor said that his administration was in its “fourth quarter.” He touted his administration’s success in growing the Alaska jobs market and praised his moves in public safety and oil and gas development on the North Slope. He celebrated his administration’s moves that brought the construction of an Alaska natural gas pipeline closer to reality and said President Trump’s moves to expand resource development were good for Alaska.
Dunleavy once again expressed leeriness about treating money as the sole solution regarding education funding.
Governor Dunleavy highlighted the accomplishments of two Alaskans. Alaska State Trooper Sgt. Jared Noll led a multi-agency effort last year that led to indictments of individuals involved in a multi-state drug trafficking operation. The other guest highlighted was Alev Kelter, a Chugiak High School graduate and Olympic Bronze medal-winning USA women’s rugby team member.
Click here to view a recording of the State of the State address. Click here for a transcript of the speech.
