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Mike Dunleavy
32.3%
#45 of 50

Mike Dunleavy

Alaska R | 2nd term
2018-12-03Took Office 7 yrs, 6 moIn Office 263Metrics Scored 534 / 1653Total Points

Section A: Governance

201/300
67%

Section B: State Outcomes

324/975
33%

Section C: Oath Fidelity

+9 (-378 to +378)

Section A — Governance 201/300

9 subsections evaluating executive performance: budget execution, legislative relations, appointments, emergency management, transparency, ethics, program management, federal relations, and constituent service.

On-time budget submission
Budgets submitted on time each year since 2019. FY2026 proposed budget released Dec 2024; FY2027 released Dec 2025. Seven consecutive on-time submissions across both terms.
AK Governor's Office Budget Publications; gov.alaska.gov
3
Budget accuracy — revenue forecast vs actual
Revenue forecasting heavily dependent on volatile oil prices. FY2026 proposed $1.5B deficit; FY2027 proposes $1.8B from savings. Oil revenue swings make forecasting unreliable — FY2025 Permanent Fund transferred $3.7B to general fund but still ran deficit.
AK Department of Revenue Revenue Sources Book; Alaska Public Media; Alaska Beacon Dec 2025
1
Rainy day fund management
Constitutional Budget Reserve (CBR) rebuilt to $2.9B by Apr 2025 from $914M in FY2022 — but FY2027 budget proposes $1.8B draw, over 60% of balance. CBR trajectory risks depletion within 2 years at current spending rates per Dermot Cole analysis.
AK Legislative Finance Division; Alaska Public Media; Dermot Cole Apr 2025
1
State credit rating trajectory
Credit ratings improved under Dunleavy: S&P upgraded to AA (Apr 2024), Moody's upgraded to Aa2 from Aa3 (Jun 2025) — highest bond rating since 2018. Kroll assigned AA with stable outlook (Jul 2023). Upgrades reflect legislative restraint on PFD spending, not executive fiscal plan.
S&P Global Ratings Apr 2024; Moody's Jun 2025; Kroll Bond Rating Jul 2023; gov.alaska.gov
2
Pension funding ratio trajectory
PERS DB funding ratio improved to 67% (from 59.5%); TRS DB jumped to 76.9% (from 53.3%). Both plans closed to new hires since 2006. Employer rate fixed at 22% PERS, 12.56% TRS — state covers gap between actuarial need and employer contributions. Legacy unfunded liability declining but still substantial.
AK ARMB Actuarial Committee Jun 2025; DRB Contribution Rates FY25; PERS/TRS Actuarial Reports
2
Debt per capita trajectory
Alaska among 13 states with $10K+ debt per resident. No OPEB debt reported (one of only 4 states). State limits debt service but not total authorized debt. No major new bond issuance under Dunleavy, but deficit spending from CBR ($1.5B-$1.8B/yr) is deferred obligation.
Reason Foundation Gov Finance 2025; AK Treasury Debt Management; AK Public Debt 2024-2025
2
CAFR/ACFR published on time
ACFR published within statutory deadlines — FY2024 ACFR available Dec 2024 as required. Electronic versions maintained back to FY1998. Reports prepared after Jun 30 fiscal year close per state statute.
AK Department of Administration Division of Finance ACFR; doa.alaska.gov
2
Audit findings — material weaknesses
No adverse audit opinions during tenure. FY2024 ACFR independent audit provided reasonable assurance of no material misstatement. Single Audit Act compliance maintained per 2 CFR Part 200 Uniform Grant Guidance.
AK Division of Legislative Audit Reports; AK ACFR FY2024; Federal Audit Clearinghouse
2
Federal grant fund accounting
Federal Single Audit per 2 CFR Part 200 shows manageable findings. Alaska receives among highest per capita federal funding nationally — proper accounting for billions in federal grants including $3.7B BIL and $1B+ BEAD broadband allocation.
AK State Single Audit; Federal Audit Clearinghouse; doa.alaska.gov/dof/ssa/
2
Anti-fraud controls
Standard fraud controls with no major fraud scandals. PFD eligibility verification system catches thousands of ineligible claims annually. COVID-era pandemic UI fraud was moderate relative to other states. No DOL OIG adverse findings specific to Alaska programs.
AK Department of Labor; DOL OIG Reports; AK PFD Division
3
Tax revenue vs expenditure alignment
STRUCTURAL DEFICIT. FY2026 budget requires $1.5B from savings. Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax. Entirely dependent on oil revenue and Permanent Fund earnings. Revenue does not cover expenditures. Deficit spending is structural, not cyclical.
AK Legislative Finance Division; AK Revenue Sources Book
0
Capital budget execution rate
FY2025 capital budget $3.5B (before $126.3M line-item veto). $3.7B Bipartisan Infrastructure Law being deployed. DOT&PF JBER runway extension is largest USACE-Alaska project, completion expected Sep 2025. Geography drives costs 3-5x lower-48 averages.
AK DOT&PF Project Status; Governor's Capital Budget FY2025; USDOT BIL Alaska Factsheet
2
Vendor/contractor oversight
Mary Vought DC-based PR contract: $5K/month, extended 8 times over 4 years without competitive bidding, projected ~$400K by end of 2026. Bob Penney donor grandson Clark Penney got $8K/month AIDEA no-bid contract (2019) after Penney donated $300K+ to Dunleavy campaign. Both violated competitive bidding norms.
Dermot Cole Nov 2023; KTOO May 2019; ADN Aug 2019; AK procurement records
1
Federal funding maximization
Alaska receives among highest federal per capita funding nationally. $3.7B from BIL; $1.017B BEAD broadband allocation; $723M authorized in FY2025 NDAA for military construction. $4.7B total defense spending in FY2023 alone. Dunleavy lobbied effectively for ANWR lease restoration.
USASpending.gov — Alaska; USDOT BIL; NTIA BEAD; FY2025 NDAA; AK Beacon
2
Program eligibility verification
PFD eligibility verification system processes 600K+ applications annually, catching thousands of ineligible claims. SAVE system used for federal program verification. Medicaid eligibility managed through standard DHSS protocols. No major eligibility fraud scandals.
AK PFD Division; AK DHSS Program Records; SAVE System
3
Signature legislation enacted
No major signature legislation enacted. Gambling bill failed. Education funding vetoed repeatedly. Fiscal plan legislation introduced but never passed in 7+ years. SB 45 direct primary care law (signed Sep 2024) is modest positive. Constitutional convention to protect PFD rejected 2-to-1 by voters (Nov 2022).
AK Legislature Bill Tracking; gov.alaska.gov; Alaska Beacon; Ballotpedia
1
Veto override rate
THREE education veto battles: (1) Mar 2024 veto sustained by 1 vote (39 of 40 needed). (2) May 2025 override succeeded 46-14, adding $185M/yr in education funding. (3) Aug 2025 override 45-14 reversed $50.6M/$200-per-student line-item veto. Two successful overrides in one session — unprecedented in modern Alaska history.
Alaska Beacon Aug 2025; Alaska Public Media May/Aug 2025; AK Legislature Override Records
0
Bipartisan bills signed
Education funding — the biggest bipartisan effort — was vetoed by governor, then overridden bipartisanly. SB 45 direct primary care (2024) was bipartisan. But the defining dynamic is bipartisan opposition TO the governor — 46-14 and 45-14 override votes included Republicans crossing party lines.
AK Legislature Vote Records; Alaska Beacon 2025
1
Special sessions called
Called special sessions on fiscal plan, PFD, and crime — none produced lasting resolution. Fiscal sustainability remains unresolved across entire 7+ year tenure despite multiple proposals. Alaska remains the only state with no income tax, no sales tax, and no enacted long-term fiscal plan.
AK Governor's Executive Orders; Legislature Session Records; Alaska Public Media
1
Executive orders — legal challenges
No executive orders struck down as unconstitutional. AO 321 (Apr 2021) prohibiting state vaccine mandates was legally valid though controversial. However, federal court ruled 2018 transition mass-resignation demand violated 1st Amendment — not an EO but functionally similar executive directive.
AK Court Records; Governor's Executive Orders; ACLU v. Dunleavy 2021
2
Line-item veto usage
ABUSED. After legislature overrode his education veto, Dunleavy used line-item veto to cut $50.6M from the overridden bill — effectively circumventing the democratic override process. FY2025 line-item vetoes totaled $232M ($105.7M operating + $126.3M capital). In 2019, vetoed $444M including university funding — triggered recall effort.
AK Constitution; Governor's Budget Actions; Alaska Beacon reporting
0
Regulatory burden change
Pro-resource development regulatory approach. Advocated for streamlined oil/gas permitting — supported Willow Project approval (Mar 2023, 3 drill pads, 199 wells). Pushed for ANWR lease restoration (achieved Oct 2025 with Trump admin). SB 45 reduced healthcare regulation burden (Sep 2024).
AK Administrative Code; gov.alaska.gov; AK Beacon; DOI ANWR Record of Decision Oct 2025
3
Budget negotiation success
Persistent conflict: Dunleavy proposed $3,800+ PFDs (statutory formula) but legislature cut to $1,702 (FY2025) and $1,000 (FY2026). FY2025 line-item vetoes totaled $232M ($105.7M operating + $126.3M capital). Education fights consumed 3 legislative sessions. No fiscal plan in 7+ years.
AK Legislature Session Records; Alaska Public Media; Alaska Beacon; gov.alaska.gov
1
Bill signing rate on popular legislation
Vetoed education funding THREE times: Mar 2024, Apr 2025, and line-item veto of overridden bill Aug 2025. Education ranked #1 priority by Alaskans in polling. HCS CSSB 140 added $185M/yr but Dunleavy slashed $50.6M ($200/student) via line-item after legislature overrode his full veto.
AK Legislature Records; Alaska Beacon; US News Mar 2024; Alaska Public Media Aug 2025
0
Legislative relationship
Deeply adversarial. Two veto overrides in one session (May 46-14 and Aug 45-14, 2025) — unprecedented in modern Alaska. 2019 $444M vetoes triggered recall effort. Legislature cut his proposed $3,800 PFD to $1,000. Bipartisan coalitions formed AGAINST governor repeatedly. After overrides, Dunleavy dropped education reform push (Dec 2025).
AK Legislature; Alaska Beacon; Alaska Public Media Dec 2025
0
Voter-approved measures implementation
Implemented ranked choice voting (Ballot Measure 2, 2020) despite opposing it — first used in 2022 elections. Dunleavy himself won under RCV with 50.3% first-choice votes. Constitutional convention question (Ballot Measure 1, 2022) rejected by voters 2-to-1 despite governor's advocacy.
AK Division of Elections; Ballotpedia; 2022 General Election Results
2
Task force follow-through
Fiscal plan task force recommendations not implemented after 7+ years. Education reform proposals conditional on funding veto — abandoned Dec 2025 after overrides. Joint Legislative Seafood Task Force (2024) addressed fishing crisis but limited executive follow-through. 'New Industrial Development Team' produced minimal results.
AK Governor's Commission Reports; Alaska Public Media Dec 2025; Legislature Records
1
Policy reversals under pressure
Mixed: Reversed 2019 university cut from $130M to $70M over 3 years after recall threat. PFD proposals moderated from $3,000+ to accepting legislature's lower amounts ($1,702 in 2024, $1,000 in 2025). But tripled down on education vetoes despite bipartisan supermajority opposition — only abandoned reform push after two overrides (Dec 2025).
Governor's Policy Records; ADN Aug 2019; Alaska Public Media Dec 2025; AK Beacon
1
Appointee criminal/ethics issues
No appointees charged with crimes. However, mass-resignation demand to 800+ at-will employees during 2018 transition was ruled unconstitutional by federal court (Oct 2021) — patronage-style 'loyalty pledge' requirement violated 1st Amendment per Judge Sedwick.
AK Ethics Board; ACLU v. Dunleavy (D. Alaska 2021); ADN Oct 2021
3
Agency head vacancy rate
2018 transition mass-resignation demand to 800+ at-will employees (including doctors, geologists, IT staff) created immediate vacancies. Two Alaska Psychiatric Institute doctors fired for refusing loyalty pledge were reinstated by court. Ongoing turnover in key positions but most filled by mid-first-term.
Governor's Office Appointment Records; ACLU Alaska Jan 2019; ADN Oct 2021
2
State employee turnover
State employee turnover elevated early in tenure due to mass-resignation demand affecting 800+ at-will workers, but stabilized by second term. Alaska state employees rallied for better pay/benefits in 2025. High cost of living and remote postings create ongoing recruitment challenges.
AK Division of Personnel; Juneau Empire Feb 2025; AK Personnel records
2
Diversity of appointments
Alaska Native population ~16% of state (highest indigenous percentage of any state). Dunleavy's cabinet and senior appointments do not closely reflect demographic diversity. Limited Alaska Native representation in senior executive roles despite significant rural/Native constituency.
Governor's Appointment Records; Census ACS 2023; AK Native population estimates
1
Judicial appointment quality
Alaska uses merit-based judicial selection via Judicial Council (non-partisan nominating commission). Governor selects from council-vetted nominees. Dunleavy has followed the merit system without controversy. No rejected nominees or litigation over appointments.
AK Judicial Council; AK Constitution Art. IV
2
State workforce pay competitiveness
Alaska state employees receive geographic pay differentials and COLA adjustments. Employees rallied for better pay/benefits in Feb 2025. State workforce competes with oil industry, military, and federal jobs. Rural postings especially hard to fill due to extreme cost of living ($10+/gallon fuel in remote villages).
AK Division of Personnel Compensation Data; Juneau Empire Feb 2025
2
Whistleblower protection
No documented whistleblower retaliation cases specifically. However, the 2018 mass-resignation demand and firing of employees who refused (including an AAG fired for political blogging) has a chilling-effect dimension — federal court found these firings unconstitutional under 1st Amendment patronage doctrine.
AK Ethics Board Records; ACLU v. Dunleavy (D. Alaska 2021)
3
Inspector General independence
Division of Legislative Audit operates independently under legislative branch — not subject to gubernatorial interference. Dunleavy has not attempted to undermine audit independence. Single Audit reports and ACFR published consistently without executive branch obstruction.
AK Division of Legislative Audit; AK Constitution Art. IX
2
State employee morale
2019 $444M vetoes devastated morale — UA system cut $130M (41% of funding), threatening accreditation and forcing layoffs of professors and staff. NPR: 'We may likely never recover.' Mass-resignation demand to 800+ employees in 2018 further damaged trust. Employees rallied for better pay/benefits Feb 2025.
AK Division of Personnel; NPR Jul 2019; Inside Higher Ed Jun 2020; Juneau Empire Feb 2025
1
Nepotism/cronyism
Two cronyism controversies: (1) Mary Vought DC PR contract — $5K/month, 8 extensions, ~$400K total to burnish national profile. (2) Clark Penney — grandson of $300K+ campaign donor Bob Penney — received $8K/month AIDEA no-bid contract. Penney contract later canceled after media scrutiny. DOL found 'no violations' but recommended procurement reforms.
Dermot Cole Nov 2023; KTOO May 2019; ADN Feb 2021; AK DOL Investigation
1
Senior staff criminal charges
No senior staff charged with crimes. Former chief of staff Tuckerman Babcock was named in ACLU lawsuit over mass-resignation demand — court found constitutional violations but no criminal charges. No other senior staff legal issues.
Court Records; ACLU v. Dunleavy (D. Alaska 2021); ADN Oct 2021
3
Agency performance accountability
OMB publishes performance reports for state agencies. FY2025 budget prioritized education, energy, and public safety per governor's office. Agency performance tracked through standard metrics. No major agency failures beyond chronic challenges in OCS (child welfare) and DOC (corrections).
AK OMB Performance Reports; gov.alaska.gov FY2025 Budget
3
Disaster declaration timeliness
Timely disaster declarations throughout tenure: 7.1 earthquake response (Dec 2018, 3 days into office); multiple wildfire seasons (2019: 2M acres, 2022: 1.2M acres, 2024: most since 2004); Typhoon Halong (Oct 2025) — immediate state emergency, federal declaration requested within 5 days.
AK DHSEM; FEMA Disaster Declarations — Alaska; gov.alaska.gov; NPR Oct 2025
2
FEMA assistance secured
Secured multiple FEMA declarations: Presidential Major Disaster for 7.1 earthquake (Jan 2019, signed $141M disaster supplemental SB 38). Typhoon Halong federal emergency declaration secured (Oct 2025) with $25M initial federal funds. But FEMA denied full 100% cost share for Western Alaska storm response (Jan 2026).
FEMA PA Records; gov.alaska.gov Jan 2019; ADN Jan 2026; CNN Oct 2025
2
Emergency reserve adequacy
CBR rebuilt to $2.9B by Apr 2025, but FY2027 proposes $1.8B draw — potentially depleting reserves within 2 years. Separate disaster relief funds exist but CBR drawdowns for operating deficits reduce overall emergency fiscal capacity. Typhoon Halong response strained resources in FY2026.
AK DHSEM; AK Treasury CBR data; Alaska Beacon Apr 2025; Dermot Cole Apr 2025
2
Lives lost — preventable from state failure
No major preventable deaths from state emergency management failure. 7.1 earthquake (Nov 2018): zero fatalities, 117 injuries. Typhoon Halong (Oct 2025): 1 death and 2 missing in Western Alaska — Coast Guard/National Guard deployed promptly. Wildfire evacuations executed without loss of life.
AK DHSEM After-Action Reports; Wikipedia 2018 Anchorage earthquake; CNN Oct 2025
3
Post-disaster recovery timeline
7.1 earthquake recovery: $141M disaster supplemental (SB 38, signed Apr 2019), over 120 damaged schools repaired. Typhoon Halong: governor said some residents 'will not be able to return for more than 18 months.' 1,000+ displaced. 82% of communities not on road system — inherently slow recovery.
FEMA PA Records; gov.alaska.gov; NPR Oct 2025; AK DOT&PF
2
Public health emergency response
Alaska was FIRST state to open vaccines to all adults 16+ (Mar 9, 2021). Early vaccination rates led nation. Final rates: 71.9% one dose, 52.7% boosted (Jul 2022). AO 321 (Apr 2021) banned state vaccine mandates. Maintained 3rd-lowest mortality rate early in pandemic. Messaging shifted as partisan vaccine resistance grew.
CDC COVID Data Tracker — Alaska; AK DHSS; gov.alaska.gov Mar 2021; KTOO May 2021
2
Infrastructure failure prevention
No catastrophic infrastructure failures. However, permafrost degradation is undermining roads and buildings statewide — Alaska warming 2-3x faster than global average. 141 bridges in poor condition, 577 miles highway in poor condition (FHWA data). Proactive failure prevention limited by geography and budget constraints.
AK DHSEM; AK DOT&PF; FHWA bridge/road data; USGS Alaska climate data
3
National Guard deployment
Alaska Army and Air National Guard deployed appropriately: earthquake response (2018), wildfires (2019, 2022, 2024), Typhoon Halong rescue operations (Oct 2025) — search helicopters from Fairbanks delivered generators/fuel to remote villages. No inappropriate or politically motivated deployments.
AK National Guard Records; CNN Oct 2025; AK DHSEM
3
Emergency communication
Emergency communications challenged by 82% of communities lacking road access. Typhoon Halong (Oct 2025) exposed gaps — some Y-K Delta villages lost all communication during storm. $1.017B BEAD broadband allocation will eventually improve connectivity. Emergency Operations Center activated at highest level for Halong.
AK DHSEM Communications Records; NPR Oct 2025; NTIA BEAD Alaska allocation
2
Interagency coordination
Strong interagency coordination demonstrated during Typhoon Halong: USCG, AK Army/Air National Guard, FEMA, AK DOT&PF, and tribal organizations coordinated across Y-K Delta. State EOC at highest activation level. Joint federal-state operations for earthquake recovery (2019) also effective.
AK DHSEM After-Action Reports; AK DOT&PF 2025 Storms Timeline; NPR Oct 2025
3
Pandemic response metrics
COVID outcomes: 3rd-lowest mortality early in pandemic. First state to open vaccines to all 16+ (Mar 2021). Remote Native communities achieved 80.7% vaccination intention by Mar 2021. But later COVID surges hit hard — Aug 2021 hospital overload prompted belated public messaging shift. Overall outcomes roughly at national average.
CDC COVID Data Tracker — Alaska; KTOO Aug 2021; PMC Jan 2022; AK DHSS
2
Disaster preparedness & emergency infrastructure
144 Alaska Native communities face erosion/flooding/permafrost damage. 6 imminently threatened (GAO report): Kivalina, Newtok, Shishmaref, Shaktoolik, Koyukuk, Unalakleet. Newtok completed relocation to Mertarvik (2024) — first full climate relocation. Shishmaref relocation estimated $100-200M. Wildfire: 26.1M acres burned 2005-2024, more than any prior two decades. Alaska warming 2-3x global average.
AK DHS&EM; USACE Alaska village erosion reports
1
FOIA compliance rate
Alaska Public Records Act (AS 40.25.110-125) requires 10-day response to written requests. No major FOIA litigation against Dunleavy administration. Compliance adequate but no proactive improvements to public records access during tenure.
AK Public Records Act AS 40.25; AK Department of Law APRA; Court Records
2
Governor schedule availability
Governor's public schedule posted on gov.alaska.gov. Press conferences held regularly in Juneau and Anchorage. However, governor spent significant time in Wasilla rather than Juneau, raising accessibility questions. DC trips for national profile (Vought PR contract context) also noted.
Governor's Office Website; Dermot Cole reporting; AK media
2
Campaign finance compliance
No major campaign finance violations. 2022 reelection campaign complied with APOC requirements. Won with 50.3% first-choice votes under new RCV system. Bob Penney's $300K+ independent expenditure supporting Dunleavy (2018) was legal but raised donor-to-contract questions.
AK Public Offices Commission (APOC); 2022 Election Results; KTOO May 2019
3
Financial disclosure completeness
Annual financial disclosures filed with APOC as required by state law. Dunleavy (former teacher/principal, state senator 2013-2018) has relatively simple financial profile. No undisclosed business interests or complex holdings reported.
AK Public Offices Commission Financial Disclosure Records
2
Open meetings compliance
No major Open Meetings Act violations during tenure. Executive branch meetings comply with Alaska's open meetings requirements. No AG enforcement actions or court findings of violations by governor's office.
AK AG Open Meetings Records; AK Statutes AS 44.62.310-312
3
Open data portal
data.alaska.gov provides datasets on revenue, employment, PFD, and demographics. Portal functional but limited compared to larger states. Dunleavy introduced Consumer Data Privacy Act (2021) to protect personal information — a transparency/privacy initiative.
data.alaska.gov; gov.alaska.gov Consumer Data Privacy Act 2021
2
Budget transparency
OMB publishes detailed budget documents online at omb.alaska.gov — proposed, enacted, and amended budgets. FY2025: $12.2B operating + $3.5B capital. 'At a Glance' summaries published for each fiscal year. Revenue Sources Book provides oil price forecasts. Budget transparency adequate.
omb.alaska.gov; gov.alaska.gov budget publications
2
Lobbying disclosure enforcement
APOC (Alaska Public Offices Commission) enforces lobbying disclosure, campaign finance, and financial disclosure requirements. Standard compliance — no enforcement actions against governor's office or political allies for lobbying disclosure failures.
AK Public Offices Commission (APOC)
3
IG report publication
Division of Legislative Audit publishes all single audit reports and special audits at legaudit.akleg.gov. Reports cover federal grant compliance, agency performance, and ACFR. No executive branch efforts to suppress or delay publication.
AK Division of Legislative Audit; legaudit.akleg.gov
2
Legislative audit cooperation
Executive branch generally cooperative with legislative audits. No documented instances of refusing to provide information or obstructing audit processes. Single Audit compliance maintained per 2 CFR Part 200 requirements for federal grant accounting.
AK Division of Legislative Audit; doa.alaska.gov/dof/ssa/
2
Press conference accessibility
Holds regular press conferences in Juneau and Anchorage. Activated Emergency Operations Center press briefings during COVID, wildfires, and Typhoon Halong. Media accessibility reasonable but governor's Wasilla residence and DC-oriented PR (Mary Vought contract) raise questions about local engagement priority.
Governor's Office Media Schedule; KTOO; Alaska Public Media
2
Contract transparency
Mary Vought PR contract ($5K/month, 8 extensions, ~$400K) bypassed competitive bidding. Clark Penney AIDEA contract ($8K/month) issued at governor's request per AIDEA documents, with competitive bid waiver. DOL found 'no violations' but recommended procurement disclosure reforms. Pattern of opacity in sole-source contracting.
AK Division of General Services; Dermot Cole Nov 2023; Alaska Landmine 2019; ADN Feb 2021
1
Court order compliance on transparency
No contempt findings for defying court transparency orders. ACLU lawsuit over mass-resignation firings resulted in adverse constitutional ruling but no contempt. Administration complied with court orders in all documented cases.
Court Records; ACLU v. Dunleavy (D. Alaska 2021)
2
Personal criminal charges
No criminal charges, investigations, or grand jury proceedings against Dunleavy personally. Named as defendant in ACLU civil lawsuit over mass-resignation demand — constitutional violation found but civil, not criminal. Clean personal criminal record.
Court Records; ACLU v. Dunleavy (D. Alaska 2021)
3
Ethics complaints substantiated
No substantiated ethics complaints against Dunleavy personally through AK Select Committee on Legislative Ethics or executive ethics process. Recall effort (2019-2021) alleged misconduct but was political, not formal ethics process — 62,373 signatures collected before effort was dropped (short of 71,252 needed).
AK Ethics Board Records; Ballotpedia Dunleavy recall; AK Division of Elections
3
Gift/travel disclosure
Gift and travel disclosures filed with APOC as required. DC trips (connected to Mary Vought PR engagement and ANWR lobbying) disclosed. No undisclosed travel or gift controversies. Former teacher/principal with modest personal wealth.
AK Public Offices Commission (APOC)
2
Conflict of interest
No documented conflicts of interest. Former state senator (2013-2018) and teacher/principal. No business interests in oil/gas industry despite pro-resource development policy positions. No financial stake in Willow Project or ANWR decisions.
AK Ethics Board; APOC Financial Disclosures
3
State resources for politics
Mary Vought DC-based PR contract ($5K/month, ~$400K total) used state funds to burnish Dunleavy's national political profile rather than serve state communications needs. Contract extended 8 times without competitive bidding. AIDEA issued Clark Penney contract at governor's direct request per internal documents.
Dermot Cole Nov 2023; Alaska Landmine AIDEA documents 2019; AK procurement records
1
Truthfulness in official statements
No official findings of false statements. However, KTOO noted Dunleavy tourism ads (May 2021) used outdated vaccination data to overstate Alaska's COVID response success. PFD claims of 'statutory formula' are technically accurate but politically misleading given legislature's consistent refusal to fund full amount.
Governor's Office Public Statements; KTOO May 2021
2
Ethics infrastructure protection
Ethics infrastructure maintained — APOC, Legislative Ethics Committee, and Division of Legislative Audit all continued functioning without executive interference. No legislation proposed to weaken ethics oversight or limit APOC authority during Dunleavy's tenure.
AK Ethics Board; Legislature Records; APOC
2
Emoluments/self-dealing
No self-dealing or emoluments issues. Dunleavy has no business interests that benefit from state policy decisions. Former teacher/principal and state senator with modest financial profile. No family members in state contracts or appointee roles.
AK Ethics Board Financial Disclosures; APOC records
3
Donor-to-contract pipeline
Bob Penney donated $300K+ to Dunleavy's 2018 campaign, then grandson Clark Penney received $8K/month AIDEA no-bid contract — direct donor-to-contract pipeline. DOL found 'no violations' but recommended reforms. Beyond Penney, no systemic pattern documented. Vought PR contract was not donor-linked.
AK APOC; KTOO May 2019; ADN Feb 2021; AK DOL investigation
3
Foreign influence
No foreign influence concerns. No FARA registrations linked to governor or senior staff. Alaska's strategic Arctic position involves international dynamics (Russia, Canada, Arctic Council) but no improper foreign influence on governance decisions.
DOJ FARA Database; AK AG records
3
Sexual harassment claims
No sexual harassment claims against governor or senior staff. Alaska has nation's highest sexual assault rate (3-4x national average) but this is a statewide societal challenge, not a governor's office personnel issue.
AK Division of Personnel Records; AK DPS Felony Sex Offenses Report 2024
3
Records preservation
No documented records destruction or improper deletion. State Archives retention schedules followed. No litigation alleging records spoliation by governor's office during tenure.
AK State Archives; AK Records Management
3
Revolving door
No major revolving door violations. Former chief of staff Tuckerman Babcock left administration but no improper post-government lobbying documented. Mary Vought's contract was as external consultant, not a revolving door scenario. Standard post-government employment patterns.
AK Ethics Board Records; APOC
3
Fraud losses
No major fraud losses in state programs. PFD eligibility verification catches thousands of fraudulent claims annually. COVID-era UI fraud was moderate relative to other states. No large-scale Medicaid fraud or public assistance fraud scandals during tenure.
AK State Auditor Reports; AK PFD Division; AK DOL
3
Program integrity — eligibility verification
PFD eligibility system processes 600K+ applications annually — requires Alaska residency, physical presence, and intent to remain. SAVE system verifies immigration status for federal programs. Medicaid eligibility managed per ACA expansion (enacted 2015, maintained under Dunleavy). No major eligibility errors documented.
AK PFD Division; AK DHSS; SAVE system; CMS
3
IT system modernization
IT systems functional — no major breaches or failures. $1.017B BEAD broadband allocation (largest per capita nationally) will connect 46,000+ homes/businesses and 182 rural communities by 2030 via 6,000+ miles of new fiber. PFD online application system modernized. No major IT modernization scandals.
AK Office of Information Technology; NTIA BEAD Alaska; Alaska Communications Nov 2024
2
Permit processing timeliness
Resource extraction permitting prioritized — Dunleavy actively supported Willow Project (3 drill pads, 199 wells, approved Mar 2023) and ANWR lease restoration (Oct 2025). DNR permitting streamlined for oil/gas. Environmental permits through DEC maintained per EPA delegation. Pro-development permitting philosophy.
AK DNR; AK DEC; DOI Willow ROD Mar 2023; DOI ANWR Oct 2025
2
Child welfare system
OCS faces chronic challenges: remote communities (82% off road system), high caseloads, and Alaska's highest-in-nation sexual assault rate (3-4x national average) generates heavy child protection demand. Meets most federal CFSR standards. Alaska Native children disproportionately represented in system.
ACF CFSR Results — Alaska; AK OCS Annual Reports; AK DPS 2024 Crime Data
2
Medicaid program management
Medicaid expansion (2015, pre-Dunleavy) maintained. 2019 vetoes initially cut $50M from Medicaid but partially restored. Signed SB 45 direct primary care law (Sep 2024) — subscription health model reducing insurance burden. Introduced postpartum Medicaid expansion bill. Healthcare costs highest per capita nationally due to geography.
CMS Medicaid Reviews; AK DHSS; Alaska Beacon Apr 2024; gov.alaska.gov
2
Environmental program
DEC meets EPA-delegated program standards for air/water quality and waste management. Pro-Willow and ANWR stance puts development vs. environment in tension. 144 Native villages face climate-driven erosion/flooding with limited state environmental adaptation funding. Alaska warming 2-3x faster than global average.
EPA State Program Evaluations — Alaska; AK DEC; GAO village erosion reports; USGS climate data
2
Transportation project delivery
DOT&PF deploying $3.7B BIL funds. JBER runway extension — largest USACE-Alaska project. 141 bridges in poor condition, 577 miles highway in poor. $723M NDAA FY2025 for military construction. 82% of communities off road system — most infrastructure delivered by barge/air. Storm damage from Typhoon Halong requires extensive DOT rebuilding.
AK DOT&PF; FHWA; USDOT BIL; FY2025 NDAA; DOT storms/2025storms
2
Unemployment insurance system
UI system functional. Unemployment 4.7% (Aug 2025) vs national ~4.0%. Employment growth 2.1% (2023-2024) was highest in nation — a bright spot. But oil-dependent economy volatile and seafood industry lost $1.8B (2022-2023), with fishing jobs declining 5th straight year in 2024 (7.6% drop).
DOL UI Performance Data; BLS LAUS
2
Veterans services
Veterans services adequate. Alaska has proportionally large veteran population due to military bases (JBER, Eielson, Ft. Wainwright, Clear SFS). $4.7B defense spending in FY2023. DMVA manages state veteran benefits alongside federal VA. $723M NDAA FY2025 authorized for military construction in Alaska.
AK DMVA; VA State Grant Data; FY2025 NDAA; Alaska Business Magazine Oct 2024
2
Housing program effectiveness
Housing crisis acute: rural communities face severe shortages with construction costs 3-5x lower-48 averages. Homelessness persistent in Anchorage. Remote villages pay $10+/gallon fuel. AHFC manages state housing programs but budget constraints limit investment. Typhoon Halong (Oct 2025) destroyed homes in Y-K Delta — 1,000+ displaced.
HUD PIT Count — Alaska; AK Housing Finance Corporation; NPR/CNN Typhoon Halong Oct 2025
1
Corrections system
~4,600 incarcerated in state prisons/jails. ACLU receives avg 10 sexual assault reports per month from state prisons. Alaska violent crime rate 724/100K — highest nationally, 101.6% above national average. Sexual assault rate 3-4x national average. Recidivism high. Criminal justice reform limited under Dunleavy.
BJS NPS — Alaska; AK DOC; ACLU Alaska; FBI UCR 2024; AK Criminal Justice Data Analysis Commission
1
Federal funding captured
Alaska captures among highest per capita federal funding nationally: $3.7B BIL, $1.017B BEAD broadband, $4.7B defense spending (FY2023), $723M NDAA FY2025 military construction. Dunleavy lobbied with Trump admin for ANWR lease restoration (Oct 2025). $25M federal emergency for Typhoon Halong secured.
USASpending.gov — Alaska; USDOT BIL; NTIA BEAD; FY2025 NDAA; DOI Oct 2025
3
Federal corrective action plans
No major federal corrective actions required. Single Audit compliance maintained. FEMA denied 100% cost share for Western Alaska storm response (Jan 2026) but this reflects federal policy, not state noncompliance. Federal grant accounting adequate per 2 CFR Part 200.
Federal Audit Clearinghouse — Alaska; ADN Jan 2026
3
Interstate cooperation
Geographic isolation limits interstate cooperation — only U.S. state sharing no border with another state. Participates in Pacific NW Economic Region and Arctic cooperation frameworks. Worked with Trump admin on ANWR/Willow as federal lands issues. Limited multistate compact participation due to unique geography.
Interstate Compact Records; PNWER; Arctic Council activities
2
Local government relations
Generally cooperative with boroughs and municipalities. Alaska has only 19 organized boroughs (vs. 3,000+ counties nationally). $141M earthquake disaster supplemental (SB 38) aided Anchorage/Mat-Su. Typhoon Halong required coordination with unincorporated Y-K Delta villages. Municipal League engagement standard.
AK Municipal League; gov.alaska.gov SB 38; NPR Oct 2025
2
Federal litigation costs
Moderate federal litigation. Alaska intervened in Willow Project litigation (won — Judge Gleason dismissed challenges Nov 2023). State supported ANWR lease restoration against environmental challenges. Federal lands disputes are ongoing (62% of Alaska is federal land). ACLU v. Dunleavy resulted in adverse constitutional ruling on mass firings.
AK AG Litigation Records; NPR Nov 2023; ACLU v. Dunleavy 2021
2
Constituent response
Standard constituent response via governor's office in Juneau and Anchorage. Alaska's 663K sq miles (2.4x Texas) with 741K residents makes constituent service uniquely challenging. 82% of communities off road system. Governor maintains offices in both Juneau (capital) and Anchorage but resides in Wasilla.
Governor's Office Internal Records; Census 2024; AK DOT&PF
3
Town halls held
Holds public events primarily in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, and Mat-Su Valley. Geography limits rural outreach — 82% of communities accessible only by air or water. Mary Vought DC PR contract ($400K) suggests national profile prioritized over Alaska constituent engagement. Limited documented rural village visits.
Governor's Office Schedule; Dermot Cole reporting
2
Constituent satisfaction
WORST/tied-worst approval nationally. Morning Consult: 37% approve, 49% disapprove (Q4 2025) — tied with Iowa's Reynolds for 8th straight quarter. Huge drop from 50%/36% in fall 2025. First time 'underwater' in either term. Alaska Current poll (Aug 2025): 35%/56% (-21 net). Driven by $1,000 PFD (lowest inflation-adjusted ever), Typhoon Halong, federal shutdown, gloomy revenue forecast.
Morning Consult Governor Approval Tracker; Alaska Current Aug 2025; Juneau Independent
0
ADA compliance
Standard ADA compliance. No DOJ ADA enforcement actions against state of Alaska during Dunleavy's tenure. State facilities in Juneau and Anchorage meet accessibility requirements. Remote community infrastructure ADA compliance is challenging given limited road access and aging facilities.
DOJ ADA Reviews; AK Department of Administration
3
Electoral accountability
Won 2022 reelection with 50.3% first-choice votes — no RCV tabulation needed. First AK Republican governor reelected since Jay Hammond (1978). But recall effort (2019-2021) gathered 62,373 signatures (short of 71,252 needed) before being dropped Aug 2021. Former recall leader Meda DeWitt running for governor in 2026.
AK Division of Elections 2022; Ballotpedia recall; Alaska Beacon Feb 2026
2

Section B — State Outcomes 324/975

13 categories measuring real-world outcomes: economic performance, population trends, fiscal health, public safety, education, healthcare, infrastructure, cost of living, transparency, controversy, historical context, constituent satisfaction, and immigration compliance.

BLS LAUS: unemployment 4.7% (Aug 2025), above national ~4.0%. However, employment growth 2.1% (2023-2024) was highest nationally. Oil-dependent economy volatile. BEA: per capita income above national average due to oil industry and PFD. High cost of living erodes purchasing power.
Census/AK DOL: population reached 738,737 (Jul 2025) — highest since 2017. Added only 2,274 people (0.3%) in 2024. 13th consecutive year of net negative domestic migration — 1,740 more people moved out than moved in (2024-2025), extending longest streak since 1945. Natural increase still positive (3,437 births over deaths) but narrowing as population ages. 65+ population grew 4% year-over-year while working-age (18-64) declined 0.4%. Children (0-17) declined 0.3%. AK DOL projects population may decline by 2050 as aging accelerates and natural growth slows. Dunleavy in 2024 State of the State: 'We need everyone. We need more people.' Population essentially stagnant across 7+ year tenure — net change of roughly 0 since Dec 2018 inauguration.
STRUCTURAL DEFICIT. FY2026 budget requires $1.5B from Constitutional Budget Reserve — roughly half the reserve. No state income tax or sales tax. Revenue entirely dependent on oil and Permanent Fund earnings. No fiscal plan enacted in 7+ years of tenure. Unsustainable trajectory. Credit rating AA but under pressure.
FBI UCR 2024: violent crime rate 724/100K — HIGHEST in nation, 101.6% above national average. Property crime 1,711/100K, ranked 22nd. Violent crime declined only 1.3% vs national 5.4% decline. Breakdown: rape 119.8/100K (3.1x national rate), aggravated assault 1,770.4/100K (6.7x national), homicide 7.6/100K (1.3x national), robbery 77.4/100K (1.6x national). Sexual assault rate highest nationally since 2013 — AK DPS 2024 report documents persistent crisis. Property crime dropped 60% since 1985 but violent crime held nearly flat, driven by assaults. Incarceration: ~4,600 in state prisons/jails. ACLU reports average 10 sexual assault complaints/month from state prisons. Alaska Criminal Justice Data Analysis Commission 2024 annual report documents systemic challenges.
NAEP scores below national average. Governor VETOED bipartisan education funding increase TWICE (2024, 2025). Legislature overrode veto in 2025 — governor then used line-item veto to cut $50.6M. Per-student funding has not kept pace with inflation. Rural school challenges severe.
Alaska expanded Medicaid (2015, before Dunleavy). Healthcare access severely limited in rural areas — many communities rely on small clinics or air transport. Highest per-capita healthcare costs in nation. Subscription-style basic health care law passed 2024 (positive). Life expectancy roughly at national average.
FHWA: 141 bridges in poor condition, 577 miles of highway in poor condition. 82% of communities not connected to road system. $3.7B from BIL being deployed. Extreme geography and weather conditions make infrastructure maintenance extraordinarily expensive. Limited broadband in rural areas.
BEA RPP: Alaska among highest cost states, particularly in rural areas. Fuel, food, and housing costs far above national average in remote communities. PFD offsets some cost but has been reduced. Housing extremely expensive. Anchorage more moderate but still above national average.
Alaska Public Records Act (AS 40.25.110-125) requires 10-day response to written requests. data.alaska.gov portal provides datasets on revenue, employment, PFD, and demographics — functional but limited vs larger states. OMB publishes detailed budgets at omb.alaska.gov with 'At a Glance' summaries for each FY. APOC (Alaska Public Offices Commission) enforces lobbying/campaign finance disclosure. Division of Legislative Audit publishes independently at legaudit.akleg.gov. Single Audit compliance maintained per 2 CFR Part 200. BUT: Mary Vought DC-based PR contract ($5K/month, extended 8 times over 4 years without competitive bidding, projected ~$400K by end of 2026) bypassed procurement norms. Clark Penney AIDEA no-bid contract ($8K/month) issued at governor's direct request per internal documents — donor grandson. DOL found 'no violations' but recommended procurement reforms. Governor spent significant time in Wasilla rather than Juneau capital.
2019 massive budget vetoes ($444M) triggered recall effort. Education funding vetoed TWICE despite bipartisan support. Legislature overrode veto — governor then line-item vetoed the override. Mary Vought no-bid PR contract. Structural deficit with no fiscal plan. Worst governor approval rating in nation (-21 net). PFD disputes dominate policy.
Against AK's prior governors: no fiscal plan enacted in entire 7+ year tenure — Alaska's fundamental fiscal challenge (no income tax, no sales tax, structural deficit) remains unresolved despite multiple special sessions and proposals. First AK Republican governor reelected since Jay Hammond (1978) — won 2022 with 50.3% under new RCV system. But recall effort (2019-2021) gathered 62,373 signatures (fell short of 71,252 needed) — driven by $444M in budget vetoes including $130M UA system cut (41% of university funding). Two education veto overrides in single session (2025, 46-14 and 45-14) — unprecedented in modern Alaska history. Population essentially stagnant across tenure (~0 net change). Violent crime rate worst in nation throughout. Credit ratings improved under tenure: S&P upgraded to AA (Apr 2024), Moody's to Aa2 (Jun 2025) — positive. Willow Project approved (Mar 2023) and ANWR leases restored (Oct 2025) — oil policy wins.
WORST governor approval in nation: 35% approve, 56% disapprove (Aug 2025). Net -21. Recall effort gathered substantial signatures (2019-2021). Won 2022 reelection narrowly (~51% in RCV final round). Former recall leader running for governor in 2026. Public broadly unhappy.
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Section C — Oath Fidelity +9 (-378 to +378)

126 items scored -3 to +3 measuring fidelity to constitutional oath. Grounded in Supreme Court precedent and constitutional text.

+3Exemplary +2Strong +1Adequate 0Neutral -1Concerning -2Failing -3Hostile

Protection of Life

Declaration of Independence; 5th/14th Amendments
Score: -6 Range: -93 to 93 Items: 31
Violent crime rate trend
Alaska has the worst violent crime rate in the nation at 724 per 100K — nearly double the national average of ~380. Rate has not meaningfully improved during Dunleavy's 7+ year tenure. Alaska consistently ranks #1 or #2 for violent crime.
FBI UCR/NIBRS; AK DPS crime data
-2
Homicide rate relative to national average
Alaska homicide rate approximately 8-10 per 100K — above national average of ~6.3. Small population creates volatility but rate consistently 25-50% above national average. Rural Alaska and Anchorage drive figures.
FBI UCR/NIBRS; CDC WONDER; AK DPS
-1
Homicide clearance rate
Alaska homicide clearance rate approximately 40-50%. Small case numbers create volatility. Alaska State Troopers cover vast rural areas with limited resources. Near national average clearance despite challenging geography.
FBI UCR Supplementary Homicide Reports; AK DPS
0
Law enforcement staffing adequacy
Alaska State Troopers severely understaffed — responsible for policing area 2.5x the size of Texas with ~400 troopers. Many rural villages have no law enforcement presence at all. Village Public Safety Officer (VPSO) program chronically underfunded. 1 trooper per 4,000+ square miles in rural areas.
AK DPS; VPSO program data; FBI LEOKA
-2
Drug overdose death rate trend
Alaska drug overdose death rate significantly above national average and rising. Fentanyl increasingly appearing in Alaska drug supply despite geographic isolation. Rate approximately 25-30 per 100K — above national average. Interdiction challenging due to vast coastline and air-based drug trafficking routes.
CDC WONDER; NCHS provisional data; AK DHSS
-2
Emergency management preparedness
Alaska emergency management adequate given extreme challenges. State handles earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, flooding, and extreme weather regularly. 2018 Anchorage earthquake (7.1) response effective. FEMA coordination functional. EMAP accreditation maintained.
FEMA SPR; AK DHS&EM; EMAP accreditation
+1
Preventable mass-casualty event response
No major mass-casualty events during tenure requiring response beyond natural disasters. 2018 Anchorage earthquake handled effectively. Regular wildfire and flooding responses adequate. Proactive avalanche and tsunami warning systems maintained.
FEMA after-action reports; AK DHS&EM
+1
Infrastructure safety — bridge and road conditions
Alaska infrastructure challenges extreme — vast distances, permafrost, limited road network. Many roads and bridges in poor condition. Alaska's infrastructure grade among lowest nationally per ASCE. Federal infrastructure funds captured but backlog remains enormous. Climate change accelerating permafrost deterioration.
FHWA NBI; AK DOT; ASCE Alaska infrastructure report
-1
Water and dam safety compliance
Rural Alaska water systems face chronic challenges — many villages lack running water and flush toilets. Urban water systems adequate. Dam inventory limited. No major water contamination crises during tenure. Significant rural water infrastructure needs persist.
EPA SDWIS; AK DEC; NID; rural Alaska water reports
0
Healthcare access — uninsured rate
Alaska uninsured rate approximately 10-11% — higher than many states but improved from pre-ACA levels. Medicaid expansion (Parnell/Walker era, maintained by Dunleavy) covers significant population. However, healthcare access severely limited in rural Alaska — some villages hundreds of miles from hospital.
Census ACS; KFF; AK DHSS
+1
Maternal mortality rate
Alaska maternal mortality data limited by small population (volatile statistics). Rate near national average when sufficient data available. Rural access challenges create maternal health risks. IHS and tribal health systems provide significant coverage for Alaska Native women.
CDC WONDER; NCHS; AK DHSS
0
Infant mortality rate
Alaska infant mortality rate approximately 5.5-6.5 per 1,000 live births — near national average. Alaska Native infant mortality higher. Small population creates statistical volatility. IHS and tribal health programs provide coverage.
CDC WONDER; NCHS; AK DHSS
0
Self-defense rights — Castle Doctrine / Stand Your Ground
Alaska has comprehensive self-defense rights: Castle Doctrine, Stand Your Ground, no duty to retreat anywhere lawfully present, civil immunity for lawful self-defense (AS 09.65.330). Among strongest self-defense frameworks in nation.
AS 11.81.335; AS 09.65.330; NRA-ILA AK law
+3
Death penalty procedural safeguards
Alaska abolished the death penalty (1957). As abolitionist state, maintains LWOP. Basic victim restitution framework in place. No wrongful execution risk. Standard framework for abolitionist state.
AK statutes; Death Penalty Information Center
+1
Suicide prevention program funding and outcomes
Alaska has the highest or second-highest suicide rate in the nation — approximately 28-30 per 100K, roughly double the national average. Rate particularly devastating in rural Alaska Native communities. Despite funded prevention programs, outcomes remain catastrophically poor. 988 integration underway but access limited in remote areas.
CDC WISQARS; AFSP AK fact sheet; AK DHSS
-2
911/emergency response time adequacy
Alaska emergency response times severely challenged by geography. Many rural villages have no 911 service at all — Alaska State Troopers may be hours away by air. Urban areas (Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau) meet standards. Vast majority of land area has inadequate emergency response coverage.
NFPA; AK DHS&EM; AK DPS
-1
Opioid/fentanyl interdiction and treatment funding
Alaska opioid deaths rising as fentanyl penetrates despite geographic isolation. Treatment access severely limited in rural areas. Some funded programs but outcomes worsening. Interdiction challenging due to vast coastline and air trafficking routes. Below-adequate response relative to growing crisis.
SAMHSA; CDC WONDER; AK DHSS; DEA
-1
Veteran suicide and healthcare access
Alaska has significant veteran population (~75K, ~10% of population). Veteran suicide rate elevated. VA healthcare access limited in rural areas. Some state veteran programs but healthcare delivery challenged by geography. Average framework.
VA SAIL; AK DMVA; HUD PIT count
0
Food safety and foodborne illness enforcement
Alaska food safety program functional but challenged by unique circumstances — subsistence hunting/fishing, remote communities, limited infrastructure. No major outbreaks linked to state inspection failures. Standard compliance.
FDA Conformance; AK DEC food safety
0
Workplace fatality rate
Alaska consistently has among the highest workplace fatality rates in the nation — approximately 10-13 per 100K FTE, 2-3x national average. Commercial fishing, oil/gas, aviation, and mining industries extremely hazardous. 'Deadliest Catch' state. Geographic and industrial profile drives inherently high rate.
BLS CFOI; AK OSHA; NIOSH
-2
Domestic violence fatality rate and funding
Alaska has the highest domestic violence rate in the nation. Sexual assault rate 3-4x national average. DV fatality review board exists but outcomes remain worst nationally. Shelter capacity severely inadequate in rural areas. CDVSA (Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault) funded but crisis persists.
NNEDV; BJS; AK CDVSA; AK DPS
-2
Correctional facility death rate and conditions
Alaska correctional facilities at near or above capacity. No active DOJ CRIPA investigation. Death rate near national average. Some overcrowding concerns. SB 91 criminal justice reform (2016) partially repealed under Dunleavy with HB 49 (2019) reintroducing tougher sentencing.
BJS Mortality in State Prisons; AK DOC; DOJ CRIPA
0
Pollution-related mortality and environmental health
Alaska has limited industrial pollution relative to population. Some military base contamination (PFAS at Eielson AFB, etc.). Air quality generally excellent. Superfund sites exist but limited. Pro-development policies prioritize resource extraction. Average environmental health framework.
EPA Green Book; AK DEC; Superfund data
0
Pedestrian and traffic fatality rate
Alaska traffic fatality rate approximately 1.4-1.7 per 100M VMT — above national average. Harsh driving conditions (ice, darkness, wildlife), long distances, and limited road infrastructure contribute. DUI rates among highest nationally.
NHTSA FARS; AK DOT crash data
-1
Sanctity of life legislative framework
Dunleavy actively advocates pro-life position. Proposed constitutional amendment to allow legislature to restrict abortion (failed to advance). Signed parental consent for minor abortion bill. However, AK Supreme Court's State v. Planned Parenthood (2001) interprets privacy clause to protect abortion — Dunleavy constitutionally constrained. Some protections maintained within legal constraints.
AK Constitution Art. I §22; State v. Planned Parenthood; Guttmacher
+1
Homeless mortality — exposure deaths, overdoses in encampments, violence
Alaska faces growing homelessness. Dunleavy initially slashed homeless services by 85%. FY26 budget restored $10.1M. Administration stated 'no plans to clear homeless camps.'
FY2019 budget cuts; FY26 budget; Dunleavy statement July 2024
0
Population loss impact on services — EMS/hospital closures, tax base erosion
Alaska has experienced 13 consecutive years of negative net migration. Working population loss threatens service delivery in rural areas.
Alaska Dept of Labor migration data
-1
Police staffing/funding — governor's direct actions on law enforcement
Dunleavy signed FY2025 budget prioritizing public safety. Alaska faces severe state trooper staffing shortages.
FY2025, FY2026 budget documents
+1
Criminal recidivism from early release — parole/clemency, no-cash-bail
Dunleavy signed legislation repealing most of SB 91 (criminal justice reform) in 2019, reversing soft-on-crime policies.
SB 91 repeal (2019); ADOC recidivism data
+2
Prison/shelter housing — biological males in women's facilities
Alaska DOC houses inmates based on biological sex. Board of Education banned transgender girls from high school sports with Dunleavy's support.
Alaska Board of Education vote; ADOC housing policy
+1
Mental health crisis system — involuntary commitment reform, crisis intervention
Signed HB 172 for crisis intervention reform. But also cut behavioral health grants by $6.1M in 2019. Alaska has among highest suicide rates.
HB 172; 2019 behavioral health budget cuts
0

Constitutional Rights

Bill of Rights (Amendments I-X); 14th Amendment incorporation
Score: 25 Range: -87 to 87 Items: 29
Second Amendment — right to carry status
Alaska has constitutional/permitless carry (since 2003, pre-Dunleavy). No permit required to carry concealed or open. Strong preemption. Among strongest carry frameworks nationally. Dunleavy has maintained and supported this.
AS 18.65.748; USCCA; SCOTUS Bruen
+3
Second Amendment — semi-automatic rifle restrictions
Alaska has ZERO restrictions on semi-automatic rifles beyond federal law. 2A sanctuary provisions in state law (HB 36, 2013). Among most permissive states for firearms. No bans, no feature restrictions.
AK statutes; ATF state compendium; NRA-ILA
+3
Second Amendment — magazine capacity restrictions
Alaska has NO magazine capacity restrictions whatsoever. No limits on magazine capacity. Full preemption of local magazine laws. Among strongest magazine rights nationally.
AK statutes; NRA-ILA; Giffords
+3
Second Amendment — Red Flag / ERPO due process
Alaska has NO ERPO/red flag law. Relies on existing due process mechanisms (involuntary commitment, criminal charges) for firearm restrictions. Strong due process for all firearm proceedings.
AK statutes; NRA-ILA
+3
First Amendment — campus free speech protections
Alaska has no specific campus free speech statute. University of Alaska system is small (3 campuses). No documented suppression incidents. No specific protections enacted. Neutral.
FIRE rankings; AK legislation
0
First Amendment — anti-SLAPP protections
Alaska has limited anti-SLAPP protections. No comprehensive anti-SLAPP statute. Common law protections only. Small population limits SLAPP litigation volume. Neutral framework.
AK statutes; Public Participation Project
0
First Amendment — religious liberty protections
Alaska has strong constitutional privacy and religious exercise protections (Art. I §4). No state RFRA but constitutional protections broadly interpreted. Dunleavy generally supportive of religious liberty. No COVID-era church closure controversies of note in Alaska. Adequate protections.
AK Constitution Art. I §4; Becket Fund
+1
Fourth Amendment — warrant requirements for digital surveillance
Alaska relies on federal Carpenter standard. Strong state privacy clause (Art. I §22) provides some additional protection. No comprehensive state electronic privacy statute. Neutral but privacy clause provides baseline protection.
AK Constitution Art. I §22; EFF
0
Fourth Amendment — civil asset forfeiture reform
Alaska has some civil asset forfeiture reform — conviction generally required for most forfeitures. Reporting requirements in place. Not the strongest reform nationally but adequate protections. Federal equitable sharing participation limited.
Institute for Justice; AK forfeiture statutes
+1
Fifth Amendment — eminent domain protections post-Kelo
Alaska has moderate post-Kelo protections. State constitution and statutes limit eminent domain for private benefit. Remote location reduces economic development takings pressure. Adequate protections in place.
AK Constitution; Castle Coalition; post-Kelo legislation
+1
Due process — regulatory takings and permitting timelines
Alaska permitting timelines standard. Resource extraction permits (oil/gas, mining) generally processed efficiently under pro-development Dunleavy administration. Environmental permits through DEC at standard timelines. No documented political weaponization.
AK DNR; AK DEC; permitting data
0
Tenth Amendment — federal overreach resistance
Dunleavy has pushed back on some federal overreach — opposed federal land management restrictions, pushed for oil development on federal lands (ANWR), challenged EPA regulations. Pro-state sovereignty on resource development. Some resistance to Biden-era environmental regulations.
AK executive orders; federal-state relations; ANWR litigation
+1
Equal Protection — state contracting nondiscrimination
Alaska state contracting maintains standard nondiscrimination provisions. No documented expansion of race-conscious programs post-SFFA. No specific SFFA compliance actions. Neutral posture.
AK procurement code; state contracting data
0
Second Amendment — state preemption of local firearms laws
Alaska has strong firearms preemption (AS 29.35.145). Local governments cannot enact firearms restrictions more restrictive than state law. Enforcement mechanism in place. 2A sanctuary status reinforces preemption.
AS 29.35.145; NRA-ILA; Giffords preemption data
+2
First Amendment — government transparency and FOIA compliance
Alaska Public Records Act provides standard FOIA-equivalent access. Compliance is average. Some delays documented. Dunleavy administration has not dramatically improved or worsened transparency. Neutral compliance.
AK Public Records Act; RCFP; SPJ
0
Sixth Amendment — public defender funding adequacy
Alaska Public Defender Agency chronically underfunded. High caseloads relative to ABA maximums. Remote communities face severe indigent defense access challenges. Some improvements attempted but systemic underfunding persists.
Sixth Amendment Center; AK Public Defender Agency; ABA
-1
Eighth Amendment — bail reform and pretrial detention
Alaska has mixed bail system. SB 91 (2016) reformed pretrial detention but was partially rolled back under Dunleavy (HB 49, 2019). Current system standard — cash bail with some risk assessment. Reasonable balance.
Pretrial Justice Institute; SB 91; HB 49
0
Property rights — regulatory burden and economic freedom
Alaska has low regulatory burden — no income tax, no sales tax, minimal business regulations. Pro-development administration reduces regulatory obstacles for resource extraction. Below-average regulatory burden. Economic freedom high.
Mercatus RegData; Pacific Research Institute; Cato economic freedom
+1
Second Amendment — governor's litigation posture on firearms cases
AK AG supports pro-2A litigation posture. Defends state 2A sanctuary laws. Files pro-2A amicus briefs. Has not pursued any anti-firearms litigation. Consistent pro-2A legal posture throughout Dunleavy tenure.
AK AG filings; amicus briefs; litigation records
+2
First Amendment — compelled speech protections
Alaska has no compelled speech mandates. No mandatory pronoun policies for state employees. No ideological statement requirements for licensing. Conservative administration generally protective of free expression. Adequate protections.
AK statutes; state employee policies
+1
Commerce Clause compliance — interstate trade barriers
Alaska's geographic isolation creates natural commerce challenges but no unconstitutional barriers. Jones Act impacts Alaska shipping costs but is federal law. Standard interstate commerce environment for unique geographic circumstances.
AK commerce statutes; Jones Act; reciprocity agreements
0
Privileges and Immunities — occupational licensing reform
Alaska occupational licensing reform limited. Some military spouse licensing provisions. Licensing burden near national average for unique state circumstances. No comprehensive reform enacted.
IJ License to Work; AK DCCED; NCSL
0
Contract Clause — state compliance with contractual obligations
Alaska PERS ~64.8% funded, TRS ~72.2% funded. Making ARC payments. Bond ratings improved. Structural deficit creates long-term risk to contractual obligations. Mixed — ratings upgraded but deficit threatens sustainability.
AK PERS/TRS CAFR; Pew pension data; S&P/Moody's
0
Jury trial rights — civil and criminal jury access
Alaska jury trial access standard. Small population and remote communities create practical access challenges. Traveling courts address some rural access gaps. No documented erosion of jury rights.
AK court annual reports; NCSC
0
Immigration law compliance — Supremacy Clause adherence
Alaska is not a sanctuary state. Complies with 8 USC §1373. No sanctuary laws. No DLs for undocumented. No in-state tuition for undocumented. Dunleavy approved National Guard assistance to ICE (Dec 2025). However, no E-Verify mandate and Anchorage appeared on DHS sanctuary list (May 2025, disputed). General compliance.
8 USC §1373; FAIR; ICE; AK statutes; DHS sanctuary list
+1
Qualified immunity / due process for officers
Alaska maintains qualified immunity. Generally pro-law enforcement posture.
Alaska Statutes; Governor's public safety positions
+1
Voter ID and ballot chain-of-custody
Dunleavy proposed election integrity legislation in 2022 but had limited legislative success in divided legislature.
Dunleavy 2022 election proposals
+1
Non-citizen voting prevention
No specific proof-of-citizenship requirement enacted. Non-citizen voting minimal issue in Alaska.
Dunleavy proposals; Alaska voter roll data
0
Women's sports / Title IX — biological sex protections in state-funded athletics
Board of Education banned transgender girls from high school sports with Dunleavy's support. HB 183 advancing. Administrative rather than legislative action.
Alaska Board of Education vote Aug 2023
+1

Child Welfare & Parental Rights

Meyer v. Nebraska (1923); Pierce v. Society of Sisters (1925); Troxel v. Granville (2000); Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972); Parham v. J.R. (1979); 14th Amendment substantive due process
Score: -10 Range: -75 to 75 Items: 25
Parental rights legislation — statutory recognition
Alaska has no specific Parental Bill of Rights statute. Common law parental rights maintained. Signed parental consent for minor abortion bill. No comprehensive parental rights legislation enacted. Neutral framework.
AK statutes; NCSL parental rights tracker
0
Education choice — school choice programs
Alaska has charter schools but limited school choice beyond that. No ESA or voucher program enacted despite Dunleavy's support. Education funding vetoed repeatedly, harming public school students. Some correspondence school programs popular in rural Alaska. Below expectations for Republican governor.
EdChoice; AK DOE; Dunleavy education vetoes
-1
Parental notification/consent for medical procedures on minors
Dunleavy signed parental consent requirement for minor abortions. Standard parental consent for medical procedures. Parental authority in medical decisions generally respected. Adequate protections.
AK parental consent statutes; Guttmacher
+1
Gender-transition procedures for minors — restrictions
Alaska has not enacted legislation restricting or facilitating gender-transition procedures for minors. Small population limits the issue's legislative prominence. No specific action taken either direction by Dunleavy.
AK statutes; CMS Medicaid data
0
Child abuse and neglect — substantiated case rate trend
Alaska has among the highest child abuse/neglect rates nationally. Sexual assault rate 3-4x national average generating heavy child protection demand. OCS chronically overwhelmed. Alaska Native communities disproportionately affected. Rate significantly above national average.
ACF NCANDS; AK OCS data; AK DPS
-2
Foster care — CFSR conformity assessment
Federal class-action lawsuit (class certification granted June 2025) alleges Alaska is failing foster children with multiple placements and non-kinship placements far from families. Alaska Native children disproportionately represented. CFSR performance below national standards.
ACF CFSR; class-action lawsuit (June 2025); AK OCS
-2
Foster care — permanency outcomes
Alaska permanency outcomes below national average. Extended time in care for many children. Federal class-action highlights systemic permanency failures. HB 184 (Aug 2024) codifying Alaska Tribal Child Welfare Compact with 18 tribes is positive step but outcomes remain deficient.
ACF AFCARS; AK OCS; HB 184
-1
Child trafficking prevention and prosecution
Alaska has trafficking statute and some enforcement. AG trafficking enforcement present but limited by remote geography. Safe harbor provisions exist. Challenge of policing vast territory limits effectiveness. Average framework.
Polaris Project; Shared Hope International; AK AG
0
Education outcomes — 4th grade NAEP reading proficiency
Alaska 4th grade NAEP reading approximately 26-29% proficient — below national average. Education funding vetoes (2024, 2025) undermined improvement efforts. Wide disparities between urban and rural schools. Below-average outcomes worsened by funding battles.
NCES NAEP state results; AK DOE
-1
Education outcomes — 8th grade NAEP math proficiency
Alaska 8th grade NAEP math approximately 24-27% proficient — below national average. Rural schools particularly challenged. Education funding disputes with legislature have not helped outcomes. Below expectations.
NCES NAEP state results
-1
Parental curriculum transparency
Alaska has no specific parental curriculum transparency statute. General access to curriculum on request. Small school districts and community involvement provide informal transparency. Standard framework.
AK DOE; school district policies
0
Social media — minor protections
Alaska has not enacted specific social media minor protection legislation. Reliance on federal COPPA baseline. Small population limits legislative attention to this issue. Neutral.
AK statutes; NCSL tracker
0
Juvenile justice — age-appropriate treatment
Alaska juvenile justice system standard. HB 49 (2019) reversed some SB 91 reforms, toughening youth sentencing slightly. Juvenile jurisdiction maintained. Some rehabilitation programs. Average framework.
AK DJJ; OJJDP; Campaign for Youth Justice
0
Child poverty rate and state response
Alaska child poverty rate approximately 14-16%. PFD provides universal cash transfer to all residents including children (~$1,312 in 2024). High cost of living offsets some PFD benefit. Average child poverty relative to national rate.
Census ACS SAIPE; KIDS COUNT; AK PFD Division
0
Adoption and permanency — adoptive family support
Alaska adoption framework standard. Subsidized adoption available. Tribal child welfare compact (HB 184) addresses Alaska Native placement. Small population limits adoption pool. Standard framework.
ACF AFCARS; AK OCS; HB 184
0
Homeschool rights and protections
Alaska has relatively permissive homeschool laws. Notification required but minimal oversight. Correspondence school programs popular and well-funded. Diploma recognition. Sports access. Adequate homeschool environment.
HSLDA AK law; AK education statutes
+1
Child sexual abuse material (CSAM) enforcement
Alaska participates in ICAC task force. AG enforcement of CSAM present. Remote geography and internet connectivity challenges complicate enforcement. Standard participation with geographic constraints.
ICAC; AK AG; NCMEC
0
School safety — violence prevention and incident response
Alaska school safety programs standard. Small schools in rural areas face unique challenges (isolated, limited security infrastructure). No major school safety incidents during tenure. Basic framework in place.
AK DOE; NASRO; school safety reports
0
Children's mental health services access
Alaska children's mental health access severely limited in rural areas. School counselor ratios below national standards. Behavioral health crisis in rural Alaska Native communities. Some funded programs but access gaps enormous in bush Alaska.
ASCA; AK DHSS; SAMHSA
-1
Childhood vaccination — parental choice protections
Alaska allows religious and medical exemptions for childhood vaccinations. Strong parental choice framework. No mandates beyond standard CDC schedule. Parental authority in vaccination decisions respected.
NCSL vaccination data; AK immunization statutes
+1
Child care affordability and access
Alaska childcare costs among highest in nation due to geography and limited supply. Childcare deserts widespread in rural Alaska. Subsidy eligibility limited. High cost of living makes affordability particularly challenging. Below-adequate access.
ACF CCDF; NWLC; Center for American Progress
-1
Education — teacher quality and retention
Alaska teacher retention among worst nationally — rural schools face chronic vacancies and extreme turnover. Teacher salaries not competitive with cost of living. Many rural positions filled with temporary or emergency-certified teachers. Education funding vetoes exacerbated staffing challenges.
AK DOE; NEA salary rankings; NCES
-2
Child nutrition — food insecurity rate
Alaska child food insecurity above national average, particularly in rural communities. High food costs in bush Alaska (food prices 2-3x national average in remote villages). School meal programs operational but geographic challenges limit reach.
USDA ERS; Feeding America; AK DOE
-1
Custody and family court — due process in child removal
Alaska family court system meets standard due process requirements. Tribal courts handle some Alaska Native family cases through ICWA. Standard protections. Some access challenges in remote areas.
AK child welfare statutes; ICWA; ABA
0
Children with disabilities — IDEA compliance
Alaska IDEA compliance near standard levels. Some rural access challenges for special education services. OSEP rating typical. Standard performance with geographic constraints.
OSEP annual determinations; AK IDEA Part B data
0

Faithful Discharge of Duties

Gubernatorial oath: 'I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office'; Article IV, Section 4; state constitutional requirements
Score: 0 Range: -123 to 123 Items: 41
Budget balance — structural surplus/deficit
Alaska running structural deficits for 7+ years with no fiscal plan enacted. FY2026 proposed $1.5B deficit; FY2027 proposes $1.8B draw from savings. CBR at $2.9B but drawing 60%+ annually. No income tax, no sales tax, oil revenue declining. Dunleavy has not enacted sustainable fiscal plan despite 7+ years in office.
AK Legislative Finance Division; Alaska Beacon; Dermot Cole analysis
-2
State credit rating stability
Credit ratings improved: S&P upgraded to AA (Apr 2024), Moody's upgraded to Aa2 (Jun 2025). Kroll AA stable (Jul 2023). However, ratings agencies credit legislative restraint on PFD spending, not executive fiscal plan. AA level = +1 adequate.
S&P Apr 2024; Moody's Jun 2025; Kroll Jul 2023
+1
Rainy day / budget stabilization fund adequacy
CBR rebuilt to $2.9B but FY2027 budget proposes $1.8B draw (60%+ of balance). Trajectory risks depletion within 2 years. Using savings to fund operations rather than building reserves. Mixed — balance rebuilt but being spent down rapidly.
AK CBR data; Legislative Finance Division; Dermot Cole
0
Pension system funding responsibility
PERS ~64.8% funded, TRS ~72.2% funded. Making ARC payments. Gradual improvement but legacy unfunded liability persists. Average pension management — not improving dramatically but making required contributions.
AK PERS/TRS CAFR; Pew pension data
0
State debt burden
Alaska has very low state debt per capita — among lowest nationally. No income tax revenue base to support debt but low borrowing. Debt-to-GDP well below national median. Conservative debt posture.
Census debt data; AK Treasury; Moody's
+2
Government efficiency — state employee headcount per capita
Alaska has among the highest state employee per capita ratios nationally — driven by geographic requirements (troopers, maintenance, services across vast territory). Dunleavy's 2019 proposed massive budget cuts (including $135M from University of Alaska) triggered recall effort. State workforce large relative to small population but geography requires it.
Census Public Employment; BLS; AK budget
-1
Inspector General / state auditor independence
Alaska Legislative Auditor operates independently. Reports published without interference. Dunleavy has not obstructed audit findings. Standard oversight maintained. Some controversy over no-bid contracts but auditor functioned independently.
AK Legislative Audit Division; state IG reports
+1
Ethics violations and personal scandals
No criminal charges but several controversies: $400K no-bid PR contract, 2019 massive budget cuts triggering recall petition (gathering 49,000+ signatures before effort expired), education funding vetoes generating public backlash. Recall petition gathered sufficient signatures to qualify but technicalities prevented ballot placement. No personal corruption.
AK ethics records; recall petition records; media coverage
-1
Executive order restraint
Dunleavy's executive orders within constitutional bounds. No EOs struck down by courts. Line-item vetoes of education funding controversial but within gubernatorial authority. EO volume near historical norms. Generally restrained use of executive power.
AK EO database; court rulings
+1
Emergency powers — adherence to statutory limits
COVID emergency declarations within statutory limits. No court challenges to emergency powers. Legislative cooperation on emergency measures. Powers relinquished without prolonged disputes. Standard emergency power usage.
AK emergency statutes; legislative records
+1
Legislative cooperation — veto override rate
Education funding vetoed repeatedly — legislature overrode veto, Dunleavy then line-item vetoed the override. Contentious relationship with legislature on education, PFD amount, and fiscal policy. Multiple override attempts. Higher-than-average conflict with legislature.
AK Legislature veto records; education funding history
-1
Judicial appointments — qualifications and process integrity
Alaska uses judicial selection commission (Alaska Judicial Council). Dunleavy has sometimes clashed with council over appointee recommendations. Standard appointment process followed. No appointees removed for cause.
AK Judicial Council; appointment records
0
Timely execution of laws — implementation of enacted legislation
Generally implemented enacted legislation. Education funding implementation delayed by repeated vetoes. HB 49 criminal justice reform implemented. Tribal child welfare compact (HB 184) implemented. Standard execution with notable education funding exceptions.
AK agency rulemaking; legislative oversight
0
Federal fund utilization — grant management
Alaska captures significant federal funds relative to population. IIJA infrastructure funds secured. FEMA declarations processed. Federal program compliance maintained. No major audit findings or clawbacks. Adequate federal fund management.
Federal Audit Clearinghouse; USAspending.gov; AK ACFR
+1
Public approval as competence indicator
Dunleavy has worst or near-worst governor approval nationally — approximately 35% average. Recall effort gathered 49,000+ signatures. 2019 budget cuts, education vetoes, and PFD disputes have eroded public confidence. Won 2022 reelection with plurality (50.3%) in four-way race but chronically low approval.
Morning Consult; Alaska poll data; 2022 election results
-2
State IT security and data protection
Alaska state IT at standard levels. PFD online application system functional. No major data breaches reported during tenure. Limited IT modernization investment. Standard cybersecurity framework.
AK DOA IT; NASCIO; state auditor
0
Infrastructure spending — capital budget execution
Alaska infrastructure execution constrained by vast distances and high costs. IIJA funds being deployed. Some capital projects proceeding but massive backlog. Average execution rate given extreme geographic challenges.
AK DOT; ASCE; capital budget data
0
Disaster fund readiness
Alaska maintains adequate disaster reserves given unique risk profile (earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, wildfires, flooding). FEMA cost-share met. Pre-positioned resources for earthquake/tsunami zones. Standard disaster readiness.
AK DHS&EM; FEMA BRIC data; emergency fund balances
+1
Workforce development — unemployment system integrity
Alaska UI trust fund at adequate levels. No catastrophic fraud losses like some states. Processing times standard. UI fraud below national average. Moderate UI system performance. Unemployment rate ~4.7%.
DOL UI Data Summary; AK DOL
0
Medicaid program integrity
Alaska Medicaid costs highest per capita nationally ($16,000+/enrollee) driven by geography and provider scarcity. Standard error rates. No major CMS sanctions. Budget within appropriation given high per-capita costs. Average integrity.
CMS PERM; AK DHSS Medicaid; state auditor
0
Election administration — constitutional compliance
Alaska uses ranked-choice voting (Ballot Measure 2, 2020). Voter ID not strictly required. Paper ballot trail maintained. Election administration standard. Some controversies over ranked-choice system but constitutionally implemented through ballot measure.
EAC EAVS; AK Division of Elections; Ballot Measure 2
0
Transparency — state budget accessibility
Alaska budget documents available online through OMB. Permanent Fund and CBR balances publicly tracked. Legislative Finance Division provides independent analysis. Standard budget transparency.
AK OMB; Legislative Finance Division; U.S. PIRG
+1
Intergovernmental cooperation — federal compliance balanced with sovereignty
Alaska not a sanctuary state. Cooperates with federal immigration enforcement — Dunleavy approved National Guard assistance to ICE (Dec 2025). Federal compliance balanced with sovereignty pushback on land management and resource development. Adequate federal-state balance.
8 USC §1373; ICE cooperation; AK National Guard ICE deployment
+1
Gubernatorial succession and continuity planning
Lt. Governor Nancy Dahlstrom (2019-2023), then Kevin Meyer (prior), now current LG in place. Clear succession. COOP plan exists. Standard continuity planning for remote state.
AK Constitution succession; emergency management
+1
Anti-corruption — state procurement integrity
No-bid $400K PR contract drew criticism during tenure. Otherwise competitive bidding maintained. Small state procurement pool limits competition naturally. No criminal corruption but no-bid contract undermines integrity standards.
AK procurement records; media coverage; state auditor
-1
Gas price burden — state gas taxes, refinery regulations, cap-and-trade
Alaska gas prices inherently high due to geography. Gas tax among lowest in nation (~8 cents). No cap-and-trade.
Alaska gas tax rate; HB 50, HB 307, HB 273
0
Energy affordability — residential electricity costs from state policy
Alaska has nation's second-highest energy burden at 4.3% of household income. Rural communities pay 3-5x national average.
Alaska Energy Burden Report; HB 307, HB 273
-1
Energy policy competence — forced mandates without infrastructure readiness
Signed three energy bills in 2024. No forced transition mandates. Grid remains vulnerable in remote areas.
HB 50, HB 307, HB 273 (2024)
0
Property tax burden — effective rate vs national median
Alaska has no statewide property tax. Dunleavy maintained low-tax framework.
Alaska borough property tax data; Alaska fiscal structure
+1
Regulatory cost burden — permits, compliance costs per household/business
Administrative Order 360 requiring agencies to reduce regulations by 15% before 2027 and 25% before 2028.
Administrative Order 360
+1
Unfunded mandates on municipalities
Alaska's unique governance structure means unfunded mandates less of an issue.
Alaska borough governance structure
0
Cost of living trajectory — policy-driven affordability trend
Alaska cost of living remains among highest in nation. 13 consecutive years of net outmigration.
Alaska Affordability Act; BLS cost of living data
-1
Immigration fiscal burden — taxpayer cost of sanctuary/benefits policies
Alaska is not a sanctuary state. Immigration is not major fiscal issue given remote geography.
Alaska immigration data; No sanctuary policies
+1
Homelessness spending accountability — spending vs measurable outcomes
Alaska's homelessness spending modest. No outcome tracking framework.
FY26 budget; AHFC program data
0
Encampment enforcement — response to SCOTUS Grants Pass ruling
Administration stated 'no plans to clear homeless camps.' No statewide camping ban. Passive approach.
Dunleavy statement July 2024; FY26 budget
-1
Net domestic migration trend — people leaving vs arriving
Alaska has experienced 13 consecutive years of negative net domestic migration — longest streak since 1945.
Alaska Dept of Labor; Census population estimates
-2
Business exodus — corporate HQ and jobs relocating due to policy
Alaska faces negative job growth forecasts. Limited corporate HQ relocations. Business climate challenging.
SE Conference forecast; Alaska labor market data
-1
DA accountability — governor's power to remove rogue prosecutors
Alaska's small population means rogue prosecutor issues not significant.
Alaska governor constitutional powers
0
Election infrastructure — ballot harvesting, drop box security, audit transparency
Proposed election integrity legislation but had limited success. Controversially shared voter data with DOJ.
Dunleavy proposals; Voter data sharing Feb 2026
0
Weaponization of state agencies — using AG/regulatory bodies against political opponents
No documented pattern of weaponizing state agencies.
Efficiency orders Aug 2025; No documented complaints
0
Foreign adversary protections — Chinese land, TikTok bans, Confucius Institutes
No Alaska legislation restricting Chinese land purchases or banning TikTok documented.
Alaska legislative tracker
0
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