Same-Sex Marriage, Immigration arrest of U.S. Citizen, NRA Alaska Governor Endorsement

For those of you who don't know, the "Respect for Marriage Act" passed the House yesterday with a total of 267 votes, 47 of which were Republican votes.

The Respect for Marriage Act repeals the Defense of Marriage Act (H.R. 3396) and ensures that marriages valid under the law of the state where they were performed are recognized for purposes of federal law and benefits. It also provides additional legal protections for marriage equality from those fighting against it while acting under the color of state law.

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Carlos Rios, a United States citizen, filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, last week, against Pierce County and Pierce County Jail deputies, seeking declaratory relief and damages for his unlawful imprisonment and violations of his civil rights under federal and state law. He is represented in the case by the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP), the ACLU of Washington, and Rekhi & Wolk, P.S.

Apparently, he was arrested on a misdemeaner, charges were dropped, but immigration officials ordered him to be held for immigration violation, even though he is a U.S. citizen.

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The National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) is proud to announce its endorsement of Mike Dunleavy for Governor in the 2022 Alaska Primary.

"Mike Dunleavy has demonstrated steadfast support for our Second Amendment freedoms," said Jason Ouimet, chairman, NRA-PVF. “He has worked tirelessly to secure Alaska's rich hunting heritage and defend our Constitutional right to self-defense."

GOVERNOR WALKER ISSUES STATEMENT ON DEPT. OF INTERIOR’S FIVE-YEAR OFFSHORE LEASING PLAN

Source: Alaska Governor’s Office



Anchorage, AK - January 8, 2017 - (The Ponder News) -- Governor Bill Walker issued the following statement after the U.S. Department of Interior released its new draft Five-Year Oil and Gas Offshore Leasing Program for the Outer Continental Shelf. The proposal includes 19 lease sales in Alaska.

“The Department of Interior’s draft five-year offshore leasing plan is an important step toward allowing Alaskans to responsibly develop our natural resources as we see fit. My administration is committed to responsible resource development, and has established a pattern of working successfully with our Congressional Delegation and federal agencies to unleash Alaska’s energy potential. I thank Secretary Zinke for his Department’s work on this plan, and invite him to cooperatively engage with Alaskans as the plan’s development process continues. We look forward to continued dialogue to ensure that any offshore development takes into account environmental and safety concerns, and robust input from community residents who live, work, and subsist in the lease sale areas included in this proposed plan.” –Governor Bill Walker

The Department’s proposed plan for Outer Continental Shelf leasing for 2019-2024 is available here .


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Murkowski: Latest Sturgeon Decision an Affront to All Alaskans

Washington, D.C. - October 5, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, released the following statement slamming the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit for again ruling against John Sturgeon, an Alaskan who sued the National Park Service after being forced off of the Nation River in 2007 for using a hovercraft to hunt moose, as he had been doing for decades.

Just last year, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled unanimously (8-0) in favor of Mr. Sturgeon, who has fought his way through federal courts for 10 years to secure justice and his right to have reasonable access to lands and waters in Alaska. His fight has become symbolic of the burdensome and unwarranted use restrictions the federal government has sought to apply in Alaska in recent years.

“This is a hard punch in the gut. Eighteen months ago, the nation’s highest court rejected what it called the Ninth Circuit’s ‘topsy-turvy approach’ to Mr. Sturgeon’s case, sending it back for further proceedings,” Murkowski said. “Unfazed, the same judge on the Ninth Circuit has announced a follow-on decision that again denies Mr. Sturgeon his rights. This is an affront to all Alaskans, and yet another example of a court that is deeply out of touch with both the law and the people. This decision cannot be allowed to stand.”

Murkowski is chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Along with Sen. Dan Sullivan, also R-Alaska, she is cosponsoring S. 296, a bill to reform the present division of the federal Courts of Appeals. Murkowski believes the Ninth Circuit should be split into two courts so that Alaskans have at least a chance of laws, such as the Alaska National Interest Land Conservation Act, being fairly interpreted and applied in their legal proceedings.

Alaska governor, senators respond to Korean missile threat

Fairbanks News Miner

Tension between the U.S. and North Korea after bold statements from leaders of both nations has raised concern among Alaska’s top civilian officials.

Gov. Bill Walker said he was “concerned” about a missile potentially hitting the state.

Given Alaska’s strategic location as the second-closest state to North Korea, behind Hawaii, these recent developments underscore the need to expand military presence in the state, Walker said.

“No one’s hiding under the desk that I know of at this point,” Walker said in an interview for Politico’s “Off Message” podcast that was released Tuesday. “But we do have to make sure we have the technology and awareness of what could happen.”

Alaska is in the trajectory zone from North Korea, Walker said.

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