Dear readers,
How much of a role does faith play in politics?
Last week we asked, “Which branch of the Alaska state government is most off course?” Check out the Nifty Numbers section for results!
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Table of Contents
Happy Easter!
Reflection: Canceled Debt
By Natalie Spaulding
Debt is the norm in America. Nearly every American household carries some kind of debt. As of December 2025, the average total debt (including credit card debt, car loans, student loans, mortgages, and other household debt) per household is $178,102. The sum total owed in the U.S. by consumers is a whopping $18.78 trillion.
Adding to the weight of personal debt is the enormous national debt, which has risen to approximately $39 trillion. America’s federal debts grew $88,000 every second over the past year.
Essential Conversations
HB 157 Analysis: Pro-Family Bill Protects Sibling Relationships in Adoption Cases
By Natalie Spaulding
Chances are you have not heard of House Bill 157. Although unfortunately underreported by Alaska’s news sources, HB 157 is a pro-family bill worthy of attention.
HB 157 provides legal protection for sibling relationships when a child is being adopted out of the foster care system. The bill does two things: 1) it mandates adoption courts to consider whether post-adoption visitation with a sibling is in the best interest of the child being adopted and 2) amends existing adoption law to maintain a legal bond between siblings that can no longer be broken by adoption.
Alaska Politics
Senate Passes SJR 2, Bill to Limit Governor’s Veto Power
By Natalie Spaulding
Yesterday, March 31, 2026, the Alaska State Senate passed SJR 2, which lowers the veto override vote requirement from 3/4th of the Legislature to 2/3rd, specifically to override a governor’s veto of “bills to raise revenue and appropriation bills or items.”
The bill’s sponsor is Senator Matt Claman (D-Anchorage) who argues that the bill matches Alaska’s legislative power with that of the rest of the nation. Alaska has the highest voting requirement for overriding a veto on revenue or appropriations matters. Most states require a 2/3 vote from both legislative chambers to override a gubernatorial veto. A handful of states have even lower requirements..
Senate Grants Unorganized Borough Representation in Local Boundary Commission
By Natalie Spaulding
On April 1, 2026, the Alaska State Senate unanimously passed SB 63, a bill which adds a sixth member to the Commission to represent the Unorganized Borough and extends the term limit to six years.
The Local Boundary Commission will now consist of one member from each judicial district, one member from the Unorganized Borough, and one state-appointed member.
Anchorage Politics
Anchorage Vote Centers Open Now!
By Natalie Spaulding
Calling all Anchorage residents! It is time to get out and do your civic duty. Election day for the Anchorage Assembly and School Board is in one week! Anchorage Vote Centers are now open for in-person voting, lost or damaged ballot replacement, mailed ballot drop-off, and voter assistance services.
There are three voting centers available: at Anchorage City Hall, Loussac Library, and Eagle River Town Center. Voting centers are open 9am-6pm weekdays, 12pm-4pm on Saturday, and 7am-8pm on Election Day, April 7.
Nifty Numbers
Which branch of the Alaska state government is most off course?
1) Executive: 37 votes
2) Legislative: 96 votes
3) Judicial: 27 votes
Total Votes: 160
Key Industry Numbers
Alaska Oil: $105.78 per barrel
Alaska Residential Gas Price: $12.92/kcf
Henry Hub Weekly Spot: $2.95/mmBTU
Alaska North Slope Production: ~477,000 barrels per day
Permanent Fund (Principal + Earnings Reserve): ~$81.0 billion
Must Read Alaska Show
In this must-listen episode, Todd Lindley sits down with Brian Flynn, the conservative private-sector candidate challenging incumbent Anna Brawley in the Anchorage Assembly District 3 West Anchorage rematch. Flynn pulls no punches on what residents are really seeing: 15-20 foot snow piles blocking cul-de-sacs while officials claim victory, skyrocketing property taxes, a homelessness system that “recycles” people from winter shelters to summer streets, and crime ordinances that exist on paper but never get enforced.
Flynn lays out his bold, no-nonsense plan: a forensic spending audit before any new taxes, a centralized triage hub that actually matches people to the right help (not just the nearest bed), real accountability for APD, protection of the Eklutna Dam, and a push for the Railbelt gas line to keep energy affordable. He also shares his elevator pitch for why adventurous Alaskans should choose Anchorage — and why it’s time to bring private-sector discipline to City Hall.
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Thank you for reading! Until next time,
The MRAK Team
A Force for Good