Alaska’s First Income Tax

The following opinion piece was originally published in the Alaska Dispatch News. Let’s pretend I was able to license this amazing photo of Ernest Gruening and include it with the commentary.

grueningIncome taxes are unpopular, but after reading up on our history, I am strongly in favor of one for us today. An income tax is important to our state’s social health and budgetary diversity, it’s a mark of ownership and a declaration of independence from outside influence.

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007 – Marmot Day

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Hello Alaska
007 - Marmot Day
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marmot day

Happy Marmot Day! In this episode we explore the origins of Marmot Day, debunk the no-groundhog myth and visit with naturalist and part-time bowler, Jen Karnik.

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006 – Welcome to Juneau

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Hello Alaska
006 – Welcome to Juneau
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Juneau

Hello Alaska! It’s the first day of legislative session, let’s trudge up the hill to the capitol building press room and welcome Matt to the capital city.

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005 – Fairbanks Four, Part 2

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005 - Fairbanks Four, Part 2
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Fairbanks Four part 2

Hello Alaska! In this episode we wrap up our discussion on the Fairbanks Four, a group of young men who were recently released after 18 years in prison for a murder they said they didn’t commit. We’ll talk about the critical testimony that helped put them away, why it had its problems and how this case fits in with other recent notable innocence project efforts.

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004 – Fairbanks Four, Part 1

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004 - Fairbanks Four, Part 1
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Fairbanks Four Part 1

Hello Alaska! In this episode we start talking about the story of the Fairbanks Four, a group of young men who were convicted of killing a teenager on a street corner in downtown Fairbanks. The four, three are Alaska Native, have always argued their innocence, arguing that racial bias and police misconduct put them away.

Warning: This episode contains both graphic descriptions of a murder and spoilers. 

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