Will Alaska pay price for ousting Stevens?

[DainBramaged]

(God, I hope so, and maybe Sarah Failing will too)

What happens to Alaska's notorious dependence on federal spending now that Ted Stevens' 40-year Senate career has come to a end? Without an "Uncle Ted" to redistribute America's wealth north and with an "Aunt Lisa" or "Uncle Mark" lacking his longevity and clout, will the state's economy come crashing down?

No, say some of the academic experts and critics who have studied the Alaska-federal relationship, though there's liable to be some hurt spread around. In interviews over the last week, representatives from a sample of agencies and nonprofits that have benefited from Stevens' earmarks and legislation expressed a mixture of hope, caution and concern.

Adding to some of the insecurity over Stevens' departure is the condition of the overall economy and how that might affect grants from corporations and foundations.

"So what happens now? It's a real timely question," said George Cannelos, federal co-chair of the Denali Commission, an agency that has parceled out about a billion dollars for infrastructure projects in the Bush since its creation by Stevens a decade ago.

"If this were five years ago and Sen. Stevens left the stage, I think the commission would've been in great jeopardy," said Cannelos, one of the hopeful.

MORE at the link.

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/politics/story/56714.html

[brentspeak]

1. I don't want Alaska's economy to suffe, just for the disproportionate flow of federal $$ to stop

[DainBramaged]

2. Exactly, they were getting a disproportionate amount of Federal funds

Time to even the playing field. I live in NJ, we haven't got shit since the Thugs took over in 1994. Maybe we'll get some of the highway funds this year.

[backscatter712]

3. Alaska should be rewarded for ousting Stevens.

Maybe not in the form of pork, but hey, having elected officials working for you that aren't assclowns is certainly a reward in itself.

[Arctic Dave]

4. Yeah, what will happen to all those well paid executives and adminstrators

who will have to find real jobs.

[DainBramaged]

5. Guess they be workin down at the docks hey!

:rofl:

[NYC_SKP]

6. Of all states, Alaska should receive the least, proportionately, IMO.

That state is so damned rich in resources and receives such wealth from it's mineral rights, etc., and it's population density so low, that it simply isn't in a position to NEED federal funds to the same degree as many other states.

I'll be happy to hear other opinions, particularly from Alaskans, but I think I'm correct on this point.

I would add that exceptions could include taking adequate care of indigenous populations there and other underserved folks.

NYC_SKP