Sean Parnell

Bill Walker announced early Monday that he will not be entering the race for governor as a write-in candidate. Still, he said in a release, “my commitment to Alaska and the critical issues that caused me to enter this race over one year ago remains strong.” Walker said that he wants to remain active in the political process and that he plans to continue educating the public about the all-Alaska gas line. Walker finished behind Gov. Sean Parnell in the Republican primary election.

The University of Alaska Board of Regents approved a 2012 operating and capital budgets for the 16-campus system Tuesday. The blueprint now goes to Gov. Sean Parnell. The budget totals $82.5 million in state general funds, matched by $130 million in University dollars. Most of that money would go toward the university's long list of maintenance and repairs. The budget includes a 2-percent salary increase for non-unionized staff taking effect July 1, 2011, than an additional 1-percent increase in January 2012.

Gov. Sean Parnell has appointed two Fairbanks residents to the University of Alaska Board of Regents. Mike Powers and Jyotsna "Jo" Heckman were appointed Saturday. The regents govern the UA system, and are responsible for appointing its president. Heckman is the president of Denali State Bank and a graduate of the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Powers has been the CEO of Fairbanks Memorial Hospital and Denali Center since 1995. They will take over for outgoing regents Cynthia Henry and Erik Drygas, whose terms are up. Contact Lori Tipton at ltipton@ktuu.

by The Associated Press Saturday, July 10, 2010 ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Gov. Sean Parnell has named an assistant district attorney to the Kotzebue Superior Court. Paul Roetman will replace Judge Richard Erlich, who has retired. Parnell says Roetman's experience prosecuting domestic violence and sexual assault is in line with his administration's efforts to end the violence within a decade. Roetman has been working as an assistant district attorney in Palmer.

Financial reports for candidates for governor have been released, and on the Republican side, incumbent Sean Parnell is ahead of his challengers. His campaign has raised nearly $450,000 total, with more than $230,000 in the last six months. Bill Walker reported $299,000 in contributions and income, most of which is from his personal savings. The campaign for Ralph Samuels reported $129,000 for this period. Among the Democrats, Ethan Berkowitz's campaign reported contributions this period that totaled $114,000.

The Department of Transportation has re-opened a stretch of the Taylor Highway from Chicken to the intersection of the Top of the World Highway at Milepost 95. Travelers can access the Top of the World Highway and the Canadian border. The state is asking drivers to drive slowly as weather conditions have left the Taylor Highway muddy with soft shoulders. Heavy rains earlier this month wiped out or damaged sections of the road, prompting Gov. Sean Parnell to declare the highway a state disaster area.

Gov. Sean Parnell has denied Bill Walker's request to make natural gas pipeline company TransCanada's open season results public. Walker, a Republican candidate for governor, filed a request asking Parnell to make results public after the open season closes July 31. Parnell responded Thursday, citing logistical concerns in a letter submitted to Walker, and said results will not become public until after the election in November. Walker has submitted a request for reconsideration, and is accusing Parnell of keeping Alaskans in the dark about an issue that might determine the state's economic future.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Walker scored a major endorsement Monday, winning the support of the state's largest labor union in the upcoming Republican primary. On the Democratic side, Alaska AFL-CIO President Vince Beltrami said state Sen. Hollis French and former lawmaker Ethan Berkowitz both have strong labor records. Candidates were asked to respond to questionnaires, and the union favored Walker's responses on issues like the need for good jobs and benefits. Beltrami said Ralph Samuels returned the questionnaire, but Gov. Sean Parnell did not.

by The Associated Press Saturday, January 2, 2010 JUNEAU, Alaska -- Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell wants the Environmental Protection Agency to halt its effort to regulate greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act. In a letter to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, Parnell says the proposed regulations would bury Alaska's businesses, institutions and state environmental agencies in paperwork without accomplishing its goal. Parnell says he wants the EPA to wait on the rules until Congress comes up with a solution to the greenhouse gas problem.

by The Associated Press Wednesday, January 27, 2010 JUNEAU, Alaska -- A study by an engineering firm estimates the 500-mile road to Nome championed by Gov. Sean Parnell could cost as much as $2.7 billion. Parnell is asking the Legislature to spend $2 million in the coming year for more study and engineering for the highway, which would improve access to villages and open the area for gold and silver mining.