Governor Sean Parnell’s candid comments regarding Ketchikan’s lawsuit against the state over school funding drew some response. Sen. Bert Stedman, a Republican from Sitka, listened to the interview and said he believes it’s the right of every citizen to petition the government.
Stedman added he didn’t believe there will be any backlash against Ketchikan in the Legislature. He said a House bill submitted by North Pole Republican Tammie Wilson would do what the Ketchikan lawsuit is asking for, and he doesn’t believe North Pole will be discriminated against, either.
Ketchikan Assembly Member Agnes Moran, speaking for herself, said it would be unfortunate if there were repercussions. She said the lawsuit is the borough’s legal right, and Ketchikan isn’t the first municipality to sue the state.
Moran noted that the point of the lawsuit is not to avoid paying for schools, it’s to find a solution that’s fair to everyone. She said she was surprised to hear Parnell’s comments.
Moran said that if the community wasn’t obligated to pay a certain amount for local schools, Ketchikan wouldn’t need as much help with capital projects.
