The following link - to a 2006 set of remarks on transportation dollars given by Governor Palin - was listed in the Anchorage Daily News [viewed in pdf format on the "newseum" – a great site] – but was not readily accessible from the actual site of adn.com; the newspaper's interior website linked only to Palin’s RNC remarks and a video on the Ebay sale of the plane.
So, I wrote directly to two of the Anchorage paper’s journalists. One kindly sent me the link - which does not appear to show any indication of going through the newspaper. At the time I viewed it, Palin's remarks had only been viewed by 19 people since its early August placement online. Let's up that number!
Others' analyses welcome; mine is that Governor Palin appears to be pushing for establishing a more nuanced way to get the same kinds of ongoing dollars that she still seems to seek for Alaska – while lauding the funds already provided by the Transportation Act that Don Young co-authored; saying that the only problem in getting money – and the reason that the method might have to change --is the "reality" that Congress holds a less-than-favorable view of the state of Alaska [implicitly referring to Alaska's enormous oil revenues; perhaps to Young himself...].
She also pushes for an "Alaska First" education system to "skill up" Alaska's students for jobs so the state is not forced into "importin" people for the "legacy" jobs she wants. [Knowledgable dkos-ites; by "legacy," I presume she means development that will produce ongoing jobs for maintenance]
I am not too adept at links so here is the full link, with my attempt at a transcript, below:
http://utube.smashits.com/...
Emphasis is by the Governor and where possible is shown via bold; shortened pronunciation is as I heard it...
When I was a municipal mayor and administrator... I was frustrated at times with the state process and the federal process to produce our road money; I think it should be all about local control and priorities because people at the local level are best able to make judgments on the projects that do affect
0.23
Now I’m going to fight hard with our federal delegation for the federal financial support of our infrastructure that Alaska deserves.
It may have to take though, minimizing that conventional earmark process, though, in federal funding – because Alaska – the reality –we’re not always seen in a real favorable light in Congress, and we need to find a real diplomatic and supportable way to go about requesting those federal funds.
And out congressional delegation – god bless em – they do a great job for us – the strength of our delegation there in DC is the envy of all other states.
But we have to help them in their efforts by making our wish list into a target lists – and we can’t kid ourselves.
At 1:09:
Representative Don Young especially – god bless him with transportation– Alaska did so well under the very basic provisions of the Transportation Act that he wrote just a couple of years ago – we had a nice bump there. We ‘re very very fortunate to receive the largesse that Don Young [unintelligible] put together for Alaska.
HELU [A group? The Act? Help me dkos folks!!!] will benefit Alaska - handsomely -- very well -- for the next five years before it comes up for renewal again.
We can do well getting our infrastructure developed in this time with a combination of annual state and federal highway dollars. As governor for the entire state too, remember – that my responsibility for transportation projects will include state airports and the marine highway system also.
But building transportation infrastructure that leads to good legacy jobs for Alaska’s families that we deserve -- that’s what, in a resource rich, resource dependent state – that’s what should be our agenda here in the state of Alaska.
2:07 And then too we have to be ready for those legacy jobs those good legacy jobs that will be waitin there as we develop our resources. We have to start preparing our young people with for those jobs more of a focus on VoTech curriculum in our schools, and skill em up. Get our work force trained -- Our young people – in rural and in urban Alaska -- so we’re not looking at importin our work force for these jobs that we are on the [cusp?] of, with our development proposals out there.