Staff Reports
The Biden Administration has once again shown its lack of respect for the great state of Alaska, this time by rejecting their much-needed road construction plan. Alaskans are no strangers to harsh winters and the toll they take on their roads, with their state often feeling like it has two seasons: winter and roadwork.
It’s no surprise that federal highway funds are a mess, with money being shuffled around in Washington before a small portion is sent back to the states. Alaska, like every other state, had to submit a plan for road construction to the Department of Transportation in order to access these funds. However, this year, something unprecedented happened – the DOT rejected Alaska’s plan.
Alaska's road construction plan rejected by federal Department of Transportation, causing uproar in state. Speculation that Biden Administration's move is politically motivated. https://t.co/PE9DNtNf5k
— The America One News (@am1_news) February 18, 2024
Could this rejection be politically motivated? Given Alaska’s history of voting red in presidential elections, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Biden Administration saw this as an opportunity to stick it to Governor Mike Dunleavy and the state itself. It’s a shame that federal agencies are resorting to such petty tactics in what should be a straightforward process.
While the Biden Administration may have tried to throw a wrench in Alaska’s plans, their own incompetence has been laid bare. Mistakes were made in the rejection process, leading to panic within the administration and a scramble to rectify the situation. If anything, this debacle highlights the need to streamline processes and keep unnecessary federal bureaucracy out of state affairs.
It’s time to let the states manage their own highway funds and maintain their roads without interference from the federal government. Alaska, in particular, would benefit from a more direct approach to road construction, especially when faced with challenges unique to their state. And as for those responsible for this mess at the DOT, they should be held accountable and shown the door.
Alaska deserves better than this kind of treatment from the Biden Administration. It’s high time for a change that puts states’ needs first and cuts out the wasteful middleman in Washington. Let Alaska get back to work on their roads without federal interference, and let’s ensure that incompetence and pettiness have no place in government decision-making.
