Favorite Link Friday February 19, 2016

Governor Walker's Administrative Order on CFEC Saves State $1.33 Million

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
No.. 16-13
Contact: Katie Marquette, Press Secretary – (907) 465-5801
Aileen Cole, Deputy Press Secretary – (907) 465-3985

Governor Walker's Administrative Order on CFEC Saves State $1.33 Million CFEC functions will continue in consolidated fashion February 16, 2016 JUNEAU – Governor Bill Walker signed Administrative Order 279 today, transferring administrative and research functions of the Alaska Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. These reorganization efforts will save the state over $1.3 million a year while continuing to provide appropriate and effective performance of the commission’s core functions.

“With a $3.5 billion budget deficit, we are leaving no stone unturned as we look for efficiencies in state government,” said Governor Walker. “By moving administrative functions of the Alaska Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission to the Department of Fish and Game, we will save over $1.3 million a year. While that alone will not solve our budget challenges, it is another step towards streamlining government and getting the most out of our public dollars.”

In July 1980, Administrative Order No. 60 transferred CFEC from the Office of the Governor to the Department of Fish and Game. Under that order, the department was not given the authority to regulate policy or activities of the commission, except when purely administrative in nature. Under Governor Walker’s administrative order signed today, AO 60 remains in effect, but is amended to define ADF&G’s responsibility for administrative functions as the following: - Licensing and permitting services (ministerial services only);

- Information technology services;

- Accounting services;

- Payroll services;

- Procurement services;

- Budget services.

Additional administrative functions subject to the Governor’s administrative order may also be transferred to the department at the discretion of the commissioner.

“I asked members of my administrative to look for budget efficiencies, no matter how large or small,” Governor Walker said. “As we move forward, we are going to be forced to do more with less, and this is a great example of those efforts.” Links to reports on CFEC:

• http://legaudit.akleg.gov/audits/current/?wpfb_s=2015
• http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=librarypublications.publications_reports#fisheries
• https://www.cfec.state.ak.us/

100 years old Photographs Of The 20th Century Russian Empire Taken Through a Special Camera Will Leave You Absolutely Mesmerized

Well, around 1905, when color photography was still taking baby steps which would have eventually revolutionized the world, Prokudin-Gorsky thought and formulated a plan to use the emerging technology in a way different from the rest. The technique employed by Prokudin-Gorsky involved creating color images by exposing one oblong glass plate three times, in rapid succession, through three different color filters: red, green and blue (RGB). He then presented these color images in slides by projecting the three different color images through three different lenses, one on top of another. When the three images were projected in concert, a full color image could be seen. Prokudin-Gorsky was able to accomplish his ambitious project through the help of Tsar Nicholas II who not only provided him with a specially equipped railroad-car darkroom but also gave him possession of two permits that granted Prokudin-Gorsky access to restricted areas.

The photographer (more like a prodigy by now) captured some 2000 images of the Russian Empire around 1909 through 1915, capturing everything from people to architecture to the Empire’s expanding industrial infrastructure.

Presenting the absolutely genius work of the man-Prokudin-Gorsky, the following images will never have given you an iota of hint that they were taken in an era long gone [Source]

Apple isn't protecting a shooter's iPhone data – they're defending digital privacy Susan McGregor

Apple’s switch to default encryption on iPhones has been a subject of complaint from law enforcement since its introduction in 2014, but the FBI’s current request seems to intentionally side-step the encryption question, instead requesting Apple’s assistance to bypass non-encryption features of the iPhone in order to get at its currently encrypted contents.

While the particular model of iPhone in question here means that it may be technically feasible for Apple to comply with the FBI’s request, this is not the true heart of the issue. As Cook’s open letter to customers stating that Apple would oppose the order points out, the request “has implications far beyond the legal case at hand”.

Cook’s letter makes a point of characterizing the software solution that the FBI is requesting as a “backdoor”, situating the request squarely in the middle of the broader debate about whether the government can make tech companies provide access to customer data. [Source]

In other words, what the Federal government is trying to do is instead of just asking for the information on those particular phones (which Apple has done before in the past). They are wanting the ability to access all the information from any phone, any time the Federal Government wants it. Thus, your phone privacy and security is no longer guaranteed as both Apple AND the Feds would have access to it.

The Pope Makes a Political/Religious Statement About Trump

In a freewheeling conversation with reporters on his flight back from a visit to Mexico, Francis was asked about Trump and some of his statements, such as vowing to build a wall between the United States and Mexico if he becomes president. 

"A person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian," Francis said in answer to a specific question about Trump's views. "This is not in the gospel." Asked if American Catholics should vote for someone with Trump's views, Francis said: "I am not going to get involved in that. I say only that this man is not Christian if he has said things like that. We must see if he said things in that way and in this I give the benefit of the doubt," he said. [Source]

Comic of the Week

Quote of the Week:

"We used to listen to politicians and laugh at comedians. Now we laugh at politicians and listen to comedians." 


Read More: Favorite Link Friday December 27, 2015