
Robert Palmer
60:15 - 60:54
"The Kenai case was in 1983. Since then, based on that case and the 3 cases I cited, the hiring cases, the contractor hiring cases, there are some municipalities who have memos from their attorneys recommending not to enforce their local bidder preferences because of the extreme risk of a constitutional challenge."
“The Kenai case was in 1983. Since then, based on that case and the 3 cases I cited, the hiring cases, the contractor hiring cases, there are some municipalities who have memos from their attorneys recommending not to enforce their local bidder preferences because of the extreme risk of a constitutional challenge.”
- Speaker
- Robert Palmer
- Timestamp
- 60:15 – 60:54
- Community
- Alaska News
- Captured at
- October 19, 2026
From the transcript
Let me see if I can get you a date. The Kenai case was in 1983. Since then, based on that case and the 3 cases I cited, the hiring cases, the contractor hiring cases, there are some municipalities who have memos from their attorneys recommending not to enforce their local bidder preferences because of the extreme risk of a constitutional challenge. Again, I don't like having this discussion because I understand the intent and the goal is to support local businesses and to support workers in your community. And so I don't, I don't make these comments lightly, and I definitely understand the consequence of them.
Related Coverage
North Pole adopts 5% local bidder preference despite city attorney's constitutional warning
North Pole City Council adopts a 5% bidder preference for businesses inside city limits after City Attorney Robert Palmer warns it is likely unconstitutional.

North Pole council delays vote on on-call compensation for city utility workers
North Pole City Council postpones vote on on-call compensation for city utility workers to Nov. 2 after a substitute ordinance arrived shortly before Monday's meeting.
