I've worked for the State and worked on a couple of projects that were partially federally funded, and I can say for sure that the feds never give money away. It always has strings attached, and many times the cost of taking fed money is more than the money they give.

Plus why would libertarian, independent Alaskans want to get on the dole? Taking fed money is like snorting meth; it's addicting, and very hard to get off of. 

Alaska has a ton of talent, resources, and opportunity. The problem is that Alaskan leadership consistently picks the lowest fruit.