Every cut proposed by the Walker Administration, and none of them have been consequential economically, has been calculated to incite some noisy constituency.   Anchorage to Seward or Kenai/Homer is probably the most popular drive in the State.  Lots of movers and shakers live in or visit Girdwood.   Lots of Anchorageites keep their boat in Whittier and use the ferry from there as well.   The only thing DPS is saving is the rent and utilities and maybe some administrative staff, though any admin staff will likely just be transferred elsewhere.   This post closing  is nothing more than propaganda; they want to be able to point to the objections of the people to the closing.   It is win-win for the State, either they get some funding or the MOA ponies up funding.   It's the same nasty game they've played with other service cuts, notably ferry service cuts to locations with no other access.   It is simply a game as this union-owned administration is not going to cut the operating budget.