Republican Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer, seated at the Speaker of the House chair, and Democratic legislators argue over what he can do on the first day of the 31st session of the Alaska Legislature on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Republican Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer, seated at the Speaker of the House chair, and Democratic legislators argue over what he can do on the first day of the 31st session of the Alaska Legislature on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Biggest news from the Alaska Legislature, Dunleavy administration

House disarray, budget concerns the talk of the town

The 31st Session of the Alaska Legislature began on Jan. 15, and since then, there’s been a lot of news coming out of the Capitol despite the lack of a House speaker for most of the first month. Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s new administration has also been making a lot of news with the release of his budget.

In case you missed anything, here’s a roundup of the Empire’s coverage:

Tensions rise in discombobulated Alaska House

Infographics: Alaska’s 2019 budget

Dunleavy unveils plan for PFD back payments

Dunleavy declares ‘war on criminals,’ delves into fiscal plan

Here’s how Dunleavy’s proposed education cuts would affect Juneau schools

Two Dunleavy picks decline offers after coming under fire

Dunleavy amendments look to shift power away from lawmakers

Ethics restrictions too broad, some lawmakers say

House Republicans criticize Dunleavy’s proposed education cut

Budget director’s history of cutting with ‘hatchet, not scalpel’ sparks concern

Office of Management and Budget Director Donna Arduin, right, listens to Gov. Mike Dunleavy announce his state budget during a press conference on Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Office of Management and Budget Director Donna Arduin, right, listens to Gov. Mike Dunleavy announce his state budget during a press conference on Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Should Alaska privatize prisons? Dems upset over budget director’s ties to industry

Here’s a look at what Dunleavy’s four new crime bills would do

Budget cuts could damage local efforts to battle homelessness

Marijuana industry thinks governor trying to undo legalization in Alaska

Dunleavy budget proposal would eliminate hundreds of jobs

Experts: State could lose tens of thousands of jobs if budget proposal goes through

‘To hell with politics’: House speaker elected after two Republicans cross party lines

Governor proposes cutting almost half of university’s total operating budget

Proposed Medicaid, health care cuts spark outrage

Governor proposes cutting ferry funding at the end of summer


• Juneau Empire reports by Alex McCarthy, Mollie Barnes and Kevin Baird.


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