Alaska Legislature

The Assembly Building is seen on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022, in downtown Juneau, Alaska. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska Legislature’s new apartment building is on budget, on schedule

A project intended to renovate a historic Juneau building into apartments for state legislators and staff is running on time and on budget, officials told… Continue reading

 

A line of electric-assisted bicycle sit on display at Juneau Bike Doctor in February. Gov. Mike Dunleavy on Friday vetoed a bill that would classify such bikes the same as regular bikes that passed the Legislature this year by a combined 57-2 vote. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Dunleavy vetoes bill classifying e-bikes the same as regular bikes

Spokesperson calls bill, which passed the Legislature 57-2, “unnecessary bureaucracy.”

 

State Rep. Andi Story, a Juneau Democrat, talks to residents during a legislative town hall Thursday at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Local legislators discuss this year’s achievements, next year’s goals at town hall

Residents raise questions about education funding veto, health and rehabilitation programs.

 

Uhtred Permanentfundsen, the “defender of the Permanent Fund,” occupies a shelf near the head of the table in the Senate Finance Committee room at the Alaska State Capitol. The committee was responsible for adding to the state budget the formula being used to calculate this year’s Permanent Fund dividend, which is estimated to be $1,304. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File)

This year’s PFD is a budget-balancing $1,304. Is this the new normal?

Dunleavy OKs lower dividend despite originally seeking a $3,800 “statutory” payout.

Uhtred Permanentfundsen, the “defender of the Permanent Fund,” occupies a shelf near the head of the table in the Senate Finance Committee room at the Alaska State Capitol. The committee was responsible for adding to the state budget the formula being used to calculate this year’s Permanent Fund dividend, which is estimated to be $1,304. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a news conference in April focusing on the budget and a long-range fiscal plan for the state. He signed the budget for the fiscal year starting July 1 on Sunday, but did not publicly announce the signing or line-item vetoes made — including cutting in half an increase to public education spending — until Monday. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Lawmakers call for override of Dunleavy’s budget cuts to education funding

Odds are “going to be very difficult,” says Juneau senator.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a news conference in April focusing on the budget and a long-range fiscal plan for the state. He signed the budget for the fiscal year starting July 1 on Sunday, but did not publicly announce the signing or line-item vetoes made — including cutting in half an increase to public education spending — until Monday. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a news conference in April focusing on the budget and a long-range fiscal plan for the state. He signed the budget for the fiscal year starting July 1 on Sunday, but did not publicly announce the signing or line-item vetoes made — including cutting in half an increase to public education spending — until Monday. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Dunleavy vetoes half of education increase as he signs budget

Governor cuts $200 million in capital projects, other spending from bill passed by Legislature

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a news conference in April focusing on the budget and a long-range fiscal plan for the state. He signed the budget for the fiscal year starting July 1 on Sunday, but did not publicly announce the signing or line-item vetoes made — including cutting in half an increase to public education spending — until Monday. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
State Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, addresses a crowd during a May 7 rally at the Alaska State Capitol calling for public employee pension reform. Kiehl received the second-highest score in an annual online survey ranking legislators released Friday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File)

Kiehl finishes second in annual survey ranking legislators

Juneau state senator finishes behind Sen. Bill Wielechowski; Rep. Jamie Allard finishes last

State Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, addresses a crowd during a May 7 rally at the Alaska State Capitol calling for public employee pension reform. Kiehl received the second-highest score in an annual online survey ranking legislators released Friday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File)
A child plays in an undated photo. The Alaska Legislature put an additional $7.5 million towards grants for child care providers in this year’s budget. (Getty Images)

Child care providers say funds OK’d by Legislature crucial to staying open

Some advocates say more work to be done as $7.5M is half of what was sought

A child plays in an undated photo. The Alaska Legislature put an additional $7.5 million towards grants for child care providers in this year’s budget. (Getty Images)
State Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, speaks on the Senate floor May 16. His bill allowing disabled military veterans to receive free fur-trapping licenses was signed into law last week by Gov. Mike Dunleavy. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Kiehl’s bill granting free fur-trapping licenses to disabled veterans becomes law

Local senator’s proposal that passed Legislature 59-0 signed by governor just before Memorial Day

State Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, speaks on the Senate floor May 16. His bill allowing disabled military veterans to receive free fur-trapping licenses was signed into law last week by Gov. Mike Dunleavy. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Dozens of Juneau teachers, students and residents gather at the steps of the Alaska State Capitol on Jan. 23 in advocacy for an increase in the state’s flat funding via the base student allocation, which hasn’t increased sizeably since 2017 and has failed to keep pace with inflation during the past decade. A one-time funding increase was approved during this year’s legislative session. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

What’s next for the most debated bills pending in the Legislature?

Education funding increase, “parental rights” and other proposals will resurface next year.

Dozens of Juneau teachers, students and residents gather at the steps of the Alaska State Capitol on Jan. 23 in advocacy for an increase in the state’s flat funding via the base student allocation, which hasn’t increased sizeably since 2017 and has failed to keep pace with inflation during the past decade. A one-time funding increase was approved during this year’s legislative session. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy, a Republican, speaks during a news conference in late April. Juneau School District leaders share mixed reactions about the the Alaska State Legislature passing a budget that includes a $174 million one-time boost to public school funding, and being fearful that the increase will soon be vetoed by the governor. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

District leaders give one-time funding boost an incomplete

Mix of relief and fear of potential veto greet increase included in budget.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy, a Republican, speaks during a news conference in late April. Juneau School District leaders share mixed reactions about the the Alaska State Legislature passing a budget that includes a $174 million one-time boost to public school funding, and being fearful that the increase will soon be vetoed by the governor. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Rep. Josiah Patkotak, I-Utqiagvik, explains the history of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska during an Alaska State House floor session in February. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

America’s farthest-north state representative is planning to leave the Alaska Capitol

Patkotak says he’s running to be the next mayor of the North Slope Borough.

Rep. Josiah Patkotak, I-Utqiagvik, explains the history of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska during an Alaska State House floor session in February. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Juneau state representatives Sara Hannan, left, and Andi Story discuss legislative business during a break in the House floor session on Tuesday. Both Democratic members were part of the minority caucus this session after being in the majority during their first two terms. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

A trio of Capitol recaps from the local delegation

From passage of PFAS limits to postponing vaping tax, Juneau’s legislators tally wins and losses.

Juneau state representatives Sara Hannan, left, and Andi Story discuss legislative business during a break in the House floor session on Tuesday. Both Democratic members were part of the minority caucus this session after being in the majority during their first two terms. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
State Sen. Bert Stedman, a Sitka Republican who co-chairs the Senate Finance Committee, details a list of 24 projects costing about $34 million that were added to the state budget during negotiations with House members Thursday. Behind Stedman in the audience section is nearly the entire 16-member House minority caucus, which voted in favor of the budget along with 10 members of the Republican-led House majority. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Unusual House coalition OKs budget to end special session on first day

10 members of Republican-led majority join minority after $34M in targeted capital projects added

State Sen. Bert Stedman, a Sitka Republican who co-chairs the Senate Finance Committee, details a list of 24 projects costing about $34 million that were added to the state budget during negotiations with House members Thursday. Behind Stedman in the audience section is nearly the entire 16-member House minority caucus, which voted in favor of the budget along with 10 members of the Republican-led House majority. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
State House Rules Chair Craig Johnson, R-Anchorage, exits the House chambers Wednesday night after members voted to adjourn the session without passing the Senate’s version of a budget bill for next year. Gov Mike Dunleavy immediately ordered a 30-day special session beginning at 10 a.m. Thursday. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Special session set to begin today after Legislature adjourns without budget

House refuses to consider Senate spending bill sent over hours before adjournment deadline

State House Rules Chair Craig Johnson, R-Anchorage, exits the House chambers Wednesday night after members voted to adjourn the session without passing the Senate’s version of a budget bill for next year. Gov Mike Dunleavy immediately ordered a 30-day special session beginning at 10 a.m. Thursday. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
State senators leave the chamber after adjourning for the year Wednesday evening, leaving the fate of passing the bill for next year’s budget — and a special session if they fail to do so — to the House. The House gaveled in at 8 p.m., four hours before the adjournment deadline. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Capitol Live: House adjourns after refusing to OK Senate’s budget; Governor orders special session

The latest from the Captiol.

State senators leave the chamber after adjourning for the year Wednesday evening, leaving the fate of passing the bill for next year’s budget — and a special session if they fail to do so — to the House. The House gaveled in at 8 p.m., four hours before the adjournment deadline. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Rep. Craig Johnson, an Anchorage Republican and sponsor of the a bill to reject the 67% pay raise slated for legislators and around a 20% raise for the governor, speaks to House Representatives Tuesday afternoon. The bill passed in a 29-11 vote but the efforts are likely too late to stop the increases from going into effect. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

House passes bill to reject raise for lawmakers — but pay hike still likely

“I can’t even imagine what working-class people are thinking.”

Rep. Craig Johnson, an Anchorage Republican and sponsor of the a bill to reject the 67% pay raise slated for legislators and around a 20% raise for the governor, speaks to House Representatives Tuesday afternoon. The bill passed in a 29-11 vote but the efforts are likely too late to stop the increases from going into effect. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, tells reporters why the bill for next year’s budget was held over Tuesday until the final day of the session on Wednesday. The Senate floor session is scheduled to start at 11 a.m., giving the Senate and House 13 hours to resolve their differences before the 121-day session deadline. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Senate stalls budget for suspenseful final day

Legislature will have 13 hours to solve differences over PFD, other issues to avoid special session

Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, tells reporters why the bill for next year’s budget was held over Tuesday until the final day of the session on Wednesday. The Senate floor session is scheduled to start at 11 a.m., giving the Senate and House 13 hours to resolve their differences before the 121-day session deadline. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
An array of vapes line the shelf of a display case at Alaska Pipeline vape store downtown. The Alaska Senate passed a bill that would impose a 25% statewide tax on retail e-cigarette products in Alaska Tuesday morning. It now heads to the House. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

​​Senate passes bill to impose statewide tax on e-cigarettes

A similar bill was vetoed by Gov. Dun Mike Dunleavy last fall.

An array of vapes line the shelf of a display case at Alaska Pipeline vape store downtown. The Alaska Senate passed a bill that would impose a 25% statewide tax on retail e-cigarette products in Alaska Tuesday morning. It now heads to the House. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
State Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, speaks in opposition Tuesday to a bill prohibiting state and municipal officials from closing firearms businesses during declared emergencies if other essential businesses remain open. The Senate voted 17-3 to pass the bill, which sets the stage for it to pass the full Legislature before the session adjourns Wednesday as part of a package agreement on various bills. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Ban on gun store shutdowns during disasters passes Senate

Kiehl among dissenters in 17-3 vote; proposal may be part of final negotiations with Housde

State Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, speaks in opposition Tuesday to a bill prohibiting state and municipal officials from closing firearms businesses during declared emergencies if other essential businesses remain open. The Senate voted 17-3 to pass the bill, which sets the stage for it to pass the full Legislature before the session adjourns Wednesday as part of a package agreement on various bills. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)