Site Logo
House Speaker Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, center, leaves the House chambers on Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021 following marathon floor sessions that morning and Monday night. The House passed an appropriations bill but not before members of the minority voiced deep objections. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

News

House passes budget bill, calls for $1,100 PFD

Fractious floor sessions.

From left to right, House Majority Leader Chris Tuck, D-Anchorage; House Minority Leader Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla and Reps. Mike Prax, R-North Pole; Ben Carpenter, R-Nikiski and George Rauscher, R-Sutton, speak on the floor of the Alaska House of Representatives following a floor session on Monday, Aug. 30, 2021. Lawmakers found themselves debating familiar topics as they worked through amendments to a budget bill. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

News

House budget debate stretches into evening

Dividend divisions.

Michio Hoshino, the late Japanese photographer, was honored this week by the Alaska Legislature in a citation that recognized his “breathtaking photos of Alaska’s wildlife and scenery” featured in magazines and books that have inspired “his countrymen to travel to Alaska for three generations, strengthening ties between the two regions.” Bob Sam of Sitka, a friend of Michio and the Hoshino family, proposed the citation that was sponsored by Sitka Rep. Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins. Both flank Michio’s widow, Naoko Hoshino following a brief ceremony on Thursday. (Courtesy Photo / Peter Metcalfe)

Neighbors

Late, great photographer feted at Alaska State Capitol

His work, which captured Alaska’s wildlife and scenery, were featured in magazines and books.

House Speaker Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, speaks with Reps. Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, and Matt Claman, D-Anchorage, on Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021, as members of the House Republican Minority failed to show up for floor session. Divisions over the pace and direction of the special session has delayed legislative work. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

News

Divisions delay work as lawmakers trade blame

Hopes for work group.

House Sergeant-At-Arms Micaela Brader waits for member of the Alaska House of Representatives to arrive for a floor session on Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021. Despite several calls to a floor session, members of the House Republican Minority never arrived, causing a delay in legislative business. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

News

Legislative work stalled by House divisions

Divisions and delays.

Rep. Ivy Sponholz, D-Anchorage, left, listens as Legislative Finance Director Alexei Painter gives a presentation to the House Ways and Means Committee on Monday, Aug. 23, 2021. Lawmakers have less than 30 days to try and both complete the state's budget and find resolution on the state's long term fiscal problems. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

News

Legislators aim to finish budget, find fiscal solutions

Less than 30 days.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy holds up a graph showing the earnings of the Alaska Permanent Fund during a new conference at the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, Aug. 16, 2021. Lawmakers have asked the governor to amend the call of the special session, allowing them to address the budget which remains only partially funded. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

News

Lawmakers, governor spar over direction of special session

Lawmakers return to the capital city.

Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File The Alaska State Capitol.

News

Dividend size is a sticking point for special session

Debate over the check size in recent years has become politically charged and overshadowed issues.

Lawmakers will be back at the Alaska State Capitol, seen here in this file photo, on Aug. 16, and after spending several weeks on background hearings and public testimony, members of the work group say they're ready to get into solutions. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

News

Fiscal working group readies for policy proposals

Making progress.

The Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation building in October 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

News

Permanent Fund posts record earnings as lawmakers debate state deficit

Record earnings, lengthy debate.

Gavel (Courtesy photo)

News

Judge hears arguments in budget effective date suit

Superior Court Judge Herman Walker Jr. heard arguments in Anchorage

Das Kapitol

News

With deadline looming, lawmakers skeptical of work group schedule

More meetings and public testimony.

Rep. Jonathan Kriess-Tomkins, D-Sitka, facilitates a meeting of the newly-formed Fiscal Plan Working Group at legislative offices in Anchorage on Wednesday, July 14, 2021. The working group is meant to draft recommendations to resolve the state’s budget deficit, but some members said they wanted to see a faster pace from the group. (Courtesy photo / Joe Plesha, Alaska House Majority Coalition)

News

Lawmakers say group working to solve budget woes must pick up the pace

Many more meetings.

Another special legislative session is scheduled to start Aug. 2, 2021, at the Alaska State Capitol, seen here in this Empire file photo. But some lawmakers said Wednesday August may be too soon, and suggest that date may change. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

News

Fiscal working group members set lofty goals, say time is needed

Cautious optimism.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy, seen here speaking at a Jun 17, 2021 news conference at the Alaska State Capitol, announced $215 million in vetoes to the state budget Thursday, and called on lawmakers to come together to solve the state's fiscal issues. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

News

Gov announces $215M in vetoes —lawmakers’ per diem payments, PFD are among cuts

Announcement prompts strong pushback.

A letter from the Alaska Broadcasters Association was sent to Alaska House Rep. Ron Gillham, R-Kenai-Soldotna, on July 1, 2021, condemning a post he shared on Facebook that compared journalists and medical professionals who disseminate information about COVID-19 to Nazis executed for war crimes. (Letter provided by the Alaska Broadcasters Association) Alaska House Rep. Ron Gillham. (Courtesy Ron Gillham)

News

Broadcasters group decries lawmaker’s Facebook post

House Rep. Ron Gillham, who represents the Kenai-Soldotna area, posted a meme comparing journalists, medics to Nazis.

Rep. Ron Gillham is seen here in this undated photo. (Clarion file/courtesy)

News

Kenai lawmaker shares photo comparing media and medical officials to Nazi war criminals

Republican Ron Gillham represents the Kenai-Soldotna area in the Alaska State House of Representatives.

Members of the House Republican Minority Caucus talk amongst themselves during an at ease on the floor of the Alaska House of Representatives on Monday, June 28, 2021. House members reached a deal on an operating budget and avoided a government shutdown but members of the minority said they had been repeatedly pushed out of the process. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

News

Lawmakers pass budget again; send to Gov ahead of shutdown deadline

More work and a work group ahead.

House Speaker Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, told reporters on Friday, June 25, 2021, she was optimistic a deal with the House Minority caucus would be reached by Monday. Both Stutes and Minority Leader Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla, declined to give details on the deal. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

News

Lawmakers say deal seems close at hand

You say you want a resolution.

Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation CEO Angela Rodell speaks to the House Finance Committee on Thursday, June 24, 2021. Rodell urged lawmakers to pass a budget before the state government shuts down on July 1, even though APFC employees are considered essential. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

News

Lawmakers urged to avoid shutdown but impasse remains

Economy already in recovery.