Alaska Legislature

Legislative fiscal analysts Alexei Painter, right, and Conor Bell explain the state’s financial outlook during a presentation to the Senate Finance Committee on March 24, 2023. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Report: $175 ‘energy relief’ payment to residents, education funding boost likely in final state budget

Legislative Finance analysis of governor’s proposal for next year predicts numerous other adjustments

Legislative fiscal analysts Alexei Painter, right, and Conor Bell explain the state’s financial outlook during a presentation to the Senate Finance Committee on March 24, 2023. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
State Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, addresses the audience during a town hall by the local legislative delegation Thursday evening at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

School district deficit, legislative pay hikes, compost burials among issues at legislative town hall

Veto override on school funding will help district, Juneau’s state lawmakers say.

State Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, addresses the audience during a town hall by the local legislative delegation Thursday evening at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
This year’s legislative session at the Alaska State Capitol is scheduled to begin Tuesday. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file photo)

Limiting foreign property rights and campaign deepfakes among second batch of prefiled bills

Legislators and staff arriving in Juneau as session set to begin on Tuesday.

This year’s legislative session at the Alaska State Capitol is scheduled to begin Tuesday. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file photo)
State Rep. Andi Story, D-Juneau, speaks during a rally on behalf of Alaska residents with disabilities at the Alaska State Capitol on March 1, 2023. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

First prefiled bills include voter preregistration for 16-year-olds, funds for remedial reading

Rep. Andi Story, D-Juneau, introduces the two proposals among the 48 by state lawmakers on Monday.

State Rep. Andi Story, D-Juneau, speaks during a rally on behalf of Alaska residents with disabilities at the Alaska State Capitol on March 1, 2023. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
The Driftwood Lodge, used for decades by state lawmakers and others during legislative sessions, is not on this year’s official housing list provided by the Legislative Affairs Agency. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Historic Assembly Building to open as legislative housing next week, Driftwood off official list

Lodge hit by complaints last year after Tlingit and Haida purchase; officials say that’s not a factor

The Driftwood Lodge, used for decades by state lawmakers and others during legislative sessions, is not on this year’s official housing list provided by the Legislative Affairs Agency. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
State Reps. Andi Story (foreground) and Sara Hannan, both Juneau Democrats wearing red blazers — reportedly by coincidence — greet visitors and family members during an annual holiday open house hosted by the local legislative delegation at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Making a list, checking it off thrice at holiday open house hosted by local legislative delegation

Visitors at Capitol share greetings and hopes for upcoming session with trio of Juneau lawmakers.

State Reps. Andi Story (foreground) and Sara Hannan, both Juneau Democrats wearing red blazers — reportedly by coincidence — greet visitors and family members during an annual holiday open house hosted by the local legislative delegation at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Alaska Attorney General Trig Taylor (foreground) discusses litigation the state Department of Law is involved with during Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s (left background) unveiling of his proposed budget during a press conference Thursday at the Alaska State Capitol.

Legislative Council votes to sue Dunleavy administration in state employee union dues case

Legislators say executive branch violated separation of powers with unauthorized spending.

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Alaska Attorney General Trig Taylor (foreground) discusses litigation the state Department of Law is involved with during Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s (left background) unveiling of his proposed budget during a press conference Thursday at the Alaska State Capitol.
Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, right, and former Rep. Christopher Kurka, R-Wasilla, saw ethics complaints against them dismissed on Nov. 29. (Photos by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Committee dismisses complaints that two Alaska lawmakers committed ethics violations

The body charged with policing the ethics of members of the Alaska House of Representatives has dismissed complaints alleging two members improperly allowed an Alaska… Continue reading

Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, right, and former Rep. Christopher Kurka, R-Wasilla, saw ethics complaints against them dismissed on Nov. 29. (Photos by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
The historic Assembly Building, built in 1932 and located across the street from the Alaska State Capitol, will serve as legislative housing during the coming session after the building was gifted to the Alaska Legislature for that purpose. (Photo courtesy of the City and Borough of Juneau)

Committee adopts policy for new apartments for Alaska lawmakers and staff

Apartments will be available starting next year for Alaska lawmakers and staff in a building that the Legislature was gifted, with a committee that oversees… Continue reading

The historic Assembly Building, built in 1932 and located across the street from the Alaska State Capitol, will serve as legislative housing during the coming session after the building was gifted to the Alaska Legislature for that purpose. (Photo courtesy of the City and Borough of Juneau)
Rep. Josiah Patkotak, I-Utqiagvik, speaks in favor of HJR 6, the resolution in support of the Willow oil project, on Monday, Feb. 20, 2023, at the Alaska State Capitol. The resolution passed 36-0. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Applications now being accepted for nation’s northernmost legislator

Rep. Josiah Patkotak resigns after win in North Slope mayor’s race; governor seeks replacement online

Rep. Josiah Patkotak, I-Utqiagvik, speaks in favor of HJR 6, the resolution in support of the Willow oil project, on Monday, Feb. 20, 2023, at the Alaska State Capitol. The resolution passed 36-0. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
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

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

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)
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.

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)
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)