Alaska Legislature

School buses drop students off at Thunder Mountain High School on Monday, Sept. 21, 2015. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Gov’s bills includes $20M slash to education

The money was already approved.

School buses drop students off at Thunder Mountain High School on Monday, Sept. 21, 2015. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Sen. Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, introduces Senate Bill 22 to the Senate Resources Committee at the Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019. The bill would allow organizations to obtain permits and enhance the habitat of shellfish in hopes of improving the seafood industry. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Shellfish rehabilitation bill carries economic potential

Experts see a bright future in mariculture.

Sen. Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, introduces Senate Bill 22 to the Senate Resources Committee at the Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019. The bill would allow organizations to obtain permits and enhance the habitat of shellfish in hopes of improving the seafood industry. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
At town hall, Juneau residents worry about budget cuts

At town hall, Juneau residents worry about budget cuts

Locals crowded into a local library to voice their concerns.

At town hall, Juneau residents worry about budget cuts
Should Alaska privatize prisons? Dems upset over budget director’s ties to industry

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

Lawmakers are sending a letter to the governor.

Should Alaska privatize prisons? Dems upset over budget director’s ties to industry
Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s Office of Management and Budget Director Donna Arduin presents the governor’s supplemental budget to the Senate Finance Committee at the Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

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

How much power should the position have?

Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s Office of Management and Budget Director Donna Arduin presents the governor’s supplemental budget to the Senate Finance Committee at the Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Donna Arduin, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, speaks to House members during an informational meeting at the Capitol on Thursday, Feb. 7, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

House Republicans criticize Dunleavy’s proposed education cut

Some representatives confident education cut won’t happen.

Donna Arduin, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, speaks to House members during an informational meeting at the Capitol on Thursday, Feb. 7, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Capitol Live: Private contractor to take over administration at psych institute

Capitol Live: Private contractor to take over administration at psych institute

Live updates from inside the Alaska Capitol.

Capitol Live: Private contractor to take over administration at psych institute
Senate Judiciary Committee member Sen. Mike Shower, R-Wasilla, left, asks a question of Attorney General Kevin Clarkson about Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s four crime bills as Sen. Shelley Hughes, R-Wasilla, listens at the Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Senators open to public comment on crime bills

The bills aim to ‘reset the stage’ for addressing crime rates.

Senate Judiciary Committee member Sen. Mike Shower, R-Wasilla, left, asks a question of Attorney General Kevin Clarkson about Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s four crime bills as Sen. Shelley Hughes, R-Wasilla, listens at the Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Sen. Shelley Hughes, R-Wasilla, listens to Attorney General Kevin Clarkson speak about Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s four crime bills at the Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Ethics restrictions too broad, some lawmakers say

They believe the intentions of the law are good.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Sen. Shelley Hughes, R-Wasilla, listens to Attorney General Kevin Clarkson speak about Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s four crime bills at the Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Donna Arduin, right, director of the Office of Budget and Management, speaks with Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, at a Senate Finance Committee at the Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019. Sen. Stedman is Co-Chair of the Committee. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Capitol Live: Annual salaries of key figures in the governor’s office

They’ll be back Monday.

Donna Arduin, right, director of the Office of Budget and Management, speaks with Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, at a Senate Finance Committee at the Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019. Sen. Stedman is Co-Chair of the Committee. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Here’s when Alaska’s U.S. senators will be at the Capitol

Here’s when Alaska’s U.S. senators will be at the Capitol

Tentative dates set for Murkowski, Sullivan speeches in Juneau.

Here’s when Alaska’s U.S. senators will be at the Capitol
Kelly Tshibaka was appointed to serve as the next commissioner of the Alaska Department of Administration. (Courtesy photo | Dunleavy administration)

Governor tabs new Administration commissioner

She has extensive federal government experience.

Kelly Tshibaka was appointed to serve as the next commissioner of the Alaska Department of Administration. (Courtesy photo | Dunleavy administration)
Brig. Gen. Torrence Saxe, commissioner designee of Alaska Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, directs Alaskans in need of earthquake assistance to go to ready.alaska.gov. Gov. Mike Dunleavy had just announced that President Donald Trump is sending relief, by way of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. (Kevin Baird | Juneau Empire)

Capitol Live: Dunleavy announces earthquake disaster relief is on the way

FEMA is expected in Anchorage tonight.

Brig. Gen. Torrence Saxe, commissioner designee of Alaska Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, directs Alaskans in need of earthquake assistance to go to ready.alaska.gov. Gov. Mike Dunleavy had just announced that President Donald Trump is sending relief, by way of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. (Kevin Baird | Juneau Empire)
Capitol Live: What’s happening at the Capitol today

Capitol Live: What’s happening at the Capitol today

Get the latest on what’s happening on the hill.

Capitol Live: What’s happening at the Capitol today
Gov. Mike Dunleavy, left, listens as Attorney General Kevin Clarkson describes three constitutional amendments that would be a foundation of his administration’s fiscal plan during a press conference at the Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Dunleavy amendments look to shift power away from lawmakers

It will be tough to get enough support for them.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy, left, listens as Attorney General Kevin Clarkson describes three constitutional amendments that would be a foundation of his administration’s fiscal plan during a press conference at the Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Capitol Live: Mariculture could be a $100 million industry in Alaska

Capitol Live: Mariculture could be a $100 million industry in Alaska

Senate Bill 22 could pave the way for this industry

Capitol Live: Mariculture could be a $100 million industry in Alaska
Dan Robinson, chief of research and analysis for the Department of Labor & Workforce Development, gives a 2019 Alaska Job Forecast and Outlook presentation at the Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Alaska’s job market projected to rebound in 2019

Tourism is the main bright spot for Southeast.

Dan Robinson, chief of research and analysis for the Department of Labor & Workforce Development, gives a 2019 Alaska Job Forecast and Outlook presentation at the Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Commissioner Designee Bruce Tangeman presents the state’s revenue forecast to the Senate Finance Committee at the Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

‘The $1.6B problem’: Senators, commissioners gear up for budget challenge

It’s still unclear when the budget will be unveiled.

Commissioner Designee Bruce Tangeman presents the state’s revenue forecast to the Senate Finance Committee at the Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Alaska attorney general says he can set aside personal views on abortion

Alaska attorney general says he can set aside personal views on abortion

Kevin Clarkson said the attorney general’s job is to respect the law.

Alaska attorney general says he can set aside personal views on abortion
Rep. David Talerico, R-Healy, speaks during a press conference with Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer, left, and Rep. Colleen Sullivan-Leonard, R-Wasilla,at the Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Reps talking, but House still unsettled

The House is a week away from a dubious record.

Rep. David Talerico, R-Healy, speaks during a press conference with Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer, left, and Rep. Colleen Sullivan-Leonard, R-Wasilla,at the Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)