Alaska Legislature

An electronic board in the chambers of the Alaska Senate shows the tally for House Bill 298 on Monday, March 5, 2018. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

Legislature approves third Superior Court judge position in Juneau

The Alaska Legislature has approved a proposal by the Chief Justice of the Alaska Supreme Court and Gov. Bill Walker to add a third superior… Continue reading

An electronic board in the chambers of the Alaska Senate shows the tally for House Bill 298 on Monday, March 5, 2018. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)
The desk of Rep. Ivy Spohnholz, D-Anchorage, is seen vacant Monday, March 5, 2018. Spohnholz said she had been diagnosed with complications from a pulmonary embolism and will be absent from the capitol until Monday. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

Illness, injury keep House Majority short of votes to advance key legislation

Alaskans angry about the pace of the Alaska Legislature this year may focus their ire on a new target: The flu. On Monday, the Alaska… Continue reading

The desk of Rep. Ivy Spohnholz, D-Anchorage, is seen vacant Monday, March 5, 2018. Spohnholz said she had been diagnosed with complications from a pulmonary embolism and will be absent from the capitol until Monday. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)
The Alaska State Capitol. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire File)

House committee expected to move budget this week

The Alaska House Finance Committee, coming off three days of public testimony from Alaskans across the state, will put the finishing touches on its draft… Continue reading

The Alaska State Capitol. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire File)
Rep. John Lincoln, D-Kotzebue, walks to his seat after being sworn into office by Speaker of the House Bryce Edgmon, D-Dillingham, in the House chambers on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2018. Rep. Lincoln is filling the open seat left by former Rep. Dean Westlake, who resigned in December after female aides accused him of unwanted touching and inappropriate comments. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Three new lawmakers face big adjustments and high stakes

As a pilot for FedEx, Mike Shower is used to picking up a bag and jetting out on a moment’s notice. He keeps one packed… Continue reading

Rep. John Lincoln, D-Kotzebue, walks to his seat after being sworn into office by Speaker of the House Bryce Edgmon, D-Dillingham, in the House chambers on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2018. Rep. Lincoln is filling the open seat left by former Rep. Dean Westlake, who resigned in December after female aides accused him of unwanted touching and inappropriate comments. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
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Alaska Senate bill targets vaping by those under 19

The Alaska Senate is nearing a vote on a measure to make all vaping illegal for anyone younger than 19 years old. Senate Bill 15,… Continue reading

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Legislature passes insurance bill amid warnings of higher costs for the elderly, poor

The Alaska Legislature has approved a measure that minority Senate Democrats say will result in higher auto insurance costs for rural Alaskans, racial minorities, the… Continue reading

Juneau-Douglas High School sophomore Stella Tallmon testifies in front of the House Judiciary Committee in favor of HB 75, a gun violence protective orders bill, at the Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Local students champion gun-control bill in Legislature

Juneau high school students and dozens of other Alaskans offered two hours of impassioned testimony Wednesday afternoon on the first gun-control proposal considered by the… Continue reading

Juneau-Douglas High School sophomore Stella Tallmon testifies in front of the House Judiciary Committee in favor of HB 75, a gun violence protective orders bill, at the Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
The Alaska State Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Senate votes down amendment to protect the PFD in the Constitution

The Alaska Senate has declined to advance a proposed constitutional amendment to guarantee the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend. In a 6-14 vote Wednesday, the Senate… Continue reading

The Alaska State Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
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House amendment supports lower draw, higher dividend from Permanent Fund

The Alaska House Finance Committee has voted to set next year’s Permanent Fund Dividend at $1,270 and reduce the amount of money pulled from the… Continue reading

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The former Alaska Marine Highway System ferry Taku is seen in this undated photo provided by the Alaska Marine Highway system. (Rebecca Rauf | Alaska Department of Transportation)

Bill to fund Alaska Marine Highway System nears House vote

For the first time in six years, the Alaska Legislature has put a portion of the state’s budget, including funding for the Alaska Marine Highway… Continue reading

The former Alaska Marine Highway System ferry Taku is seen in this undated photo provided by the Alaska Marine Highway system. (Rebecca Rauf | Alaska Department of Transportation)
A man signs a banner as people pay tribute at a memorial for the victims of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Sunday, Feb. 25, 2018, in Parkland, Fla. Thousands of students joined their parents in walking past the three-story building at the Florida high school where the Feb. 14 shooting took place. It is now cordoned off by a chain link fence that was covered with banners from other schools showing their support. (David Santiago/Miami Herald via AP)

In Alaska Legislature, little action in response to Florida shooting

In a visit to Juneau last week, U.S. Rep. Don Young suggested that Americans should turn to their state lawmakers for a response to the… Continue reading

A man signs a banner as people pay tribute at a memorial for the victims of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Sunday, Feb. 25, 2018, in Parkland, Fla. Thousands of students joined their parents in walking past the three-story building at the Florida high school where the Feb. 14 shooting took place. It is now cordoned off by a chain link fence that was covered with banners from other schools showing their support. (David Santiago/Miami Herald via AP)
In this Jan. 19 photo, Rep. Justin Parish, D-Juneau, speaks at a joint meeting of the Juneau Legislative Delegation and the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

Parish education bill suffers setback

Rep. Justin Parish, D-Juneau, has suffered a setback in his attempt to pass legislation affecting Alaska’s public school trust fund. In a procedural move Monday,… Continue reading

In this Jan. 19 photo, Rep. Justin Parish, D-Juneau, speaks at a joint meeting of the Juneau Legislative Delegation and the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)
U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, center, is escorted out of the House of Representatives by Rep. Paul Seaton, R-Homer, left, and Sen. Mia Costello, R-Anchorage, after his annual speech to a joint session of the Alaska Legislature at the Capitol on Monday, Feb. 26, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Sullivan offers legislators six reasons for optimism

This is Sen. Dan Sullivan, optimistic. In a 36-minute Monday address to the Alaska Legislature, Alaska’s junior U.S. Senator drew repeated rounds of applause from… Continue reading

U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, center, is escorted out of the House of Representatives by Rep. Paul Seaton, R-Homer, left, and Sen. Mia Costello, R-Anchorage, after his annual speech to a joint session of the Alaska Legislature at the Capitol on Monday, Feb. 26, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Chris Dimond of Douglas is seen in an undated photo. (Courtesy photo)

Great-grandson of territorial Congressman seeks election to Alaska House

With incumbent Rep. Sam Kito III still undecided on re-election, a second person has announced their intention to seek the statehouse seat representing Haines, Skagway,… Continue reading

Chris Dimond of Douglas is seen in an undated photo. (Courtesy photo)

Alaska House takes budget testimony this week

Alaskans will get their first opportunity to offer public testimony on the state’s budget this week, as the Alaska House of Representatives pushes toward a… Continue reading

Bill adding new Superior Court judge position in Juneau passes House

Bill adding new Superior Court judge position in Juneau passes House

The Alaska House of Representatives has voted unanimously in favor of a proposal to add a third superior court judge to Juneau’s courthouse. House Bill… Continue reading

Bill adding new Superior Court judge position in Juneau passes House
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State may borrow $1 billion to pay oil debt

The Alaska Legislature is considering a proposal to borrow up to $1 billion from global markets to cover a debt it owes to oil and… Continue reading

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Tiffany Zulkosky is seen in this photo taken Feb. 22, 2018 in Bethel. (Christine Trudeau | KYUK-FM)

Zulkosky confirmed to fill vacant House seat

Democrats in the Alaska House of Representatives have confirmed Gov. Bill Walker’s appointment of Tiffany Zulkosky for the vacant seat representing Southwest Alaska’s House District… Continue reading

Tiffany Zulkosky is seen in this photo taken Feb. 22, 2018 in Bethel. (Christine Trudeau | KYUK-FM)

Alaska Senate approves bill to boost Interior natural gas project

The Alaska Senate has approved a bill to extend the deadline for the Alaska Industrial Development and Energy Authority to issue bonds backing the Interior… Continue reading

Former Air Force pilot confirmed as Senate pick; Gov nominates former Bethel mayor for House District 38

More than a month after the start of its 2018 session, the Alaska Legislature is nearing full strength. In a Thursday morning vote, Senate Republicans… Continue reading