Alaska Legislature

Walker selects Kotzebue man for vacant Alaska House seat

Hours before the deadline set by state law, Gov. Bill Walker selected John Agnaqluk Lincoln for a vacant position in the Alaska House of Representatives.… Continue reading

This text message exchange, provided by a woman alleging an attack by Rep. Zach Fansler, D-Bethel, shows Fansler’s attempt to apologize on the morning after the incident. (Courtesy photo)

Beaten by a legislator: Juneau woman accuses lawmaker of violent attack

Local police and the Alaska Department of Law are investigating an Alaska state lawmaker for allegedly hitting a woman and rupturing her eardrum during a… Continue reading

This text message exchange, provided by a woman alleging an attack by Rep. Zach Fansler, D-Bethel, shows Fansler’s attempt to apologize on the morning after the incident. (Courtesy photo)
In this screengrab from Chinese state TV on Nov. 9, 2017, Alaska Gov. Bill Walker and others in Beijing sign a $43 billion development agreement for a trans-Alaska natural gas pipeline.

Gas pipeline work on track, leaders tell legislators

House lawmakers on Wednesday said they remain cautiously optimistic about the future of a trans-Alaska natural gas pipeline following a presentation by the leaders of… Continue reading

In this screengrab from Chinese state TV on Nov. 9, 2017, Alaska Gov. Bill Walker and others in Beijing sign a $43 billion development agreement for a trans-Alaska natural gas pipeline.
Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, speaks during an interview Tuesday, about his bill, SB 63, to prohibit smoking in public places. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Smoking ban may again be foiled by one legislator

A bill to ban smoking in bars and restaurants across Alaska has wide support in the Alaska Legislature, but the measure’s fate will again be… Continue reading

Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, speaks during an interview Tuesday, about his bill, SB 63, to prohibit smoking in public places. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Alaska auditors recommend dissolving state’s tourism marketing board

When is a tourist like a fish? A new state audit has recommended an end to the state’s tourism marketing board as the state prepares… Continue reading

Here’s what’s going on in the Capitol this week

The Alaska Legislature will begin to crack open the state budget and start the debate about how to pay for it as lawmakers enter the… Continue reading

Gov. Bill Walker speaks during his State of the State address before a joint session of the Alaska Legislature at the Capitol on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2018. Senate President Pete Kelly, R-Fairbanks, left, and Speaker of the House Bryce Edgmon, D-Dillingham, watch from the Speakers desk in the background. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

In State of the State, Walker promotes self-sufficiency as solution to Alaska’s problems

With allusions to grit, determination and self-reliance, Gov. Bill Walker delivered his annual State of the State address to Alaskans on Thursday night in the… Continue reading

Gov. Bill Walker speaks during his State of the State address before a joint session of the Alaska Legislature at the Capitol on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2018. Senate President Pete Kelly, R-Fairbanks, left, and Speaker of the House Bryce Edgmon, D-Dillingham, watch from the Speakers desk in the background. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Two of Juneau’s three lawmakers may not run for re-election

Two of Juneau’s three lawmakers may not run for re-election

Two of three Juneau lawmakers in the Alaska Legislature may not run for re-election this year. Rep. Sam Kito III, D-Juneau, told the Empire he… Continue reading

Two of Juneau’s three lawmakers may not run for re-election
Rep. Ivy Spohnholz, D-Anchorage, left, and Rep. Chuck Kopp, R-Anchorage, deliver a message to Gov. Bill Walker that the House is open for business on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018. Legislators returned to Alaska’s Capitol to open the Second Session of the 30th Legislature on Tuesday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Guardedly optimistic, Alaska Legislature starts second regular session

After the Girl Scouts and the Juneau-Douglas High School choir, two senators walked into the chambers of the Alaska House of Representatives with an air… Continue reading

Rep. Ivy Spohnholz, D-Anchorage, left, and Rep. Chuck Kopp, R-Anchorage, deliver a message to Gov. Bill Walker that the House is open for business on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018. Legislators returned to Alaska’s Capitol to open the Second Session of the 30th Legislature on Tuesday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Sen. Mike Dunleavy, R-Wasilla (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)

Three finalists named to replace Mike Dunleavy in Alaska Senate

A sitting state legislator is among the three names being forwarded to Gov. Bill Walker as possible replacements for Sen. Mike Dunleavy, R-Wasilla. On Monday… Continue reading

Sen. Mike Dunleavy, R-Wasilla (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)
In this Feb. 15, 2017 photo, Rep. Dean Westlake, D-Kotzebue, speaks in support of his resolution to allow oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge during a House floor sesison. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Report confirms lawmaker harassed staff

An investigation by the Alaska Legislature’s internal watchdog has confirmed that former Rep. Dean Westlake, D-Kiana, sexually harassed multiple Legislative employees in 2017. The investigation’s… Continue reading

In this Feb. 15, 2017 photo, Rep. Dean Westlake, D-Kotzebue, speaks in support of his resolution to allow oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge during a House floor sesison. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

10 candidates vie to fill Sen. Dunleavy’s seat, as he resigns to run for governor

Matanuska-Susitna Borough Republicans are expected to finalize their short list of candidates to replace Sen. Mike Dunleavy in a meeting tonight. On Sunday, the House… Continue reading

Brandon Howard, a cofounder of Amalga Distillery, left, serves mixed drinks to Nick Thein and Terra Veler at the distillery’s tasting room at Franklin and Second Streets on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017. Rep. Chris Tuck, D-Anchorage, has proposed a bill that would allow the distillery to keep serving cocktails. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)

Legislator seeks ceasefire in bar wars

Alaska’s House Majority Leader has proposed a way to end the trouble afflicting distilleries in Alaska. On Friday, Rep. Chris Tuck, D-Anchorage, proposed a bill… Continue reading

Brandon Howard, a cofounder of Amalga Distillery, left, serves mixed drinks to Nick Thein and Terra Veler at the distillery’s tasting room at Franklin and Second Streets on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017. Rep. Chris Tuck, D-Anchorage, has proposed a bill that would allow the distillery to keep serving cocktails. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)

30th Legislature reconvenes this week for second session

The Olympics don’t start until February, but Juneau will host some opening ceremonies of its own as the second session of the 30th Alaska Legislature… Continue reading

Rep. Sam Kito, D-Juneau, Sen. Dennis Egan, D-Juneau and Rep. Justin Parish, D-Juneau, answer questions from Juneau area residents about legislative priorities during a townhall meeting at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Juneau legislators ‘worried’ about upcoming session

Juneau’s three-person delegation to the Alaska Legislature told a well-attended town hall meeting Thursday night that they are worried about what will and will not… Continue reading

Rep. Sam Kito, D-Juneau, Sen. Dennis Egan, D-Juneau and Rep. Justin Parish, D-Juneau, answer questions from Juneau area residents about legislative priorities during a townhall meeting at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Three finalists named to replace Westlake in Legislature

The Alaska Democratic Party has announced three finalists to fill the vacant seat in the Alaska House of Representatives left by the resignation of Rep.… Continue reading

In this April 2014 photo, Rep. Bill Stoltze, R-Chugiak, left, speaks with Rep. Gabrielle LeDoux, R-Anchorage, Rep. Lynn Gattis, R-Wasilla, and Rep. Tammie Wilson, R-North Pole, in the House Chambers. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Rep. Tammie Wilson alleges bullying by former state senator

Rep. Tammie Wilson, R-North Pole, is sharing her own story of being bullied in the state Legislature as she calls for harassment investigations within the… Continue reading

In this April 2014 photo, Rep. Bill Stoltze, R-Chugiak, left, speaks with Rep. Gabrielle LeDoux, R-Anchorage, Rep. Lynn Gattis, R-Wasilla, and Rep. Tammie Wilson, R-North Pole, in the House Chambers. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
In this Feb. 15, 2017 photo, Rep. Dean Westlake, D-Kotzebue, speaks in support of his resolution to allow oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge during a House floor session. Westlake resigned from the Legislature last month amid sexual misconduct allegations. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Democrats announce list of applicants to replace disgraced legislator

Democrats in the far north House District 40 have named a list of candidates to replace Rep. Dean Westlake in the Alaska House of Representatives.… Continue reading

In this Feb. 15, 2017 photo, Rep. Dean Westlake, D-Kotzebue, speaks in support of his resolution to allow oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge during a House floor session. Westlake resigned from the Legislature last month amid sexual misconduct allegations. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

State commission balks at cutting legislators’ pay

A state commission charged with setting the salaries of legislators will not recommend a 10 percent pay cut for lawmakers. In a split 2-2 vote,… Continue reading

The Mendenhall Valley Public Library on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Juneau legislators will hold pre-session informational meeting

Juneau’s three members in the Alaska Legislature will hold a joint informational meeting at 4:30 p.m. Thursday night in the Mendenhall Valley Public Library meeting… Continue reading

The Mendenhall Valley Public Library on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)