Alaska Legislature

Alaska lawmakers ask themselves: How much longer?

Wednesday is the 121st and final day of the Alaska Legislature’s 2017 regular session. There’s more to come. Despite four months of work, lawmakers have… Continue reading

State Rep. David Eastman, a Republican freshman from Wasilla, is seen during the introduction of the newly-elected house speaker at the Alaska Legislature in Juneau on Jan. 17, 2017. (Mark Thiessen | The Associated Press File)

Wasilla Republican asks Alaska Legislature to criminalize abortion

Wasilla Republican David Eastman has proposed a measure making abortion illegal in the state of Alaska. On Monday, Eastman introduced House Bill 250, which ─… Continue reading

State Rep. David Eastman, a Republican freshman from Wasilla, is seen during the introduction of the newly-elected house speaker at the Alaska Legislature in Juneau on Jan. 17, 2017. (Mark Thiessen | The Associated Press File)
The Alaska Capitol is seen on May 15, 2017. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

After nearly a decade of opposition, Alaska may pass ID card legislation

Alaska is closer than ever to becoming part of the national ID system known as REAL ID. On Monday, the Alaska Senate voted 14-5 to… Continue reading

The Alaska Capitol is seen on May 15, 2017. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

On Uber, Alaska House takes the scenic route

One vehicle is stalled, but a second is driving forward. On Monday, the Alaska House of Representatives voted 35-5 to allow ride-sharing companies like Uber… Continue reading

Senate President Pete Kelly, R-Fairbanks, is flanked by Sen. Mia Costello, R-Anchorage (left) and Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna (right) during a press conference following the 15-4 defeat of the income tax measure known as House Bill 115. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

Senate kills income tax

The Alaska Senate on Friday voted 15-4 to kill an income tax proposed by the House, all but ensuring the Alaska’s multibillion-dollar deficit will not… Continue reading

Senate President Pete Kelly, R-Fairbanks, is flanked by Sen. Mia Costello, R-Anchorage (left) and Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna (right) during a press conference following the 15-4 defeat of the income tax measure known as House Bill 115. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

Senate drains savings account to cover oil subsidies

Alaska’s Senate voted Thursday to drain one of the state’s remaining savings accounts to make a big down payment on a pile of promised drilling… Continue reading

Rep. Justin Parish, D-Juneau, holds a town hall meeting at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library on Tuesday, May 9, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Parish finds friendly crowd for income tax

Rep. Justin Parish found a friendly crowd Tuesday evening as the Alaska Legislature prepares for a final vote on whether to implement an Alaska income… Continue reading

Rep. Justin Parish, D-Juneau, holds a town hall meeting at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library on Tuesday, May 9, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, issues an apology for his comments last week on abortion while other House lawmakers listen. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

House censures Rep. Eastman for ‘village’ abortion comments

The Alaska House of Representatives on Wednesday voted to censure Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, for his recent comments claiming that some rural Alaska women become… Continue reading

Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, issues an apology for his comments last week on abortion while other House lawmakers listen. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)
Sen. Anna MacKinnon, R-Eagle River, co-chair of the Senate Finance Committee, works on final amendments to a bill at the Capitol on Tuesday, May 9, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

The case of the missing fuel tax

With one week remaining in the Legislature’s regular session, a core piece of the state budget is still receiving no public attention. The rough-draft budgets… Continue reading

Sen. Anna MacKinnon, R-Eagle River, co-chair of the Senate Finance Committee, works on final amendments to a bill at the Capitol on Tuesday, May 9, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Uber, Lyft bill stalls

A divide between the House and Senate has stalled a push to bring ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft to Alaska. Senate Bill 14, allowing… Continue reading

Parish to hold Tuesday town hall in Mendenhall Valley

Rep. Justin Parish, D-Juneau, will hold a town hall meeting at 5 p.m. Tuesday in the Mendenhall Valley Public Library. Parish is scheduled to appear… Continue reading

Oil issues clog Capitol

In your car, oil acts as a lubricant. In the Alaska Legislature, it’s a clotting factor. With 12 days remaining until the Alaska Legislature’s 121-day… Continue reading

Constitutional amendment would guarantee PFD

The leader of the Alaska House of Representatives has introduced a proposal to constitutionally guarantee Alaska’s Permanent Fund Dividend. The proposal by Rep. Chris Tuck,… Continue reading

State won’t consider changes to beer tax

State won’t consider changes to beer tax

The state of Alaska is spending $3 million per year on beer. That fact won’t change until at least 2018. On Wednesday afternoon, the Alaska… Continue reading

State won’t consider changes to beer tax
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Oil bill could cost billions

The Alaska Senate’s plan to cut the state subsidy for oil and gas drilling could cost Alaska billions of dollars. That’s the conclusion of the… Continue reading

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Alaska Earthquake Center field technician Dara Merz services a seismic station in the White Mountains in 2014. (Photo by Ian Dickson, courtesy Alaska Earthquake Center)

Alaska may lose its 24/7 earthquake monitors to budget cuts

When the shaking stops, Alaska’s seismologists have a goal: 10 minutes. That’s the time it should take for them to consult their instruments, run calculations,… Continue reading

Alaska Earthquake Center field technician Dara Merz services a seismic station in the White Mountains in 2014. (Photo by Ian Dickson, courtesy Alaska Earthquake Center)

Tlingit and Haida backs House tax plan

Juneau’s regional tribal organization is throwing its support behind the Alaska House Majority’s plan for fixing the state’s multibillion-dollar deficit. On Tuesday, Grace Singh, speaking… Continue reading

Legi-slap: Reporter says he was struck by Wasilla lawmaker

A news reporter with the Alaska Dispatch News on Tuesday filed a police report, saying a lawmaker from Wasilla struck him on the face inside… Continue reading

The Alaska House of Representatives voted 22-17 on Friday, April 28, 2017 to allow Alaskans to register as voters on Election Day. House Bill 1 now goes to the Senate for consideration. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

If Senate agrees, new House bill would make voting easier

If the Senate agrees with the idea, Alaskans will be able to cast their ballots on the same day they register to vote. On Friday… Continue reading

The Alaska House of Representatives voted 22-17 on Friday, April 28, 2017 to allow Alaskans to register as voters on Election Day. House Bill 1 now goes to the Senate for consideration. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)
Jahna Lindemuth, Alaska Attorney General nominee, leaves the microphone after answering questions from the Senate Judiciary Committee at the Capitol on Wednesday, April 12, 2017. A vote by a joint session of the legislature on Gov. Bill Walkers appointments has been delayed this week. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Republicans dodge vote on Walker appointees

Alaska’s attorney general and more than 100 other Alaskans waiting for legislative confirmation will have to wait for a few more weeks. On Thursday morning,… Continue reading

Jahna Lindemuth, Alaska Attorney General nominee, leaves the microphone after answering questions from the Senate Judiciary Committee at the Capitol on Wednesday, April 12, 2017. A vote by a joint session of the legislature on Gov. Bill Walkers appointments has been delayed this week. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)