Alaska Legislature

Gov. Walker plans to freeze nonunion state employees’ pay for two years

Gov. Bill Walker is preparing to propose a bill that would freeze the pay of nonunion employees at the University of Alaska, Alaska Court System,… Continue reading

Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, shown in this Jan. 26, 2016 photo, is expected to be the key figure this year as long-awaited reforms to Alaska's alcohol laws reach the Legislature.

Alcohol legislation poised for big push

Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, is expected to be the key figure this year as long-awaited reforms to Alaska’s alcohol laws reach the Legislature.Since 2012, members… Continue reading

Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, shown in this Jan. 26, 2016 photo, is expected to be the key figure this year as long-awaited reforms to Alaska's alcohol laws reach the Legislature.
In this Feb. 4, 2016 photo, Senate State Affairs Committee members listen to UAA Professor Emeritus in Economics Scott Goldsmith about possible budget solutions during a hearing at the Capitol. Several lawmakers intend to introduce legislation in 2017 that would secure Permanent Fund dividend payments to Alaskans.

Dividend, alongside budget, will be a focus for lawmakers

Sen. Bill Wielechowski knows the state needs to balance its budget. The Anchorage Democrat just wants to make sure that Alaskans’ Permanent Fund Dividend isn’t… Continue reading

In this Feb. 4, 2016 photo, Senate State Affairs Committee members listen to UAA Professor Emeritus in Economics Scott Goldsmith about possible budget solutions during a hearing at the Capitol. Several lawmakers intend to introduce legislation in 2017 that would secure Permanent Fund dividend payments to Alaskans.
A fixture is lifted into place above the entrance canopy at the Alaska State Capitol building on Thursday.

New-look capitol will greet lawmakers

There are two ways to look at the just-completed four years of renovations at the Alaska State Capitol: Inside and out.“I don’t think you’ll notice… Continue reading

A fixture is lifted into place above the entrance canopy at the Alaska State Capitol building on Thursday.

Legislature and developers will meet in court

The developers and owners of a downtown Anchorage office block have opened a legal battle with the Alaska Legislature.On Tuesday, 716 West Fourth Avenue LLC,… Continue reading

Millett, Chenault will lead minority Republicans in Alaska House

The Alaska House’s new minority caucus has some familiar faces at the top.In a message sent at the close of business Wednesday, the 18-member House… Continue reading

Justin Parish, Democratic candidate for House District 34, prepares to pose for a photo with supporters Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016 at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library.

Parish and Muñoz slog door to door toward Election Day result

For Justin Parish and Cathy Muñoz, the race for House District 34 ends today.Election Day culminates a busy campaign for the underdog Democrat and the… Continue reading

Justin Parish, Democratic candidate for House District 34, prepares to pose for a photo with supporters Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016 at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library.
in this file photo from May, Rep. Gabrielle LeDoux, R-Anchorage and other legislators watch the resolution vote to continue work on bills during the special session.

Legislator’s personal PAC is held legal

The Alaska Public Offices Commission has voted 4-0 to uphold the right of an Alaska legislator to operate her own political action committee. The decision… Continue reading

in this file photo from May, Rep. Gabrielle LeDoux, R-Anchorage and other legislators watch the resolution vote to continue work on bills during the special session.
Rep. Cathy Muñoz, R-Juneau, speaks during Thursday night's Juneau Votes forum at the University of Alaska Southeast. At right, her opponent for House District 34, Democrat Justin Parish, waits his turn to speak. Not pictured is Rep. Sam Kito III, D-Juneau, who is running unopposed for House District 33.

Parish, Muñoz clash in statehouse debate

Justin Parish came out swinging in Thursday night’s Juneau Votes statehouse debate at the University of Alaska Southeast.At several points during the hour-and-a-half debate, the… Continue reading

Rep. Cathy Muñoz, R-Juneau, speaks during Thursday night's Juneau Votes forum at the University of Alaska Southeast. At right, her opponent for House District 34, Democrat Justin Parish, waits his turn to speak. Not pictured is Rep. Sam Kito III, D-Juneau, who is running unopposed for House District 33.
In this file photo from March 2016, Rep. Cathy Muñoz, R-Juneau, speaks in favor of a bill during a House session.

Muñoz outpaces Parish and rest of House in election fundraising

Rep. Cathy Muñoz is running against Justin Parish to represent House District 34, but when it comes to fundraising, the Juneau Republican has no challenger.According… Continue reading

In this file photo from March 2016, Rep. Cathy Muñoz, R-Juneau, speaks in favor of a bill during a House session.
William "Bill" McCord

Ruled out by Division of Elections, Haines man keeps campaigning anyway

The Alaska Division of Elections says Bill McCord isn’t running for the Alaska Legislature.He says otherwise.The Haines Libertarian is pressing ahead with a write-in campaign… Continue reading

William "Bill" McCord
Sen. Mike Dunleavy stood outside the Anchorage Fred Meyer Wednesday afternoon to announce he is pre-filing a bill to restore half of the Permanent Fund Dividend appropriation that Gov. Bill Walker vetoed in June.

Dunleavy, in front of Fred Meyer, announces bill to reverse PFD cut

Sen. Mike Dunleavy, R-Wasilla, held a press conference Wednesday in front of an Anchorage Fred Meyer store to announce his intention to offer a bill… Continue reading

Sen. Mike Dunleavy stood outside the Anchorage Fred Meyer Wednesday afternoon to announce he is pre-filing a bill to restore half of the Permanent Fund Dividend appropriation that Gov. Bill Walker vetoed in June.
A dry-erase board at the Alaska Division of Elections headquarters in Juneau shows Ambler precinct's five absentee votes missing from the final tally.

State certifies primary election results, but recount is imminent

Editor's note: This article has been updated due to a correction. The article reported that absentee votes from the village of Ambler were not received by… Continue reading

A dry-erase board at the Alaska Division of Elections headquarters in Juneau shows Ambler precinct's five absentee votes missing from the final tally.

All races: Final 2016 primary election results

Following are the results of the Aug. 16 statewide primary elections. The primary election selects one candidate from each party for November’s general election. Independent… Continue reading

It’s Miller v. Murkowski – again

Joe Miller is again challenging Lisa Murkowski for U.S. Senate, and this time he’s running as a Libertarian.Late Tuesday afternoon, just hours before the deadline… Continue reading

Rep. Gabrielle LeDoux, R-Anchorage

APOC will wait to hear fundraising complaint against Anchorage lawmaker

The Alaska Public Offices Commission will wait at least two weeks to consider a complaint filed by the Alaska Democratic Party against a practice that… Continue reading

Rep. Gabrielle LeDoux, R-Anchorage
Julia Bevins, left, of Anchorage and Steve Jones of San Francisco wear polar bear costumes during a climate action rally on the Park Strip in Anchorage during President Obama's 2015 visit to the city. Alaska appears to be changing course on climate change, according to the Speaker of the House and one of the state's most prominent conservation scientists.

House speaker, noted conservationist agree: Alaska ‘flip flops’ on climate change

Rick Steiner and Mike Chenault agree on something.In separate announcements this week, both figures said an action this week by Alaska’s new attorney general represents… Continue reading

Julia Bevins, left, of Anchorage and Steve Jones of San Francisco wear polar bear costumes during a climate action rally on the Park Strip in Anchorage during President Obama's 2015 visit to the city. Alaska appears to be changing course on climate change, according to the Speaker of the House and one of the state's most prominent conservation scientists.
Poll worker Linda Hollinbeck smiles as she gives a "I Voted" sticker to Kevin Poole on Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2016 at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library during Alaska's statewide primary. Tuesday was the first time an election was held at the library, which opened in October.

Tuesday’s election results promise at least seven new faces in Legislature

It took 18 1/2 hours to get the last word, but when it arrived, it wasn’t that different from the first word.On the North Slope,… Continue reading

Poll worker Linda Hollinbeck smiles as she gives a "I Voted" sticker to Kevin Poole on Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2016 at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library during Alaska's statewide primary. Tuesday was the first time an election was held at the library, which opened in October.
An Auke Bay poll worker helps a voter determine which ballot she wants to use during Tuesday's Aug. 16, 2016 primary election.

Analysis: Election results present mixed messages

On Tuesday night, Alaska political reporter Casey Reynolds gathered a handful of the state’s political experts for a live blog on the results of the… Continue reading

An Auke Bay poll worker helps a voter determine which ballot she wants to use during Tuesday's Aug. 16, 2016 primary election.

Statewide races: Full 2016 primary election results

Following are the results of Tuesday’s statewide primary elections. The primary election selects one candidate from each party for November’s general election. Independents do not… Continue reading