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Rep. Sara Hannan, D-Juneau, center, answers a question as Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, left, and Rep. Andi Story, D-Juneau, wait their turn during a standing-room only town hall meeting at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

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Juneau’s legislators express concern about state jobs leaving town

Jobs have already been leaving in recent years.

The Alaska State Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

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No-bid contract for psychiatric institute raises questions

A previous report advised against privatizing the institute.

Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, receives a kiss from his daughter, Adara, before Kiehl is sworn in on the first day of the 31st Session of the Alaska Legislature on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

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Juneau senator proposes first legislation

It continues a theme from his days on Juneau’s Assembly.

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

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

Live updates from inside the Alaska Capitol.

Young marijuana plants grow indoors under lights at the Fireweed Factory in Juneau on Tuesday, March 14, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

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Juneau marijuana sellers have biggest year yet

The numbers are in.

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)

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House Republicans criticize Dunleavy’s proposed education cut

Some representatives confident education cut won’t happen.

Economy to take a hit, no matter the budget outcome

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Economy to take a hit, no matter the budget outcome

State funding cuts = less jobs in Juneau.

Andy Jones, Director of the Department of Health and Social Services’ Office of Substance Misuse, right, speak about the fiscal impacts of the opioids on the state along with Michael Duxbury, Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, center, and Laura Brooks, Director of Health and Rehabilitation for the Department of Corrections, in front of the Senate Finance Committee on Thursday, Feb. 7, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

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The opioid crisis costs Alaska more than $1B per year, and it’s going to keep being costly

The cost of an epidemic.

Capitol Live: Economy to take a hit, no matter the budget outcome

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Capitol Live: Economy to take a hit, no matter the budget outcome

Live updates from inside the Alaska State Capitol.

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)

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Senators open to public comment on crime bills

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

Amanda Price, commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, right, watches as Kathryn Monfreda, bureau chief of the Department of Public Safety’s Division of Statewide Services, presents the Uniform Crime Reporting Annual Report to House members during an informational meeting at the Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

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Crime data will be much more accurate under new system

Costs to municipal agencies remain unknown.

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)

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Ethics restrictions too broad, some lawmakers say

They believe the intentions of the law are good.

Capitol Live: Senators examine new crime bill, will take public comment

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Capitol Live: Senators examine new crime bill, will take public comment

The bill is one of four major ones.

Ferry system braces for budget cuts

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Ferry system braces for budget cuts

Dwindling budget could mean loss of services.

House Speaker Jim Duncan, D-Juneau, confers with Majority Leader Russ Meekins on Feb. 3, 1981, after the 22-day gridlock over House organization was broken late the previous afternoon following a series of parliamentary maneuvers. (Mark Kelley | Juneau Empire File)

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Key legislator in 1981 House gridlock offers advice for current reps

The two are quite different sessions.

US Senator questions Facebook over policies surrounding ivory sales

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US Senator questions Facebook over policies surrounding ivory sales

He worked with Alaska Native artists to resolve an issue with Etsy last year.

Capitol Live: Reps react to ‘atrocious’ sexual assault statistics

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Capitol Live: Reps react to ‘atrocious’ sexual assault statistics

Alaska’s rates of assault are much higher than the national average.

Capitol Live: Without organization, House committees gather as ‘informational meetings’ anyway

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Capitol Live: Without organization, House committees gather as ‘informational meetings’ anyway

House Reps. attempt to stay updated.

Dunleavy’s candidate screening process under scrutiny

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Dunleavy’s candidate screening process under scrutiny

Some nominees have been “found wanting.”

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)

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

How much power should the position have?