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Sen. David Wilson offers an amendment to the operating budget at the Capitol on Monday, July 29, 2019. Sen. Wilson’s amendment would pay $1,400 as part two of an Alaskan permanent fund dividend. It was voted down. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

House passes capital budget, reverses sweep, approves veto restoration

House and Senate pass legislation on to Dunleavy’s desk.

Sen. David Wilson offers an amendment to the operating budget at the Capitol on Monday, July 29, 2019. Sen. Wilson’s amendment would pay $1,400 as part two of an Alaskan permanent fund dividend. It was voted down. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
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‘We want to go back to work’: Ferry strike ongoing

Day 6 of the strike.

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Rep. Sara Hannan, D-Juneau, speaks in favor of HB 2002 on a reconsideration vote at the Capitol on Monday, July 22,2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

House to meet on Monday for crucial vote

Somebody’s got a case of the Mondays.

Rep. Sara Hannan, D-Juneau, speaks in favor of HB 2002 on a reconsideration vote at the Capitol on Monday, July 22,2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
The House board for the vote on HB 2003 on Friday, July 26, 2019. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)

Capitol Live: House meets on PFD bill, HB 2003

Live updates from the capitol

The House board for the vote on HB 2003 on Friday, July 26, 2019. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)
OMB Director Donna Arduin, right, listens to Gov. Mike Dunleavy announce his state budget during a press conference on Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Dunleavy answers questions about budget and PFD

Gov. Dunleavy took a conference call with reporters across the state

OMB Director Donna Arduin, right, listens to Gov. Mike Dunleavy announce his state budget during a press conference on Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Members of the Inland Boatmen’s Union of the Pacific picket in front of the Auke Bay Terminal on Thursday, July 25, 2019. The union called a strike on Wednesday over failed negotiations with Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s administration. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
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Ferry workers strike continues; State says strike ‘illegal’

Ferry workers strike, and the state strikes back

Members of the Inland Boatmen’s Union of the Pacific picket in front of the Auke Bay Terminal on Thursday, July 25, 2019. The union called a strike on Wednesday over failed negotiations with Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s administration. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
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Legislature moves PFD, capital budget bills forward, but veto threat looms

Bills are moving, but there’s no guarantee they’ll get past the governor.

Rep. Delena Johnson, R-Palmer, speaks in support of Rep David Eastman’s, R-Wasilla, amendment to allocate a $3,000 PFD on Thursday, July 25, 2019. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)

Capitol Live: House passes bill for $1,600 PFD, adjourns until Friday

The House has voted for HB 2003, which appropriates a $1,600 PFD. This bill is subject to veto by Gov. Mike Dunleavy who has made… Continue reading

Rep. Delena Johnson, R-Palmer, speaks in support of Rep David Eastman’s, R-Wasilla, amendment to allocate a $3,000 PFD on Thursday, July 25, 2019. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)

UAS students, faculty brace nervously for cuts

Students fear potential brain drain as Alaska students may have to leave for school.

Ferry workers go on strike

They’re not happy.

House Finance Committee Co-Chairs Neal Foster, D-Nome, and Jennifer Johnston, R-Anchorage, speaks to members of the media during an at ease in a House session at the Capitol on Wednesday, July 24, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

House votes to ‘decouple’ PFD from funding bill, but will likely be struck down by Dunleavy

It might as well be Groundhog Day.

House Finance Committee Co-Chairs Neal Foster, D-Nome, and Jennifer Johnston, R-Anchorage, speaks to members of the media during an at ease in a House session at the Capitol on Wednesday, July 24, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

DMV greenlights software verifying insurance ownership

The update will make roads safer for Alaska drivers.

The University of Alaska Board of Regents meets in an emergency meeting in Anchorage, Alaska Monday, July 22, 2019. Regents voted 10-1 to declare a financial exigency, allowing administrators to expedite layoffs of tenured faculty in the face of severe budget issues. (AP Photo/Dan Joling)

Financial crisis opens University of Alaska up to layoffs

ANCHORAGE — The University of Alaska Board of Regents decided Monday they could no longer wait to see if the Alaska Legislature will bail them… Continue reading

The University of Alaska Board of Regents meets in an emergency meeting in Anchorage, Alaska Monday, July 22, 2019. Regents voted 10-1 to declare a financial exigency, allowing administrators to expedite layoffs of tenured faculty in the face of severe budget issues. (AP Photo/Dan Joling)

The House was one vote short of funding the capital budget

They failed, again.

Rep. Sara Hannan, D-Juneau, speaks in favor of HB 2002 on a reconsideration vote at the Capitol on Monday, July 22, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Capitol Live: House again fails to fund bill, reverse sweep

House falls one vote short of funding HB 2002

Rep. Sara Hannan, D-Juneau, speaks in favor of HB 2002 on a reconsideration vote at the Capitol on Monday, July 22, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Rep. Chuck Kopp, R-Anchorage, listens during a House floor session Sunday, July 21, 2019. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)

Divided House leads to ‘disappointing’ day

Thirty-three were present, 30 votes were needed.

Rep. Chuck Kopp, R-Anchorage, listens during a House floor session Sunday, July 21, 2019. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)

Capitol Live: House ‘Reverse sweep’ vote falls short

Live updates from the Capitol

Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, speaks in favor of a senate bill that would reverse “the sweep” during a Senate floor session Saturday, July 20, 2019. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)

Senate approves ‘reverse sweep’ and capital budget bill

Accounting concern is sweeping the state.

Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, speaks in favor of a senate bill that would reverse “the sweep” during a Senate floor session Saturday, July 20, 2019. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)

Capitol Live: House Finance Committee sets up Sunday to be a big day

Live updates from the Capitol.

Rep. Gary Knopp, R-Kenai, right, questions Donna Arduin, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, center, as Rep. Bart LeBon, R-Fairbanks, listens during a House Finance Committee meeting on HB 2002 at the Capitol on Thursday, July 18, 2019.(Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

For second day in a row, legislature tackles ‘the sweep’

Finance Committees try to wrap their heads around technical budget details

Rep. Gary Knopp, R-Kenai, right, questions Donna Arduin, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, center, as Rep. Bart LeBon, R-Fairbanks, listens during a House Finance Committee meeting on HB 2002 at the Capitol on Thursday, July 18, 2019.(Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

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