With education funding and the Permanent Fund Dividend still a work in progress, the state Senate and House are closing the gap — but conceded that there is still some distance to close.
After the salary recommendations — submitted on Jan. 24 — that included a raise for the governor were roundly rejected by the legislature, all five members of the commission were replaced.
Superior Court Judge Jack McKenna issued a decision in Randall Kowalke’s legal challenge of Wasilla Rep. David Eastman’s eligibility for elected office, partially granting Kowalke’s request for a preliminary injunction, and ordering the Division of Elections to delay certification of House District 27 election results until the case has been settled.
The Alaska Senate passed a budget on Tuesday with a full statutory Permanent Fund dividend at roughly $4,200 and a separate one-time $1,300 energy relief check.
Alaska is poised to have unlimited campaign contributions in most instances after a state regulator declined to impose new caps, after old limits were struck down as unconstitutional.
Alaska House leaders are expressing optimism that an agreement can be reached to end a budget impasse and avert a partial government shutdown by early next week.
Alaska budget negotiators have reached a tentative agreement on a state spending package that includes an estimated $1,100 dividend for residents this year.
The Alaska Legislature passed a bill Wednesday that extends the state’s COVID-19 emergency declaration until the end of the year and is now awaiting the governor’s approval.
Alaskans who utilize the Alaska Marine Highway System could soon benefit from a federal relief package designating tens of millions of dollars to the state’s transportation framework.
Fmr. House Speaker Rep. Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, said during an address on the House floor in Juneau that Phillips was announced to have passed earlier in the day.
On Wednesday, Sen. Gary Stevens called for the vote to “exclude any senator from the Capitol building, until such a time as they follow legislative council policies.”
On Friday, Senate President Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, and Sen. Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, provided several updates on the work that lies ahead for the senate.
Discussions over the possibility of new taxes, the size of dividend payouts and the projected fall in oil revenues will play a part in the legislature's crafting of FY22.
Final results will not be available for some time, but several races for seats in Alaska's House and Senate are currently well within grasp for candidates on either side.
Alaska’s attorney general has resigned from his post following accusations of inappropriate conduct with a state employee. Since then, Gov. Mike Dunleavy has accepted his resignation, and an interim attorney general has been named, but who will official become the state’s top attorney remains unclear.
More unemployment insurance benefits will soon be in the hands of Alaskans following word from the Federal Emergency Management Agency that one of the state’s requests for additional grant funding has been approved.
After postponing their session in March, the legislature is reconvening in Juneau to appropriate $1.5 billion in CARES Act funding. Less the a week remains before they reach the constitutional deadline for the end of session.
Nikiski Republican Rep. Ben Carpenter sparked controversy on Friday when he compared coronavirus restrictions at the Alaska State Capitol with Nazi labeling of Jews. Now, he's tried to clarify those comments
The Alaska Legislature is planning to reconvene for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic began with the senate going back to work Monday at 2 p.m.
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