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.
The Alaska Legislature is set to reconvene after a lawsuit filed in Juneau Superior Court challenged the process used to disburse $1.5 billion in federal coronavirus funding.
There is still division among lawmakers over pushing through a set of revised guidelines for CARES Act appropriations from the governor's office -- or reconvening in Juneau and forming a separate plan for distributing the money.
Communities across Alaska are waiting to see how much federal coronavirus aid is made available to them, and they are seeking more guidance for how the money can be spent.
The State of Alaska has officially received $1.25 billion in federal coronavirus relief but questions are still being raised about how it can be spent.
Alaska lawmakers are asking if the governor can use federal coronavirus funding to cover big vetoes he made to the budget. Additional guidance from the feds is expected shortly.
Alaska State Rep. Jennifer Johnston, R-Anchorage, is receiving backlash over comments she made to the Alaska Journal of Commerce about why the state was not releasing the PFD in the spring and instead will release it in the fall as usual.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy has vetoed roughly $261 million in state funds from the budget for the next fiscal year but federal funding will be used to cover many of those reduced spending items.
An annual audit of state government found dozens of outstanding issues, particularly with the Department of Revenue and its refusal to share oil and gas tax information with the auditor.
