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Kevin Baird

‘I was not the problem. The law was the problem’: Former Anchorage judge urges passing of crime bill

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‘I was not the problem. The law was the problem’: Former Anchorage judge urges passing of crime bill

The Schneider Loophole.

In this file photo, Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, Co-Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, raises his concerns about the proposed lack of funding for the Alaska Marine Highway System at the Capitol on Feb. 19. Major cuts to fuel for the ferries could effectively shut the transportation system down. (Michael Penn/Juneau Empire)

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Senate Finance co-chairs announce multi-year ‘step-down’ approach to budget cuts

Budget would be cut incrementally to reduce shock.

Laura Stats of Juneau testifies against Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s payback dividend bills, Senate Bills 23 and 24, during a Senate State Affairs Committee meeting, Thursday night. Stats said these bills would cause “chaos” in Alaska, because of the services that must be cut to fund these Senate Bills. (Kevin Baird ι Juneau Empire).

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Alaskans weigh-in on ‘super-sized’ PFD

Most would prefer to fund education, other services

Initiative would move Legislature’s meetings to Anchorage

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Initiative would move Legislature’s meetings to Anchorage

Anchorage group working toward a ballot initiative

House Majority: Tax increase off the table, Foster questions cuts

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House Majority: Tax increase off the table, Foster questions cuts

Edgmon asked caucus to “share the pain.”

Unions rally outside Capitol, protest job cuts

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Unions rally outside Capitol, protest job cuts

“2-4-6-8, We need to save our state.”

Jeremy Woodrow, interim executive director of the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, speaks to the House Fisheries Committee at the Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

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Chinese tariffs challenge Alaska seafood, new markets emerge

Alaska pollock required in school lunches

Rep. Tiffany Zulkosky, D-Bethel, speaks on the House floor. (Photo courtesy ι Brian Hild)

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House creates first ever Tribal Affairs committee

Committee will focus on partnerships between tribes and state government.

Office of Management and Budget Director Donna Arduin and members of her budget team takes time to explain Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s state budget at the Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

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Budget bill language would give unprecedented power to governor’s office

Under bill, OMB Director Arduin could override Legislature’s appropriating power.

Robb Arnold, chief purser on the Alaska Marine Highway’s Malaspina ferry, talks about the proposed cuts to the ferry system on Friday, Feb. 22, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

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Unions prep to push back against proposed ferry cuts

Hundreds of Marine Highway jobs could be cut.

In this July 2018 file photo, Seine boats wait in line to set their nets at Amalga Harbor. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire)

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Governor proposes redirecting money from fishing communities to state

Juneau could lose out on $400,000 annually.

OMB, Senate Finance discuss university funding

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OMB, Senate Finance discuss university funding

Forty percent of university funding comes from the state.

Senate Finance grills OMB, Education Commissioner over budget

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Senate Finance grills OMB, Education Commissioner over budget

Hoffman calls 25 percent proposed cuts to education ‘unacceptable’

Bethany Lowrance, left, of Gavel Alaska, and Rashah McChesney, a reporter with the Alaska Energy Desk (a collaboration between stations of the Alaska Public Radio Network), cover a Senate Finance Committee meeting at the Capitol on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019. Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s budget may end all state funding for public radio and broadcast stations. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

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Alaska’s radio, TV contribution on the chopping block

Dunleavy’s budget would cut state funding for public media.

‘To hell with politics’: House speaker elected after two Republicans cross party lines

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‘To hell with politics’: House speaker elected after two Republicans cross party lines

Partisan politics be damned.

Rep. Gary Knopp, R-Kenai, talks to the media about his nomination for Speaker of the House at the Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

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House suprised with unexpected speaker nomination

Speaker nominations fail, again.