Kevin Baird

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).

Alaskans weigh-in on ‘super-sized’ PFD

Most would prefer to fund education, other services

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).
House Majority: Tax increase off the table, Foster questions cuts
House Majority: Tax increase off the table, Foster questions cuts
Unions rally outside Capitol, protest job cuts

Unions rally outside Capitol, protest job cuts

“2-4-6-8, We need to save our state.”

Unions rally outside Capitol, protest job cuts
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)
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)
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)

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

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

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

House creates first ever Tribal Affairs committee

Committee will focus on partnerships between tribes and state government.

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

Unions prep to push back against proposed ferry cuts

Hundreds of Marine Highway jobs could be cut.

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

OMB, Senate Finance discuss university funding

Forty percent of university funding comes from the state.

OMB, Senate Finance discuss university funding
Senate Finance grills OMB, Education Commissioner over budget

Senate Finance grills OMB, Education Commissioner over budget

Hoffman calls 25 percent proposed cuts to education ‘unacceptable’

Senate Finance grills OMB, Education Commissioner over budget
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)

Alaska’s radio, TV contribution on the chopping block

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

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