Members of a construction crew continue to demolish the exterior of the Capitol on Monday, April 25, 2016, in Juneau, Alaska. Lawmakers are scheduled to be out of the building by May 2 under the current construction schedule.  (AP Photo/Rashah McChesney)

Members of a construction crew continue to demolish the exterior of the Capitol on Monday, April 25, 2016, in Juneau, Alaska. Lawmakers are scheduled to be out of the building by May 2 under the current construction schedule. (AP Photo/Rashah McChesney)

Other meeting sites weighed as legislative session continues

JUNEAU — Alaska lawmakers planned to tour potential alternate meeting sites Monday as the extended legislative session wore on and a deadline for being out of the state Capitol drew nearer.

The Capitol is undergoing renovation work and effectively will need to be cleared out by May 2 under the current construction schedule.

Lawmakers have been meeting in extended session after the House was unable to reach agreement on changes to the state’s oil and gas tax credit structure.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

The voter-approved 90-day session ended April 17 but the state Constitution allows for regular sessions of up to 121 days with an option to extend for another 10.

Senate Majority Leader John Coghill, R-North Pole, had said noise was expected to ratchet up over the weekend, making the building unwelcoming.

On Monday, Senate President Kevin Meyer, R-Anchorage, told reporters he had a headache from the jackhammers. He said legislators have been told they can stay in the Capitol until Sunday assuming they can work around the noise. He said they’re looking at other spaces in Juneau where they could continue working if needed.

He acknowledged it would be tough for the Legislature to complete its remaining work by Sunday, saying progress wasn’t being made as quickly as had been hoped in the House.

Besides credits, outstanding items include state spending plans, tax proposals, legislation calling for structured annual draws from Alaska Permanent Fund earnings to help pay for state government and changes to the state’s criminal justice system. The criminal justice bill is in the House. Resolution on the credits issue is seen as key to making progress on the budget and revenue bills.

Hearings that had been scheduled for Monday were canceled. The Senate held a technical floor session, meaning attendance was not mandatory.

Meyer said nothing had been ruled out in terms of where legislators will complete their work. But they’re still in regular session and regular sessions are held in Juneau, he said, adding that as long as progress is being made, his preference is “to stay here and just get it done.”

More in News

A man fishes in the Kenai River on July 16, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion/file)
Silver salmon hang in the Seward Boat Harbor during the 2018 Seward Silver Salmon Derby. (Photo courtesy of Seward Chamber of Commerce)
Seward Silver Salmon Derby opens for 70th year on Saturday

There will also be 10 tagged fish with their own prizes, mystery weight prizes, and a guessing game for non-fishers.

Parents show their kids how to cast their fishing lines during the youth-only coho salmon fishery on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023 at the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon on the Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Youth coho fishery opens Saturday in Homer

A portion of the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon will be reserved for youth anglers on Aug. 2.

Nathan Erfurth testifies in his own defense during his trial at the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 30, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Judge grants motion for acquittal on 5 charges in Erfurth trial

Nathan Erfurth, 37, is facing another 50 charges in the case.

Rep. Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna, speaks during a joint luncheon of the Kenai and Soldotna chambers of commerce in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 30, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Ruffridge reports back on legislative progress ahead of special session

He recapped the monthslong effort to get education funding and policy legislation across the finish line.

Anglers fish in the Russian River in early September 2020. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News file)
Sockeye salmon bag limit increased on Russian River

On the nearby Kenai River, nearly 2.7 million sockeye have been counted — far beyond an escapement goal of 750,000 to 1.3 million fish.

A voter fills out their ballot at the Kenai No. 2 Precinct in the Challenger Learning Center of Alaska in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Filing period opens Friday for local elections

The filing period for candidacy applications across all six electoral races closes at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 15.

Amber Gall (left) and Rachael Kincaid (right) are South Peninsula Hospital's new Chief Nursing Officer and Chief Operating Officer, respectively. Photo provided by Derotha Ferraro
South Peninsula Hospital names new leadership

South Peninsula Hospital’s former chief nursing officer has been named the new chief operating officer.

A sign directs the public toward a tsunami shelter in Seldovia, Alaska, on Sept. 27, 2021. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion file)
Tsunami watch canceled for Resurrection Bay, Kachemak Bay communities

The watch followed an 8.7 earthquake that occurred Tuesday afternoon off the coast of Kamchatka, Russia.

Most Read

You're browsing in private mode.
Please sign in or subscribe to continue reading articles in this mode.

Peninsula Clarion relies on subscription revenue to provide local content for our readers.

Subscribe

Already a subscriber? Please sign in