Alaska Legislature

Michael O’Rourke and another supporter wave signs for Justin Ruffridge on Election Day, Nov. 8, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Preliminary results: Ruffridge, Bjorkman lead in state House, Senate races

The two are competing in races for Senate District D and House District 7

Michael O’Rourke and another supporter wave signs for Justin Ruffridge on Election Day, Nov. 8, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
From left: Alaska Senate District D candidates Tuckerman Babcock, Jesse Bjorkman and Andy Cizek participate in a candidate forum at the Soldotna Public Library on Monday, Oct. 17, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

State Senate candidates talk fiscal stability, energy security at Monday forum

The forum was the seventh of nine forums being hosted by The Peninsula Clarion and KDLL 91.9 FM

From left: Alaska Senate District D candidates Tuckerman Babcock, Jesse Bjorkman and Andy Cizek participate in a candidate forum at the Soldotna Public Library on Monday, Oct. 17, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
From left: Alaska State House candidates Ron Gillham, Ben Carpenter and Justin Ruffridge participate in a candidate forum on Monday, Oct. 10, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Alaska House candidates trade views at forum

The forum was hosted by The Peninsula Clarion and KDLL 91.9 FM in partnership with the Central Peninsula League of Women Voters

From left: Alaska State House candidates Ron Gillham, Ben Carpenter and Justin Ruffridge participate in a candidate forum on Monday, Oct. 10, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire The Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. building in Juneau is scheduled to be the site where the board of trustees will select a new executive director on Monday, following the investigation into the firing of former CEO Angela Rodell last December being presented to state lawmakers on Wednesday.

Investigators: Permanent Fund CEO’s firing legal but departed from policy

Trustees acted legally, despite not following official policy, and governor didn’t influence decision

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire The Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. building in Juneau is scheduled to be the site where the board of trustees will select a new executive director on Monday, following the investigation into the firing of former CEO Angela Rodell last December being presented to state lawmakers on Wednesday.
Peter Micciche speaks at the ceremony for the signing of Senate Bill 185 into law at Special Olympics Alaska in Anchorage, Alaska, on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022. (Photo courtesy Alaska Office of the Governor)

Subminimum wages for disabled workers removed from statute

The bill was sponsored by Senate President Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna

Peter Micciche speaks at the ceremony for the signing of Senate Bill 185 into law at Special Olympics Alaska in Anchorage, Alaska, on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022. (Photo courtesy Alaska Office of the Governor)
Alaska state Rep. David Eastman, a Wasilla Republican, is shown seated on the House floor on April 29, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)

Judge: Elections officials must enforce disloyalty clause

The case that could decide Wasilla Republican Rep. David Eastman’s future remains on schedule for arguments later this month

Alaska state Rep. David Eastman, a Wasilla Republican, is shown seated on the House floor on April 29, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)
Alaska state Rep. David Eastman, a Wasilla Republican, is shown seated on the House floor on April 29, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)

Eastman stays on ballot for now

Anchorage judge declines to determine eligibility before printing

Alaska state Rep. David Eastman, a Wasilla Republican, is shown seated on the House floor on April 29, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)
The Alaska State Capitol in Juneau, Alaska, is seen in this undated photo. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Facing suit, lawmakers mull new social media policy

The draft included an ‘everything or nothing’ approach toward public comments

The Alaska State Capitol in Juneau, Alaska, is seen in this undated photo. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
In this April 11, 2018 photo state Sen. Dennis Egan, D-Juneau, walks out of the Senate chambers and to a reception to honor him and Sen. Berta Gardner, D-Anchorage, at the Capitol. Both were retiring from the legislature. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Dennis Egan, former state lawmaker and Juneau mayor, dies

He fought hard to keep the capital in Juneau

In this April 11, 2018 photo state Sen. Dennis Egan, D-Juneau, walks out of the Senate chambers and to a reception to honor him and Sen. Berta Gardner, D-Anchorage, at the Capitol. Both were retiring from the legislature. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Alaska state Rep. David Eastman, a Wasilla Republican, is shown seated on the House floor on April 29, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. The Division of Elections has determined that Rep. Eastman is eligible to run for office after reviewing challenges to his candidacy. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)

Alaska elections office says Eastman eligible to run

Challenges to Eastman’s candidacy centered on his affiliation with the Oath Keepers.

Alaska state Rep. David Eastman, a Wasilla Republican, is shown seated on the House floor on April 29, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. The Division of Elections has determined that Rep. Eastman is eligible to run for office after reviewing challenges to his candidacy. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)
The distillery of the Kenai River Brewing Company in Soldotna, Alaska, is seen in April 2018. Gov. Mike Dunleavy signed into law Senate Bill 9 on Thursday, June 16, 2022. Sponsored by Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, the bill overhauls state’s alcohol regulations, including creating several new retail license types, such as for breweries, wineries and distilleries, and allowing those businesses to stay open later. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Comprehensive alcohol bill signed into law

The bill, 10 years in the making, was sponsored by Sen. Peter Micciche

The distillery of the Kenai River Brewing Company in Soldotna, Alaska, is seen in April 2018. Gov. Mike Dunleavy signed into law Senate Bill 9 on Thursday, June 16, 2022. Sponsored by Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, the bill overhauls state’s alcohol regulations, including creating several new retail license types, such as for breweries, wineries and distilleries, and allowing those businesses to stay open later. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
The offices of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. are seen Monday, June 6, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. (Photo and caption by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska still holds millions of dollars in Russian investments

The Alaska Legislature failed to pass legislation requiring the state to sell assets in Russia

The offices of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. are seen Monday, June 6, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. (Photo and caption by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Alaska Senate President Peter Micciche, left, and Senate Minority Leader Tom Begich, right, meet with reporters in Micciche’s office in the early morning hours of Thursday, May 19, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska, after the Legislature ended its regular session. Micciche, a Republican, said last month that he is not seeking reelection this year and Begich, a Democrat, announced Thursday, June, 2, 2022 that he is likely to withdraw his candidacy next week. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)

Alaska Senate minority leader doesn’t plan to run this year

Ten Alaska state lawmakers do not plan to seek reelection this year

Alaska Senate President Peter Micciche, left, and Senate Minority Leader Tom Begich, right, meet with reporters in Micciche’s office in the early morning hours of Thursday, May 19, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska, after the Legislature ended its regular session. Micciche, a Republican, said last month that he is not seeking reelection this year and Begich, a Democrat, announced Thursday, June, 2, 2022 that he is likely to withdraw his candidacy next week. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)
Senate President Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, is seen here in this June 16, 2021, file photo. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

Peninsula project funding, alcohol reform pass in Juneau

$3,200 PFD payments, education legislation also included

Senate President Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, is seen here in this June 16, 2021, file photo. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, stands in the Peninsula Clarion offices on Wednesday, May 25, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Micciche will not seek reelection

His announcement comes a week after the end of the 32nd Alaska Legislature

Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, stands in the Peninsula Clarion offices on Wednesday, May 25, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The Alaska State Capitol is seen on Wednesday, April 6, 2022. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Legislature modernizes 40-year-old definition of consent in sexual assault cases

‘Alaska took a gargantuan step forward in updating our laws,’ says deputy attorney general

The Alaska State Capitol is seen on Wednesday, April 6, 2022. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks with reporters Thursday about the state’s budget at the Alaska State Capitol. Dunleavy said lawmakers had sent a complete budget, and that there was no need for a special session.

Dunleavy: No need for special session

Governor calls budget “complete”

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks with reporters Thursday about the state’s budget at the Alaska State Capitol. Dunleavy said lawmakers had sent a complete budget, and that there was no need for a special session.
A magnet promoting the Alaska Reads Act released sits atop a stack of Alaskan-authored and Alaska-centric books. Lawmakers passed the Alaska Reads Act on the last day of the legislative session, but several members of the House of Representatives were upset with the bill, and the way it was passed. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

In last-minute move, Legislature passes early reading overhaul

Rural lawmakers push back on Alaska Reads Act

A magnet promoting the Alaska Reads Act released sits atop a stack of Alaskan-authored and Alaska-centric books. Lawmakers passed the Alaska Reads Act on the last day of the legislative session, but several members of the House of Representatives were upset with the bill, and the way it was passed. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Alaska Senate President Peter Micciche, left, and Senate Minority Leader Tom Begich, right, meet with reporters in Micciche’s office in the early morning hours of Thursday, May 19, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska, after the Legislature ended its regular session. Micciche, a Republican, and Begich, a Democrat, discussed their working relationship, as well as well as parts of the session they were either pleased with or disappointed with. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

After House balks at bigger figure, budget OK’d with $3,200 payout per Alaskan

Budget finishes as second-largest in state history by one measure, but Dunleavy could make cuts

Alaska Senate President Peter Micciche, left, and Senate Minority Leader Tom Begich, right, meet with reporters in Micciche’s office in the early morning hours of Thursday, May 19, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska, after the Legislature ended its regular session. Micciche, a Republican, and Begich, a Democrat, discussed their working relationship, as well as well as parts of the session they were either pleased with or disappointed with. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
Lawmakers from both bodies of the Alaska State Legislature mingle in the halls of the Alaska State Capitol on Wednesday, May 18, 2022, the last day of the legislative session, following the Senate’s passing of the state’s budget bill. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Senate agrees to budget, House has until midnight

With hours left in session, House members remain divided

Lawmakers from both bodies of the Alaska State Legislature mingle in the halls of the Alaska State Capitol on Wednesday, May 18, 2022, the last day of the legislative session, following the Senate’s passing of the state’s budget bill. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)