Alaska Legislature

Mark Spano and Bob Loeffler hike in Chugach National Forest. (Photo courtesy Chris Beck/Alaska Trails Initiative)

Funding for 500-mile trail awaits lawmaker action

The proposed trail would run from Seward to Fairbanks.

Mark Spano and Bob Loeffler hike in Chugach National Forest. (Photo courtesy Chris Beck/Alaska Trails Initiative)
The Alaska State Capitol remained closed to the public on Monday, April 26, 2021, but with high rates of vaccinations among staff, lawmakers have relaxed some of the health rules in place since the start of the session in January. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
The Alaska State Capitol remained closed to the public on Monday, April 26, 2021, but with high rates of vaccinations among staff, lawmakers have relaxed some of the health rules in place since the start of the session in January. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Ron Gillham represents District 30 in the Alaska State House. (Courtesy photo)

Voices of the Peninsula: Alaska, resource development, and an eye for the future

When Alaskans set their minds toward a project, no matter the difficulty, we do what others say, “can’t be done.”

Ron Gillham represents District 30 in the Alaska State House. (Courtesy photo)
Lawmakers on the floor of the Alaska House of Representatives discuss an amendment on an education funding bill on Wednesday, April 21, 2021. Some House members are trying to pass a budget specifically for education, a departure from past years. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Lawmakers on the floor of the Alaska House of Representatives discuss an amendment on an education funding bill on Wednesday, April 21, 2021. Some House members are trying to pass a budget specifically for education, a departure from past years. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Sen. Lora Reinbold, R-Eagle River, holds a press in front of the doors to the Senate chambers on Thursday, March 4, 2021. Reinbold called the conference to respond to a letter from Gov. Mike Dunleavy saying he would no longer participate with her as chair of the Senate Judicairy Committee. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

State Senate removes Lora Reinbold as judiciary committee chair

The committee change was approved 17-1, with Reinbold the lone no.

Sen. Lora Reinbold, R-Eagle River, holds a press in front of the doors to the Senate chambers on Thursday, March 4, 2021. Reinbold called the conference to respond to a letter from Gov. Mike Dunleavy saying he would no longer participate with her as chair of the Senate Judicairy Committee. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Rep. Ben Carpenter, R-Nikiski, speaks during a debate on a supplemental budget on Wednesday, March 18, 2020. (Courtesy photo | Brian Hild, House Majority Digital Media Specialist)

Bill prohibiting employers from mandating vaccine introduced

Rep. Ben Carpenter, R-Nikiski, introduced legislation Wednesday.

Rep. Ben Carpenter, R-Nikiski, speaks during a debate on a supplemental budget on Wednesday, March 18, 2020. (Courtesy photo | Brian Hild, House Majority Digital Media Specialist)
(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: An idea to limit length of legislative floor sessions

Here’s the plan to help move along the baseball games, I mean legislative work, at a faster pace.

(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer, speaks at a town hall meeting on Monday, March 29, 2021, at Captain’s Coffee in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

‘Sip with Sarah’ at coffee shop covers topics from budget to pandemic response

Vance affirms support for rural DMV offices, opposes emergency declaration

Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer, speaks at a town hall meeting on Monday, March 29, 2021, at Captain’s Coffee in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
A person holds their thumb over a fingerprint sensor to log into an application. Gov. Mike Dunleavy on Wednesday introduced a bill that would make companies that collect and sell private information have to receive user’s consent first. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

New bill would allow Alaskans to know when data is collected

Governor introduced Consumer Data Privacy Act on Wednesday.

A person holds their thumb over a fingerprint sensor to log into an application. Gov. Mike Dunleavy on Wednesday introduced a bill that would make companies that collect and sell private information have to receive user’s consent first. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Sens. Shelley Hughes, R-Palmer, left and Lora Reinbold, R-Eagle River, questioned acting Attorney General Treg Taylor about the administration’s approach to legal matters at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Wednesday, March 23, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Sens. Shelley Hughes, R-Palmer, left and Lora Reinbold, R-Eagle River, questioned acting Attorney General Treg Taylor about the administration’s approach to legal matters at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Wednesday, March 23, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Rep. Chris Kurka, R-Wasilla, leaves the chambers of the Alaska House of Representatives on Friday, March 19, 2021, after an hour of delays concerning the wording on his mask. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Rep. Chris Kurka, R-Wasilla, leaves the chambers of the Alaska House of Representatives on Friday, March 19, 2021, after an hour of delays concerning the wording on his mask. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Rep. Christopher Kurka, R-Wasilla, seen here leaving the House chambers on Feb. 22, questioned masking rules on the floor of the House Monday and said there was political bias behind enforcement of rules. However, also on Monday two staff members tested positive for COVID-19 and 14 other people, including two House lawmakers, have gone into quarantine. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Rep. Christopher Kurka, R-Wasilla, seen here leaving the House chambers on Feb. 22, questioned masking rules on the floor of the House Monday and said there was political bias behind enforcement of rules. However, also on Monday two staff members tested positive for COVID-19 and 14 other people, including two House lawmakers, have gone into quarantine. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Alaska Attorney General Treg Taylor, foreground, appears before the House Judiciary Committee for a confirmation hearing on Monday, March 15, 2021, in Juneau, Alaska. Republican Rep. Christopher Kurka, a committee member, is seen in the background. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

Alaska AG discusses plans, Clarkson in hearing

Dunleavy appointed Taylor as attorney general in January to replace Ed Sniffen.

Alaska Attorney General Treg Taylor, foreground, appears before the House Judiciary Committee for a confirmation hearing on Monday, March 15, 2021, in Juneau, Alaska. Republican Rep. Christopher Kurka, a committee member, is seen in the background. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
Alaska state Sen. Lora Reinbold sits in a Senate gallery on Friday, in Juneau. The Alaska Senate voted Wednesday to allow leadership to restrict access to the Capitol by Reinbold, an Eagle River Republican, over violations of protocols meant to guard against COVID-19. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, Pool)

Senate leaders accommodate Reinbold over virus rules

Two days earlier, senators voted to allow leadership to restrict access by Reinbold to the Capitol.

Alaska state Sen. Lora Reinbold sits in a Senate gallery on Friday, in Juneau. The Alaska Senate voted Wednesday to allow leadership to restrict access to the Capitol by Reinbold, an Eagle River Republican, over violations of protocols meant to guard against COVID-19. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, Pool)
Senate President Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, speaks with Sen. David Wilson, R-Wasilla, after being unanimously elected to the position on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire, Pool)
Newly elected Senate President Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, speaks with Sen. David Wilson, R-Wasilla, after being unanimously elected to the position on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire, Pool)

Local lawmakers pursue priorities in Juneau

Of the central peninsula’s three legislative representatives, only bills sponsored by Sen. Peter Micciche have been heard in committee.

Senate President Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, speaks with Sen. David Wilson, R-Wasilla, after being unanimously elected to the position on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire, Pool)
Newly elected Senate President Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, speaks with Sen. David Wilson, R-Wasilla, after being unanimously elected to the position on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire, Pool)
Alaska Senate Secretary Liz Clark, right, holds a copy of the Alaska Legislature’s uniform rules as she talks to Sen. Lora Reinbold, R-Eagle River, center, while Senate President Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna and Senate Majority Leader Shelley Hughes, R-Palmer, in the Alaska State Capitol in Juneau, Alaska, Wednesday, March 10, 2021. Reinbold was excluded from most spaces in the Alaska State Capitol until she follows the Legislature’s anti-COVID policies. (James Brooks/Anchorage Daily News via AP, Pool)

Alaska Senate takes action against member over virus rules

Fellow lawmakers say Republican Sen. Lora Reinbold has refused to follow measures meant to guard against COVID-19.

Alaska Senate Secretary Liz Clark, right, holds a copy of the Alaska Legislature’s uniform rules as she talks to Sen. Lora Reinbold, R-Eagle River, center, while Senate President Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna and Senate Majority Leader Shelley Hughes, R-Palmer, in the Alaska State Capitol in Juneau, Alaska, Wednesday, March 10, 2021. Reinbold was excluded from most spaces in the Alaska State Capitol until she follows the Legislature’s anti-COVID policies. (James Brooks/Anchorage Daily News via AP, Pool)
The Department of Health and Social Services, its headquarters seen here in Juneau on Monday, March 8, 2021, could be split into two departments by an executive order from the governor. However, some lawmakers have raised concern about the legality of the order, saying it could lead to costly litigation. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Lawmakers question whether proposed department split is legal

Governor maintains executive order is within his powers, others are less sure.

The Department of Health and Social Services, its headquarters seen here in Juneau on Monday, March 8, 2021, could be split into two departments by an executive order from the governor. However, some lawmakers have raised concern about the legality of the order, saying it could lead to costly litigation. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, chairs a Senate Finance Committee meeting on Thursday, March 4, 2021. Stedman, who’s chaired the finance committee through multiple legislatures, said time is running out to fix the state’s finances. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

‘Time is running out’: Lawmaker warns of state finances

“The longer it takes to fix this, my concern is the smaller the dividend will be for the people.”

Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, chairs a Senate Finance Committee meeting on Thursday, March 4, 2021. Stedman, who’s chaired the finance committee through multiple legislatures, said time is running out to fix the state’s finances. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Members of the Alaska House of Representatives gather for a Finance Committee meeting on Monday, March 1, 2021 even after a staff member had tested positive for COVID-19. Meetings were canceled last week after Rep. Mike Cronk, R-Tok, tested positive. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Members of the Alaska House of Representatives gather for a Finance Committee meeting on Monday, March 1, 2021 even after a staff member had tested positive for COVID-19. Meetings were canceled last week after Rep. Mike Cronk, R-Tok, tested positive. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
A magnet promoting the Alaska Reads Act released by the state last year sits atop a stack of Alaskan-authored and Alaska-centric books. A shortened session last year meant the bill, announced by Senate Minority Leader Tom Begich, D-Anchorage, and Gov. Mike Dunleavy, didn’t make it through the last Legislature. But there’s a new bill, nearly the same as the old bill, working its way through the Senate. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file)
A magnet promoting the Alaska Reads Act released by the state last year sits atop a stack of Alaskan-authored and Alaska-centric books. A shortened session last year meant the bill, announced by Senate Minority Leader Tom Begich, D-Anchorage, and Gov. Mike Dunleavy, didn’t make it through the last Legislature. But there’s a new bill, nearly the same as the old bill, working its way through the Senate. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file)