Alaska Legislature

Ashlyn O’Hara / Peninsula Clarion State Rep. Ron Gillham speaks at a ribbon-cutting ceremony Aug. 6. at Kenai Municipal Airport.

Gillham targets school reform in Juneau

Gillham said Friday that his bills are aimed at expanding parent choice in education

Ashlyn O’Hara / Peninsula Clarion State Rep. Ron Gillham speaks at a ribbon-cutting ceremony Aug. 6. at Kenai Municipal Airport.
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Members of the House Committee of Military and Veterans’ Affairs heard testimony on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022, on the far-right militia group the Oath Keepers amid public pressure to take disciplinary action against Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, who is a member of the group.

House committee hears testimony on far-right organization

‘A distraction.’

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Members of the House Committee of Military and Veterans’ Affairs heard testimony on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022, on the far-right militia group the Oath Keepers amid public pressure to take disciplinary action against Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, who is a member of the group.
Alaska Republican state Rep. David Eastman, standing, speaks on the House floor on Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, in Juneau Alaska. Alaska House leaders have backed away from a proposal to strip committee assignments from Eastman, who has acknowledged being a member of the far-right organization Oath Keepers, and for now plan to hold at least one hearing on the group. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

Alaska House backs off sanctions for Oath Keepers legislator

Eastman has cast the current debate around him as an extension of “cancel culture”

Alaska Republican state Rep. David Eastman, standing, speaks on the House floor on Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, in Juneau Alaska. Alaska House leaders have backed away from a proposal to strip committee assignments from Eastman, who has acknowledged being a member of the far-right organization Oath Keepers, and for now plan to hold at least one hearing on the group. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
Kenai Peninsula residents eat inside Kenai River Brewing Company in Soldotna, Alaska, on May 8, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Alcohol industry overhaul bill heads to Senate floor

A key focus of the bill is the consolidation of Alaska’s existing licensing and permitting regulations.

Kenai Peninsula residents eat inside Kenai River Brewing Company in Soldotna, Alaska, on May 8, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire The House Labor and Commerce Committee speaks Friday with Alaska’s congressional delegation about the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which is set to bring billions of dollars to the state.

Delegation: Work together to plan, optimize infrastructure money

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is set to bring billions of dollars to the state

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire The House Labor and Commerce Committee speaks Friday with Alaska’s congressional delegation about the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which is set to bring billions of dollars to the state.
Rep. Ron Gillham is seen here in this undated photo. (Courtesy Ron Gillham)

Gillham says he’s doing well after heart attack

The lawmaker said he began having discomfort late last Wednesday

Rep. Ron Gillham is seen here in this undated photo. (Courtesy Ron Gillham)
Copies of the Alaska State Constitution are available outside the Lt. Governor’s office at the Alaska State Capitol. A Senate bill with bipartisan support is seeking to enhance civics education for Alaskan students. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

Bill seeks to strengthen civics education

Students would have to take exam similar to citizenship test

Copies of the Alaska State Constitution are available outside the Lt. Governor’s office at the Alaska State Capitol. A Senate bill with bipartisan support is seeking to enhance civics education for Alaskan students. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
Alaska Rep. David Eastman, a Republican from Wasilla, sits at his desk on the Alaska House floor in Juneau, Alaska, on March 5, 2020. Alaska lawmakers are discussing whether to sanction Eastman who is also a member of the Oath Keepers far-right paramilitary organization according to the Anchorage Daily News. Eastman, who is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, confirmed with the Associated Press, Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022, that he joined the Oath Keepers a little over 12 years ago, “along with 38,000 others who have committed to honoring oaths we have taken.” (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)

State lawmaker could be sanctioned over Oath Keeper ties

Eastman was identified as a “life member” of the Oath Keepers last year

Alaska Rep. David Eastman, a Republican from Wasilla, sits at his desk on the Alaska House floor in Juneau, Alaska, on March 5, 2020. Alaska lawmakers are discussing whether to sanction Eastman who is also a member of the Oath Keepers far-right paramilitary organization according to the Anchorage Daily News. Eastman, who is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, confirmed with the Associated Press, Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022, that he joined the Oath Keepers a little over 12 years ago, “along with 38,000 others who have committed to honoring oaths we have taken.” (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)
Sen. Shelley Hughes, R-Palmer; Senate President Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna; Sen. Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak and Sen. Click Bishop, R-Fairbanks, spoke to reporters Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022, immediately following Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s State of the State address. Members of the Senate Republican leadership said they appreciated the governor’s optimism, and hoped it signaled a better relationship between the administration and the Legislature. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Lawmakers welcome tone change in governor’s address

With caveats on financials, legislators optimistic about working together

Sen. Shelley Hughes, R-Palmer; Senate President Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna; Sen. Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak and Sen. Click Bishop, R-Fairbanks, spoke to reporters Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022, immediately following Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s State of the State address. Members of the Senate Republican leadership said they appreciated the governor’s optimism, and hoped it signaled a better relationship between the administration and the Legislature. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to a joint meeting of the Alaska State Legislature at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022, for his fourth State of the State address of his administration. Dunleavy painted a positive picture for the state despite the challenges Alaska has faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on the economy. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Gov points ‘North to the Future’

Dunleavy paints optimistic picture in State of the State address

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to a joint meeting of the Alaska State Legislature at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022, for his fourth State of the State address of his administration. Dunleavy painted a positive picture for the state despite the challenges Alaska has faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on the economy. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Screenshot / Alaska Redistricting Board The Alaska Redistricting Board’s decision to pair District 21 (teal) and District 22 (purple) into one senate district is the subject of a lawsuit from East Anchorage residents of District 21. An Anchorage Superior Court heard the first arguments in that case on Friday, Jan. 21, 2022, part of several lawsuits against the Redistricting Board that have been consolidated into a single case.

1st arguments heard in Redistricting Board lawsuits

Arguments resume Monday.

Screenshot / Alaska Redistricting Board The Alaska Redistricting Board’s decision to pair District 21 (teal) and District 22 (purple) into one senate district is the subject of a lawsuit from East Anchorage residents of District 21. An Anchorage Superior Court heard the first arguments in that case on Friday, Jan. 21, 2022, part of several lawsuits against the Redistricting Board that have been consolidated into a single case.
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Senate Minority Leader Tom Begich, D-Anchorage, speaks to the Empire in his office at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday. Begich introduced the Alaska Reads Act with Gov. Mike Dunleavy in 2020, but despite strong bipartisan support, disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic slowed the bill’s progression. But Begich is confident this will be the year a reading bill passes the Legislature.

Years in the making, lawmakers hopeful reading bill will pass

Bipartisan support for bill.

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Senate Minority Leader Tom Begich, D-Anchorage, speaks to the Empire in his office at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday. Begich introduced the Alaska Reads Act with Gov. Mike Dunleavy in 2020, but despite strong bipartisan support, disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic slowed the bill’s progression. But Begich is confident this will be the year a reading bill passes the Legislature.
The Alaska State Capitol building seen on Monday, Jan. 10, 2022 in Juneau, Alaska. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

State lawmakers face proposed salary hike, allowance limits

A commission voted 3-1 to raise the base salary from $50,400 a year to $64,000

The Alaska State Capitol building seen on Monday, Jan. 10, 2022 in Juneau, Alaska. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire House Speaker Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, gave a stern warning about decorum to members of the Alaska House of Representatives on the first day of the legislative session on Tuesday, Jan 18, 2022. Last year the Legislature was so divided it took a full regular session and four special sessions before work was completed.

1st day of session brings familiar tensions to Legislature

The session opened with calls for bipartisanship, but tensions were evident

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire House Speaker Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, gave a stern warning about decorum to members of the Alaska House of Representatives on the first day of the legislative session on Tuesday, Jan 18, 2022. Last year the Legislature was so divided it took a full regular session and four special sessions before work was completed.
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy addresses members of the press on Monday, Jan. 17, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. (Screenshot)

Dunleavy talks upcoming session, lambasts media

In a press conference Monday, Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy discussed his goals for the upcoming legislative session and took aim at what he claimed was… Continue reading

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy addresses members of the press on Monday, Jan. 17, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. (Screenshot)
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Chair of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. Board of Trustees Craig Richards answers questions from the members of the Legislative Budget and Audit Committee on Monday. The committee called Richards and other members of the board to answer questions about the December firing of former APFC CEO Angela Rodell, who has claimed her termination was politically motivated.

Permanent Fund Corp. board members defend CEO firing

A tense start to session.

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Chair of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. Board of Trustees Craig Richards answers questions from the members of the Legislative Budget and Audit Committee on Monday. The committee called Richards and other members of the board to answer questions about the December firing of former APFC CEO Angela Rodell, who has claimed her termination was politically motivated.
Alaska Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna (Courtesy photo)

Micciche ‘optimistic’ lawmakers can steady state’s financial future

Heading into the session, Micciche said his primary focus will be on passing a fiscal plan for the state

Alaska Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna (Courtesy photo)
Lawmakers will return next week to the Alaska State Capitol building, seen here on Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, for the next session of the Alaska State Legislature. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Local lawmakers prefile bills as session looms

COVID-19 health mandates, annexation and alcohol code reform on lawmakers’ agenda

Lawmakers will return next week to the Alaska State Capitol building, seen here on Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, for the next session of the Alaska State Legislature. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Rep. Sarah Vance hosts a town hall meeting at Captain’s Coffee to discuss her priorities for the upcoming legislative session. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)

Stevens, Vance reach out to constituents

Sen. Stevens and Rep. Vance hold meetings before heading to Juneau for start of session.

Rep. Sarah Vance hosts a town hall meeting at Captain’s Coffee to discuss her priorities for the upcoming legislative session. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)
State Sen. Peter Micciche fields questions from constituents during a joint chamber luncheon on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022 at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Micciche briefs community ahead of session

Micciche seeks path forward on budget, looks to pass legislation on fishing permits, alcohol regulations

State Sen. Peter Micciche fields questions from constituents during a joint chamber luncheon on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022 at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)