Alaska Legislature

Informal floor sessions were held this week at the Alaska State Capitol, seen here on Sept. 24, 2021, but committee meetings were held remotely as many lawmakers have returned home. But only the House of Representatives was busy as the Senate was stalled by COVID-positive senators. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Senate is stalled while House gets to work

Two weeks left.

Informal floor sessions were held this week at the Alaska State Capitol, seen here on Sept. 24, 2021, but committee meetings were held remotely as many lawmakers have returned home. But only the House of Representatives was busy as the Senate was stalled by COVID-positive senators. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Several members of the Alaska House of Representatives were absent form a floor session Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021, but after a quiet first week lawmakers are scheduled to hold committee meetings through the end of the week.

COVID cases delay Senate

Still slow going.

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Several members of the Alaska House of Representatives were absent form a floor session Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021, but after a quiet first week lawmakers are scheduled to hold committee meetings through the end of the week.
The doors of the Alaska Senate chambers were shut Friday, Oct. 8, 2021, a week into the Alaska State Legislature’s fourth special session of the year. Gov. Mike Dunleavy called lawmakers to session to resolve the state’s longterm fiscal issues, but the same divisions that have kept lawmakers from finding resolution before are still in place. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

A week into special session, work hasn’t begun

Quiet day at the Capitol.

The doors of the Alaska Senate chambers were shut Friday, Oct. 8, 2021, a week into the Alaska State Legislature’s fourth special session of the year. Gov. Mike Dunleavy called lawmakers to session to resolve the state’s longterm fiscal issues, but the same divisions that have kept lawmakers from finding resolution before are still in place. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Speaker of the Alaska House of Representatives Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, and House Minority Leader Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla, step outside the House chambers on Monday to discuss a message from the Senate. Lawmakers entered their fourth special session Monday, with a resolution to hold committee meetings remotely.

4th special session gets off to a slow start

Lawmakers discuss making legislative work remote

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Speaker of the Alaska House of Representatives Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, and House Minority Leader Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla, step outside the House chambers on Monday to discuss a message from the Senate. Lawmakers entered their fourth special session Monday, with a resolution to hold committee meetings remotely.
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire The doors of the Alaska State Capitol were open Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, though the Alaska State Legislature was not in session. They will be soon, however, as Gov. Mike Dunleavy has called a fourth special session of the year. Lawmakers receive a per diem for days in session, and with so many special sessions those costs can add up.

Per diem for special sessions? It’s up to lawmakers

They have options.

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire The doors of the Alaska State Capitol were open Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, though the Alaska State Legislature was not in session. They will be soon, however, as Gov. Mike Dunleavy has called a fourth special session of the year. Lawmakers receive a per diem for days in session, and with so many special sessions those costs can add up.
Senators converse during an At Ease in a floor session of the Alaska State Senate on Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021. Senators passed a budget bill with a Permanent Fund Dividend of $1,100, but there’s disagreement over the fund sources that may lead to legal action. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Senate passes budget bill, $1,100 PFD hours before deadline

Next stop: The governor’s desk.

Senators converse during an At Ease in a floor session of the Alaska State Senate on Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021. Senators passed a budget bill with a Permanent Fund Dividend of $1,100, but there’s disagreement over the fund sources that may lead to legal action. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Rep. Sara Hannan, D-Juneau, speaks in her office at the Alaska State Capitol on Wednesday, March 13, 2019. Hannan apologized Sunday for saying Nazi experimentation on prisoners “produced results.” (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Alaska Democratic lawmaker apologizes after Nazi comment

JUNEAU — A member of the Alaska Legislature has apologized for saying Nazi experimentation on prisoners “produced results.” State Rep. Sara Hannan, a Democrat from… Continue reading

Rep. Sara Hannan, D-Juneau, speaks in her office at the Alaska State Capitol on Wednesday, March 13, 2019. Hannan apologized Sunday for saying Nazi experimentation on prisoners “produced results.” (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Lawmakers at the Alaska State Capitol, seen here in this Jun. 7, file photo, heard a bill that would make it easier for hospitals to hire workers from other states on Tuesday, with only a week left in the Legislature's third special session of the year. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

Lawmakers fast track bill to aid health care hiring

Workers are strained.

Lawmakers at the Alaska State Capitol, seen here in this Jun. 7, file photo, heard a bill that would make it easier for hospitals to hire workers from other states on Tuesday, with only a week left in the Legislature's third special session of the year. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Members of the Alaska House of Representatives consult staff during an at ease during floor debate on Aug. 31, in the middle of the Alaska State Legislature’s third special session of the year. Gov. Mike Dunleavy said another session is likely, but didn’t say when or where it would be held.

Governor, lawmakers say another special session likely

‘Contemplating the venue.’

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Members of the Alaska House of Representatives consult staff during an at ease during floor debate on Aug. 31, in the middle of the Alaska State Legislature’s third special session of the year. Gov. Mike Dunleavy said another session is likely, but didn’t say when or where it would be held.
Sens. David Wilson, R-Wasilla, center, and Lyman Hoffman, D-Bethel, right, put questions to Office of Management and Budget Director Neil Steininger during a meeting of the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021. The Legislature's third special session of the year is dealing mostly with budget issues despite having been called to bring resolution to the state's fiscal deficit. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Governor adds amendments to budget bill

Maybe another session.

Sens. David Wilson, R-Wasilla, center, and Lyman Hoffman, D-Bethel, right, put questions to Office of Management and Budget Director Neil Steininger during a meeting of the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021. The Legislature's third special session of the year is dealing mostly with budget issues despite having been called to bring resolution to the state's fiscal deficit. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire House Speaker Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, center, leaves the House chambers on Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021 following marathon floor sessions that morning and Monday night. The House passed an appropriations bill but not before members of the minority voiced deep objections.

House passes budget bill, calls for $1,100 PFD

Fractious floor sessions.

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire House Speaker Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, center, leaves the House chambers on Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021 following marathon floor sessions that morning and Monday night. The House passed an appropriations bill but not before members of the minority voiced deep objections.
From left to right, House Majority Leader Chris Tuck, D-Anchorage; House Minority Leader Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla and Reps. Mike Prax, R-North Pole; Ben Carpenter, R-Nikiski and George Rauscher, R-Sutton, speak on the floor of the Alaska House of Representatives following a floor session on Monday, Aug. 30, 2021. Lawmakers found themselves debating familiar topics as they worked through amendments to a budget bill. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

House budget debate stretches into evening

Dividend divisions.

From left to right, House Majority Leader Chris Tuck, D-Anchorage; House Minority Leader Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla and Reps. Mike Prax, R-North Pole; Ben Carpenter, R-Nikiski and George Rauscher, R-Sutton, speak on the floor of the Alaska House of Representatives following a floor session on Monday, Aug. 30, 2021. Lawmakers found themselves debating familiar topics as they worked through amendments to a budget bill. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
House Speaker Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, speaks with Reps. Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, and Matt Claman, D-Anchorage, on Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021, as members of the House Republican Minority failed to show up for floor session. Divisions over the pace and direction of the special session has delayed legislative work. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Divisions delay work as lawmakers trade blame

Hopes for work group.

House Speaker Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, speaks with Reps. Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, and Matt Claman, D-Anchorage, on Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021, as members of the House Republican Minority failed to show up for floor session. Divisions over the pace and direction of the special session has delayed legislative work. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Rep. Ivy Sponholz, D-Anchorage, left, listens as Legislative Finance Director Alexei Painter gives a presentation to the House Ways and Means Committee on Monday, Aug. 23, 2021. Lawmakers have less than 30 days to try and both complete the state’s budget and find resolution on the state’s long term fiscal problems. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Legislators aim to finish budget, find fiscal solutions

Less than 30 days.

Rep. Ivy Sponholz, D-Anchorage, left, listens as Legislative Finance Director Alexei Painter gives a presentation to the House Ways and Means Committee on Monday, Aug. 23, 2021. Lawmakers have less than 30 days to try and both complete the state’s budget and find resolution on the state’s long term fiscal problems. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Lawmakers will be back at the Alaska State Capitol, seen here in this file photo, on Aug. 16, and after spending several weeks on background hearings and public testimony, members of the work group say they’re ready to get into solutions. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

Fiscal working group readies for policy proposals

Making progress.

Lawmakers will be back at the Alaska State Capitol, seen here in this file photo, on Aug. 16, and after spending several weeks on background hearings and public testimony, members of the work group say they’re ready to get into solutions. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
Another special session is scheduled to start Aug. 2, 2021, at the Alaska State Capitol, seen here in this Empire file photo. But some lawmakers said Wednesday August may be too soon, and suggest that date may change. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

Fiscal working group members set lofty goals, say time is needed

Cautious optimism.

Another special session is scheduled to start Aug. 2, 2021, at the Alaska State Capitol, seen here in this Empire file photo. But some lawmakers said Wednesday August may be too soon, and suggest that date may change. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks June 17, 2021 news conference at the Alaska State Capitol. (Peter Segall/Juneau Empire file)

Dunleavy OKs earnings transfer after veto error

Dunleavy last week said one of his more significant vetoes was the $4 billion transfer.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks June 17, 2021 news conference at the Alaska State Capitol. (Peter Segall/Juneau Empire file)
A letter from the Alaska Broadcasters Association was sent to Alaska House Rep. Ron Gillham, R-Kenai-Soldotna, on July 1, 2021, condemning a post he shared on Facebook that compared journalists and medical professionals who disseminate information about COVID-19 to Nazis executed for war crimes. (Letter provided by the Alaska Broadcasters Association) Alaska House Rep. Ron Gillham. (Courtesy Ron Gillham)

Broadcasters group decries lawmaker’s Facebook post

House Rep. Ron Gillham, who represents the Kenai-Soldotna area, posted a meme comparing journalists, medics to Nazis.

A letter from the Alaska Broadcasters Association was sent to Alaska House Rep. Ron Gillham, R-Kenai-Soldotna, on July 1, 2021, condemning a post he shared on Facebook that compared journalists and medical professionals who disseminate information about COVID-19 to Nazis executed for war crimes. (Letter provided by the Alaska Broadcasters Association) Alaska House Rep. Ron Gillham. (Courtesy Ron Gillham)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy, seen here speaking at a Jun 17, 2021 news conference at the Alaska State Capitol, announced $215 million in vetoes to the state budget Thursday, and called on lawmakers to come together to solve the state's fiscal issues. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

Gov announces $215M in vetoes —lawmakers’ per diem payments, PFD are among cuts

Announcement prompts strong pushback.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy, seen here speaking at a Jun 17, 2021 news conference at the Alaska State Capitol, announced $215 million in vetoes to the state budget Thursday, and called on lawmakers to come together to solve the state's fiscal issues. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
Alaska House Speaker Louise Stutes, center, looks on as groups of legislators meet on the House floor on Monday, June 28, 2021, in Juneau, Alaska. The Alaska Legislature ended its second special session on Monday, after the House acted to adopt effective date provisions attached to a state spending package in a move intended to avert a partial government shutdown. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

Judge to hear arguments in state AG’s budget lawsuit case

Taylor sued the Legislative Affairs Agency after the House on June 15 failed to adopt the effective date provisions.

Alaska House Speaker Louise Stutes, center, looks on as groups of legislators meet on the House floor on Monday, June 28, 2021, in Juneau, Alaska. The Alaska Legislature ended its second special session on Monday, after the House acted to adopt effective date provisions attached to a state spending package in a move intended to avert a partial government shutdown. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)