Alaska Legislature

Major issues unresolved in legislative session’s final weeks

Major issues unresolved in legislative session’s final weeks

Gov. Dunleavy is facing resistance to pieces of his agenda.

Major issues unresolved in legislative session’s final weeks
The Alaska Marine Highway ferry LeConte pulls into Auke Bay in Juneau, Alaska. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Senators propose way for ferries to run this winter

There’s still a long time left in the budget process.

The Alaska Marine Highway ferry LeConte pulls into Auke Bay in Juneau, Alaska. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
From ‘witch hunt’ to ‘yippee-ki-yay’: Lawmakers confirm Dunleavy appointees after debates
From ‘witch hunt’ to ‘yippee-ki-yay’: Lawmakers confirm Dunleavy appointees after debates
Abbe Hensley, of Best Beginnings, shows off her phone case during a hearing for SB 6 in front of the Senate Education Committee at the Capitol on Tuesday, April 16, 2019. The bill is to provide money for prekindergarten education. The case reads: Alaskans for Early Education. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Abbe Hensley, of Best Beginnings, shows off her phone case during a hearing for SB 6 in front of the Senate Education Committee at the Capitol on Tuesday, April 16, 2019. The bill is to provide money for prekindergarten education. The case reads: Alaskans for Early Education. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Amanda Price, Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, center, is surrounded by Department of Public Safety officials during a press conference on her confirmation to the position at the Capitol on Tuesday, April 16, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

On eve of vote, public safety commissioner pick tries to win over lawmakers

She said reports of her past have been “incredibly distorted.”

Amanda Price, Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, center, is surrounded by Department of Public Safety officials during a press conference on her confirmation to the position at the Capitol on Tuesday, April 16, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Sen. David Wilson, R-Wasilla, speaks about his bill to allow residents to donate their Permanent Fund Dividend back to the state’s general fund during a Senate Finance Committee meeting on Monday. Anne Weske, Director of the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend, right, also spoke to the committee. (Michael Penn/Juneau Empire)
Sen. David Wilson, R-Wasilla, speaks about his bill to allow residents to donate their Permanent Fund Dividend back to the state’s general fund during a Senate Finance Committee meeting on Monday. Anne Weske, Director of the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend, right, also spoke to the committee. (Michael Penn/Juneau Empire)
Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, works a calculator as he and Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, listen to public testimony on the state budget in the Senate Finance Committee hearing on Friday, April 12, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, works a calculator as he and Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, listen to public testimony on the state budget in the Senate Finance Committee hearing on Friday, April 12, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Rep. Tammie Wilson, right, speaks to other representatives on the House of Representatives floor on Wednesday. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

House passes budget that rejects many Dunleavy cuts

Not everyone’s happy about it.

Rep. Tammie Wilson, right, speaks to other representatives on the House of Representatives floor on Wednesday. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)
Speaker of the House Bryce Edgmon, center, speaks with Rep. Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak and Rep. Steve Thompson, R-Fairbanks, during a House floor session on Wednesday, April 10, 2019. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)
Speaker of the House Bryce Edgmon, center, speaks with Rep. Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak and Rep. Steve Thompson, R-Fairbanks, during a House floor session on Wednesday, April 10, 2019. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)
Rep. Mark Neuman, R-Big Lake, left, speaks with Rep. Chris Tuck, D-Anchorage, on the House floor as amendments to the budget are proposed on Tuesday, April 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Rep. Mark Neuman, R-Big Lake, left, speaks with Rep. Chris Tuck, D-Anchorage, on the House floor as amendments to the budget are proposed on Tuesday, April 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Bills look at PFD’s future, spending cap for Legislature

Bills look at PFD’s future, spending cap for Legislature

One bill is meant to be a “conversation starter.”

Bills look at PFD’s future, spending cap for Legislature
In this Jan. 15, 2019 photo, House Republicians huddle for a decision on the opening day of the 31st Session of the Alaska Legislature. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Effort to move legislative sessions to Anchorage overcomes hurdle

Proposal would not move the capital.

In this Jan. 15, 2019 photo, House Republicians huddle for a decision on the opening day of the 31st Session of the Alaska Legislature. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
State’s top public defender resigns

State’s top public defender resigns

He’ll stay on until the state finds a replacement.

State’s top public defender resigns
After hearing from 1,800 Alaskans, House ready to form budget to counter Dunleavy’s
After hearing from 1,800 Alaskans, House ready to form budget to counter Dunleavy’s
Members of the public wait to share their thoughts on the governor’s budget to the House Finance Committee at the Alaska State Capitol on Friday, March 22, 2019. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

House Finance holds 1st community meeting on budget in Juneau

Dozens of people told lawmakers they’re ready to give to the state.

Members of the public wait to share their thoughts on the governor’s budget to the House Finance Committee at the Alaska State Capitol on Friday, March 22, 2019. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)
A homeless person sleeps on the sidewalk along South Franklin Street on Friday, March 15, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
A homeless person sleeps on the sidewalk along South Franklin Street on Friday, March 15, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Jason Brune, Commissioner designee for the Department of Conservation, speaks to the House Resources Committee at the Capitol on Friday, March 14, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Public skeptical of commissioner’s Pebble past

Dozens of people testified Friday afternoon.

Jason Brune, Commissioner designee for the Department of Conservation, speaks to the House Resources Committee at the Capitol on Friday, March 14, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Amber Batts (left) and Terra Burns (right) speak to residents on behalf of CUSP at the Christ Lutheran Church in Soldotna on March 11, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Advocacy group pushes for measure on police sexual contact

CUSP is pushing to make it illegal for police to have sexual contact during an investigation

Amber Batts (left) and Terra Burns (right) speak to residents on behalf of CUSP at the Christ Lutheran Church in Soldotna on March 11, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Bill would make permanent Alaska Native Heritage Month
Bill would make permanent Alaska Native Heritage Month
Voices of the Peninsula: Job losses are personal. I should know.

Voices of the Peninsula: Job losses are personal. I should know.

I’m preparing to tell you something very personal and intensely painful.

Voices of the Peninsula: Job losses are personal. I should know.