Alaska Legislature

Eric Forrer, left, and Joe Geldhof, right, have sued the state of Alaska in an attempt to stop a plan that calls for borrowing up to $1 billion from global bond markets to pay oil and gas tax credits owed by the state. They are pictured May 22, 2018 in an interview at the Juneau Empire. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire File)

Alaska pauses plan to borrow $1 billion for oil-company payouts

State officials confirmed Tuesday that a billion-dollar bond issue is on hold amid a pending lawsuit by two Juneau men. The bonds, authorized by the… Continue reading

Eric Forrer, left, and Joe Geldhof, right, have sued the state of Alaska in an attempt to stop a plan that calls for borrowing up to $1 billion from global bond markets to pay oil and gas tax credits owed by the state. They are pictured May 22, 2018 in an interview at the Juneau Empire. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire File)
Gov. Bill Walker speaks to members of the media in April 2015. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file photo)

Despite pending lawsuit, Gov. Bill Walker signs oil and gas borrowing bill

Despite a pending lawsuit, Gov. Bill Walker on Wednesday signed legislation allowing the state of Alaska to borrow up to $1 billion in order to… Continue reading

Gov. Bill Walker speaks to members of the media in April 2015. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file photo)

Peninsula legislators review session, stick with no new taxes

Editor's note: This story has been changed to correct the House sponsorship of Senate Bill 193, creating a work requirement for Medicaid. Rep. Chuck Kopp (R-Anchorage)… Continue reading

Alaska Gov. Bill Walker signs state spending bills during a ceremony Wednesday at the University of Alaska Anchorage. Walker did perform some line-item vetoes, including rejecting funding for a bridge project that would link Anchorage to the Matanuska-Susitna Borough and a Vitamin D deficiency study. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Analysis: Alaska Gov. Bill Walker signs deficit-slashing budget, but ‘shadow deficit’ remains

On Wednesday in Anchorage, Gov. Bill Walker signed a $10.4 billion state operating budget, a $1.5 billion capital construction and renovation budget, a mental health… Continue reading

Alaska Gov. Bill Walker signs state spending bills during a ceremony Wednesday at the University of Alaska Anchorage. Walker did perform some line-item vetoes, including rejecting funding for a bridge project that would link Anchorage to the Matanuska-Susitna Borough and a Vitamin D deficiency study. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
Lawmakers approve legislation, funding to test backlog of rape kits

Lawmakers approve legislation, funding to test backlog of rape kits

An effort to solve a backlog of untested evidence from rape cases across Alaska received a major boost from the Alaska Legislature this week, but… Continue reading

Lawmakers approve legislation, funding to test backlog of rape kits
Conference Committee members Rep. Steve Thompson, R-Fairbanks, left, shakes hands with Sen. Donald Olson, R-Golovin, after the committee finished its work on the budgets at the Capitol on Thursday, May 10, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Legislature will dodge record for fewest bills

In the final days of the two-year legislative session, lawmakers were making up for lost time. At the end of their first year, the 30th… Continue reading

Conference Committee members Rep. Steve Thompson, R-Fairbanks, left, shakes hands with Sen. Donald Olson, R-Golovin, after the committee finished its work on the budgets at the Capitol on Thursday, May 10, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Bill would hike fees for city, borough cars

Part of a bill introduced late in the legislative session would hike the price that municipalities pay for their license plates. The bill, HB 409,… Continue reading

This April 2017 photo shows the Alaska Railroad Corporation’s bridge across the Snow River near Seward, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Resolution puts Legislature into railroad property dispute

A resolution before the Legislature attempts to put a stake in an ongoing disagreement between the Alaska Railroad Corporation and landowners next to its tracks.… Continue reading

This April 2017 photo shows the Alaska Railroad Corporation’s bridge across the Snow River near Seward, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)
Nancy Keen, center, and Alfie Price, right, sing a Nisga’a prayer song as senators, including Sen. John Coghill, R-North Pole, make their way to the Senate chambers for a session on Wednesday, April 25, 2018. Senators were to vote on a resolution urging Gov. Bill Walker to issue an administrative order recognizing a linguistic emergency for Alaska Native languages. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

State Senate unanimously recognizes Alaska Native ‘linguistic emergency’

The Alaska Senate voted Wednesday 20-0 in favor of a resolution declaring a “linguistic emergency” for Alaska Native languages, ending almost a week of debate… Continue reading

Nancy Keen, center, and Alfie Price, right, sing a Nisga’a prayer song as senators, including Sen. John Coghill, R-North Pole, make their way to the Senate chambers for a session on Wednesday, April 25, 2018. Senators were to vote on a resolution urging Gov. Bill Walker to issue an administrative order recognizing a linguistic emergency for Alaska Native languages. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Legislature approves flat schools budget, but no increases may force cuts

The Alaska Legislature on Wednesday approved a $1.2 billion budget for public schools in the next fiscal year. With a 31-9 vote, the Alaska House… Continue reading

House struggles could risk Permanent Fund Corp. in long term

As the Alaska Legislature careens toward the end of its 2018 regular session, the head of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation is urging lawmakers to… Continue reading

Sen. Bill Wielechowski, D-Anchorage, speaks to his amendment to the state’s operating budget to inflation proof the Alaska Permanent Fund in the Senate at the Capitol on Thursday, April 12, 2018. The amendment was voted down 11-9. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Alaska Senate approves $1,600 PFD

The Alaska Senate has voted to keep this year’s Permanent Fund Dividend at $1,600. With a pair of votes Thursday afternoon, senators rejected proposals from… Continue reading

Sen. Bill Wielechowski, D-Anchorage, speaks to his amendment to the state’s operating budget to inflation proof the Alaska Permanent Fund in the Senate at the Capitol on Thursday, April 12, 2018. The amendment was voted down 11-9. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
A Municipality of Anchorage vote-by-mail drop box is seen in an undated photo. (Maria Athens | For the Juneau Empire)

After Anchorage success, state considers whether Alaska is ready for elections by mail

By the numbers alone, Anchorage’s first election held by mail has been a smashing success. Election Day was Tuesday, and almost 80,000 votes have already… Continue reading

A Municipality of Anchorage vote-by-mail drop box is seen in an undated photo. (Maria Athens | For the Juneau Empire)
In this August 2017 photo, sockeye salmon mill in the pool just below the Russian River Falls near Cooper Landing, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion, file)

Salmon habitat bill still milling in House Fisheries committee

With the Legislature closing in on the final day of its regular session, the battle over a bill to tighten restrictions on permits to develop… Continue reading

In this August 2017 photo, sockeye salmon mill in the pool just below the Russian River Falls near Cooper Landing, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion, file)

After squall, fish board nominees sail through committee

After a rapid upheaval in the Board of Fisheries nomination process in March, Gov. Bill Walker’s two nominees sailed quietly through the Alaska Legislature’s committees… Continue reading

Ruffner files to run against Seaton for House seat

A Board of Fisheries member is planning to challenge Rep. Paul Seaton (R-Homer) for his seat in the Alaska Legislature. Robert Ruffner of Kasilof filed… Continue reading

This Friday, July 17, 2015 photo shows peonies for sale by Cool Cache Farms LLC., in Kenai, Alaska. (Clarion file photo)

Bill seeks to expand cottage food sales, farm tours

Kenai Peninsula farmer and local food advocates are leading the charge for a bill to expand what local farms can offer for consumers and tourists.… Continue reading

This Friday, July 17, 2015 photo shows peonies for sale by Cool Cache Farms LLC., in Kenai, Alaska. (Clarion file photo)
Rep. Sam Kito III, D-Juneau, right, speaks alongside Marc Luiken, Commissioner of the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities during a breakout session on Alaska Marine Highway System Reform at Southeast Conference at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018. Kito said this week that he will not seek re-election. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Juneau Rep. Sam Kito III will not run for re-election in 2018

Rep. Sam Kito III ended months of speculation in a Monday interview with the Juneau Empire by declaring he will not run for re-election this… Continue reading

Rep. Sam Kito III, D-Juneau, right, speaks alongside Marc Luiken, Commissioner of the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities during a breakout session on Alaska Marine Highway System Reform at Southeast Conference at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018. Kito said this week that he will not seek re-election. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

State budget battles may stall amid election year

Three years into the Legislature’s budget battles, a comprehensive fix to the state’s fiscal problems doesn’t seem likely to come down this year. Though oil… Continue reading

Conflict sparks over Walker’s fish board appointment

Sportfishing groups are raising a hue and cry about Gov. Bill Walker’s proposed appointee to the Board of Fisheries. Current board member Al Cain of… Continue reading