Alaska Legislature

Rep. David Talerico, R-Healy, speaks during a press conference with Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer, left, and Rep. Colleen Sullivan-Leonard, R-Wasilla, at the Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Gov’s budget draws both concern and praise from local legislators

“There isn’t anybody at this point who says ‘We approve that total budget.’”

Rep. David Talerico, R-Healy, speaks during a press conference with Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer, left, and Rep. Colleen Sullivan-Leonard, R-Wasilla, at the Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
In this July 2018 file photo, Seine boats wait in line to set their nets at Amalga Harbor. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire)

Governor proposes redirecting money from fishing communities to state

Juneau could lose out on $400,000 annually.

In this July 2018 file photo, Seine boats wait in line to set their nets at Amalga Harbor. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire)
Alaska Supreme Court Chief Justice Joel H. Bolger speaks to a Joint Session of the Alaska Legislature at the Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2019. Senate President Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, and Speaker of the House Bryce Edgmon, D-Dillingham, listen from the Speaker’s desk in the House of Representatives. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Alaska’s chief justice requests funding for cybersecurity, highlights new legal tool online

Technology is taking larger role in court system.

Alaska Supreme Court Chief Justice Joel H. Bolger speaks to a Joint Session of the Alaska Legislature at the Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2019. Senate President Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, and Speaker of the House Bryce Edgmon, D-Dillingham, listen from the Speaker’s desk in the House of Representatives. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
In this Nov. 30, 2018 file photo, House District 1 candidate Republican Bart LeBon points to a vote tally board with his campaign manager Brittany Hartmann during a election recount at the Department of Elections’ Juneau office. Republican Bart LeBon picked up two votes while Democrat Kathryn Dodge picked up one making him the winner of the election with a total of 2,663 votes. LeBon joined the bipartisan House Majority Coalition on Thursday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

House fills key leadership roles

House majority, minority taking shape.

In this Nov. 30, 2018 file photo, House District 1 candidate Republican Bart LeBon points to a vote tally board with his campaign manager Brittany Hartmann during a election recount at the Department of Elections’ Juneau office. Republican Bart LeBon picked up two votes while Democrat Kathryn Dodge picked up one making him the winner of the election with a total of 2,663 votes. LeBon joined the bipartisan House Majority Coalition on Thursday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Kelly Goode, right, deputy commissioner for the Department of Corrections, sits alongside DOC Administrative Services Director Sylvan Robb, center, and Office of Management and Budget Director Donna Arduin as they present to the Senate Finance Committee on Friday, Feb. 15, 2019. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

State examining sending inmates out of state to save money

The idea is in its early stages.

Kelly Goode, right, deputy commissioner for the Department of Corrections, sits alongside DOC Administrative Services Director Sylvan Robb, center, and Office of Management and Budget Director Donna Arduin as they present to the Senate Finance Committee on Friday, Feb. 15, 2019. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)
Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, poses questions to Department of Corrections and Office of Management and Budget officials during a Senate Finance Committee meetingon Friday, Feb. 15, 2019. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

Senators baffled at proposed reductions to public safety departments

Budget staff expected the criticisms.

Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, poses questions to Department of Corrections and Office of Management and Budget officials during a Senate Finance Committee meetingon Friday, Feb. 15, 2019. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)
Bethany Lowrance, left, of Gavel Alaska, and Rashah McChesney, a reporter with the Alaska Energy Desk (a collaboration between stations of the Alaska Public Radio Network), cover a Senate Finance Committee meeting at the Capitol on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019. Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s budget may end all state funding for public radio and broadcast stations. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Alaska’s radio, TV contribution on the chopping block

Dunleavy’s budget would cut state funding for public media.

Bethany Lowrance, left, of Gavel Alaska, and Rashah McChesney, a reporter with the Alaska Energy Desk (a collaboration between stations of the Alaska Public Radio Network), cover a Senate Finance Committee meeting at the Capitol on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019. Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s budget may end all state funding for public radio and broadcast stations. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
‘To hell with politics’: House speaker elected after two Republicans cross party lines

‘To hell with politics’: House speaker elected after two Republicans cross party lines

Partisan politics be damned.

‘To hell with politics’: House speaker elected after two Republicans cross party lines
Donna Arduin, Director of the Office of Budget and Management, left, and Lacey Sanders, Budget Director for OMB, present Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s state budget in front of the Senate Finance Committee at the Capitol on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Experts: State could lose tens of thousands of jobs if budget proposal goes through

The budget director says the PFD could help offset losses.

Donna Arduin, Director of the Office of Budget and Management, left, and Lacey Sanders, Budget Director for OMB, present Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s state budget in front of the Senate Finance Committee at the Capitol on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Office of Management and Budget Director Donna Arduin and members of her budget team takes time to explain Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s state budget at the Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Proposed Medicaid, health care cuts spark outrage

One health care advocate called the budget proposal “outrageous.”

Office of Management and Budget Director Donna Arduin and members of her budget team takes time to explain Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s state budget at the Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Rep. Gary Knopp, R-Kenai, talks to the media about his nomination for Speaker of the House at the Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

House suprised with unexpected speaker nomination

Speaker nominations fail, again.

Rep. Gary Knopp, R-Kenai, talks to the media about his nomination for Speaker of the House at the Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Donna Arduin, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, speaks to House members during an informational meeting at the Capitol on Thursday, Feb. 7, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Legislators brace for unknowns of Dunleavy’s budget

The budget comes out Wednesday.

Donna Arduin, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, speaks to House members during an informational meeting at the Capitol on Thursday, Feb. 7, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
The Alaska State Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

No-bid contract for psychiatric institute raises questions

A previous report advised against privatizing the institute.

The Alaska State Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Andy Jones, Director of the Department of Health and Social Services’ Office of Substance Misuse, right, speak about the fiscal impacts of the opioids on the state along with Michael Duxbury, Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, center, and Laura Brooks, Director of Health and Rehabilitation for the Department of Corrections, in front of the Senate Finance Committee on Thursday, Feb. 7, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

The opioid crisis costs Alaska more than $1B per year, and it’s going to keep being costly

The cost of an epidemic.

Andy Jones, Director of the Department of Health and Social Services’ Office of Substance Misuse, right, speak about the fiscal impacts of the opioids on the state along with Michael Duxbury, Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, center, and Laura Brooks, Director of Health and Rehabilitation for the Department of Corrections, in front of the Senate Finance Committee on Thursday, Feb. 7, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Sen. Shelley Hughes, R-Wasilla, listens to Attorney General Kevin Clarkson speak about Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s four crime bills at the Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Ethics restrictions too broad, some lawmakers say

They believe the intentions of the law are good.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Sen. Shelley Hughes, R-Wasilla, listens to Attorney General Kevin Clarkson speak about Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s four crime bills at the Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Alaska Supreme Court Chief Justice Craig Stowers calls out his staff sitting in the gallery during his State of the Judiciary address before a joint session of the Alaska Legislature at the Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

State of Judiciary time, date set

It comes between visits from senators.

Alaska Supreme Court Chief Justice Craig Stowers calls out his staff sitting in the gallery during his State of the Judiciary address before a joint session of the Alaska Legislature at the Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s Office of Management and Budget Director Donna Arduin presents the governor’s supplemental budget to the Senate Finance Committee at the Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Budget director’s history of cutting with ‘hatchet, not a scalpel’ sparks concern

How much power should the position have?

Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s Office of Management and Budget Director Donna Arduin presents the governor’s supplemental budget to the Senate Finance Committee at the Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Kelly Tshibaka was appointed to serve as the next commissioner of the Alaska Department of Administration. (Courtesy photo | Dunleavy administration)

Governor taps new Administration commissioner

She has extensive federal government experience.

Kelly Tshibaka was appointed to serve as the next commissioner of the Alaska Department of Administration. (Courtesy photo | Dunleavy administration)
Sen. Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, introduces Senate Bill 22 to the Senate Resources Committee at the Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019. The bill would allow organizations to obtain permits and enhance the habitat of shellfish in hopes of improving the seafood industry. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Shellfish rehabilitation bill carries economic potential

Experts see a bright future in mariculture.

Sen. Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, introduces Senate Bill 22 to the Senate Resources Committee at the Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019. The bill would allow organizations to obtain permits and enhance the habitat of shellfish in hopes of improving the seafood industry. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy, left, listens as Attorney General Kevin Clarkson describes three constitutional amendments that would be a foundation of his administration’s fiscal plan during a press conference at the Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Dunleavy amendments look to shift power away from lawmakers

It will be tough to get enough support for them.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy, left, listens as Attorney General Kevin Clarkson describes three constitutional amendments that would be a foundation of his administration’s fiscal plan during a press conference at the Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)