Alaska Legislature

Sen. Bill Wielechowski, R-Anchorage, center, and Sen. Mike Shower, R-Wasilla, right, listen members from the Department of Revenue give a state revenue forecast during a Senate Finance Committee meeting at the Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Volatile oil market prompts conservative forecasts

New Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s administration is taking a more conservative approach to oil revenue forecasting to help avoid the creation of an oversized budget.… Continue reading

Sen. Bill Wielechowski, R-Anchorage, center, and Sen. Mike Shower, R-Wasilla, right, listen members from the Department of Revenue give a state revenue forecast during a Senate Finance Committee meeting at the Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Rep. George Rauscher, R-Sutton, left, speaks with Sharon Jackson on the opening day of the 31st Session of the Alaska Legislature on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019. Jackson is Gov. Michael J. Dunleavy’s pick to replace Nancy Dahlstrom’s House District 13 seat for Chugiak. That position was left vacant in December after Dunleavy appointed Dahlstrom to be Department of Corrections commissioner. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Breaking all the rules: Jackson sworn in, against state statutes

House Republicans pursue Sharon Jackson’s appointment, even though it likely won’t stand

Rep. George Rauscher, R-Sutton, left, speaks with Sharon Jackson on the opening day of the 31st Session of the Alaska Legislature on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019. Jackson is Gov. Michael J. Dunleavy’s pick to replace Nancy Dahlstrom’s House District 13 seat for Chugiak. That position was left vacant in December after Dunleavy appointed Dahlstrom to be Department of Corrections commissioner. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Sen. Mike Shower, R-Wasilla, left, and Sen. Shelley Hughes, R-Palmer, relay a message to Gov. Michael J. Dunleavy in his Capitol office that the Senate is open and ready for business on the first day of the 31st Session of the Alaska Legislature on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Dunleavy to give first State of State address

It’s in less than a week.

Sen. Mike Shower, R-Wasilla, left, and Sen. Shelley Hughes, R-Palmer, relay a message to Gov. Michael J. Dunleavy in his Capitol office that the Senate is open and ready for business on the first day of the 31st Session of the Alaska Legislature on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Sen. Mia Costello, R-Anchorage, right, and Senate President Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, speak during a Senate Majority press conference on the opening day of the 31st Session of the Alaska Legislature on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Curbing the crime wave: Lawmakers say collaboration is key

Sexual assault is a common focus of proposed legislation.

Sen. Mia Costello, R-Anchorage, right, and Senate President Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, speak during a Senate Majority press conference on the opening day of the 31st Session of the Alaska Legislature on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Hello? Cellphones banned on Senate floor

Hello? Cellphones banned on Senate floor

Sen. John Coghill said Tuesday evening he is considering a revision of a ban of cellphone usage on the Senate floor. Coghill is the Senate… Continue reading

Hello? Cellphones banned on Senate floor
Rep. Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, left, congratulates Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer, Rep. Gary Knopp, R-Kenai, and Rep. Ben Carpenter, R-Nikiski, right, after being sworn in on the opening day of the 31st Session of the Alaska Legislature on Tuesday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Tensions rise in discombobulated Alaska House

Until a majority is formed, the House will be at a standstill.

Rep. Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, left, congratulates Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer, Rep. Gary Knopp, R-Kenai, and Rep. Ben Carpenter, R-Nikiski, right, after being sworn in on the opening day of the 31st Session of the Alaska Legislature on Tuesday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Session to begin with House in disarray

Session to begin with House in disarray

Uncertainty hangs over the Capitol.

Session to begin with House in disarray
Pre-filed bills tackle Alaska’s sexual assault problem

Pre-filed bills tackle Alaska’s sexual assault problem

More than a third of Alaska women have experienced sexual assault.

Pre-filed bills tackle Alaska’s sexual assault problem
Gov. Mike Dunleavy meets with his cabinet members and gives attending media a list of his administration’s priorities at the Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019. The 31st Legislative Session opens next Tuesday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Dunleavy vows to crack down on crime, restore PFD

New governor, new cabinet.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy meets with his cabinet members and gives attending media a list of his administration’s priorities at the Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019. The 31st Legislative Session opens next Tuesday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, prepares to open a floor session of the Alaska Senate on April 27, 2018. (Daniel McDonald | Alaska Senate Majority)

Micciche files bill addressing ‘Schneider Loopholes’

Monday, Sen. Peter Micciche (R-Soldotna) filed SB 12 in an effort to eliminate “Schneider Loopholes” in state criminal code, a press release said. The early… Continue reading

Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, prepares to open a floor session of the Alaska Senate on April 27, 2018. (Daniel McDonald | Alaska Senate Majority)
From left, Alaska state Sens. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, Lyman Hoffman, D-Bethel, and Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, sit in the House chamber to hear Gov. Bill Walker deliver his annual State of the State address on Jan. 18, 2017. After several years of budgets passing late and forcing education pink slip notices, Stevens, the Senate Education Committee chair, is introducing a bill to mandate an education budget by April 1. (Photo/Mark Thiessen/AP)

Big issues in Legislature will be PFD, budget cuts, Stevens says

Heading into his 19th year as a state senator, Sen. Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, has some advice for Homer’s newest legislator, Rep.-elect Sarah Vance. She’s the… Continue reading

From left, Alaska state Sens. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, Lyman Hoffman, D-Bethel, and Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, sit in the House chamber to hear Gov. Bill Walker deliver his annual State of the State address on Jan. 18, 2017. After several years of budgets passing late and forcing education pink slip notices, Stevens, the Senate Education Committee chair, is introducing a bill to mandate an education budget by April 1. (Photo/Mark Thiessen/AP)
Gov. Bill Walker talks about his four years as governor during an interview on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire) Gov. Bill Walker talks about his four years as governor during an interview on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Walker laments how fiscal crisis dominated tenure

Walker reflects.

Gov. Bill Walker talks about his four years as governor during an interview on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire) Gov. Bill Walker talks about his four years as governor during an interview on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Hector Mojica exits a voting booth at Glacier Valley Baptist Church on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Key Alaska House race tied, though ballot review continues

JUNEAU — The race for an Alaska House seat that will decide control of the chamber was tied Wednesday, though that tally could change with… Continue reading

Hector Mojica exits a voting booth at Glacier Valley Baptist Church on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Gov. Bill Walker (center) speaks with Jill Skidmore-Erickson, a member of Access Alaska’s Board of Directors, during a signing ceremony for Senate Bill 174 on Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Governor signs disability service philosophy bill into law

Alaskans with disabilities will now have more flexibility in determining their care since Gov. Bill Walker signed Senate Bill 174 into law Saturday. In a… Continue reading

Gov. Bill Walker (center) speaks with Jill Skidmore-Erickson, a member of Access Alaska’s Board of Directors, during a signing ceremony for Senate Bill 174 on Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)
John Skidmore, the director of the Alaska Department of Law’s criminal division, addresses a crowd gathered for a town hall meeting on crime at the Kenai Visitors and Cultural Center on Monday, Aug. 6, 2018 in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Despite reform bills, central peninsula residents still frustrated by crime

Though multiple bills have overhauled the criminal justice system in Alaska in the past few years, the tone of discussion on crime on the central… Continue reading

John Skidmore, the director of the Alaska Department of Law’s criminal division, addresses a crowd gathered for a town hall meeting on crime at the Kenai Visitors and Cultural Center on Monday, Aug. 6, 2018 in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

2 candidates vie for District O Senate seat

Republicans will get to choose the senator who represents the central Kenai Peninsula in the Alaska Legislature for the next six years. With less than… Continue reading

Juneau Empire File

Feds sign death certificate for Juneau Road construction

Nineteen months after Gov. Bill Walker killed the Juneau Access Project, the federal government has signed the death certificate.

Juneau Empire File
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.

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)
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)

You're browsing in private mode.
Please sign in or subscribe to continue reading articles in this mode.

Peninsula Clarion relies on subscription revenue to provide local content for our readers.

Subscribe

Already a subscriber? Please sign in