Alaska Legislature

Senators voice concerns with Dunleavy’s proposed cuts to education, village officers
Senators voice concerns with Dunleavy’s proposed cuts to education, village officers
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at a news conference in Juneau, Alaska, Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at a news conference in Juneau, Alaska, Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
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)

Reps talking, but House still unsettled

The House is a week away from a dubious record.

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)
School buses drop students off at Thunder Mountain High School on Monday, Sept. 21, 2015. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Gov’s bills includes $20M slash to education

The money was already approved.

School buses drop students off at Thunder Mountain High School on Monday, Sept. 21, 2015. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Rep. Matt Claman, D-Anchorage, center, speaks from a panel of the Alaska Criminal Justice Commission during a listening session at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Rep. Matt Claman, D-Anchorage, center, speaks from a panel of the Alaska Criminal Justice Commission during a listening session at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Knopp introduces bill for water taxi exceptions

Knopp introduces bill for water taxi exceptions

Knopp’s bill seeks easier transportation for hunters

Knopp introduces bill for water taxi exceptions
Department of Administration Commissioner Designee John Quick, left, speaks with senators after talking to the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

Two Dunleavy picks decline offers after coming under fire

Both were selected to work for the Department of Administration.

Department of Administration Commissioner Designee John Quick, left, speaks with senators after talking to the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)
Leadership remains unsolved in the House of Representatives on Friday, Jan. 25, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Leadership remains unsolved in the House of Representatives on Friday, Jan. 25, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Update: Commissioner designee responds to accusations of false resume entry
Update: Commissioner designee responds to accusations of false resume entry
Finance director warns of budget ‘death spiral’
Finance director warns of budget ‘death spiral’
Alaska Attorney General Kevin Clarkson describes four new crimes bills at a press conference with Gov. Mike Dunleavy, left, and Alaska State Troopers at the Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Here’s a look at what Dunleavy’s four new crime bills would do

The bills address sex crimes, pretrial processes, parole and prison sentences.

Alaska Attorney General Kevin Clarkson describes four new crimes bills at a press conference with Gov. Mike Dunleavy, left, and Alaska State Troopers at the Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy delivers the State of the State address on Tuesday in the Alaska Capitol. (Michael Penn/Juneau Empire)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy delivers the State of the State address on Tuesday in the Alaska Capitol. (Michael Penn/Juneau Empire)
Proposed sex ed bill would emphasize abstinence, bar discussion of contraception

Proposed sex ed bill would emphasize abstinence, bar discussion of contraception

Sex ed bill prohibits teaching on contraception, ‘erotic behavior’

Proposed sex ed bill would emphasize abstinence, bar discussion of contraception
Department of Administration Commissioner Designee John Quick, left, speaks with senators after talking to the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)
Department of Administration Commissioner Designee John Quick, left, speaks with senators after talking to the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)
Rep. Dave Talerico, R-Healy, speaks to reporters at a House Republican Caucus press conference at the Capitol on Monday, Jan. 21, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Capitol Live: House Speaker nominations fail on eighth day

Electing a permanent Speaker of the House remains elusive.

Rep. Dave Talerico, R-Healy, speaks to reporters at a House Republican Caucus press conference at the Capitol on Monday, Jan. 21, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Corri Feige, Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources, right, listens to Chantal Walsh, director of the Division of Oil and Gas, left, as along with Sara Longan, Deputy Commissioner of DNR, center, give a status of North Slope production during a Senate Finance Committee meeting on Thursday, Jan. 17, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Corri Feige, Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources, right, listens to Chantal Walsh, director of the Division of Oil and Gas, left, as along with Sara Longan, Deputy Commissioner of DNR, center, give a status of North Slope production during a Senate Finance Committee meeting on Thursday, Jan. 17, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
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)
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)
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)