Alaska Legislature

The Alaska State Capitol is seen in this undated file photo. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Our north star aligns with values Alaskans hold dear

We have vision and practical solutions.

The Alaska State Capitol is seen in this undated file photo. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
From left: Alaska House Reps. Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak; Bill Elam, R-Nikiski; Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna; and Sarah Vance, R-Homer, take the oath of office at the Alaska Capitol on Tuesday in Juneau. (Photo by Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire)

Peninsula legislators take oaths of office

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman and Reps. Justin Ruffridge, Bill Elam and Sarah Vance were among those sworn in.

From left: Alaska House Reps. Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak; Bill Elam, R-Nikiski; Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna; and Sarah Vance, R-Homer, take the oath of office at the Alaska Capitol on Tuesday in Juneau. (Photo by Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire)
Rep. Sarah Vance, candidate for State House District 6, participates in a candidate forum hosted by the Peninsula Clarion and KBBI 890 AM at the Homer Public Library in Homer, Alaska, on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Vance prefiles 2 bills targeting tech

Both bills are intended to safeguard children and maintain “societal integrity” in the face of rapidly advancing technologies.

Rep. Sarah Vance, candidate for State House District 6, participates in a candidate forum hosted by the Peninsula Clarion and KBBI 890 AM at the Homer Public Library in Homer, Alaska, on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Bill Elam speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Elam prepares for freshman legislative session

He’s excited to get onto the floor and start legislating.

Bill Elam speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, a Nikiski Republican, speaks in favor of overriding a veto of Senate Bill 140 during floor debate of a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature on Monday, March 18, 2024 (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Bjorkman readies for start of legislative session

His priorities this year won’t look much different from those of his freshman legislative session.

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, a Nikiski Republican, speaks in favor of overriding a veto of Senate Bill 140 during floor debate of a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature on Monday, March 18, 2024 (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, delivers a legislative update to the joint Kenai and Soldotna Chambers of Commerce in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Vance, Bjorkman prefile bills ahead of session

In total, 37 House bills, 39 Senate bills and five Senate joint resolutions had been filed as of Friday.

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, delivers a legislative update to the joint Kenai and Soldotna Chambers of Commerce in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Bill Elam speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough taking applications to fill assembly seat vacated by Elam

Elam resigned his position after winning election in November to the Alaska House of Representatives.

Bill Elam speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy explains details of his proposed state budget for next year during a press conference Thursday, Nov. 12, 2024, at the Alaska State Capitol in Juneau, Alaska. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy explains details of his proposed state budget for next year during a press conference Thursday, Nov. 12, 2024, at the Alaska State Capitol in Juneau, Alaska. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Kelley Cizek speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Board of Education in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kelley Cizek speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Board of Education in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, delivers a legislative update to the joint Kenai and Soldotna Chambers of Commerce in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Bjorkman will lead 2 committees in Senate

Bjorkman is set to chair the Senate Labor Commerce Committee and the Senate Transportation Committee

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, delivers a legislative update to the joint Kenai and Soldotna Chambers of Commerce in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The results of ranked choice tabulation show Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, winning reelection in the race for Senate District D. (Screenshot/Gavel Alaska)

Bjorkman, Vance win reelection after tabulation of ranked choice ballots

An effort to repeal ranked choice voting and the open primary system was very narrowly defeated

The results of ranked choice tabulation show Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, winning reelection in the race for Senate District D. (Screenshot/Gavel Alaska)
Alaska House of Representatives District 8 candidates John Hillyer and Bill Elam shake answer questions during the Peninsula Clarion and KDLL 91.9 FM candidate forum at the Soldotna Public Library on Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Hillyer, Elam debate issues in House District 8 forum

They met Monday at the Soldotna Public Library for a candidate forum hosted by the Peninsula Clarion and KDLL 91.9 FM.

Alaska House of Representatives District 8 candidates John Hillyer and Bill Elam shake answer questions during the Peninsula Clarion and KDLL 91.9 FM candidate forum at the Soldotna Public Library on Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion
Alaska State House District 7 candidate Ron Gillham, left, and Rep. Justin Ruffridge participate in the Peninsula Clarion and KDLL 91.9 FM candidate forum at the Soldotna Public Library on Monday.

Ruffridge, Gillham talk school funding, natural gas pipeline and state finance at forum

Justin Ruffridge and Ron Gillham, the two candidates for the District 7 seat in the Alaska House of Representatives, met Monday to discuss education, energy… Continue reading

Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion
Alaska State House District 7 candidate Ron Gillham, left, and Rep. Justin Ruffridge participate in the Peninsula Clarion and KDLL 91.9 FM candidate forum at the Soldotna Public Library on Monday.
Alaska State Sen. Jesse Bjorkman (R-Nikiski), left, and Alaska House Rep. Ben Carpenter (R-Nikiski) participate in the Senate District D candidate forum hosted by the Peninsula Clarion and KDLL 91.9 FM on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, at the Soldotna Public Library in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Bjorkman, Carpenter talk economy, energy, education at forum

Whoever is elected to the seat will serve a four-year term ending in January 2029

Alaska State Sen. Jesse Bjorkman (R-Nikiski), left, and Alaska House Rep. Ben Carpenter (R-Nikiski) participate in the Senate District D candidate forum hosted by the Peninsula Clarion and KDLL 91.9 FM on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, at the Soldotna Public Library in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, speaks during a debate with Rep. Ben Carpenter organized by the District 8 Alaska Republican Party at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, Aug. 12, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Opinion: Legislation encourages professional development for teachers

This bill provides incentives to teachers to seek the most rigorous and effective professional development they can.

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, speaks during a debate with Rep. Ben Carpenter organized by the District 8 Alaska Republican Party at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, Aug. 12, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Supporters of Rep. Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna, and Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, wave signs on the side of the Sterling Highway in Soldotna, Alaska, during the Alaska Primary Election Day on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Supporters of Rep. Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna, and Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, wave signs on the side of the Sterling Highway in Soldotna, Alaska, during the Alaska Primary Election Day on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy signs Senate Bill 179, while Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, right, stands by on Aug. 13, 2024. (Photo provided by Sen. Jesse Bjorkman)

Bjorkman property tax bill signed into law

The bill cuts property taxes for farmers and prevents transfer taxes on the sale of houses

Gov. Mike Dunleavy signs Senate Bill 179, while Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, right, stands by on Aug. 13, 2024. (Photo provided by Sen. Jesse Bjorkman)
A ballot partition is at the Kenai No. 2 precinct for Election Day on Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Alaska primary election is on Tuesday

Polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

A ballot partition is at the Kenai No. 2 precinct for Election Day on Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Moderator Merrill Sikorski and organizer Robert Wall introduce a debate between Rep. Ben Carpenter and Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, both R-Nikiski, organized by the District 8 Alaska Republican Party at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, Aug. 12, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Bjorkman, Carpenter meet for debate hosted by local Republicans

More than 100 people turned out to hear the Nikiski lawmakers talk policy ahead of next week’s primary election

Moderator Merrill Sikorski and organizer Robert Wall introduce a debate between Rep. Ben Carpenter and Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, both R-Nikiski, organized by the District 8 Alaska Republican Party at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, Aug. 12, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Voters fill out their ballots at the Challenger Learning Center in Kenai, Alaska on Election Day, Nov. 8, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Candidates report fundraising totals ahead of primary election

Incumbents still show strong leads in campaign fundraising in all but the race for House District 6

Voters fill out their ballots at the Challenger Learning Center in Kenai, Alaska on Election Day, Nov. 8, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)