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Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to reporters about his decision to veto an education funding bill earlier this session at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 17, 2025. He vetoed a second such bill on Monday. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)

Dunleavy vetoes 2nd bill increasing education funding; override vote by legislators likely Tuesday

Bill passed by 48-11 vote — eight more than needed — but same count for override not certain.

 

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to reporters during a press conference at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 17, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Dunleavy orders freeze on state employee hiring, travel and new regulations due to fiscal crunch

Exemptions allowed for certain occupations and “mission-critical” purposes.

 

Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R-Alaska) speaks to reporters about his decision to veto an education funding bill at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 17, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)

Dunleavy threatens unprecedented veto of education funds in budget unless his policy goals are met

Line-item veto could leave districts with less money for months; legality of such action is questioned

 

A few clouds disrupt the sunlight in downtown Juneau on an otherwise bright day. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)

Alaska ranks 49th, ahead of only Louisiana, in U.S. News & World Report’s annual Best States survey

State drops from 45th a year ago, led by large drops in opportunity and fiscal stability.

A few clouds disrupt the sunlight in downtown Juneau on an otherwise bright day. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R-Alaska) speaks to reporters about his decision to veto an education funding bill at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 17, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Dunleavy’s veto of education funding bill puts pressure on lawmakers during final month of session

Governor also previews new bill with $560 BSA increase, plus additional funds for policy initiatives.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R-Alaska) speaks to reporters about his decision to veto an education funding bill at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 17, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Members of the Alaska State Employees Association and AFSCME Local 52 holds a protest at the Alaska State Capitol on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)

State employee salaries fall short of levels intended to be competitive, long-delayed study finds

31 of 36 occupation groups are 85%-98% of target level; 21 of 36 are below public/private sector average.

Members of the Alaska State Employees Association and AFSCME Local 52 holds a protest at the Alaska State Capitol on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Kate Sheehan (left foreground), director of the Alaska Division of Personnel and Labor Relations, and Paula Vrana, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Administration, discuss an ongoing statewide salary study during a House State Affairs Committee meeting Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Dunleavy’s delay in releasing state salary study frustrates legislators, union leaders

Draft report to assess competitiveness completed last June, but not released publicly.

Kate Sheehan (left foreground), director of the Alaska Division of Personnel and Labor Relations, and Paula Vrana, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Administration, discuss an ongoing statewide salary study during a House State Affairs Committee meeting Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy delivers his State of the State speech at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025, with Senate President Gary Stevens, at left, and House Speaker Bryce Edgmon, at right, in the background. (Klas Stolpe/Juneau Empire)

Gov. Dunleavy takes victory lap with selective portrayal of Alaska in second-to-last State of the State

Some legislators criticize “mixed messages” about cooperation, omission of problems needing work.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy delivers his State of the State speech at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025, with Senate President Gary Stevens, at left, and House Speaker Bryce Edgmon, at right, in the background. (Klas Stolpe/Juneau Empire)
Sections of Homer Spit Road that were damaged in the Nov. 16 storm surge are temporarily repaired with gravel, as seen on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)

Governor declares state disaster emergency following storm damage

The declaration applies to Homer and Ninilchik

Sections of Homer Spit Road that were damaged in the Nov. 16 storm surge are temporarily repaired with gravel, as seen on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Attendees of the 2024 Alaska State of the State address applaud Rose Dunleavy, Alaska’s first lady, on Tuesday. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

At annual legislative speech, Gov. Dunleavy calls for more Alaska development projects

The governor asked legislators to pass bills related to education, agriculture, home ownership, and the supply of natural gas for Southcentral Alaska

Attendees of the 2024 Alaska State of the State address applaud Rose Dunleavy, Alaska’s first lady, on Tuesday. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
In this Jan. 31, 2020 photo, Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to reporters in Juneau, Alaska. On Wednesday, Feb. 12, Dunleavy proposed a state lottery as a way to provide a new source of revenue. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

Alaska Voices: State lottery nothing but a shell game

Our elected leaders need to talk truthfully about taxes.

In this Jan. 31, 2020 photo, Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to reporters in Juneau, Alaska. On Wednesday, Feb. 12, Dunleavy proposed a state lottery as a way to provide a new source of revenue. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
Initiative would move Legislature’s meetings to Anchorage

Initiative would move Legislature’s meetings to Anchorage

Anchorage group working toward a ballot initiative

Initiative would move Legislature’s meetings to Anchorage
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)
Capitol Live: Pinpointing when House majority will be formed ‘pretty difficult’

Capitol Live: Pinpointing when House majority will be formed ‘pretty difficult’

What’s happening today in the Legislature.

Capitol Live: Pinpointing when House majority will be formed ‘pretty difficult’

Senate passes oil tax bill

Now the oil tax debate in the Legislature can really start. The Republican-led Senate passed House Bill 111, this year’s oil tax credit legislation, Monday afternoon by a 14-5 vote alongcaucus lines. The Senate version of the bill ends the cashable tax credit “experiment,” Anchorage Republican Sen. Cathy Giessel said in thefloor debate, along with preventing companies producing oil in the state’s largest fields from using deductible credits to taketheir tax obligation below the 4 percent gross minimum tax. Read more… Continue reading

Bills filed to restore PFD payout cut by governor

JUNEAU — Bills that would restore the portion of Alaskans’ oil wealth checks that were cut by Gov. Bill Walker last year were filed Monday,… Continue reading

Walker proposal would freeze pay

Gov. Bill Walker is preparing to propose a bill that would freeze the pay of nonunion employees at the University of Alaska, Alaska Court System,… Continue reading

FILE - In this Nov. 9, 2016, file photo, Rep. Bryce Edgmon, D-Dillingham, speaks to reporters at a news conference in Anchorage, Alaska. Edgmon, the incoming speaker of the Alaska House, known as a level-headed moderate willing to work across party lines, faces major tests in leading a new majority coalition and trying to secure agreement on a plan to address the state's multibillion-dollar deficit. Edgmon acknowledges moments of trepidation about his new role. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)

Lawmaker who has long shunned spotlight is becoming speaker

JUNEAU — The incoming speaker of the Alaska House, known as a level-headed moderate willing to work across party lines, faces major tests in leading… Continue reading

FILE - In this Nov. 9, 2016, file photo, Rep. Bryce Edgmon, D-Dillingham, speaks to reporters at a news conference in Anchorage, Alaska. Edgmon, the incoming speaker of the Alaska House, known as a level-headed moderate willing to work across party lines, faces major tests in leading a new majority coalition and trying to secure agreement on a plan to address the state's multibillion-dollar deficit. Edgmon acknowledges moments of trepidation about his new role. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)

Dividend, alongside budget, will be a focus for lawmakers

Sen. Bill Wielechowski knows the state needs to balance its budget. The Anchorage Democrat just wants to make sure that Alaskans’ Permanent Fund Dividend isn’t… Continue reading

Lauree Morton, Executive Director of the Council on Domestic Violence at the Alaska Department of Public Safety, welcomes people to the One Billion Rising for Justice event at the State Office Building's atrium on Friday, Feb. 14, 2014.

State’s leader on domestic violence forced out

Lauree Morton ended her 30-year career fighting sexual assault and domestic violence after a Nov. 18 meeting with Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan. “I was… Continue reading

Lauree Morton, Executive Director of the Council on Domestic Violence at the Alaska Department of Public Safety, welcomes people to the One Billion Rising for Justice event at the State Office Building's atrium on Friday, Feb. 14, 2014.