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Sen. Lyman Hoffman, D-Bethel, left, expresses his displeasure with Sen. John Coghill, R-North Pole, right, as Sen. Tom Begich listens, during debate on the capital budget in the Senate at the Capitol on Thursday, June 13, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

News

One session ends as another one is set outside Juneau

There are numerous concerns with the new location.

Co-Chairs Rep. Jennifer Johnston, R-Anchorage, left, and Sen. Click Bishop, R-Fairbanks, prepare to gavel into a joint committee to work on the future of the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend at the Capitol on Wednesday, June 12, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

News

Group of legislators wants to take ‘emotional debate’ out of Permanent Fund

Lawmakers are deeply divided on what to do.

Capital budget presents one more chance for PFD amendment

News

Capital budget presents one more chance for PFD amendment

Time is running out this session.

Ferry cuts in Legislature budget are heavy, but could have been worse

News

Ferry cuts in Legislature budget are heavy, but could have been worse

The governor can still veto funding.

Sen. David Wilson, R-Wasilla, speaks against a resolution to have a combined House/Senate committee to study a Permanent Fund Dividend solution at the Capitol on Monday, June 10, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

News

With no PFD attached, Legislature’s budget heads to governor’s desk

Another special session could be coming.

Senate President Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, center, is interviewed by members of the media after a “call” on the Senate was lifted on Thursday, June 6, 2019 (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

News

An irritating stunt or a ‘kick in the shins’? Coghill tries to spark motion on budget

Sen. John Coghill was getting impatient.

Sen. Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, arrives for the senate’s floor session on Wednesday, June 5, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

News

‘A slap to the face’: Legislators could change law to collect extra pay, despite not finishing on time

Vote could come after session for lawmakers to get back payments.

Governor to hold pro-PFD rally

News

Governor to hold pro-PFD rally

He’s hosting it in the Mat-Su.

Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, presents SB 1002, a bill to provide a Permanent Fund Dividend of $1,600, to the Senate Rules Committee at the Capitol on Monday, June 3, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

News

All or nothing? Dunleavy vows to veto Senate’s new PFD bill

Governor says this bill will kill the PFD.

University officials to consider having one University of Alaska, not three

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University officials to consider having one University of Alaska, not three

The schools would have “cookie-cutter” approaches.

Sara Hannan, D-Juneau, speaks about the House’s work on the crime bill at the canyon Monday, May 20, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

News

Crime bill vote delayed, could more hold-ups be coming?

Legislators discuss new bill, probability of a 30-day special sessions

Rep. Andi Story, D-Juneau, listens to Patience Frederiksen, State Librarian and Head of Library Developement, during a hearing for House Bill 75 on increasing school internet speed at a House Education Committee meeting on Monday, April 1, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

News

What the Legislature left on the table: Ferries, addiction treatment, new revenue

Local lawmakers express disappointment.

‘Dangerous and outrageous’: Bill introduced in Alaska House would treat abortion the same as murder

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‘Dangerous and outrageous’: Bill introduced in Alaska House would treat abortion the same as murder

It’s familiar territory for David Eastman.

Rep. Ivy Spohnholz, D-Anchorage, walks with Speaker of the House Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, as the House takes an at ease to wait for the conference committee on the crime bill to take place at the Capitol on Thursday, May 16, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

News

Million dollar special session?

Here’s how much it will cost the state.

Rep. Matt Claman, D-Anchorage, speaks about the House passing a crime bill during a press conference at the Capitol on Wednesday, May 8, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

News

Lawmakers ask why Alaska still has ‘marriage defense’ against spousal rape

Marriage can still be used as defense in some assault cases.

LGBTQ equal rights bill unlikely to advance any further this year

News

LGBTQ equal rights bill unlikely to advance any further this year

Alaska could be 23rd state to ban discrimination.

Rep. Matt Claman, D-Anchorage, speaks about the House passing a crime bill during a press conference at the Capitol on Wednesday, May 8, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

News

Alaska House reaches compromise with governor on crime bill

Now it goes to the Senate.

In this Nov. 29, 2018 photo, clouds swirl over Douglas Island. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

News

Environmental orgs sue Forest Service over ‘mammoth’ Southeast timber sale

It’s “blatantly” unlawful, lawsuit says.

Senate President Cathy Giessel, left, listens to Senate leaders on the floor at the Alaska State Capitol on Wednesday, May 1, 2019. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

News

Senate passes budget, with full PFD

‘A budget that no one loves’

Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer, questions Angela Rodell, Chief Executive Officer of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation, during a House State Affairs Committee meeting about House Bill 139 at the Capitol on Thursday, April 25, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

News

Here’s some of the changes lawmakers are proposing to the PFD

PFD talks begin in House, Senate.