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Michael Penn | Juneau Empire Hundreds attend a rally in front of the Capitol calling for an override of Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s budget vetoes on the first day of the Second Special Session of the Alaska Legislature in Juneau on Monday.

“Override! Override! Override!’ Hundreds turn out in Juneau to protest Dunleavy’s vetoes

The response was overwhelming.

Michael Penn | Juneau Empire Hundreds attend a rally in front of the Capitol calling for an override of Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s budget vetoes on the first day of the Second Special Session of the Alaska Legislature in Juneau on Monday.
The New Old Time Chautauqua Fighting Instruments of Karma Marching Chamber Band Orchestra marches on the Homer Spit on July 2, 2019, in Homer, Alaska. The group visited Homer as part of a week-long tour partially funded by the Rasmuson Foundation’s Harper Arts Touring Fund, administered by the Alaska State Council on the Arts — an example of state-foundation cooperation in arts funding. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Arts groups brace for program cuts, grant losses

‘It’s comparable to one of the jobs here. It’s comparable to an entire program.’

The New Old Time Chautauqua Fighting Instruments of Karma Marching Chamber Band Orchestra marches on the Homer Spit on July 2, 2019, in Homer, Alaska. The group visited Homer as part of a week-long tour partially funded by the Rasmuson Foundation’s Harper Arts Touring Fund, administered by the Alaska State Council on the Arts — an example of state-foundation cooperation in arts funding. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Dunleavy’s Red Pen: Governor’s vetoes take more than $400M out of budget

Dunleavy’s Red Pen: Governor’s vetoes take more than $400M out of budget

Here’s a run-down of what happened today.

Dunleavy’s Red Pen: Governor’s vetoes take more than $400M out of budget
Lindsey Bloom of Salmon State gives a speech at the “No Pebble Mine” rally. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Deadline for Pebble draft EIS comments nears

The Corps will take comments until July 1, and use them to incorporate changes into a final EIS

Lindsey Bloom of Salmon State gives a speech at the “No Pebble Mine” rally. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
This June 14, 2019, photo shows Jeremy Price, a deputy chief of staff to Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy, showing reporters the cafeteria at Wasilla Middle School in Wasilla, Alaska, that would be available to lawmakers. Dunleavy has called lawmakers into special session in Wasilla beginning July 8, but some lawmakers have expressed concerns over security and logistics with the location more than 500 miles from the state capital of Juneau, Alaska. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Dunleavy pitches hometown Wasilla for special session. Here’s why some are concerned.

It would be the first time an Alaska special session has convened outside the capital.

  • Jun 20, 2019
  • By MARK THIESSEN and BECKY BOHRER Associated Press
  • NewsState News
This June 14, 2019, photo shows Jeremy Price, a deputy chief of staff to Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy, showing reporters the cafeteria at Wasilla Middle School in Wasilla, Alaska, that would be available to lawmakers. Dunleavy has called lawmakers into special session in Wasilla beginning July 8, but some lawmakers have expressed concerns over security and logistics with the location more than 500 miles from the state capital of Juneau, Alaska. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
Dr. Jim Johnsen, president of the University of Alaska, center, listens to Donna Arduin, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, left and Mike Barnhill, policy director for the OMB, as their continue to present Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s budget to the Senate Finance Committee at the Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

With state government shutdown looming, university preparing for late, reduced budget

The fiscal year starts in less than two weeks.

Dr. Jim Johnsen, president of the University of Alaska, center, listens to Donna Arduin, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, left and Mike Barnhill, policy director for the OMB, as their continue to present Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s budget to the Senate Finance Committee at the Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Rep. Tammie Wilson, R-North Pole, chairs the House Finance Committee with Rep. Neal Foster, D-Nome, right, as they work on House Bill 14 at the Capitol on Wednesday, April 24, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Legislators will collect pay despite not finishing budget on time

They’re reinterpreting a law from last year.

Rep. Tammie Wilson, R-North Pole, chairs the House Finance Committee with Rep. Neal Foster, D-Nome, right, as they work on House Bill 14 at the Capitol on Wednesday, April 24, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
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)

One session ends as another one is set outside Juneau

There are numerous concerns with the new location.

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)
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)

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

Lawmakers are deeply divided on what to do.

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

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

The governor can still veto funding.

Ferry cuts in Legislature budget are heavy, but could have been worse
Capital budget presents one more chance for PFD amendment

Capital budget presents one more chance for PFD amendment

Time is running out this session.

Capital budget presents one more chance for PFD amendment
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)

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

Another special session could be coming.

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)
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)

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

Sen. John Coghill was getting impatient.

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)
Governor to hold pro-PFD rally

Governor to hold pro-PFD rally

He’s hosting it in the Mat-Su.

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

‘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.

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

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

Governor says this bill will kill the PFD.

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

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

The schools would have “cookie-cutter” approaches.

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

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

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

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)
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)

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

Local lawmakers express disappointment.

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

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

It’s familiar territory for David Eastman.

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