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Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, listens to Finance Division Director David Teal answers questions from the Senate Finance Committee on the state’s budget at the Capitol on Thursday, April 25, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

News

Will the Legislature finish on time? Senate leaders are optimistic

Some lawmakers aren’t happy with progress so far.

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)

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Juneau representative’s bill makes getting jobs easier for veterans

Even the House’s biggest contrarian supported it.

David Teal, Director of the Legislative Finance Division, gives his analysis of Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s state budget to the Senate Finance Committee at the Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

News

Permanent fund dividend still a major question mark this session

They tried to take a look to the future.

Major issues unresolved in legislative session’s final weeks

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Major issues unresolved in legislative session’s final weeks

Gov. Dunleavy is facing resistance to pieces of his agenda.

From ‘witch hunt’ to ‘yippee-ki-yay’: Lawmakers confirm Dunleavy appointees after debates

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From ‘witch hunt’ to ‘yippee-ki-yay’: Lawmakers confirm Dunleavy appointees after debates

A couple votes in particular were heated.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a press conference at the Capitol on Tuesday, April 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

News

Support or oppose? A statewide poll shows what some Alaskans think about Dunleavy’s budget

Most respondents were from Anchorage or the Mat-Su Valley.

The Alaska Marine Highway ferry LeConte pulls into Auke Bay in Juneau, Alaska. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

News

Senators propose way for ferries to run this winter

There’s still a long time left in the budget process.

Amanda Price, Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, center, is surrounded by Department of Public Safety officials during a press conference on her confirmation to the position at the Capitol on Tuesday, April 16, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

News

On eve of vote, public safety commissioner pick tries to win over lawmakers

She said reports of her past have been “incredibly distorted.”

Abbe Hensley, of Best Beginnings, shows off her phone case during a hearing for SB 6 in front of the Senate Education Committee at the Capitol on Tuesday, April 16, 2019. The bill is to provide money for prekindergarten education. The case reads: Alaskans for Early Education. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

News

Pre-K funding bill gives them something to talk about

More pre-K for AK?

Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, works a calculator as he and Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, listen to public testimony on the state budget in the Senate Finance Committee hearing on Friday, April 12, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

News

Senate not shying away from PFD debate

They dive into the process next week.

Rep. Tammie Wilson, right, speaks to other representatives on the House of Representatives floor on Wednesday. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

News

House passes budget that rejects many Dunleavy cuts

Not everyone’s happy about it.

Speaker of the House Bryce Edgmon, center, speaks with Rep. Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak and Rep. Steve Thompson, R-Fairbanks, during a House floor session on Wednesday, April 10, 2019. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

News

Permanent Fund Dividend looms as House wades through budget

They still hadn’t talked about the dividend.

In this March 8, 2019 photo, Margie Beedle, left, hugs her mother, Sally Thibodeau, as they chat with Alaska Pioneer Home employee Laura Minne during the home’s weekly ice cream social. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

News

Alaska eyeing proposal to raise Pioneer Home rates

Proposal would add two tiers to an existing three-tier program.

Rep. Mark Neuman, R-Big Lake, left, speaks with Rep. Chris Tuck, D-Anchorage, on the House floor as amendments to the budget are proposed on Tuesday, April 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

News

Dunleavy impatient, unhappy with House

Only one amendment passed Tuesday.

Bills look at PFD’s future, spending cap for Legislature

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Bills look at PFD’s future, spending cap for Legislature

One bill is meant to be a “conversation starter.”

State health care director is out

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State health care director is out

She’s been in that position since 2012.

In this Jan. 15, 2019 photo, House Republicians huddle for a decision on the opening day of the 31st Session of the Alaska Legislature. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

News

Effort to move legislative sessions to Anchorage overcomes hurdle

Proposal would not move the capital.

Rep. Dan Ortiz, I-Ketchikan, introduces his bill, House Bill 105, to the House Fisheries Committee on Tuesday, April 2, 2019. The bill relates to claims against protection and indemnity insurance policies of vessel owners. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

News

Are you a fisherman who’s been hurt on the job? This bill could help.

By fishermen, for fishermen.

State’s top public defender resigns

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State’s top public defender resigns

He’ll stay on until the state finds a replacement.

Native women hold up red dresses to symbolize missing and murdered indigenous women during the Women’s March on Juneau in front of the Alaska State Capitol on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

News

Murkowski works to address crisis of missing, murdered indigenous women

Not invisible.