Alaska Legislature

Control of Alaska House unsettled ahead of session start

Control of Alaska House unsettled ahead of session start

The big question.

Control of Alaska House unsettled ahead of session start
‘Like the first day of school’: Juneau’s freshman lawmakers gear up for session

‘Like the first day of school’: Juneau’s freshman lawmakers gear up for session

Story, Hannan, Kiehl weigh-in on legislative issues.

‘Like the first day of school’: Juneau’s freshman lawmakers gear up for session
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks with his cabinet members at the Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Free speech under attack? ACLU alleges political retaliation in Dunleavy firings

Three former state employees filed lawsuits today.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks with his cabinet members at the Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Counting down the top stories of 2018

Counting down the top stories of 2018

From the statewide elections to a whale statue.

Counting down the top stories of 2018
Dunleavy vows to crack down on crime, restore PFD

Dunleavy vows to crack down on crime, restore PFD

New governor, new cabinet.

Dunleavy vows to crack down on crime, restore PFD
In this Dec. 14, 2015 photo, Jan Rutherdale and her daughter, Isabel Bush, ski past the Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Sexual violence, capital move and the PFD: Here’s four of the most important pre-filed bills

The 31st Legislative Session convenes next Tuesday.

In this Dec. 14, 2015 photo, Jan Rutherdale and her daughter, Isabel Bush, ski past the Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
LeBon tops Dodge by one vote after House race recount
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LeBon tops Dodge by one vote after House race recount

LeBon picked up two votes during the recount.

LeBon tops Dodge by one vote after House race recount
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The Alaska State Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: The Permanent Fund does not belong in the loan business

There’s no need for another state loan program.

The Alaska State Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Rep. Cathy Munoz, R-Juneau, greets Airlift Northwest pilots Randy Aspeluind, left, and Tyler Cousins during a bill signing by Gov. Sean Parnell at the air ambulance company’s hangar at the Juneau International Airport on Wednesday. Senate Bill 159, sponsored by Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, will exempt air ambulance services from the state’s insurance code, thereby allowing Airlift Northwest to continue their AirCare insurance program.

Former Rep. Muñoz back in state government

Cathy Muñoz was in Legislature from 2008-2016.

Rep. Cathy Munoz, R-Juneau, greets Airlift Northwest pilots Randy Aspeluind, left, and Tyler Cousins during a bill signing by Gov. Sean Parnell at the air ambulance company’s hangar at the Juneau International Airport on Wednesday. Senate Bill 159, sponsored by Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, will exempt air ambulance services from the state’s insurance code, thereby allowing Airlift Northwest to continue their AirCare insurance program.
In this Nov. 30, 2018 photo, Alaska House District 1 candidate Democrat Kathryn Dodge, right, watches the election recount at the Department of Elections’ Juneau, Alaska office. The Democrat who lost a recount by one vote in a contested Alaska House race must decide by Wednesday whether to challenge the results. Kathryn Dodge, in a statement late Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018, says she and her team were reviewing decisions made by the Division of Elections. She says she disagrees with some of the decisions but wants to “look at everything” before making a final decision. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Democrat who lost Alaska House race recount plans appeal

Kathryn Dodge said she disagreed with decisions the Division of Elections made on some ballots.

In this Nov. 30, 2018 photo, Alaska House District 1 candidate Democrat Kathryn Dodge, right, watches the election recount at the Department of Elections’ Juneau, Alaska office. The Democrat who lost a recount by one vote in a contested Alaska House race must decide by Wednesday whether to challenge the results. Kathryn Dodge, in a statement late Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018, says she and her team were reviewing decisions made by the Division of Elections. She says she disagrees with some of the decisions but wants to “look at everything” before making a final decision. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Gov. Bill Walker talks about his four years as governor during an interview on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire) Gov. Bill Walker talks about his four years as governor during an interview on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
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Walker laments how fiscal crisis dominated tenure

Walker reflects.

Gov. Bill Walker talks about his four years as governor during an interview on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire) Gov. Bill Walker talks about his four years as governor during an interview on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
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Mystery ballot could sway control of Alaska Legislature

Mystery ballot could sway control of Alaska Legislature

It’s a sign that every vote does count.

Mystery ballot could sway control of Alaska Legislature
Alaska House control fate remains unsettled with race tied

Alaska House control fate remains unsettled with race tied

Democrat Kathryn Dodge and Republican Bart LeBon both have 2,661 votes, a tally that didn’t change after Friday’s review in Juneau.

Alaska House control fate remains unsettled with race tied
Gov. Walker reflects on rocky tenure, his legacy

Gov. Walker reflects on rocky tenure, his legacy

To some, Walker was a cool-headed leader who was dealt a bad hand and did what he thought was best for Alaska. For others, he was the guy who stole their dividend check.

Gov. Walker reflects on rocky tenure, his legacy
Key Alaska House race tied, though ballot review continues

Key Alaska House race tied, though ballot review continues

Republican Bart LeBon and Democrat Kathryn Dodge vie to succeed Rep. Scott Kawasaki in Fairbanks.

Key Alaska House race tied, though ballot review continues
Dunleavy picks MacKinnon for transportation commissioner

Dunleavy picks MacKinnon for transportation commissioner

John MacKinnon is the outgoing executive director of the Associated General Contractors of Alaska.

Dunleavy picks MacKinnon for transportation commissioner
City might change smoking laws to match state

City might change smoking laws to match state

Smoking downtown will be tougher.

City might change smoking laws to match state
Walker: Dunleavy resignation requests creating anxiety

Walker: Dunleavy resignation requests creating anxiety

Dunleavy’s transition team said Friday that it sent an email to all state employees who serve at the pleasure of the governor asking them to resign and to reapply for their positions.

Walker: Dunleavy resignation requests creating anxiety
In this file photo, Sen. Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, reads one of the two versions of HB 111 dealing with oil tax credits during a Conference Committee hearing at the Capitol on Wednesday, July 12, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File) In this file photo, Sen. Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, reads one of the two versions of HB 111 dealing with oil tax credits during a Conference Committee hearing at the Capitol on Wednesday, July 12, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Republicans pick Giessel as new Alaska Senate president

Republicans have maintained control of the Alaska Senate and chose Sen. Cathy Giessel of Anchorage to be the new president of the chamber. Giessel would… Continue reading

In this file photo, Sen. Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, reads one of the two versions of HB 111 dealing with oil tax credits during a Conference Committee hearing at the Capitol on Wednesday, July 12, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File) In this file photo, Sen. Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, reads one of the two versions of HB 111 dealing with oil tax credits during a Conference Committee hearing at the Capitol on Wednesday, July 12, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Legislature’s new ethics law extends to private discussions

Legislature’s new ethics law extends to private discussions

A new conflict-of-interest law covers discussions behind closed doors, not just public debate.

Legislature’s new ethics law extends to private discussions