Alaska Legislature

Capital decode: One-sentence summaries of all new legislation in the Alaska Legislature

The pace of new bills in the Alaska Legislature is continuing to slow as lawmakers deal with what’s already on their plate. Between March 10… Continue reading

House passes procedural vote, sending state budget plan to Senate

Alaska’s $9.7 billion annual budget advanced to the Senate on Friday, following a procedural vote in the House. Lawmakers earlier this week approved the spending… Continue reading

Rep. Gabrielle LeDoux, R-Anchorage, shares her support during a rally held by Alaskans for Life, Inc. on Jan. 22, 2015 on the steps of the Capitol Building. (Sarah Cannard | Juneau Empire)

Statewide smoking ban may be decided by one legislator ─ again

Last year, Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, tried to ban smoking in bars and restaurants statewide. His proposal was the first bill introduced into the 29th… Continue reading

Rep. Gabrielle LeDoux, R-Anchorage, shares her support during a rally held by Alaskans for Life, Inc. on Jan. 22, 2015 on the steps of the Capitol Building. (Sarah Cannard | Juneau Empire)

House’s proposed income tax would hit rich Alaskans most, but you’ll pay too

The coalition leading the Alaska House of Representatives has a plan to erase Alaska’s $2.7 billion annual deficit in three years. You’ll pay for part… Continue reading

Uber drives through Alaska Senate; lawmakers vote 14-5 on bill that advances to House

Uber and Lyft may soon arrive on a street near you. In a 14-5 vote Thursday evening, the Alaska Senate approved Senate Bill 14, which… Continue reading

Alaska Legislators try to put lid on ‘eye wars’

If you have a moment, Alaska’s eye surgeons would like your ears. On public radio and KINY-AM, they’re advertising their message. Part of it goes… Continue reading

Gov. Bill Walker signs SB 91 in front of Sen. Donald Olson, D-Golovin, left, Sen. David Wilson, R-Wasilla, Rep. Ivy Spohnholz, D-Anchorage, and Sen. Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, in his Capitol conference room on Tuesday, March 21, 2017. The bill authorizes the chief medical officer of the Department of Health and Social Services to issue a standing order for the prescription of an opioid overdose drug. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Gov. Walker signs bill extending drug-abuse emergency through 2021

Lawmakers called Senate Bill 91 a tourniquet, a fire extinguisher and a defibrillator. The state’s top doctor said the metaphor isn’t important. What is important… Continue reading

Gov. Bill Walker signs SB 91 in front of Sen. Donald Olson, D-Golovin, left, Sen. David Wilson, R-Wasilla, Rep. Ivy Spohnholz, D-Anchorage, and Sen. Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, in his Capitol conference room on Tuesday, March 21, 2017. The bill authorizes the chief medical officer of the Department of Health and Social Services to issue a standing order for the prescription of an opioid overdose drug. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

House sends bigger state budget to Senate

The music on the TV broadcast was Wu-Tang’s C.R.E.A.M. (Cash Rules Everything Around Me), but Pink Floyd might have been just as appropriate. In a… Continue reading

House’s dubious amendments record foreshadows more money struggles to come

The Alaska House of Representatives has never heard this many budget amendments. On Friday afternoon, the House advanced to a final vote on its budget… Continue reading

Wasilla lawmaker would move Legislature to Anchorage, permanently

If a Wasilla lawmaker gets her way, the Alaska Legislature will pack up and move to Anchorage ─ permanently. On Friday, Rep. Colleen Sullivan-Leonard, R-Wasilla,… Continue reading

The Alaska State Capitol, pictured Jan. 21, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Lawmakers slash own pay

Lawmakers in the Alaska House on Thursday voted to slash their own pay. Members of the House voted 34-5 to cut legislators’ pay by almost… Continue reading

The Alaska State Capitol, pictured Jan. 21, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Senate President Pete Kelly watches the vote on SB 26 in the Senate chambers on Wednesday. The Senate voted to use a portion of earnings from the Alaska Permanent Fund to fund government and cap dividends at $1,000 per person. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

PFD on the chopping block

Lawmaker after lawmaker said the Senate does not relish the idea of touching what has long been a political third rail — the Permanent Fund… Continue reading

Senate President Pete Kelly watches the vote on SB 26 in the Senate chambers on Wednesday. The Senate voted to use a portion of earnings from the Alaska Permanent Fund to fund government and cap dividends at $1,000 per person. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Families of slain firefighters, police will benefit from a new bill passed by the House

The families of police and firefighters killed in the line of duty will be able to keep their health insurance under a bill approved 40-0… Continue reading

Alaska Senate considers cutting the PFD in half

The full Alaska Senate will on Monday consider a proposal to erase much of Alaska’s multibillion-dollar budget deficit. In the process, the proposal would effectively… Continue reading

Legislative parents name their ‘babies’ Tazlina and Hubbard

Their official christening is months away, but the parents have given their blessing on a name. On Friday, the Alaska House of Representatives voted 38-0… Continue reading

From left to right, three Republican minority members of the House Finance Committee: Rep. Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla; Rep. Tammie Wilson, R-North Pole; and Rep. Lance Pruitt, R-Anchorage; discuss the results of Thursday’s committee meeting. (James Brooks photo | Juneau Empire)

State budget fight moves to House floor

Rep. Dan Saddler, R-Eagle River, called it a “reconnaissance by fire.” If so, it ran into some thick armor plating. This week, Republican minority members… Continue reading

From left to right, three Republican minority members of the House Finance Committee: Rep. Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla; Rep. Tammie Wilson, R-North Pole; and Rep. Lance Pruitt, R-Anchorage; discuss the results of Thursday’s committee meeting. (James Brooks photo | Juneau Empire)

Panel begins review of Alaska legislative allowance

JUNEAU — The daily allowance that Alaska lawmakers can claim has become part of the discussion of how the state can reduce its multibillion-dollar budget… Continue reading

Parish offers free pizza, answers

Rep. Justin Parish, D-Juneau, will host a “Pizza with Parish” event from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library’s front… Continue reading

Midway through session, Alaska lawmakers looking for fiscal fix

JUNEAU — Alaska legislative leaders say they are committed to taking major steps to address the state’s multibillion-dollar budget deficit this year, even if that… Continue reading

Legislature continues digging in to oil tax changes

ANCHORAGE ­— The House Resources Committee is in its second consecutive year of scrutinizing the state’s oil tax system as the Democrats now leading the committee… Continue reading