Alaska Legislature

Kristin Garot asks a question to members of Juneau’s legislative delegation at a town hall in the Dzantik’i Heeni school commons on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Expect tighter budget, but more say in how the money is spent, local legislators say

Juneau lawmakers cite familiar issues of education, pensions as priorities at pre-session town hall

 

Rep. Sara Hannan (left) and Rep. Andi Story, both Juneau Democrats, talk during a break in floor debate Sunday, May 12, 2024, at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Bans on cellphones for students, abortion, styrofoam food containers among Legislature’s first prefiled bills

Two members of Juneau’s delegation reintroduce bills for students, public employees, crime victims.

 

Commercial fishing boats are lined up at the dock at Seward’s harbor on June 22, 2024. A legislative task force has come up with preliminary recommendations to help the ailing Alaska seafood industry. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Legislative task force offers possible actions to rescue troubled Alaska seafood industry

Boosting international marketing, developing new products, more support for workers, other steps.

 

A small studio apartment in The Assembly Apartments overlooking downtown Juneau. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)

Assembly Apartments that provided Depression-era jobs now the latest in government housing

Historic building next to Alaska State Capitol awaits arriving legislators and staff.

A small studio apartment in The Assembly Apartments overlooking downtown Juneau. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)
Tesla Cox (left) explains the damage done to her home and possessions by a record flood to a delegation of local and congressional leaders on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Flood protection at top of Juneau Assembly’s legislative project funding list

Second Douglas crossing, wastewater plant rank next; some members concerned civic center is low on list.

Tesla Cox (left) explains the damage done to her home and possessions by a record flood to a delegation of local and congressional leaders on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Voters at Anchorage City Hall wait in line to cast their ballots on Nov. 4, 2024, the day before Election Day. City Hall, in downtown Anchorage, was one of the designated early voting sites in the state’s largest city. The director of the Alaska Division of Election answered some pointed questions at a legislative hearing last week. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska legislators, citing some citizen complaints, probe management of 2024 election

State elections director defends process as secure, trustworthy and fair, despite some glitches.

Voters at Anchorage City Hall wait in line to cast their ballots on Nov. 4, 2024, the day before Election Day. City Hall, in downtown Anchorage, was one of the designated early voting sites in the state’s largest city. The director of the Alaska Division of Election answered some pointed questions at a legislative hearing last week. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
State Rep. Sara Hannan talks with visitors outside her office at the Alaska State Capitol during the annual holiday open house hosted by Juneau’s legislative delegation on Friday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

A moving holiday season for Juneau’s legislators

Delegation hosts annual open house as at least two prepare to occupy better offices as majority members.

State Rep. Sara Hannan talks with visitors outside her office at the Alaska State Capitol during the annual holiday open house hosted by Juneau’s legislative delegation on Friday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Rep. Alyse Galvin, an Anchorage independent, takes a photo with Meadow Stanley, a senior at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on April before they took part in a march protesting education funding from the school to the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Drops in Alaska’s student test scores and education funding follow similar paths past 20 years, study claims

Fourth graders now are a year behind their 2007 peers in reading and math, author of report asserts.

Rep. Alyse Galvin, an Anchorage independent, takes a photo with Meadow Stanley, a senior at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on April before they took part in a march protesting education funding from the school to the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy explains details of his proposed state budget for next year during a press conference Thursday at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Gov. Dunleavy’s budget nixes education increase, pays $3,838 PFD and incurs $1.5B deficit

Proposal sets up battle with Legislature that in past has resulted in more school money and smaller PFDs.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy explains details of his proposed state budget for next year during a press conference Thursday at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A man is searched by a Juneau Police Department officer as he arrested April 17 after causing disturbances at the Alaska State Capitol and State Office Building. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Legislators skip adding TSA-style security checks at Alaska’s Capitol, approve other safety measures

Proposal to screen visitors at entrance tabled for future discussion; moving mailroom offsite OK’d.

A man is searched by a Juneau Police Department officer as he arrested April 17 after causing disturbances at the Alaska State Capitol and State Office Building. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Signs at the front of the Alaska State Capitol on Sunday indicate a designated entrance for legislators and their staff, and direct members of the public to a separate door. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Security screenings for people entering Alaska State Capitol to be considered by legislators Thursday

Signs already designating separate entrance for public, bids from security providers received.

Signs at the front of the Alaska State Capitol on Sunday indicate a designated entrance for legislators and their staff, and direct members of the public to a separate door. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Rep. Andi Story, a Juneau Democrat, listens to a presentation during a House Education Committee meeting May 3, 2024, at the Alaska State Capitol. Story has been named co-chair of the committee for the upcoming legislative session. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

State Rep. Andi Story to co-chair House Education Committee under new Democrat-led majority

Sara Hannan remains on Finance Committee as Juneau representatives look to play bigger roles

Rep. Andi Story, a Juneau Democrat, listens to a presentation during a House Education Committee meeting May 3, 2024, at the Alaska State Capitol. Story has been named co-chair of the committee for the upcoming legislative session. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, speaks to members of the Senate majority caucus’ leadership group on Friday, April 12, 2024. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Education, energy and elections among priorities of Alaska Senate’s post-election agenda

Senate’s previous bipartisan majority will continue, albeit a bit smaller, after election.

Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, speaks to members of the Senate majority caucus’ leadership group on Friday, April 12, 2024. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Rep. Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, speaks in favor of Senate Bill 48, the carbon credits bill, on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, in the Alaska House. At background is Department of Resources Commissioner John Boyle and staff supporting the bill. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska House control flips from predominantly Republican coalition to mostly Democratic coalition

Preliminary election results show the new House majority will have at least 22 members.

Rep. Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, speaks in favor of Senate Bill 48, the carbon credits bill, on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, in the Alaska House. At background is Department of Resources Commissioner John Boyle and staff supporting the bill. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Snow falls on the Alaska Capitol and the statue of William Henry Seward on Monday, April 1, 2024. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska Capitol may begin screening all visitors in 2025, according to draft security proposal

An airport-style security screening checkpoint could be coming to the Alaska State Capitol, ending decades of open public access. In a public notice published Oct.… Continue reading

Snow falls on the Alaska Capitol and the statue of William Henry Seward on Monday, April 1, 2024. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
A view of Gastineau Channel, where a second crossing between Juneau and Douglas north of the current bridge is in the evaluation stage. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)

Flood protection, second Juneau-Douglas crossing top Planning Commission’s legislative wish list

Draft 19-item list also includes housing, other projects Assembly will rank and seek funds for.

A view of Gastineau Channel, where a second crossing between Juneau and Douglas north of the current bridge is in the evaluation stage. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)
Rep. Laddie Shaw, R-Anchorage, is surrounded by education advocates as he enters the House chambers before a veto override vote on Senate Bill 140 on Monday, March 18, 2024. Shaw voted no on the override, which failed by a single vote. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska legislative panel bans large signs in the state Capitol after education protest

Signs limited to 11x17” and can’t be attached to posts or sticks, according to new visitor policy.

Rep. Laddie Shaw, R-Anchorage, is surrounded by education advocates as he enters the House chambers before a veto override vote on Senate Bill 140 on Monday, March 18, 2024. Shaw voted no on the override, which failed by a single vote. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Workers at the Alaska Division of Elections’ State Review Board consider ballots on Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024, at the division’s headquarters in Juneau. At background is the Alaska State Capitol. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

After Alaska’s primary election, here’s how the state’s legislative races are shaping up

Senate’s bipartisan coalition appears likely to continue, but control of the state House is a tossup.

Workers at the Alaska Division of Elections’ State Review Board consider ballots on Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024, at the division’s headquarters in Juneau. At background is the Alaska State Capitol. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Members of the Alaska House watch for the vote tally on House Bill 17 on Thursday, March 21, 2024. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Governor vetoes bill that would have expanded Alaska women’s access to birth control medicine

Gov. Mike Dunleavy has vetoed a bill that would have eased access to contraceptives. Dunleavy on Wednesday vetoed House Bill 17, a measure that the… Continue reading

Members of the Alaska House watch for the vote tally on House Bill 17 on Thursday, March 21, 2024. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo State Rep. Andi Story, D-Juneau, speaks during a rally on behalf of Alaska residents with disabilities at the Alaska State Capitol on March 1, 2023.

Bills by Juneau legislator adding official Indigenous state languages, upgrading dock safety become law

Safety bill by Rep. Story also contains provision by Sen. Kiehl expanding disaster aid eligibility.

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo State Rep. Andi Story, D-Juneau, speaks during a rally on behalf of Alaska residents with disabilities at the Alaska State Capitol on March 1, 2023.