Andrew Kitchenman, Alaska Public Media & KTOO - Juneau
Andrew Kitchenman is the state government and politics reporter for Alaska Public Media and KTOO in Juneau. Reach him at akitchenman@alaskapublic.org.
Overhaul of Alaska alcohol laws makes progress in Legislature
This year, the most controversial provision has been one that limits the number of tasting rooms for breweries, distilleries and wineries. Right now, there can be one for every 3,000 residents. Under the new law, there could only be one for every 12,000.
Legislators are divided over what to call state payments to Alaskans and the message it would send
House majority members say describing the entire $2,550 payment as a dividend would set expectations that PFDs would be that size every year.
An Alaska politics recap, from redistricting lawsuits to a Capitol COVID outbreak
The Alaska Supreme Court ruled on redistricting last week, the House plans to take up the budget in a few days — and there's yet another conflict about mask-wearing on the House floor.
Special election dates announced to fill Alaska’s sole seat in US House
There will be two special elections this summer to fill that vacancy: a special primary election by mail on June 11 and a special election to pick the winner on Aug. 16.
Governor announces official split of Alaska health and social services department
Under the change, there will be a Department of Health and a Department of Family and Community Services.
State leaders mourn the loss US Rep. Don Young: ‘Alaska’s Alaskan’
State leaders from across the political spectrum reacted with shock and sadness to the news of the death of Rep. Don Young on Friday.
Alaska House committee proposes funding schools a year ahead using money from rising oil prices
If the plan becomes law, that would mean there’s enough money budgeted to cover the state share of school costs through June 2024.
Lawmakers issue subpoenas in move to make Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation board members talk about Rodell firing
The Legislative Budget and Audit Committee voted 10-0 to issue subpoenas to all six of the corporation’s board members, four employees and a Department of Revenue worker.
Dunleavy calls for big dividends as Alaska’s revenue forecast increases by billions
Gov. Mike Dunleavy urged the Legislature to send some of the money to Alaskans in the form of $3,700 in permanent fund dividends.
Alaska House debates bringing back limits to campaign donations
A House bill would limit individual contributions to candidates to $2,000 over two years.
Gov. Dunleavy proposes suspending motor fuel taxes through June 2023
In Alaska, the tax on gasoline is 8 cents per gallon.
Retired public employees and state settle long-running legal dispute over medical, dental benefits
The Alaska Constitution says that public employee retirement benefits “shall not be diminished or impaired.” But the state and retirees have differed on how to interpret this guarantee.
Alaska House bill would start process to rename highway named after convicted war criminal
A bill working its way through the state Legislature would start the process of renaming the Glenn Highway. Glenn was convicted of committing war crimes in the Philippines.
Alaska sees a swift drop in the value of its Russian investments and looks to sell
Alaska's revenue commissioner said the value of state-held Russian investments has declined from $267 million at the end of last year to a current estimate of no more than $15 million.
Alaska House committee drafts budget with $2,500 total for PFD and energy relief check
The budget proposal unveiled on Friday by the House Finance Committee would spend over $4 billion in state funding to run state government. That’s $148 million more than Dunleavy proposed.
Gov. Dunleavy directs state to take steps to divest from Russia
Dunleavy also requested further actions from the federal government and Alaska businesses and individuals.
House majority proposes $1,300 ‘energy relief checks’ for Alaskans
The money would be in addition to the annual PFD.
Alaska senators consider bill to protect accounts used for scholarships, ferries
The intent of Senate Bill 224 is to keep any money in the accounts from being swept into a state piggy bank, the Constitutional Budget Reserve.
Alaska lawmaker retaliates after Washington proposes tax on fuel exports
The Washington legislation would increase fuel exported to Alaska, Idaho and Oregon by 6 cents per gallon. It wouldn’t affect Washington residents.
Mask and COVID-19 test requirements are dropped for Alaska State Capitol
The rules will continue to require those who test positive for the virus to isolate.