Alexandra Gutierrez, APRN - Juneau
agutierrez (at) alaskapublic (dot) org | 907.209.1799 | About Alexandra
‘Stand Your Ground’ Bill Resurfaces In Legislature
Since 2010, the Alaska state legislature has debated the passage of a “Stand Your Ground” law. Versions of the bill have made their way through committee, passed in the House, and then ultimately stalled in the Senate. Now, the bill is back.
State Cracking Down On Cruise Industry’s Third-Party Contractors
The summer cruise ship season is like Christmas for a lot of coastal retailers, and they depend on the tourist income to stay open. But because the stakes are high, business has the potential to get dirty. For the first time, the State of Alaska is cracking down on third-party contractors that are allegedly treating local stores unfairly.
Legislature To Take Up In-State Gas Line Proposal
For the past couple of weeks, the legislature has been moving forward on the governor’s proposal to cut taxes on oil companies. Now, it’s scheduled to take up the issue of an in-state gas line. APRN’s Alexandra Gutierrez has this legislative outlook for the week.
Cruise Ship Bill Moving Quickly Through Legislature
About a million people visit Alaska by cruise ship every year, creating floating cities along the state’s coastline. A bill that would change just how the waste they produce is regulated is moving rapidly through the legislature, and is scheduled to appear on the House floor Monday.
New Legislation May Change Charter School Authorization Process
Right now, if you and a group of like-minded individuals want to set up a charter school in your community, you need to petition your local school board to get the plan approved. A new bill could change that and open authorization up to universities, other government agencies, and nonprofits.
Bill Pushes For Increased School Funding
In the legislature, a bill that would increase funding for schools has been introduced. A team of nine Democrats want to peg what’s called the “Base Student Allocation” to inflation. That allocation gives school $5,680 for every student they have enrolled, and it’s remained at the same level for the past three years.
Public Comments On Gov. Parnell’s Oil Tax Cut Proposal
The public got its first chance to comment on Gov. Sean Parnell’s proposal to cut taxes on oil companies on Tuesday, and most of the testimony broke along familiar lines.
Fish and Game Releases Chinook Research Plan
Meanwhile, the Department of Fish and Game has just released its long-term research plan to manage – and ideally prevent – future Chinook salmon disasters like the one Alaska experienced last year. The proposal calls for better estimates of young salmon populations on a number of major rivers, and it puts an emphasis on getting more local knowledge of fish stocks.
Competing Voter ID Bills Introduced In State Legislature
It’s not too difficult to get an “I voted” sticker in Alaska. As long as you’ve registered, you just have to show a piece of identification at the polls, like a driver’s license or a utility bill. Even if you don’t have ID, you can cast a questioned ballot if an election worker can vouch for you. But two bills lawmakers are considering this year could change that process, in very different ways.
Alaska Legislature Facing First Budget Deficit In Nearly A Decade
For the first time in nearly a decade, the state legislature is in a position where it could have to spend more money than it takes in. Fiscal analyst David Teal spoke before the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday, and he says that it’s an unusual position for a state that’s brought in extra revenue for almost a decade.
On 40th Anniversary, Anti-Abortion Activists Protest Roe v. Wade
Tuesday marks the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that created protection for abortion. In Juneau, a rally was held in front of the Capitol to protest the ruling, but inside the building, it’s not yet clear how much time the legislature will spend considering anti-abortion bills.
Gov. Parnell Rolls Out New Oil Tax Proposal
This week, Gov. Sean Parnell rolled out his latest proposal to revamp the state’s oil tax structure. It’s the third time he’s tried to do this, and the last two attempts resulted in a stalemate.
Gov. Parnell Outlines Priorities In State Of The State Address
Gov. Sean Parnell's State of the State address last night underscored the priorities he's been pushing throughout his administration. He called for a comprehensive crime bill that would levy harsher penalties on sexual predators, and he set a goal of improving Alaska’s high school graduation rate from 70 percent to 90 percent.
State Legislators Introduce ‘Alaska Firearms Freedom Act’
President Barack Obama today signed off on nearly two dozen executive orders meant to curb gun violence. These orders launch a gun ownership safety campaign, require the Centers for Disease Control to examine the causes of gun violence, and call for law enforcement officials to receive better training for active shooter scenarios.
Freshman Legislators Get Situated In Juneau
Over the past week, freshman legislators have been settling into their new digs in Juneau. But while the Capitol building is stately, that doesn’t mean the transition from private citizen to public official is necessarily glamorous, as Wasilla Republican Lynn Gattis is learning.
ANC’s Holmes Surprises Democrats, Switches to GOP
For six years, legislator Lindsey Holmes has represented West Anchorage as a Democrat. But as of Saturday afternoon, she’s a Republican. The announcement that Holmes had switched parties came after a two-hour caucus meeting, where members of the House Majority hashed out what the change meant and occasionally tuned into the NFL playoffs. It was unexpected, and Holmes thinks she’ll get a wide range of responses from her district.
Alaska Legislature Releases Nearly 20 More Prefiled Bills
The legislature released a new set of bill this morning, in advance of the coming session. Nearly 20 bills were filed. One big ticket item would help finance a natural gas liquification plant on the North Slope, and it would authorize a loan of up to $275 million. Another would create a Chinook salmon research endowment.
Alaska Democrats Introduce Bills Addressing Oil Tax Concerns
Democrats in the legislature’s minority haven’t offered a counter proposal, but they have introduced bills that handle some of their concerns about oil tax reform in a piecemeal fashion.
Nearly 60 Bills Pre-Filed For Upcoming State Legislative Session
A list of nearly 60 bills and resolutions was released today in preparation for the upcoming legislative session in Juneau. The pre filed bills include everything from new gas line legislation to a call...
AK: Bingo
Every other week, a bright pink sign pops up along Unalaska’s main road advertising a makeshift gambling parlor. In hand-painted black lettering, it lays out the stakes and discourages any young whippersnappers under 19 from even trying to participate. This game is very much for grownups. For two years, KUCB’s Alexandra Gutierrez has driven by it and wondered what exactly went on there. Now, she takes us into the seedy underbelly of Unalaska’s senior center.