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.
Recall Dunleavy organizers receive booklets, can start gathering signatures
Signature gathering for the campaign to recall Gov. Mike Dunleavy is about to begin.
In letter to lawyers, Alaska Supreme Court clerk pushes back against Dunleavy bias complaints
The clerk for the Alaska Supreme Court responded on Wednesday to questions about Chief Justice Joel Bolger’s ability to be impartial over the proposed recall of Gov. Mike Dunleavy.
Dunleavy wants to pay back cuts to PFDs, but lawmakers are skeptical
A bill introduced at Dunleavy’s request on Wednesday would pay $1,304 to every eligible Alaskan.
Murkowski pushes Legislature for more REAL ID support in rural Alaska
In her annual address to a joint session of the Legislature Tuesday, U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski told lawmakers that the state should do more to help Alaskans get REAL IDs.
Dunleavy defenders withdraw from recall case, attacking judicial impartiality
The organization opposing the recall campaign against Gov. Mike Dunleavy has told its lawyers to withdraw its appeal of the recall.
House bill, called ‘watershed legislation,’ would give tribes recognition in Alaska
The federal government has long recognized Alaska Native tribes, similar to how it recognizes tribes in the rest of the country. But Alaska’s state government hasn’t been as consistent, and state lawmakers are looking to change that.
Alaska Supreme Court says judge was wrong to stall recall of Gov. Dunleavy while appeal plays out
The group seeking to recall Alaska GOP Gov. Mike Dunleavy can proceed with signature-gathering while an appeal of the campaign's legality plays out, the Alaska Supreme Court ruled Friday.
Bill would launch Alaska state lottery through new corporation
Gov. Mike Dunleavy requested the bill, which would create a new state corporation to oversee the lottery.
Chief justice to Alaska Legislature: The courts remain independent
Alaska Supreme Court Chief Justice Joel Bolger assured the Legislature in his State of the Judiciary address on Wednesday that the state’s courts remain independent.
With a recall looming, the session opens quietly, the governor no longer a firebrand on budget cuts
This legislative session, there are no major proposals being openly debated that would close the budget gap.
Policy expert says Alaska will be ‘nation’s vanguard’ in a thawing Arctic
A national expert on Arctic policy told state lawmakers on Thursday that Alaska will be at the front line of global competition over Arctic Ocean resources.
Wildfires, Medicaid push state to request $262.5M more than budgeted
Wildfires and Medicaid costs led state officials to ask the Legislature to add more money to the state budget than they have in at least 10 years.
Nearly every year, the state government adds money...
AIDEA head defends no-bid contract for grandson of major Dunleavy supporter
The grandson of a top campaign supporter of Gov. Mike Dunleavy was the only person who could provide economic development advice to the state for $8,000 per month, according to the leader of the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, or AIDEA.
There’s still little common ground on how to fix the budget in Juneau
The Alaska Legislature and Gov. Mike Dunleavy have both talked in the first two weeks of the session about the importance of closing the gap between how much the state government spends and how much it brings in. But there are big differences in how to fix the problem.
Dunleavy promotes resource development in speech to Alaska business leaders
The governor said the state is in a good position on multiple fronts. One is the warming Arctic, which could allow for shipping across the Arctic Ocean. Another is the demand for minerals that are used in electronics.
Judge again pauses Recall Dunleavy signature gathering
Anchorage Superior Court Judge Eric Aarseth issued a stay that halts the organization Recall Dunleavy from gathering signatures to hold a recall election, pending a decision from the Alaska Supreme Court.
Senate leaders share interest in a new formula for ‘sustainable’ PFD
Senate President Cathy Giessel said every senator supports permanent fund dividends. She said the question is how to make it sustainable.
Dunleavy calls for lottery, dividend-land exchanges in State of the State address
Dunleavy called the lottery idea an “innovative new approach to revenue” for the state.
Alaska Legislature fails to override vetoes of school bond reimbursement, ferries
The vote was 37 in favor of the override, and 20 against it. That fell short of the 45 votes needed for an override.
Alaska lawmakers receive sobering view of state budget challenges
The House Finance Committee began its legislative session by hearing from the state’s nonpartisan budget experts.