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.
49 Voices: Linda Sampson of Noorvik
This week we're hearing from Linda Sampson in Noorvik. Sampson is an instructional aide at the village school.
Dunleavy rolls out package in first step of ‘war on criminals’
Gov. Mike Dunleavy is proposing bills that would repeal most of what’s left of the criminal justice overhaul enacted three years ago.
Dunleavy targets crime in first State of the State address
Gov. Mike Dunleavy promised to reduce crime and protect permanent fund dividends in his first State of the State address on Tuesday.
Republican Talerico falls one vote short of becoming House speaker
The vote was the latest action in a stalemate that’s preventing Alaska’s House of Representatives from beginning work this session.
House chooses Neal Foster as temporary speaker, but there’s still no majority
Speaker Pro Tempore Neal Foster was able to swear in House appointee Sharon Jackson, but the legislative body still can’t form committees or start work on bills until a majority comes together.
House appointee’s oath of office stirs confusion among state lawmakers
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle were caught off guard when Anchorage Republican Rep. Joshua Revak posted a two-minute video of the oath on social media.
Dunleavy seeks PFD back payments over three years
Alaskans who received permanent fund dividends in 2016 — and who still live in the state — would receive the back payment for 2016 this year.
Alaska House tied in knots on session’s first day
The uncertainty in the Alaska House of Representatives became clear when Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer attempted to swear in Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s nominee to fill a vacant seat in Eagle River.
Lt. Gov. Meyer prepares to wield gavel amid House uncertainty
Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer will gavel in the legislative session on Tuesday, and there’s an unusual amount of uncertainty surrounding the Alaska House of Representatives. As of Monday afternoon, there was still no majority coalition.
Former state workers sue, saying they were unconstitutionally fired
A lawyer and two doctors are suing the state, saying Gov. Mike Dunleavy fired them for unconstitutional reasons. The American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska filed the lawsuits Thursday.
Dunleavy says PFDs should be automatic, contrary to court ruling
Gov. Mike Dunleavy said state spending will match its revenue. That will require a $1.6 billion spending cut, equal to 27 percent of the portion of the state budget the Alaska Legislature directly controls.
Legislation would put 90-day legislative session, PFDs in Alaska Constitution
Two constitutional amendments were among the first batch of legislative proposals released before the Alaska Legislature convenes on Jan. 15.
Former House members see pitfalls to narrow split, point to lessons
The split is particularly tough for the people who want to be legislative aides, who have to wait to see if they’ll have a job.
Alaska Permanent Fund looks to pay investment managers incentives
The corporation and its board of trustees argue the policy could help recruit talented managers. But it’s up to Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s administration and the Alaska Legislature to make it happen.
Gov. Dunleavy introduces budget with larger PFDs, with cuts to come
The Dunleavy administration’s budget doesn’t include funding to pay back residents for the reductions in permanent fund dividends from the last three years.
Rep. Knopp leaves Republican caucus, seeks new bipartisan coalition
State Rep. Gary Knopp said a bipartisan coalition would act as a counterweight to Gov. Mike Dunleavy, while an all-Republican caucus wouldn’t.
49 Voices: Paul Brown III of Noorvik
This week we're hearing from Paul Brown III in Noorvik. Brown is the Village Police Officer for the community.
Alaska Native groups ask Dunleavy to investigate missing and murdered Indigenous women
A dozen Alaska Native groups cosigned a letter asking Dunleavy to include money in his proposal for the next state budget, which his administration is scheduled to release on Dec. 15.
Dunleavy and his supporters celebrate inauguration in Wasilla
Dunleavy told the crowd that his first experience as governor has been watching “what Alaskans are all about — people helping each other” in response to the earthquake.
Dunleavy names new AG, corrections and public safety commissioners
Gov. Mike Dunleavy has announced Amanda Price, Nancy Dahlstrom and Kevin Clarkson as the newest additions to his cabinet.