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.
Lawmakers add funding for public defenders
Anchorage Republican Rep. Lance Pruitt opposed the added money. He proposed firing higher paid lawyers and replacing them with lower cost, less experienced lawyers. Listen now
House leadership unlikely to take up close votes with 2 members out
Rep. Ivy Spohnholz wrote on Twitter that she is home with her family recuperating from a pulmonary embolism. Listen now
Public testimony backs stable or increased state budget
Ninety people focused on funding services. Most of the other 11 asked for spending cuts. Listen now
Senate votes to let car insurers base renewal rates on credit histories
In 2003, the state allowed insurers to start using these records for new applicants. But they still couldn’t use them for people who are renewing policies. Listen now
Bill would let Alaska judges temporarily take guns from likely threats
A proposed House bill would allow Alaska judges to issue protective orders removing guns from people who they find to likely be a threat to themselves or others. Listen now
Committee scales back draw from permanent fund earnings
Homer Republican Rep. Paul Seaton said the smaller draw is more sustainable. He chairs the House Finance Committee, which voted for it 6 to 4. Listen now
Did Russia compromise Alaska election websites or systems? NBC News report says it did
However, Alaska elections officials had said in September that operatives did not compromise the election system. Alaska has asked the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for any information related to the new news report. Listen now
Alaska’s Medicaid and public assistance backlog is 20,000 people deep
The House Finance Committee voted in favor of hiring 41 people to reduce the backlog. “The morale in that department is not good,” said Rep. Les Gara, D-Anchorage. Listen now
Legislature faces another struggle over long-term budget plan
The biggest focus is on a plan that would draw from Alaska Permanent Fund earnings. Listen now
Session end is murky as budget takes shape
The House version looks to be pretty similar to the $4.5 billion that Walker proposed. Listen now
Senate president seeks work or volunteer requirement for Medicaid recipients
Leading members of the House majority caucus aren’t in favor of the bill. Listen now
New Anchorage airport manager looks to China for growth
“We’ve had some exciting meetings with (the) Chinese delegation lately, that’s included some potential talks of air service over there,” Szczesniak said. Listen now
More than $6 billion gap in state pension funding draws concern
Some state senators are expressing concern about the projected shortfall in funding Alaska’s public employee pensions. But those who manage the pension funds say the shortfall will likely remain manageable. Listen now
Senate appointee drops out after controversial Facebook comments scrutinized
A new possibility to fill the seat emerged. The Republican Party advanced retired Palmer small business owner Vicki Wallner to replace Braund as one of three nominees. Listen now
Walker chooses Sutton resident for Senate after Republicans reject top pick
Braund’s posts on Facebook contain potentially controversial material.
Senate Republicans reject Walker’s Senate pick, Kowalke
Soldotna Republican Sen. Peter Micciche said the rejection was based on Walker not following the traditional process. Listen now
House bill will need Senate rewrite to fund schools early
The bill no longer accomplishes its original primary purpose. Senate President Pete Kelly said he thinks House leaders were “knowingly misleading” in saying that the bill would fund all schools early. Listen now
Republican senators request local party suggestion to fill vacancy
They said in a letter to Walker that it would unfair to either confirm or reject Walker’s appointment of Randall Kowalke to replace Dunleavy. Listen now
Eighteen months after backing Westlake and Fansler, Democrats look toward future
Anchorage Rep. Ivy Spohnholz said the Democratic party will more closely scrutinize candidates’ past conduct in the future. Listen now
Chief Justice Stowers says courts will examine sex harassment policies
Stowers quoted the Star Wars character Yoda in encouraging the Legislature to address the state’s ongoing budget crisis. Listen now