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.
New capital budget is much lower than previous budgets
State lawmakers who voted to pass the capital budget Thursday said it will help the economy. But it will provide less help than it did just a few years ago. Listen now
Legislature passes capital budget in one-day special session
The Alaska Legislature passed the state’s capital budget on Thursday, allowing road projects and other construction to move forward. Listen now
Lawmakers agree on capital budget funding for oil and gas tax credits, Kivalina school
State lawmakers are scheduled to vote Thursday on a capital budget that will include $20 million in oil and gas tax credits. It would also add $8 million to assist municipalities and $7 million to complete a school in Kivalina. Listen now
Capital budget compromise unlikely to restore PFDs, address oil and gas tax credits
The Legislature will return to Juneau on Thursday to vote on a capital budget that senators and House members have agreed to.
Senator David Wilson says he’s not running for Lt. Governor, he filed by accident
On Wednesday, State Senator David Wilson filed a letter of intent to run for lieutenant governor. Later the same day, he amended that filing, saying he is not running. Listen now
State, municipalities face higher borrowing costs from falling credit ratings
Alaska’s credit was downgraded by two rating agencies in the past week. The state had the highest possible rating at the beginning of last year. But the Legislature failed to pass a plan to balance future state budgets for two straight years, which has contributed to the downgrades. Listen now
Motor fuel tax stalls in a year of few bills
Lawmakers have passed fewer bills in 2017 than any year in the state’s history, but it seemed that Senate Bill 25 stood one of the best chances of passing. Listen now
Walker says future special sessions depend on progress
Gov. Bill Walker said he won’t call lawmakers back to Juneau to work on a plan to balance future state budgets, unless he knows they’re making progress. Listen now
Special session ends with compromise on oil and gas tax credits
State government would no longer provide tax credits that can be traded for cash to oil and gas companies under a bill the Legislature passed Saturday. Listen now
With hedging statements, Alaska lawmakers say they’re close on oil and gas compromise
State lawmakers say they’re close to an agreement on a bill to end tax credits for oil and gas companies that can be traded for cash. Listen now
Special session nears end without public progress on oil taxes
As of late afternoon Thursday, the Alaska Senate and House hadn’t made any public progress on oil and gas tax legislation. They met Wednesday, but they still can’t agree on how to replace the state system allowing companies to receive tax credits. Lawmakers only have two more days in the special session. Listen now
Far apart politically and geographically, lawmakers talk oil and gas taxes
The first substantial day of legislative meetings in 20 days occurred Wednesday, but the two majorities in the Legislature were far apart — and not just politically. Listen now
ADN reports large salaries, small workload for state fisheries commission
Two state commissioners are making big money even though they don't have much work left to do. That's the story recently reported by the Alaska Dispatch News. Listen now
Alaska Legislature has nothing to show for two weeks after budget
The Legislature’s special session hasn’t ended, two weeks since most state lawmakers left Juneau after passing the operating budget. Listen now
PFD cut affects some Alaskans more than others
When the Alaska Legislature passed the state budget June 22, it also voted for the first time to cut money for Permanent Fund dividends. By doing this, it followed in the steps of Gov. Bill Walker, who cut PFDs in half last year to maintain state savings. The PFD cut will affect those in some Alaska communities more than others. Listen now
Walker signs Alaska state budget day before it starts
Alaska Gov. Bill Walker signed the state operating budget Friday without vetoing any of it. Listen now
Senate to return to Juneau to focus on oil and gas tax credits
The Senate plans to reconvene in Juneau on July 10 to try to overhaul oil and gas credits. But it’s not clear if there’s room for compromise with the House, which has different goals. Listen now
Hughes leaves Senate majority over budget
For the second time this year, a Republican from Matanuska-Susitna Borough left the state Senate majority caucus. Palmer Sen. Shelley Hughes left the caucus last Thursday to oppose the state budget. Listen now
What’s next for the legislature after narrowly avoiding a shutdown?
The Legislature avoided a state government shutdown by passing an operating budget on Thursday, eight days before the deadline. But they haven’t addressed the capital budget, or other important issues facing the state’s future. Listen now
Legislature passes budget compromise to avert shutdown
The Legislature passed a budget that avoids a state government shutdown Thursday night.