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.
Legislature approves all but one of Walker’s cabinet picks
The Alaska Legislature approved 101 of Governor Bill Walker’s appointments yesterday – and voted down one. The only rejection was of Fairbanks resident Drew Phoenix. Listen now
Time pressure makes special session likely
The Alaska Legislature is scheduled to end its session Wednesday, under a deadline set by the Alaska Constitution. But that doesn’t mean its work is over. Listen now
Senate votes down state income tax
The Senate voted against a state income tax Friday. Listen now
Alaska’s income tax fight is only latest skirmish in decades-long conflict
The Senate plans to vote Friday on a House proposal to bring an income tax to Alaska. Senate majority leaders oppose the tax, and it will likely go down in defeat. But this isn’t the first time Alaska has debated this tax — and it may not be the last. Listen now
Rep. Eastman becomes first Alaska House member to be censured
Representative David Eastman became the first member of the Alaska House to be censured on Wednesday. Listen now
New legislation aims to enshrine PFDs in constitution
Members of the House majority have introduced legislation to enshrine Permanent Fund dividends into the Alaska Constitution. Dividends would be at least $1,250 each year. Listen now
Rural House members demand apology from Rep. Eastman over abortion remarks
Alaska House members are demanding Rep. David Eastman apologize for saying some women are glad to become pregnant so they can receive Medicaid-funded travel to have abortions. So far, he’s declined. Listen now
Deep differences remain with two weeks to go in Alaska’s legislative session
There are two weeks remaining until the legislative session is scheduled to end, but there are few signs of progress on reaching compromises on the budget and a long-term plan to pay for it. Listen now
Rep. Eastman: Some women ‘glad’ to be pregnant for Medicaid-funded travel for abortions
State Rep. David Eastman said some Alaskans are glad to become pregnant, so that they can have a Medicaid-funded trip to Anchorage or Seattle to have an abortion. Eastman didn’t provide evidence for this, but said he had been told this by friends and acquaintances. Listen now
Alaska Native representatives offer support for income tax
Representatives of two regional Alaska Native tribal organizations offered support for an income or another progressive tax Tuesday. Listen now
Computer finds income tax could help budget if oil price is low
The extra money from a state income tax would help Alaska’s state government withstand low oil prices or poor investment returns, according to a computer model developed by nonpartisan budget experts. Listen now
Oil prices shrink budget gap, but lawmakers remain far apart
The state’s budget problem is shrinking, but it may not be enough to resolve differences between the Senate and House. Listen now
Senate defies Walker’s call to weigh nominees
Governor Bill Walker tried and failed to get lawmakers to vote on his nominees Thursday. Listen now
In public testimony, most support state income tax bill
The prospect of having a state income tax in Alaska for the first time in 37 years drew passionate responses both in favor and opposed during public testimony on Tuesday. Listen now
Senate majority not pleased with prospect of income tax as public testimony begins
Senators gave the proposed income tax a cool reception earlier today. Listen now
House, Senate wait for other to act on conference committees
The Legislature appears to be stuck. The House and Senate haven’t named members to the conference committees that would meet to resolve the two chambers’ differences. Until that happens, the fate of the state’s budget remains uncertain. Listen now
Senate passes survivors’ benefits bill, allowing municipalities to opt out
The survivors of state employed police and firefighters who die in the line of duty would receive health insurance under a bill the Senate.
Walker invites sharply divided legislative leaders to talk
Gov. Bill Walker wants to bring lawmakers together to resolve differences over a plan to balance the state government’s long-term budget. Listen now
As session breaks deadline, Senate passes bill to allow cellphone fee
The Legislature has gone past the deadline set under state law to finish the annual session – and there are few signs that they’ll be finishing their work soon. Instead of making announcements on major bills, the two chambers passed smaller legislation. Listen now
House sends income tax bill to Senate
The House passed a bill Saturday that would bring a state income tax to Alaska for the first time in 37 years. The vote sends it to the Senate, where leaders oppose the tax. Listen now