Andrew Kitchenman, Alaska Public Media & KTOO - Juneau

Andrew Kitchenman, Alaska Public Media & KTOO - Juneau
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Andrew Kitchenman is the state government and politics reporter for Alaska Public Media and KTOO in Juneau. Reach him at akitchenman@alaskapublic.org.

New fee would sharply hike state fees for studded tires

A proposed bill would increase the fee Alaskans pay to the state when they buy studded tires by 1,500 percent. Listen now

Legislators mixed in response to income tax bill

Under a proposed statewide income tax bill in the Capitol, Alaskans would have a choice when they apply for their annual permanent fund dividend: whether or not to set aside money to pay for their next year’s state income tax liability. Listen now

Bill would bring back income tax, draw Permanent Fund money for state budget

Alaskans would pay a tax on income for the first time since 1980 under a bill introduced in the Legislature on Friday. Listen now

Reluctant to comply with REAL ID, Alaska faces possible barrier to flying

Alaska law bars the state government from spending money to comply with the federal REAL ID Act. Starting next January, the federal government will require Alaska residents boarding commercial flights to have ID cards that meet REAL ID standards. Listen now

Chief justice urges lawmakers to collaborate and compromise

State Supreme Court Chief Justice Craig Stowers said Alaska’s courts are leading the way in cutting costs in a way that doesn’t threaten vital services. Listen now

Motor fuel tax would triple under bill, but remain below national average

Lawmakers are considering tripling the state’s motor fuels tax over the next two years. A bill would raise the tax from a national low of 8 cents per gallon to 16 cents in July, then 24 cents per gallon in July 2018. Listen now

Privatization could save some money at API, not at youth centers

Alaska’s state government can save money by privatizing some services at the Alaska Psychiatric Institute, or API. But it doesn’t look like it would save if it privatized all services. Listen now

Legislature eyes limit on state government spending

Some state legislators want to write into law a new limit on how much the state can spend each year. But policy experts say it’s a difficult strategy to put into effect. And Alaska already has a limit – one that critics say hasn’t worked. Listen now

ACA repeal could complicate Medicaid reforms

State health leaders say a federal repeal of the Affordable Care Act could make it difficult to implement reforms to Medicaid. That could cost the state the tens of millions of dollars that lawmakers are counting on. Listen now

Walker criticizes Trump’s handling of refugee issue

Gov. Bill Walker criticized President Donald Trump’s order that halted immigration from seven heavily Muslim countries, indefinitely banned Syrian refugees and temporarily banned all other refugees. Listen now

Sweeping criminal justice overhaul under fire — and revision

Legislators are considering changes to a seven-month-old law that overhauled the criminal justice system. The commission that helped shape the law has recommended 14 changes to it. Listen now

New bill seeks to address conflicts of interest within Legislature

When Alaska legislators or their immediate family members financially benefit from bills, the lawmakers declare they have a conflict of interest. Listen now

State leaders seek business input on effort to develop economy

Business and community leaders have told state officials they’d like to see new sources of money to finance economic development. Listen now

Bill would have gun owners forfeit weapons if found to be threat by judge

Alaskans can have firearms even when family or law enforcement officers believe they are a threat to themselves or others. But a new bill would allow judges to issue protective orders making them temporarily surrender their guns. Listen now

New legislation could make hiring vets less cumbersome

When business owners seek to advertise that they want to hire military veterans, they face an obstacle. People who aren’t veterans can sue them for discrimination. Listen now

Civil asset forfeiture rule change debated in Juneau

Lawmakers are seeking to prevent law enforcement from requiring those accused of crimes – and their family members or associates -- to forfeit their property before they’re convicted. Listen now

Southeast legislators hesitant to cut education funding

Southeast Alaska lawmakers express skepticism that the Legislature should look to school funding to cut the state's budget. In fact, some legislators would like to see spending increase in some education areas. Listen now

Gov. Walker hits on same budget themes with new Legislature

In his annual State of the State Address on Wednesday, Gov. Bill Walker pushed a lot of the same ideas and proposals for solving the state’s budget crisis as last year. Listen now

Senate majority eyes $750M in budget cuts over three years

The state Senate is generating ideas to make significant cuts to the state budget. They’d like to lock in lower spending levels into the future. Listen now

New House majority takes over on first day of session

On January 17, the 30th Alaska State Legislature was sworn into office. It faces a fiscal crisis that’s grown over the past four years, as oil revenue declined. Listen now