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 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