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.
Dividend checks would drop, but not by as much, under revised bill
Alaskans’ Permanent Fund dividends would still be cut, but not as much, under a new version of a bill to restructure fund earnings. Download Audio
Walker sympathizes with dividend-cut opponents, but says it’s the only option
At a press conference in Juneau today, Gov. Bill Walker said he understands the position of legislators who are hearing from constituents opposed to cuts to Permanent Fund dividends. Download Audio
Public testimony leans against Permanent Fund bill
Public testimony leaned against Gov. Bill Walker’s proposal to draw on Permanent Fund earnings to pay for state government.
Permanent Fund bill stalls in House Finance Committee
Since the Senate passed the bill last week that would draw money from the Permanent Fund to pay for state government, two things have happened. One is that many Alaskans have raised concerns with the part of the bill that would cut Permanent Fund dividends in half,( from $2,000 to $1,000). The other is that the bill was sent to the House, where it’s having a harder time moving. In fact, it might not even get out of the Finance Committee. Download Audio
Permanent Fund bill faces test in House Finance Committee
The bill that would cut Alaskans’ Permanent Fund dividend checks in half this fall faces a tough legislative test this week. While the Senate passed its version of the bill, Senate Bill 128, the House version, House Bill 245, may not make it through the House Finance Committee. Lawmakers from both ends of the political spectrum are raising concerns with the measure. Download Audio
Legislature still hasn’t officially sent budget to governor
When the Legislature passed the budget last week, state workers thought they were in the clear. No need for pink slips. If they hadn't passed a budget, the state would have been required to send layoff notices to all of it's employees--just like they did last year. There’s only one problem – the Legislature hasn’t officially sent the budget to Governor Bill Walker. And until that happens, state workers are still in limbo. Download Audio
Lawmakers worry PFD legislation could handcuff state spending
Alaska lawmakers are raising alarm over a provision of a bill that would cut Permanent Fund dividends and draw on fund earnings to pay for state spending. The provision would prevent the bulk of state revenue from keeping pace with inflation. Download Audio
Senate passes bill cutting Permanent Fund dividends in half
Permanent Fund dividends would be cut in half under a bill the Senate passed Monday. It’s part of a plan to change the basis for funding state government from a dependence on oil revenues toward Permanent Fund earnings. But the plan is controversial. Download Audio
Legislature passes House oil and gas tax bill, one lawmaker urges Walker to veto
Oil and gas companies would continue to receive tax credits under a bill that a legislative committee passed Monday. But they may not be able to count on receiving much this year. That's because the next round of credits depends on funding that one key lawmaker is already calling on Governor Bill Walker to veto. Download Audio
Senate votes to lower health insurance premium increases for individuals and families
The Senate voted 15 to 2 Friday to pass a bill to lower health insurance premium increases for individuals and families. Download Audio
Four senators — including Ellis and Huggins — won’t seek re-election
Anchorage Democratic Sen. Johnny Ellis and Wasilla Republican Sen. Charlie Huggins announced they won’t seek re-election. Download Audio
Walker says the Legislature must pass his fiscal plan
Gov. Bill Walker said the Legislature’s work is a long way from being over. While lawmakers stopped pink slips from being sent to state workers by passing a state budget on Tuesday, Walker said the Legislature must act now to prevent a replay in the future. Download Audio
Legislature votes to dip into budget reserve to pass state budget
The Legislature is poised to pass a state budget that would prevent layoff notices going out to state workers tomorrow. But the budget could draw three billion dollars from the state’s piggy bank, the constitutional budget reserve. And it’s not clear how Governor Bill Walker will respond to a spending plan that doesn’t address Alaska’s long-term state fiscal imbalance. Download Audio
Numerous bills remain up in the air as legislators prepare for special session
Governor Bill Walker called the Legislature into a special session that begins Monday to finish the work lawmakers failed to complete during the 121-day session that ended Wednesday. Download Audio
Governor calls special session after legislature fails to pass budget
Gov. Bill Walker has called the legislature into a special session to address the budget and other bills lawmakers failed to pass during the 121-day session that ended Wednesday.
Legislature looks to finish budget, but special session is likely
The Legislature is preparing to vote on the capital and operating budgets Wednesday. But how the state will pay for the spending plans remains uncertain. And there’s much work left to do. So legislators expect Gov. Bill Walker to call them back into a special session. Download Audio
Despite Walker’s objections, Legislature considers dipping into Permanent Fund earnings
Alaska’s government has never in 40 years used permanent fund earnings to balance the state budget. That could change this year. How the Legislature and Governor Bill Walker handle a plan could have big implications on Alaskans’ Permanent Fund dividends. Download Audio
Passage of state fiscal budget held up by Legislature
Wednesday is the last day of the extended legislative session, but Alaska still doesn’t have a budget for the fiscal year starting in July. In fact, legislators haven’t passed any of the major bills that Governor Bill Walker proposed to close the state’s $3-4 billion budget deficit. Download Audio
Walker seeks more state input on oil and tax incentives
Governor Bill Walker said on Friday that the state government must have a say in which oil and gas projects are eligible for tax incentives. Download Audio
Senate votes to overhaul AK criminal justice system
The Senate voted 14 to 5 today to approve a sweeping overhaul of Alaska’s criminal justice system. The action sends the bill to Governor Bill Walker’s desk. Download Audio