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.
Alaska Senate passes bill to pay for essential and laid-off workers to attend college
The bill up would provide up to $10 million through the end of 2024 for students to attend Alaska colleges or other state-certified postsecondary programs. Students must apply for grants this year.
Alaska legislators end face mask mandate in Capitol
Legislators and others in the Capitol are no longer required to wear face masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Senate president conflicts with governor on budget, dividend timeline
Micciche, a Soldotna Republican, said on Friday that lawmakers are working to finish their work on the budget by the end of the regular session, even though Gov. Mike Dunleavy just called a special session.
Dunleavy calls for special sessions on budget, Permanent Fund, taxes and spending
The first 30-day session would begin on May 20, the day after the regular session ends. It will focus on finishing work on the state budget, and on a constitutional amendment intended to protect the Permanent Fund’s earnings reserve, permanent fund dividends and a fund lowering rural electricity costs.
Alaska Legislature rejects Dunleavy nominee to Board of Fish
The Alaska Legislature rejected one of Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s nominees to the state Board of Fisheries on Tuesday.
House passes budget, leaving potential gap from federal relief rules
The budget includes most of what Gov. Mike Dunleavy proposed for state agencies. But it doesn’t include funding for permanent fund dividends.
Winfree selected to be first Alaska-born chief justice of state Supreme Court
Daniel Winfree was selected unanimously on Wednesday as the chief justice of the Alaska Supreme Court.
Alaska Native Vietnam vets, heirs would receive state land under Gov. Dunleavy proposal
Alaska Native veterans of the Vietnam War era would be able to receive state land under a proposal Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced on Wednesday.
In address to Legislature, Sullivan slams Biden resource decisions
In an address to a joint session in the Legislature, Sullivan said Alaska’s economy benefited from a series of decisions by former President Trump’s administration.
Lawmakers reject $3,000 dividend during weekend debate
Early in a marathon day of floor sessions on Saturday, the Alaska House of Representatives rejected a proposal to pay permanent fund dividends of more than $3,000 this year.
House committee votes against $3,000 PFDs
The Alaska House Finance Committee rejected a proposal on Thursday that would have paid out Permanent Fund dividends of roughly $3,000 this year.
Alaska lawmakers pass COVID-19 disaster declaration bill, with $8 million in federal food aid on the line
The Legislature faced a tight deadline for getting the bill to Dunleavy’s desk. Some Alaskans would lose $8 million in federal food aid if he doesn’t sign the bill into law by Friday.
Alaska voting reform proposals reflect national divide
A Republican senator has proposed a bill he said would make elections more secure. But it’s raising concerns among advocates for making it easier to vote who favor a bill proposed by a Democratic House member.
Alaska House bill would fund schools ahead of time, prevent pink slips
House Bill 169 would fund education ahead of the rest of the state budget, to avoid teachers and other school staff receiving layoff notices next month. This happens when the Legislature goes deep into May without passing a budget, triggering notices required under teachers’ contracts.
Senate votes to remove Reinbold as chair of Judiciary Committee
The Alaska Senate voted 17-1 to remove Republican Eagle River Sen. Lora Reinbold as chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday.
Alaska to offer vaccines to visitors as part of plan to boost tourism
State officials acknowledged that the U.S.’s relatively high vaccination rate compared with other countries could make Alaska’s offer attractive internationally.
Alaska would be first state to use blockchain-based voting system under proposed bill
The bill would also require most voters to use an added step to verify their identity, known as multi-factor authentication.
Gov. Dunleavy orders investigation into state disclosure of personal information with Anchorage
On Thursday, Gov. Mike Dunleavy ordered an investigation after the state shared individuals’ personal information with Anchorage’s municipal government without authorization, the governor’s office said.
Senators unveil bill to extend, limit Alaska disaster declaration as deadline for food aid looms
Some Alaska state senators are aiming to pass a bill that would extend Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s disaster declaration, but with more limited powers than were in place until mid-February in order to continue providing food aid and assist in other COVID-19 response areas.
Gov. Dunleavy announces national Alaska tourism ad campaign to counter ‘death grapple’ with CDC
The CDC’s position is just one federal issue that could prevent cruise ships from coming to Alaska. Another is a federal law that requires cruise ships headed to Alaska to stop in Canada, which won’t allow stops until next year.