Eric Stone, Alaska Public Media - Juneau
Eric Stone covers state government, tracking the Alaska Legislature, state policy and its impact on all Alaskans. Reach him at estone@alaskapublic.org.
Social media ban for kids under 14 passes Alaska House
The social media proposal was added late in the process as an amendment to another bill and hasn’t been subject to public hearings.
Amendment banning kids under 14 from social media passes Alaska House with bipartisan support
The measure came as an amendment to an otherwise unrelated bill that would require adult websites to verify users are 18 or older.
Alaska House bill would require adult sites to verify users are 18 or older
Advocates say age verification would ensure minors aren't exposed to adult content. Opponents say it's not so simple.
Divided Alaska House calls for stay of homeschool decision until mid-2025
The two-page “sense of the House” approved by a 20-18 vote Wednesday supports a stay of the judge’s ruling through the end of June 2025.
Alaska House committee nixes amendment raising age of consent from 16 to 18
The sponsor of the amendment, Rep. Andrew Gray, D-Anchorage, says he'll try again when the bill returns to the House floor.
Alaska Senate passes bill that ties hunting and fishing residency requirements to PFD eligibility
Wildlife troopers say the loose definition of residency under the current rules make it difficult to prosecute people who take advantage.
Dunleavy says correspondence school decision will have broad impacts. But will it?
A judge recently threw out two laws underpinning key aspects of Alaska's homeschool system. The impact of the decision is up for debate.
Alaska Senate rolls out operating budget with roughly $1,300 PFD plus energy relief check
Sen. Bert Stedman said the state has been "blessed" the last couple of years by high oil prices — but warned high prices won't last forever.
Dunleavy argues homeschool allotments are an ‘indirect benefit’ to private schools. Lawmakers disagree.
House Republicans and the bipartisan Senate majority each say the Alaska Constitution prohibits spending public money on private education.
A judge has thrown out a key part of Alaska’s homeschool system. Here’s what to know.
A judge found unconstitutional the state's correspondence school allotment program, which pays for classes and supplies purchased by parents.
Alaska House rejects constitutional amendment guaranteeing formula-based PFD
Opponents of the measure said they feared a budget crisis. Supporters said it would spur lawmakers to rewrite the PFD formula.
Alaska House passes operating budget with roughly $2,300 PFD
Rep. DeLena Johnson, R-Palmer, says nobody’s totally satisfied — and that makes it a good compromise.
States beyond Alaska were surprised by COVID education grant requirement, expert says
State lawmakers got some perspective on a COVID-related education funding dispute between Alaska and the federal government on Wednesday.
More revisions needed after partial federal approval of key state transportation plan
The delayed approval process is not likely to bog down construction this summer, Alaska Transportation Commissioner Ryan Anderson told lawmakers.
Alaska lawmakers chop budget for Dunleavy’s ‘statehood defense’
Rep. Andy Josephson, a member of the House Finance Committee, said he had concerns about the effort and "whether some of it is waste."
Lots of ideas, but not much time, to address Cook Inlet gas crunch
Lawmakers are trying to figure out the best way forward — and utilities say they have months, not years, to settle on a plan.
Lawmakers clash over Permanent Fund dividend amount as House debates budget
The PFD is one of the most hotly-debated issues in the Legislature every year — and it’s not necessarily a party-line issue.
Republican lawmakers abruptly cancel hearing on Alaska prison deaths over legal concerns
Republican lawmakers cited concerns about an ongoing wrongful death lawsuit against the state in which the ACLU of Alaska is co-counsel.
Senate passes fast-tracked rural school broadband bill, Dunleavy promises quick signature
The bill increases the amount of state money for school districts to purchase broadband service. Gov. Dunleavy indicated he'll sign it.
Alaska House adds measure raising age of consent to 18 to child sex trafficking bill
A bipartisan majority of the House approved the measure as an amendment to a bill that would provide for child sex trafficking screenings.