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.
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.
After failed override vote, what’s next in the fight over Alaska education funding?
The Republican-led House majority says they’re working on another deal, but is there room to compromise with the bipartisan-majority Senate?
Alaska Legislature fails to override Dunleavy’s education veto
The Legislature was just one vote short of overriding Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s veto of a bill that would have significantly increased funding for public schools.
Alaska Legislature plans to vote Monday on overriding governor’s veto of education bill
"This is a twist that I hadn't honestly expected," Senate President Gary Stevens said.
Gov. Dunleavy vetoes bipartisan education bill
Gov. Mike Dunleavy said the bill “lacked sufficient changes in how charter schools are chartered in order to allow more students and families charter school possibilities.”
Alaska Legislature rejects 8 of Gov. Dunleavy’s 12 executive orders
Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s 12 orders make up nearly 10% of the total number of executive orders issued since statehood.
New poll says Alaskans support ‘large’ education funding increase, child care bill, federal trawling ban
Half of Alaskans favor a per-student increase of $680 or more, the same amount the House and Senate passed in recent weeks.